Written Answers of 10 May 2001

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Walworth Church Commissioners Estate
  Ms Harman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement about the future of the community of the tenants of the Walworth Church Commissioners estate in Southwark. [160749]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  As my right hon. Friend will know, the Church Commissioners are consulting widely with interested parties over future letting policy in respect of a number of their residential estates, including that at Walworth in south London. The proposals forming the basis of consultation are, first, that the Commissioners will carry out a programme of improvements to the estates, and secondly, that over time, and for new tenants only, they will move to a mixture of affordable and market rents with the former being offered in future to key public service providers working in the local community.

  That consultation is still in progress and includes seeking the views of residents groups, including the newly formed residents association on the Walworth estate. We have presented the proposals to some members of the association's committee and have been invited to give the same presentation at the inaugural meeting of the association on 15 May.

  No decision will be taken until consultation has been concluded and the Commissioners have had a chance to consider the views of those affected by and close to the proposals.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, what the average rent level in tenancies is in the Walworth Church Commissioners estate in Southwark; and what assessment he has made of the average market rent levels in the Walworth area. [160748]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Properties at the Church Commissioners Walworth estate are let on a mixture of fair rents and assured tenancies, the former being applicable in the case of Rent Act tenancies granted before 1988.
  The average rent levels (as at 4 May 2001) on the Commissioners Walworth estate in both cases, as compared with the equivalent estimated market rental values, are set out as follows:

  Type of property

  Fair rent (£per week)

  Assured rent (£ per month)

  Market rent estimates (£per month)

  Bedsit

  47.50

  279

  434

  1 bedroom flat

  53.00

  337

  650

  2 bedroom flat

  63.50

  419

  869

  3 bedroom flat

  68.00

  485

  1,210

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  Type of property

  Fair rent (£per week)

  Assured rent (£per month)

  Market rent estimates(£per month)

  4 bedroom flat

  70.00

  530

  1,500

  1 bedroom ½ cottage

  53.50

  345

  534

  2 bedroom ½ cottage

  50.00

  406

  760

  1 bedroom cottage

  65.50

  343

  800

  2 bedroom cottage

  70.50

  399

  869

  3 bedroom cottage

  81.50

  433

  1,086

  The total number of properties involved is 618.

  Rent levels vary according to the condition of the property and there are too few properties within some categories to provide very meaningful averages but this has been done so far as is possible. There is only one two bedroom half cottage rented on a fair rent, it is unmodernised and hence the rent level is shown as less than the average charged for a one bedroom half cottage.

  Market rents were estimated by a local property agent at the end of 2000.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the President of the Council 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. [158545]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have travelled abroad in an official capacity on three occasions between these dates. On each occasion one of my special advisers has accompanied me.

  The requirements of the Civil Service Management Code were met in each case.

DEFENCE

  Military Equipment
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procedure whereby military equipment which has become surplus to requirements is listed and described in order to give museums an opportunity to bid for the items, indicating when the existing procedure was instituted, how many artefacts have been so advertised to museums and how many bids have been(a) received and (b) accepted; and what changes are planned in the procedure. [160350]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are established procedures, introduced in March 1999, for the six principal service museums, the regimental and corps museums, the Imperial war museum, the science museum, the national maritime museum and museums sponsored by local authorities that have a clear defence interest allowing them to identify equipment that they may wish to acquire. If equipment identified is declared as surplus and gifting or loan is not an option, museums are invited to bid by the Disposal Services Agency (DSA) by means of competitive tender. Currently the DSA has 76 museums on their database covering interests such as aircraft and armoured vehicles. There are no changes planned in the procedure.
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  The DSA conducts most of its sales, however, via its marketing contractors and the museums are, of course, at liberty to approach these direct to purchase equipments. Details of equipments held are available through the DSA website and the subsequent links to its contractors.

  The full number of tenders issued to museums and the number of museums successful with their tenders can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, for aircraft alone, two tenders have been issued to 66 museums since March 1999 and seven museums have been successful.

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [158558]

  Mr. Hoon
  Departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity on six occasions during the period 31 March 2000 to 31 March 2001.

  There are no non-departmental special advisers.

  Fylingdales/Menwith Hill
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in each year since 1990 on upgrading the communications monitoring bases at(a) Menwith Hill and (b) Fylingdales; and from what budget line the money has been drawn. [160711]

  Mr. Hoon
  RAF Menwith Hill is an integral part of a worldwide communications network, which supports UK, US and NATO interests. Information on detailed operations at RAF Menwith Hill, including funding issues, is withheld under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information on the ground of national security.

  The primary function of RAF Fylingdales is to provide the UK and US with early warning of a ballistic missile launch. It is not a communications monitoring base. The last upgrade of the early warning facilities took place in the early 1990s when the old "golf balls", which had become obsolete and difficult to maintain, were replaced with a modern solid state phased array radar. The UK Government contributed a total of £48 million to the costs of this upgrade, from the headquarters Strike Command budget. A yearly breakdown of this figure does not exist.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many exchanges of information have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Administration in respect of(a) Fylingdales and (b) Menwith Hill since May 1997. [160808]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK and US regularly discuss the existing early warning and communication functions that RAF Fylingdales and RAF Menwith Hill respectively have performed for many years.

  Defence Systems
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) people employed by his Department and (b) consultants working for his Department have (i) worked
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  in the United States and (ii) co-operated with United States experts on defence systems deployable in space since May 1997. [160809]

  Mr. Hoon
  This information is not held centrally. Due to the wide range of defence applications which rely on the deployment of assets in space, it would be extremely difficult to derive the required information and, were it to be attempted, it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Security Policy
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make in assessment of the report of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organisation, presented to the Chairman of the Committee of Armed Services of the US House of Representatives on 11 January, in respect of the aspects which have implications for United Kingdom security policy. [160812]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are aware of the report and await the US Department of Defense response to it. The outer space treaty places important limitations on military activity in space without entirely prohibiting it. We do not want to see a general prohibition on military use of space because, for example, as confirmed in the Strategic Defence Review, we perceive a continuing needs for secure satellite communications for the armed forces. We do not support the further consideration of the use of outer space by the conference on disarmament in Geneva.

  National Missile Defense
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will invite hon. Members to join the delegation to meet the defence envoys due to visit the United Kingdom to discuss nation al missile defense, announced by President Bush on 1 May. [160810]

  Mr. Spellar
  No.

  Appointments (Age Limit)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158128]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies. Consistent with this, there are no age limits on appointments made to public bodies sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, other than to the advisory committee on conscientious objectors. Appointments to this body are part-time judicial posts, appointed by the Lord Chancellor, and therefore abide by the Lord Chancellor's Department's general policy of normally considering for appointment only those aged between 35 and 62. The upper limit is set to take account of the retirement age for judicial office holders, which for part-time office holders is 65.

  E-mail
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department is revising its internal guidance to staff on writing and distributing
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  e-mails; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's current internal guidance on e-mail procedures. [152053]

  Dr. Moonie
  Current Ministry of Defence (MOD) corporate policy and guidance concerning the use of e-mail is contained in two documents: Defence Council instruction (DCI) 156/00, which sets out policy and guidance on the use of e-mail, and DCI 272/00, which concerns conduct matters relating to the use of IT systems, including e-mail communications. In addition, most of MOD's IT systems have local operating procedures that may provide additional guidance for users.

  MOD is in the process of producing a single publication covering all aspects of electronic working, including the use of e-mail. This will consolidate existing policy and guidance, update this in the light of our growing experience of electronic working and of recent legislation, as well as provide advice on best practice. Our aim is to improve MOD's working processes and the quality of life at work for our employees, as we 11 as promote the efficient and effective management of information in defence.

  I am arranging for copies of MOD's current policy documents on the use of e-mail, DCIs 156/00 and 272/00, to be placed in the Library of the House.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  GM Crops
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what baseline data are being used for monitoring purposes for each of the genetically modified trial test sites at Mathry, Pembrokeshire; [157572]

  (2) what period elapsed between the baseline assessment date and subsequent assessment of the sites for genetically modified farmscale trials at Mathry, Pembrokeshire. [157573]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]The design of the farmscale evaluations experiment does not require a pre-experiment assessment of baseline data other than pre-sowing seed sampling, which gives an indication of the potential for weeds to grow in the field. This is because the experiment is designed to compare effects of herbicide use between the two sides of each experimental field. One half is randomly selected and planted with the GM crop, while the other half is planted with the non-GM equivalent crop. This design allows for the effects of the herbicides on wildlife in the two halves of the field to be assessed more accurately than would be possible by comparison with wildlife in the crop before the start of the experiment.

  The purpose of the farmscale evaluations is to examine whether there are any differences in the diversity and abundance of farmland wildlife associated with the use of GM herbicide tolerant crops with the herbicides to which they are tolerant, as compared with equivalent non-GM crops. We are also measuring the effects of geneflow. The wildlife found in crop fields is affected by factors such as the vegetation and crop type. Wildlife present in the bare field before sowing or in a previous, different, crop the
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  year before will not be the same as that to be expected in the experimental crop. Measurements of differences in wildlife between a pre-trial audit and within the experimental crop during the experiment would therefore not allow the effects of the herbicide to be measured.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact on United Kingdom honey production of GM crops. [158504]

  Mr. Meacher
  Only extremely small amounts of GM pollen (less than one part per million) might arise in honey as a result of the present plantings of GM crops. This is considerably below the 1 per cent. threshold for labelling produce as containing GM material set out in the Novel Foods Regulations. The pollen from these particular crops has also been determined by Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment not to harm bees. Therefore, we believe that the current cultivation of GM crops should not affect honey production any more than conventional farming.

  However, I am aware that some retailers have asked their honey suppliers to move hives away from GM crop trial sites and this may have an impact on production. There is therefore an important issue of liability for any damage to another farmer's, or in this case, beekeeper's ability to sell his produce. I believe that we need a liability provision in law whereby a GM farmer or any other type of farmer is made statutorily liable for any damage caused to neighbouring farmers or producers. We are working on a range of options for possible liability provisions of this type, in respect of any damage from GM crops. In the meantime, an individual who has suffered loss may be able to commence an action in the courts. Each case will turn on its own facts and the question of who is liable will be determined in the light of all the circumstances.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he has taken to implement the inspector's recommendation at the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road that the Lichfield and Hatherton canal restoration should not be compromised by the toll motorway; [160126]

  (2) if he will provide match funding for the Lichfield and Hatherton canal restoration trusts to ensure restoration work can be completed during the construction of the Birmingham northern relief road. [160125]

  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State's decision on the inspectors report into the Birmingham northern relief road (BNRR) scheme was published on 27 July 1997. That letter placed obligations on the concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd. (MEL), in respect of the Lichfield and Hatherton canals. MEL is required to facilitate the full restoration works for the canals, waiving any consequential loss of tolls that these works may occasion. MEL is also required to provide, at its expense, the foundations for an aqueduct to carry the Lichfield canal over the BNRR and a pipe for an interim supply if the Lichfield and Hatherton canals restoration trust considers this necessary. MEL will meet these obligations in full.
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  Active discussions regarding the funding of the crossing are ongoing between the various parties involved. I will write to my hon. Friend once those discussions are complete.

  London Underground
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the principle of reputational externalities is applied to the assessment of bidders for the London Underground PPP. [160530]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: In recognition of the size of the London Underground PPPs and the potential for alternative funding sources, the financial analysis of the PPP bids is based around a number of different scenarios, including ones that allow for a public sector bond-financed London Underground. Where appropriate, an adjustment representing the "reputational externality" is included in some of these scenarios. This is designed to capture the impact additional public sector borrowing would have on the Government's reputation for prudence and therefore on the risk premium demanded on sterling-denominated securities.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations Transport for London has made on the policy of preferred bidder status in relation to the London Underground; what control Transport for London will have over the preferred bidder when London Underground comes under the responsibility of the London Mayor; what aspects agreed prior to the transfer will be the sole responsibility of the contractor; and if he will make a statement. [160801]

  Mr. Hill
  I understand that Bob Kiley, Commissioner of Transport for London, wrote to Sir Malcolm Bates, then chairman of London Transport, on 27 April 2001 giving TFL's views on LT's proposed decision to select preferred bidders for the two deep tube PPP competitions. On 2 May, the LT board—after giving full and proper consideration to TFL's views—selected preferred bidders for these contracts. The preferred bidder for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines infrastructure company is Tube Lines. The preferred bidder for the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria Lines infrastructure company is Metronet.

  On 4 May. my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced that he had reached agreement with Bob Kiley on a way forward which will provide a secure basis for progressing the PPP. As a result of this agreement, Mr. Kiley will be appointed LT chairman and 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 of this agreement are set out in a memorandum of agreement, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the preferred bidder for London Underground and the public sector comparator; if the preferred bidder has been informed that the comparator must be favourable when the bid is assessed; what information is being given to the preferred bidder about 256W
  the terms of the comparator; when it is expected to make the terms of the comparator public; and what his policy is in the event that, the bidder receives an unfavourable assessment under the comparator. [160800]

  Mr. Hill
  The PPPs for London Underground are about delivering best value for both tube passengers and taxpayers. As such we expect the LT board to sign PPP contracts only if they are satisfied that they represent value for money. They will be guided in this decision by the results of a rigorously designed and constructed public sector comparator. This has been made clear to both the preferred bidders for the deep-tube contracts.

  A paper describing the methodology used by LT in constructing the comparator was placed in the House Library on 30 March 2000. This paper has been made available to bidders. I understand that LT also intends to make the results of the comparator publicly available once contracts have been signed. To publish the results of the comparator earlier than this would undermine LT's commercial position.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what negotiations he intends to have over the next month with leaders of the RMT trade union concerning strike action on the London Underground. [160718]

  Mr. Hill
  None This is an operational matter for the union and London Underground to resolve between them.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much London Transport has spent to date on consultancy costs for London Underground public-private partnership. [161063]

  Mr. Hill
  I understand from London Transport that its expenditure on external consultants from 20 March 1998 (the date of the Government's announcement) to 31 March 2001, for work on the PPP and restructuring of London Underground, was £76.7 million.

  Capital Projects (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the capital projects agreed in Shrewsbury and Atcham to improve(a) bus services, (b) train services, (c) cycle routes and (d) other public transport investments since 1 May 1997 and their cost; and if he will make a statement. [160511]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The local transport plan (LTP) submitted by Shropshire county council in July 2000 set out a strategy for five years to spend on:
  integrated transport schemes (e.g. measures to improve local transport, reduce congestion, and promote walking and road safety);local road maintenance and bridge strengthening schemes;major public transport and road schemes costing over £5 million (e.g. integrated town centre improvements, new bus corridors, and local road schemes).
  Authorities have discretion about which transport schemes to fund, in line with the Objectives, priorities and targets identified in the LTP, so it is not possible to list each individual project. However, I am pleased to say that over the five years from 1997–98 to 2001–02 the integrated transport plan for Shrewsbury has been allocated £3.86 million.

  Access to Hastings Study
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the advice obtained by the Countryside Agency on the handling of the Access to Hastings study. [160899]

  Mr. Hill
  I understand that the Countryside Agency has commissioned a review of the access to Hastings multi-modal study. The agency is currently analysing the findings of the review and copies have been made available to my officials. This report will be made available in line with our open government policy.

  Countryside and Rights of Way Act
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the regulations which he plans to make under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in order to bring it into force; and what the target dates for making each set of regulations are. [160816]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 9 May 2001,Official Report, column 187W.

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when paragraphs 6 and 7 of schedule 7 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will come into effect. [160751]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  Paragraph 6 of schedule 7 will insert a new section 34A into the Road Traffic Act 1988. This will enable a defence to a charge of driving a vehicle on certain classes of rights of way and land not forming part of a road, brought under section 34 of the 1988 Act (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000), to be raised in limited circumstances. The effect of section 34A will be to restrict those who can put forward evidence to rebut a presumption created by section 34 that the right of way shown on the definitive map carries only the rights applicable to that class of way.

  Provision has been made in section 34A for regulations to be made specifying additional circumstances in which such evidence can be put forward. We hope to consult on proposals for such regulations later this year.

  Footpaths
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of footpaths are open in each local authority area in England; which authorities have applied for grant money to help with reopening of paths; how much money they have received; and if he will publish this information each week. [160815]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 3 May 2001.Official Report, column 754W. The Countryside Agency's website (http://www.countryside.gov.uk/footandmouth/) provides information about the reopening of rights of way for every local highway authority in England, including the percentage of the length of rights of way open in each area, where this information is available. The agency's website is continually updated.
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  I also draw my hon. Friend's attention to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 37W, and to my Department's press release on the same day which listed the percentage of public rights of way open for each county council area in England.

  The Countryside Agency has so far received 47 applications for grants to help meet the costs of reopening paths, and has made offers of grant in response to these applications. A list of those authorities which have applied for grants and the amount of grant offered by the Countryside Agency are set out in the table. I shall provide further information on progress with the grant scheme in due course.

  Rights of Way and Access Land Recovery Fund: Summary of applications received and grant offers as at 9 May 2001

  Region/Authority

  Grant offer(£)

  North West

  Cheshire CC

  28,875

  Oldham

  12,925

  Lake District National Park Authority

  45,000

  Blackpool

  7,013

  Lancashire

  7,026

  North East

  North Tyneside

  9,000

  Darlington BC

  7,500

  Northumberland CC

  20,353

  Durham CC

  52,155

  Northumberland National park

  15,750

  City of Sunderland

  4,800

  South West

  Wiltshire CC

  30,599

  Cornwall CC

  44,000

  Devon CC

  36,600

  Dorset CC

  35,625

  Dartmoor National Park

  33,765

  North Somerset

  10,500

  South East and London

  Isle of Wight Council

  22,500

  Buckinghamshire CC

  24,450

  Kent CC

  14,438

  Oxfordshire CC

  7,500

  West Berkshire CC

  10,594

  Royal Borough Windsor and Maidenhead

  11,625

  East of England

  Cambridge CC

  21,638

  Hertfordshire

  37,984

  Norfolk CC

  49,500

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Barnsley MBC

  27,313

  Yorkshire Dales National Park and Craven DC

  25,122

  North Yorkshire Moors National Park

  11,475

  Calderdale MBC

  26,060

  North Yorkshire CC etc.

  24,776

  Doncaster MBC

  10,275

  City of York

  11,625

  East Riding CC

  17,262

  Hambleton DC (via North Yorks CC)

  3,582

  West Midlands

  Warwickshire CC

  45,000

  Shropshire CC

  25,875

  Staffordshire CC

  45,000

  Telford and Wrekin CC

  5,000

  Worcestershire CC

  32,250

  Herefordshire CC

  45,000

  East Midlands

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  Rights of Way and Access Land Recovery Fund: Summary of applications received and grant offers as at 9 May 2001

  Region/Authority

  Grant offer(£)

  Leicestershire CC

  34,000

  Northamptonshire CC

  8,588

  Derbyshire CC

  45,000

  Peak District National Park

  25,275

  Nottinghamshire CC

  13,986

  Rutland CC

  10,838

  Total

  1,095,017

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of senior grade civil servants in his Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if he will make a statement. [160887]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  There are no senior grade civil servants in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions who have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week.

  Regional Impact Assessments
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2001,Official Report, columns 313–15W, on regional impact assessments, if the criteria taken into account by the regional co-ordination unit included (a) the

  Reviews of regional planning guidance (RPG)

  Region

  Draft RPG advice to Secretary of State

  Public examination into RPG

  Target for issue of revised RPG

  Eastern (RPG6)1

  August 19982

  February 1999

  November 20003

  North East (RPG1)

  December 1999

  June/July 2000

  Autumn 2001

  East Midlands (RPG8)

  November 1999

  June 2000

  Summer 2001

  South East (RPG9)4

  December 1998

  May 1999

  March 20013

  South West (RPG10)

  August 1999

  March/April 2000

  Summer 2001

  West Midlands (RPG 11)

  Autumn 2001

  Early 2002

  Winter 2002–03

  Yorkshire and the Humber (RPG12)

  October 1999

  June/July 2000

  Summer 2001

  North West (RPG13)

  June/July 2000

  February 2001

  End 2001

  1The entry against Eastern Region is for RPG6 covering East Anglia. Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire are covered by the review of the RPG for the greater South East region

  2Issued for consultation by GO

  3Issued

  4The review of RPG9 covers London, the Government Office area for the South East and Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire

  Notes:

  1. Last updated 9 May 2000

  2. Instead of non-statutory Regional Planning Guidance in London there will be a statutory spatial development strategy (SDS) for London following the establishment of the GLA. Hence there is no separate entry for London. The draft SDS is due to be submitted to the Secretary of State in early summer 2001. The public examination is due in early 2002 and the aim is to publish the final SDS in autumn 2002

  Waste Management
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will respond to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affair's Committee's Fifth report of Session 2000–01, HC 36, on Delivering Sustainable Waste Management. [160820]
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  availability of previously developed urban land from region to region and (b) other considerations of environmental capacity. [160795]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The criteria used by the regional co-ordination unit does not specifically include these considerations, which properly fall to the Departments and others putting forward proposals.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2001,Official Report, columns 313–15W, on regional impact assessments, if the large number of other initiatives referred to included (a) regional selective assistance and (b) funding for the regional development agencies. [160797]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The regional co-ordination unit has not assessed any initiatives which have included regional selective assistance or funding for the regional development agencies. The initiatives looked at were proposals for new area based activity.

  Regional Planning Guidance
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue new regional planning guidance. [160842]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  There is a rolling programme of review for regional planning guidance (RPG) and the table indicates the current position for each region.

  The examination in public for the north-west RPG concluded in February 2001 and the panel's report is due next month. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consult on proposed changes then proceed to issue final RPG. It is hoped that this process can be completed by the end of the year.

  Mr. Meacher
  It is normal practice to respond to a Select Committee report within two months of its publication. However, because of the forthcoming dissolution of this Parliament, the Government will be unable to respond within the normal time scale. It will now be for the incoming Administration to determine the terms of the response to the Committee's report.
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  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the funding programmes for social inclusion for which his Department is responsible that can be accessed by(a) national sports bodies and (b) local clubs and communities. [161009]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions manages a number of relevant funding streams, which I outline below. However, it should be noted that in all cases individual applications for funding will be judged on their own merits, and there are no DETR programmes which will guarantee support to particular organisations or projects.

  The neighbourhood renewal community chests programme (£50 million over three years) will provide small grants to formal and informal local community groups in the 88 most deprived areas of England to support community self-help and mutual support activity. Introductory information has recently been published in the consultation document on funding community groups produced by the active community unit in the Home Office.

  The community empowerment fund (£36 million over three years) will support community and voluntary sector involvement in local strategic partnerships (LSPs) in the 88 most deprived areas of England. Introductory information has been published by DETR as an annex to the LSP guidance.

  National sports bodies would not be eligible for funding through either of these programmes.

  The new deal for communities programme (£1.97 billion over 10 years) makes funding available to support regeneration in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in the country. Projects to invest in local community centres and sporting facilities have featured in many of the partnerships' plans for turning around their neighbourhoods, and partnerships should also engage with all the relevant local organisations, including community groups and sports clubs.

  The single regeneration budget (SRB) programme (£5.6 billion covering six rounds) could help the area or local branch of a national sports body the costs of, for instance, setting up a local training facility that would benefit members of the local community. Local clubs and communities could also be eligible for funding through the SRB programme.

  The European regional development fund (ERDF)—which is concerned primarily with economic regeneration—could also provide limited funding for local clubs and communities in relevant areas for capacity building projects, provided sports facilities could demonstrate a wider benefit (for instance, boosting local tourism) and therefore be considered good value. Details of local and regional programmes can be obtained from the Government offices for the regions.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects 262W
  to receive the report of the Strategic Rail Authority into the proposed Central Railway project; and if he will publish that report. [160818]

  Mr. Hill
  I am confident that the Strategic Rail Authority will complete the review that it has commissioned into Central Railway's proposals in as timely a manner as possible. It will then be for the SRA to decide whether it wishes to publish a report.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the meetings held in the last 12 months between Ministers and the promoters of the Central Railway Project. [160817]

  Mr. Hill
  There have been no meetings between Ministers of my Department and Central Railway in the past 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade has had a number of private meetings with representatives of Central Railway in his capacity as the Member for Sheffield, Central.

  Al2
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions how many(a) injuries and (b) deaths there were in each of the last 12 months for which statistics are available on the A12 between junctions with the M25 and A14; and what the key accident areas were on that stretch of road. [160717]

  Mr. Hill
  The table shows the number of deaths and injuries per month on the Al2 between its junctions with the M25 and the A14 in 1999, the last 12 months for which national statistics are available. It has not been possible categorically to identify key areas of accident clustering.

  Deaths

  Injuries

  January

  0

  28

  February

  0

  11

  March

  3

  38

  April

  1

  21

  May

  0

  36

  June

  0

  27

  July

  0

  24

  August

  1

  28

  September

  0

  36

  October

  1

  35

  November

  1

  33

  December

  1

  36

  Wandsworth
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of Wandsworth's expenditure was met by(a) Government grant, (b) business rates and (c) council tax in the financial years 1979 to 2001. [160876]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information requested for Wandsworth is as follows. Information prior to 1993–94 is not currently available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  263W

  Total grant

  Business rates

  Council tax

  £000

  Percentage

  £000

  Percentage

  £000

  Percentage

  1993–941

  173,675

  75

  55,053

  23.8

  28,282

  12.2

  1994–951

  175,235

  61.5

  52,063

  18.3

  18,290

  6.4

  1995–961

  164,728

  69.2

  55,286

  23.2

  37,084

  15.6

  1996–971

  150,455

  59.4

  62,062

  24.5

  37,098

  14.6

  1997–981

  151,638

  66.6

  57,873

  25.4

  33,989

  14.9

  1998–991

  147,486

  61.5

  60,590

  25.3

  22,238

  9.3

  1999–20001

  153,096

  62.2

  65,496

  26.6

  27,222

  11.1

  2000–012

  151,704

  58.6

  73,719

  28.5

  28,425

  11.0

  2001–022

  164,243

  59.7

  72,732

  26.5

  33,476

  12.2

  1Outturn

  2Budget

  Notes:

  1. Council tax is gross of Council Tax Benefit Grant and Council Tax Transitional Relief Grant.

  2. Percentages do not add up to 100 per cent. due to use of reserves etc.

  3. Comparison between years may be affected by changing responsibilities, in particular creation of GLA in 2000–01.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to allow access to and from motorways for heavy goods vehicles to access local sites. [160814]

  Mr. Hill
  No. In the interests of safety and the free flow of traffic, it is essential to make severe restrictions on the number of motorway accesses. All accesses allowed to motorways must be by strategically located fully designed grade-separated junctions—normally from other trunk roads, major local roads, motorway service areas, or maintenance compounds. Exceptionally, accesses can be provided for other major transport interchanges such as airports.

  Hybrid Fuel-cell Vehicles
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) support and (b) incentives the Government have provided for an early introduction of hybrid fuel-cell vehicles. [160914]

  Mr. Hill
  The £30 million "Powershift" programme, which is sponsored by my Department, is currently supporting several projects to demonstrate hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. The Government have also set up the £9 million new vehicles technology fund to support the introduction of technologies such as fuel-cell and hybrid vehicles offering significant environmental benefits. Additionally, new purchasers of fuel-efficient cars, including hybrids, since 1 March qualified for lower rates of vehicle excise duty. Owners of electric vehicles—including fuel-cell vehicles—have since 1 April qualified for zero VED.

  The Government plan to publish a consultation document in the summer, on "Powering Future Vehicles", discussing and inviting comment on further steps that Government should take to promote the development and introduction of hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles in this country.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to LPG companies regarding their pricing system with particular reference to the variations in price from area to area.[160908]
  264W
  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs at column 307W.

  Ofgen
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to Ofgen about the treatment of CHP in Ofgen's review of the initial impact of NETA. [160798]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Minister for Energy asked Ofgen to undertake a review of the initial impact of NETA on smaller generators based on its first two months of live operation. I have made clear to the chief executive of Ofgen the importance which I attach to an early and successful outcome to the review, so that the concerns which CHP generators are expressing about the impact of NETA are thoroughly addressed. CHP has significant environmental benefits. and we need to ensure that its full potential can still be realised within the context of NETA. As part of the CHP strategy, which we will issue for consultation later this year, we will also examine other ways of ensuring that our target of 10,000MW of installed CHP capacity is met by 2010.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish(a) the pro ections of the cost per tonne of carbon saved and (b) the absolute carbon saving projections for (i) renewable energy, (ii) domestic energy efficiency and (iii) combined heat and power as originally outlined on pages 17 and 46 of the 1998 DETR document, the UK Climate Change Programme: Consultation paper. [160799]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government have not updated the general costs per tonne of carbon saved that were included in the 1998 climate change consultation paper. We produced a qualitative assessment of the costs and benefits in the UK's climate change programme that was published in November 2000. The Government will consider whether it is possible to re-assess the costs per tonne of carbon saved from each policy in the future, as part of the formal evaluation of the climate change programme in 2004–05. The results of this evaluation will be published.
  265W
  The climate change programme included estimated carbon savings for all those policies for which savings could be quantified. We estimate that delivery of the Government's target to provide 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity from renewable energy, as against around 5 per cent. that might otherwise have teen achieved, could bring savings of 2.5 MtC in 2010. Extensive discussions about the potential costs and benefits of domestic energy efficiency confirmed that a range of simple measures could save up to 2.7–3.8 MtC per year by 2010. The UK's current CHP capacity of around 4,700 MWe is estimated to save around 4 MtC per year. The carbon savings from increased use of CHP are reflected within those for a range of other policies within the programme, particularly the climate change levy, climate change agreements and community heating.

  GM Maize
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which EU country gave part C consent for GM maize, under European Directive 90/220/EC; on what date the consent was given; and to whom. [160720]

  Mr. Meacher
  European member states have given Part C consent, under European Directive 90/220/EC, to four types of GM maize. One is for importation and processing only. The other three are for importation and cultivation in the European Union (EU).

  The genetically modified (GM) maize in the farm-scale evaluation programme is known as T25 maize (consent reference number—C/F/95/12/07). 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, to AgrEvo France. This company is known as Aventis CropScience UK in the UK.

  Planning
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the House of Lords' judgment in the recent cases involving planning and human rights. [161064]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We welcome this judgment. These cases, involving the ability of the Secretary of State to make decisions on planning schemes, are of great importance to the planning system and have wide implications. The House of Lords today unanimously upheld the Secretary of State's role under the planning Acts and have found no breach of article 6 of the european convention on human rights. They found that there is no incompatibility between the Secretary of State being responsible for formulating planning policy as well as for taking decisions in individual cases. He is democratically accountable to Parliament and, through the process of judicial review, to the courts. They found that article 6 is satisfied. Planning cases in the pipeline will continue to be handled in the normal way.
  266W

  Cleansing Services Group
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive concerning the incident at the Cleansing Services Group Ltd. site at Sandhurst in Gloucestershire on 30 October; and if he will make a statement. [161071]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have today placed in the Library copies of the progress report the Deputy Prime Minister has received from Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency, on the incident that occurred on 30 October at the CSG Ltd. facility at Sandhurst. The report has been compiled jointly by the agency and the Health and Safety Executive. It advises that, while no form of contamination has been found off-site that might be hazardous to human health or the environment and there is no risk to the food chain, some local residents have reported symptoms some time after the fire. The report also confirms that the investigation by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive into criminal offences that may have been committed is on-going.

  I understand the concerns of local residents about the incident and their calls for a public inquiry. The Prime Minister made it clear in his response to a question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 25 April 2001, Official Report, column 296, that we would make a determination as to whether there should be a full public inquiry as soon as we received this report. I am now giving the matter urgent consideration and expect to make an announcement in due course.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Green Ministers have agreed on the details of a target on purchasing electricity from renewable sources. [161074]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am pleased to announce that the Green Ministers Committee has agreed the following target:
  All departments will ensure that, by 31 March 2003, at least 5 per cent. of their electricity comes from renewable sources that are exempt from the climate change levy, or from self generation, provided this does not entail excessive cost. This will rise to at least 10 per cent. supply from such sources by 31 March 2008, but will be reviewed after 31 March 2003, to take account of market conditions following the introduction of the renewables obligation.
  The review of 2003 will include consideration of increasing or bringing forward the target.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  GCSEs
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the percentage of pupils gaining five GCSEs at grades A⋆ to C for each of the schools in an Excellence in Cities area for (a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [158849]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Every mainstream secondary school in the authorities listed benefits or will benefit from the Excellence in Cities

  267W
  programme. In addition, smaller groups of school—including secondary schools—will benefit from inclusion within the new excellence clusters.

  Schools in the first 25 phase 1 EiC authorities came on stream from September 1999 (academic year 1999–2000), those in the 23 phase 2 authorities from September 2000 (academic year 2000–01), and schools in the 11 phase 3 authorities (including North Sefton) and 11 excellence clusters will begin implementing the programme from September 2001 (academic year 2001–02).

  I refer the hon. Member to the secondary school performance tables published by my Department for information on individual school achievements. Overall, the proportion of pupils in EiC phase 1 partnerships achieving five or more GCSE/GNVQ grades A⋆-C rose by 2.3 percentage points between 1999 and 2000, compared with an average increase of 1.3 percentage points for all other maintained schools in England.

  Local Education Authorities in the Excellence in Cities Programme

  Barking and Dagenham

  Barnsley

  Birmingham

  Blackburn with Darwen

  Blackpool

  Bradford

  Brent

  Bristol, City of

  Camden

  Coventry

  Croydon

  Cumbria

  Doncaster

  Ealing

  Enfield

  Gateshead

  Greenwich

  Hackney

  Halton

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Haringey

  Hartlepool

  Hounslow

  Islington

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Kent

  Kingston Upon Hull, City of

  Kirklees

  Knowsley

  Lambeth

  Lancashire

  Leeds

  Leicester

  Lewisham

  Liverpool

  Luton

  Manchester

  Middlesbrough

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Newham

  North Tyneside

  Nottingham

  268W

  Oldham

  Portsmouth

  Redcar and Cleveland

  Rochdale

  Rotherham

  Salford

  Sandwell

  Sefton

  Sheffield

  Solihull

  South Tyneside

  Southwark

  St. Helens

  Stockton-on-Tees

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Sunderland

  Tameside

  Tower Hamlets

  Walsall

  Waltham Forest

  Wandsworth

  Westminster

  Wirral

  Wolverhampton

  Source:

  DfEE Register of Educational Establishments

  Child Care Places (Slough)
  Fiona Mactagart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) nursery and (b) after-school child care places were available in Slough in (i) April 1997 and (ii) April 2001. [160787]

  Ms Hodge
  In January 1997, 1,790 early education places for three and four-year-olds were taken up in the Slough local education authority area. By January 2000, this had increased to 2,434. Figures for the numbers of early education places for three and four-year-olds taken up in January 2001 are not yet available.

  From September 1998, all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time, early education place, From autumn 2004, all three-year-olds in England will also be entitled to a free early education place, if their parents want one.

  We are unable to show statistics for out of school child care places prior to January 1999. In January 1999, there were 54 out of school child care places in group-based care in the Slough area. There was a slight decline in the year to January 2000 but we have yet to receive the figure for January 2001. Furthermore, 1,130 out of school places in both group-based care and with child minders are planned to be created between April 2001 and March 2004. Data for January 2001 are not yet available.

  Key Stage 2
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of pupils achieved(a) 25 per cent. or less, (b) 26 to 50 per cent., (c) 51 to 75 per cent. and (d) 76 per cent. and above in each of the main key stage 2 tests in each of the last three years. [160685]
  269W
  Jacqui Smith
  Key stage 2 test results are analysed and reported in terms of levels of a pupil 's attainment rather than as marks or percentages. The marks from which the levels are derived are not appropriate for comparisons over time, because of the variations in the tests. National curriculum levels are set in a way that aims to ensure consistency of standards over time and therefore provide a sound basis for such comparisons.

  Private Schools
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many, and what percentage of children in secondary education were in private schools(a) in each English local education authority and (b)in England as whole in (i) the latest year for which figures are available and (ii) each of the two preceding years. [160618]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The information requested is not collected centrally.

  The annual schools' census collects information on pupils in independent schools educated in those schools, regardless of where the pupils live. Therefore, information is not available on the area of residence of pupils in independent schools and which local education authority would be responsible for them. Areas have different densities of independent schools which would lead to an over estimate of the proportion of pupils in independent schools in some areas.

  Also, independent schools are not classified as primary or secondary.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the total value of the moneys clawed back from further education colleges was in the year 2000–01; how much of this money was re-allocated to further education; and there is a plan to use it to increase the value of the units for 2001–02 by a fixed amount. [160523]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) recovered £145 million from further education colleges where student numbers were not at the expected level in its last financial year 2000–01 and re-allocated £100 million to further education colleges. Where student numbers have gone up, the FEFC's successor, the Learning and Skills Council, will be considering reallocation of further funds in due course. There are no plans to increase the value of units for 2001–02 by a fixed amount.

  Nursery Places (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each nursery school in Shrewsbury and Atcharn(a) the funding received and (b) the number of free nursery places created since 1 May 1997 for (i) three-year-olds and (ii) four-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [160521]
  270W
  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Data regarding funding and number places for each individual nursery school are not held centrally.

  Since 1997, however, a total of 1,639 new early education places have been created for three and four-year-olds in all settings in the Shropshire local education authority area. Since September 1998, all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time early education place.

  In 2001–02, Shropshire LEA has been allocated sufficient funding to create a further 748 new early education places for three-year-olds. By September 2004, all three-year-olds in England will be entitled to a free early education place, if their parents want one.

  The funding available to Shropshire for early years education and child care since 1997 is shown in the following table.

  £

  Year

  Child care funding

  Early Years Funding (SSA and Nursery Education Grant)

  Total

  1997–98

  n/a

  4,336,632

  4,336,632

  1998–99

  70,000

  5,638,935

  5,708,935

  1999–2000

  199,200

  5,863.664

  6,062,864

  2000–01

  296,400

  6,520,177

  6,816,577

  2001–02

  1,168.690

  7,268,624

  8,437,314

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1997–98 show the position before boundary changes took effect and include Telford and Wrekin. Figures for later years are for Shropshire only, without Telford and Wrekin.

  2. Figures for 2001–02 are estimates only.

  Education Provision (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much it cost to replace a demountable classroom for the Bayston Hill Music and Arts Centre in Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement. [160518]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: £71,991 was allocated to this project under the third phase of the New Deal for Schools programme in 1999–2000. This was the total estimated cost of the project. Shropshire local education authority will be able to advise the final cost of the project.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much it cost to provide additional classrooms at(a) Sundorne infants, (b) Greenfields primary and (c) Springfield infants schools in Shrewsbury and if he will make a statement. [160517]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Government have allocated £80,000 and £88,000 respectively to Greenfields primary and Springfield infants schools, to provide additional accommodation as part of the infant class size initiative. Although capital funding has not been provided for an additional infant classroom at Sundorne infants, I understand that remodelling of existing accommodation has enabled the school to extend its nursery unit. The cost of that work, some £34,000, was supported by the school and the local education authority.
  271W
  The Government pledged to limit infant classes to 30. We have already delivered that pledge early for the vast majority of infants, including those in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency. This has been achieved with the help of substantial funding made available under the class size initiative—allocations to Shropshire LEA alone amount to some £3.5 million.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list which schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham will benefit from the special Educational Needs Standards Fund; and if he will make a statement. [160515]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: We have made £82 million of supported expenditure available through the special educational needs standards fund in the current year (2001–02). This compares to £55 million in 2000£01. The allocation for this year for Shropshire LEA is £370,016.

  The fund can be used for a range of activities including training for staff in special educational needs, improvements in speech and language therapy provision for children with communication difficulties, the provision of information and advice to parents, and the greater inclusion of children with special educational needs in the mainstream.

  Information is not collected on how money is distributed by LEAs between schools. It is for individual LEAs to decide how they will use their grant but we expect them to work in partnership with their schools when deciding their special educational needs priorities.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham that have received new computer suites since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160509]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Department does not hold information on the number of new computer suites in schools. However, since 1998 the average number of pupils per computer in primary and secondary schools in England has improved from 17.6: 1 to 12.6: 1, and from 8.7: 1 to 7.9: 1, respectively. Shropshire LEA estimates that £663,770 of national grid for learning funding has been allocated to schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham through the standards fund since 1997.

  Class Sizes (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school classes of five to seven-year-olds with over 30 pupils there were in Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [160508]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The available information is shown in the following table. Information on class sizes by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to 1997.
  272W

  Shrewsbury and Atcham parliamentary constituency

  Number of:

  Year

  Key stage 1 classes with 31 or more pupils

  Pupils in key stage classes of 31 or more

  1997

  20

  648

  1998

  18

  577

  1999

  9

  285

  2000

  4

  125

  20011

  0

  0

  1Provisional

  Note:

  Classes taught by one teacher

  The Government pledged to limit infant classes to 30. We have already delivered that pledge early for the vast majority of infants, including in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency. This has been achieved with the help of substantial funding made available under the class size initiative—allocations to Shropshire LEA alone amount to some £3.5 million.

  Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the capital projects and their Value at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160506]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The college has had two capital projects: the refurbishment of a building to provide a new performing arts centre by relocating the catering outlet at a cost of £468,000; and various accessibility works including a kitchen and toilet suitable for people who have disabilities, a new entrance and access ramps at a total cost of £64,999.

  The Government have made available capital funding of £140 million in this financial year for the further education sector and a further £164 million and £256 million for the sector over the next two financial years respectively.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures have been introduced to promote individual learning accounts in the workplace. [160305]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: Everyone aged 19 or over is entitled to open an individual learning account (ILA), including those in the workplace, provided their choice of learning is not graduate or post-graduate level and is not sports or leisure related.

  Our approach has been to work with and through influential employer bodies such as the TUC, Small Business Service (SBS), the national training organisation (NTO) network and Campaign for Learning in promoting ILAs to employees.

  A number of innovative approaches have been developed. These include the small firm learning account (SFLA), a pilot scheme offering additional funding to employees in small businesses. There are also more than 40 union learning fund (ULF) projects run by trade unions, which involve the promotion of ILAs, and their use, as tools for engaging people in the workplace.
  273W

  Reconditioned Computers
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people on low incomes have(a) bought and (b) leased a reconditioned computer under the scheme announced in March 2000. [160216]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: No new schemes were specifically announced in March 2000, but the Department is running a number f relevant schemes, such as computers within reach, wi red-up communities and other small-scale pilots. So far, 6,000 computers have been made available in the pilot areas in which the schemes are taking place. Contractors currently have lists totalling 19,000 clients, who have already been assessed for their eligibility for the schemes and who will receive their computers over the next few months.

  There are also plans to allocate further PCs in addition to the number indicated above and we are currently reviewing the approach to distributing recycled computers in the light of experience so far of these schemes.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which London headquarters premises owned or leased by his Department use(a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs. [160019]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: The information is as follows:

  (a) Chlorofluorocarbons are no longer used by the Department; and

  (b) Some hydrochlorofluorocarbons are still in use for refrigeration and air conditioning at both of the Department's London buildings.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of(a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement.[160017]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: It is the Department's policy to use environmentally preferable refrigerants wherever practicable, and to continue to explore other environmentally benign alternatives.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for(a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of

  LEA

  FTE of pupils in all maintained schools

  DfEE grant (£000)

  LEA matched funding (£000)

  Programme total(£000)

  Programme total

  Amount per FTE pupil(£000)

  867 Bracknell Forest

  15,081

  111.8

  25.0

  136.8

  136,760

  9.07

  868 Windsor and Maidenhead

  18,631

  178.0

  0.0

  178.0

  178,000

  9.55

  869 Newbury (West Berkshire)

  23,736

  201.1

  6.1

  207.1

  207,100

  8.73

  870 Reading

  16,854

  81.0

  0.0

  81.0

  81,000

  4.81

  871 Slough

  18,546.5

  129.0

  92.0

  221.0

  221,000

  11.92

  872 Wokingham

  23,526

  190.0

  0.0

  190.0

  190,000

  8.08

  England

  7,558,954.5

  59,379

  —

  —

  59,379,397

  7.86

  274W
  hydrofluorocarbons have been purchased in each year since 1995; and what plans he has to phase out the (i) purchase and (ii) use of hydrofluorocarbons. [160011]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: My Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons in (a) kitchen and tea point refrigerators and (b) air conditioning or air cooling systems at three buildings. Information on the amounts of hydrofluorocarbons purchased since 1995 is not collected in the form requested. It is the Department's policy to avoid the purchase and use of hydrofluorocarbons in favour of environmentally preferable substitutes wherever possible.

  Music Standards Fund
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what the average amount of money allocated to each pupil from the music standards fund is in the current year; [159189]

  (2) how much money per pupil was allocated to each unitary authority in Berkshire from the music standards fund in 2001–02; [159190]

  (3) what formula was used to determine the allocation to local education authorities from the music standards fund for 2001–02; [159188]

  Jacqui Smith
  Until last year, the music standards fund was based on a system that allowed LEAs to bid for funding. From this year, LEAs will be allocated funding on a formula based on a free school meals deprivation factor. We expect £10 million of the Government's contribution to be matched equally by LEAs. The matched funding was frozen at 2000–01 levels so that no LEA should pay more in matched funding, and no LEA would receive less grant for music than in 2000–01.

  The Government's grant of £50 million is broken down in two ways; £25 million was allocated based on the number of schools (primary, secondary, special and PRU) in each LEA, ie the £25 million was divided by the total number of schools in all the LEAs and distributed to each LEA pro rata. The remaining £25 million was allocated according to the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of pupils in those schools multiplied by the mean free school meals FSM percentage for each LEA.

  Based on this formula, if the allocation to an LEA is lower than previously, we would protect the allocation based on last year's figures. In the case of Berkshire, all the unitary authorities received protected funding, as their allocations calculated by need would have been lower than their previous bids.

  The overall amount per full-time equivalent (FTE) pupil in England is £7.86. The table sets out the music standards fund allocations and the amount per FTE for the Berkshire unitary authorities:
  275W

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [158560]

  Mr. Wills
  Between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 one of my departmental special advisers travelled abroad in an official capacity on one occasion.

  All overseas visits comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Employment (Disabled People)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people are seeking work. [158103]

  Ms Hodge
  Figures on jobseeking activity are currently available only for adults of working age. The latest labour force statistics indicate that 345,000 people who are disabled are actively seeking work. Figures from the Labour Force Survey also indicate that around 400,000 people on incapacity benefits would like to work, and could work, given the right level of support.

  Teacher Recruitment and Retention (Devon)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on levels of teacher recruitment and retention in Devon. [153175]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: Teacher recruitment and wastage are as follows:

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–19991

  Recruits

  860 (10.0%)

  1,000 (11.6%)

  1,040 (11.7%)

  Wastage

  800 (9.2%)

  790 (9.1%)

  700 (8.0%)

  1Provisional

  Notes:

  1. Figures in brackets are estimated rates.

  2. Some part-time teachers may be omitted from the numbers above if they were not members of the Teachers Pension Scheme.

  The number of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2001 was 410,300, the highest since 1984 and 12,600 higher than January 1998.

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

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

TREASURY

  Objective 1 Funding
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the delivery of funds to EU Objective I regions. [159879]
  276W
  Mr. Timms
  The Single Programme Document process at the start of the Objective 1 period is one of a number of measures to ensure efficient and effective delivery. I am pleased that there is good progress in Cornwall, where, after just a few months in a seven-year programme, £39 million of grant has been approved—13 per cent. of the total.

  National Changeover Plan
  Mr. Leigh
  TO ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total level of expenditure incurred to date by Government bodies in connection with the national changeover plan. [159884]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Details of expenditure on national changeover planning were included in the Fourth Report on Euro Preparations, published on 6 November 2000. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House.

  The Government will provide an updated breakdown of public sector spending in the next progress report, which will be published later this year.

  Fuel Smuggling (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was obtained by seizures of smuggled road fuel in Northern Ireland during the financial year 2000–01; and what the total estimated loss in revenue from cross-border fuel smuggling in Northern Ireland was during this period. [159894]

  Mr. Timms
  The amount of fuel seized in 2000–01 was more than doable the previous year, safeguarding revenue of over £850,000. Customs does not have an estimate for revenue lost specifically from cross-border fuel smuggling for this period, but the number of vehicles seized was tripled last year through the enhanced enforcement action and the number of laundering plants hit rose more than fivefold.

  NHS (Investment)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the Government's plans to invest additional resources in the NHS this year.[159895]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Before the 2001 Budget the Chancellor received many representations from professional organi sations, trade bodies, members of the public and Members of Parliament on a wide range of issues, including the NHS. In the Budget, the Chancellor announced additional resources for the NHS in England of £300 million, £295 million and £240 million in the period 2001–02 to 2003–04 over and above the significant increases already announced in the 2000 Spending Review. These in vestment plans have been widely welcomed as the basis for the strategy of investment and reform set out in the NHS Plan and the Department of Health's public service agreement targets.

  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for spending on the health service in each of the next three years. [159898]
  277W
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for investment in the national health service over the next four years. [159906]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Total net NHS expenditure in the UK is planned to reach £69.5 million by 2003–04, representing an annual average increase of 5.7 per cent. in real terms over the period 2001–02 to 2003–04. Plans for future years will be set in the next spending review. In England these plans support the strategy of investment and reform set out in the NHS Plan and the Department of Health public service agreement targets. Key priorities include cutting waiting times, tackling health inequalities and investing in world-class hospitals and equipment.

  Saving Incentives
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to encourage low-income households to save. [159896]

  Dawn Primarolo
  On 26 April, budding on the success of the ISA in encouraging a wider group of people to save more, the Government announced a consultation on two new proposals to encourage saving and the build-up of assets, the Saving Gateway and the Child Trust Fund. The Saving Gateway would encourage lower-income earners to save by offering to match savings with contributions from the Government. The Child Trust Fund would offer all families an account in which to save for their children, with every child from birth receiving an endowment from the Government to start the build-up of assets.

  Eurozone
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the abilities of eurozone countries to withstand a downturn in the US economy and the consequent impact on jobs in the United Kingdom. [159897]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government continue to monitor the downside risks facing the global economy closely. With low, stable inflation and sound public finances, the British economy is now much better placed to face global risks than before, and to continue to deliver sustained growth.

  Business Environment
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the impact of his policies on the business environment; and if he will make a statement. [159899]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government's central economic objective is to achieve high and stable levels of growth and employment. Over the past four years the Government have been determined that we will not return to the damaging cycle of boom and bust, which in the late 1980s and early 1990s saw interest rates rise to 15 per cent. for a whole year; and because of the choices we have made we now have the lowest inflation for 30 years, the lowest long-term interest rates for 35 years, and the lowest unemployment since 1975.

  We will not take this hard-won stability for granted. Budget 2001 locked in economic stability for the future, with the fiscal stance at least as tight as set out in Budget 2000 and the pre-Budget report.
  278W
  The Government welcome representations made by the business community. This on-going and productive dialogue is essential to allow the Government to maintain their record of improvement of the business environment.

  Following the Budget, the Government have received many representations that express continuing support for the Government's prudent approach to fiscal policy.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit; and how many families were in receipt of family credit in May 1997. [159900]

  Dawn Primarolo
  At November 2000, 1,168,000 families were in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit. At May 1997, 775,000 families were in receipt of Family Credit.

  Pensioners (Taxation)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on the tax paid by pensioners. [159902]

  Dawn Primarolo
  As a result of the Government's policies on tax, seven out of 10 pensioners pay either no tax, or pay tax only at the 10p rate. Following our personal tax and benefit changes, pensioner households will be £600 a year better off on average compared to 1997.

  European Monetary Union
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he will take of public opinion in making a recommendation to replace the pound with the European single currency. [159903]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous. The Government believe that, if a decision to recommend joining is taken by the Government, it should be put to a vote in Parliament, and then to a referendum of the British people.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent change there has been to his policy on British participation in the European single currency. [159905]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government's policy on membership of the single currency remains as set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in October 1997, and restated by the Prime Minister in February 1999. The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from farming organisations about the appropriate exchange rate for joining the single European currency. [159891]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Chancellor meets representatives from the farming industry to discuss a wide range of issues.
  279W

  Public Service Agreements
  27. Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implementation of public service agreements. [159907]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Public service agreements detail the Government's commitments for the next three years, in return for the resources put in. Performance against these targets has been set out in the recently published annual departmental reports.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's policies on child poverty. [159908]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Tax and benefit reforms announced in this Parliament will lift over 1.2 million children out of relative poverty.

  As a result of the measures, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population will on average be £1,700 a year better off, a real increase of around 15 per cent. in their incomes.

  Public Investment
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to investment in public services. [159909]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  When this Government came to power, public sector net investment was equal to 0.5 per cent. of national income. The plans set out in the 2000 Spending Review will increase net investment to 1.7 per cent. of GDP by 2003–04. This Government are turning around 20 years of under-investment to modernise our public services.

  Telecommunications
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the amount of tax paid by the telecommunications industry and the mobile phone manufacturers in each of the last three years. [159910]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The UK corporation tax liability of companies in the telecommunications industry and among mobile phone manufacturers, taken together, is as follows in respect of the latest three financial years for which estimates are available:

  £billion

  1996–97

  1.2

  1997–98

  1.0

  1998–99

  1.3

  Annuities
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from interested organisations on annuities. [159911]

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on his policy on annuities. [159893]
  280W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is set out in Section 5.67 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report published on Budget Day, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2001,Official Report, column 236W, regarding annuity reform, what his estimate is of the costs to the Exchequer involved in introducing the recommendations of the McDonald report, with particular reference to the (a) minimum income requirement and (b) continued investment and management of the remaining pension funds available. [155963]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 28 March 2001]: The information requested is set out in Section 5.67 of the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report" published on Budget Day, copies of which are in the Library.

  New Build and Renovation
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on VAT on new build and renovation. [159912]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor's Budget announcement included a cut to 5 per cent. in the rate of VAT on the cost of converting residential properties into a different number of dwellings and on the renovation of homes that have been empty for three years or more. The zero rate of VAT it. also to be adjusted to provide relief for the sale of renovated houses which have been empty for 10 years or more.

  Minimum Wage (Glasgow)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he w ill publish estimates of the number of jobs paid at s less then the national minimum wage rate for(a) 1998–99 and (b) 2000, for (i) Glasgow, Pollok constituency and (ii) the City of Glasgow; and if he will make a statement. [160827]

  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. Ian Davidson, dated 10 May 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of jobs paid at less than national minimum wage (NMW) rates in Glasgow, Pollok constituency and City of Glasgow for 1998–99 and 2000. (160827)The Office for National Statistics has published estimates of the number of jobs paid as less than NMW rates for 1998, 1999 and 2000. These estimates are based on an improved methodology using data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). This methodology provides the best estimates for the number of jobs in the UK paid below low hourly rate thresholds and was developed to overcome the deficiencies inherent in using the NES and LFS separately for measuring low pay.Estimates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions are posted on the National Statistics website at: www.statistics.gov.uk/nbase/themes/labour_market/nmw_lowpay_tables.asp Estimates for Parliamentary Constituencies and Unitary Authorities of number of jobs paid below NMW rates are not available on the basis of the methodology applied for producing the national and regional level figures.281W

  Suicide (Aspirin and Paracetamol)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people(a) committed suicide and (b) attempted to commit suicide by taking an overdose of (i) aspirin and (ii) paracetamol in each year since 1995. [161000]

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

  Letter from Karen Dunnell to Fiona Mactaggart, dated 10 May 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about how many people (a) committed suicide and (b) attempted to commit suicide by taking an overdose of (i) aspirin and (ii) paracetamol in each year since 1995. I am replying in his absence. (161000)Figures for the number of suicides from aspirin and paracetamol since 1995 are presented in the attached table.Figures are not available for attempted suicides by taking an overdose of aspirin or paracetamol.

  Number of suicide1 deaths from paracetamol and aspirin, England and Wales, 1995 to 1999

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (i) Aspirin

  Without mention of other drugs

  28

  24

  32

  24

  13

  With mention of other drugs2

  19

  19

  13

  11

  8

  (ii) Paracetamol

  Without mention of other drugs

  155

  125

  162

  141

  104

  With mention of other drugs3

  98

  86

  97

  101

  110

  1Includes suicide and poisoning of undetermined intent classified according to the International Classification of Disease, ninth edition, and are selected using ICD cocks E950.0-E950.5 and E980.0-E980.5.

  2 Includes compounds containing aspirin

  3 Includes compounds containing paracetamol

  Children's Grants
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families he expects to benefit from the new children's bond in the first year of its introduction. [159877]

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the proposed grant to children at birth. [159882]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In late April the Government announced a consultation on two new proposals to encourage saving and the build up of assets, the Saving Gateway and the Child Trust Fund. The Child Trust Fund would benefit each of the 700.000 or more children born every year. The scheme would allow parents, grandparents, friends and children themselves to make additional contributions, so providing families with a safe and secure account to save towards their children's future. The Child Trust Fund would provide all young people beginning their adult life with the advantage that owning financial assets brings.

  The cost of the scheme would depend on the level of the endowment and other aspects of its design, details on which the Government are consulting. But cost-effectiveness will be a key consideration as the Government develop this proposal in the light of consultation.
  282W

  Community Sports Clubs
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce VAT relief for community sports clubs. [159887]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Brian White) at column 257.

  Illegally Imported Meat
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tonnage of illegally-imported meat was intercepted by HM Customs and Excise in the last year for which figures are available.[160905]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, Customs seized 2.655 metric tonnes of meat. This figure does not include meat detected when Customs are working with the lead enforcement authorities for meat imports, MAFF or local authority officials, where the meat is seized by the lead authorities. Customs have no central record of those seizures.

  Euro
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 190W, on the legal status of the euro after 1 January 2002, if the euro will have the same legal status in the United Kingdom as other foreign currencies that it will replace. [160846]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Yes.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the changeover cost for(a) business and (b) the civil service, if the United Kingdom accedes to the euro. [160902]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have not made any estimate of the cost of a changeover either to business or the public sector.

  The cost of a changeover would depend on the overall approach taken and individual management decisions.

  Child Tax Credit (Glasgow)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in(a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) Glasgow and (d) Glasgow, Pollok have claimed child tax credit up to the latest date for which figures are available. [160824]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue have invited PAYE taxpayers to claim the Children's Tax Credit (CTC). To date they have received over 3.5 million claim forms, which represents more than 85 per cent. of the potential 4 million families who are eligible for CTC and pay tax under PAYE in the UK. Self employed taxpayers will claim when they submit their 2001–02 tax returns. I regret that the other information that my hon. Friend has asked for is not available.

  Life Expectancy
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated average life expectancy is of(a) men

  283W
  and (b) women, in (i) Glasgow, Pollok, (ii) the City of Glasgow, (iii) Scotland and (iv) the UK on (1) 1 May and (2) 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160828]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Estimates of life expectancy are not available for specific days. The table gives life expectancy at birth for the period 1995–97 and for the calendar year 1997 and the calendar year 1999, the latest year for which the data required to calculate a life table are available. Sub-national life expectancy is not calculated at the level of parliamentary constituencies.

  Expectation of life at birth in year shown

  Area

  Based on data in year(s)

  Males

  Females

  (i)

  Glasgow, Pollok

  —

  1—

  1—

  (ii)

  City of Glasgow

  21995–97

  68.4

  75.4

  (iii)

  Scotland

  21995–97

  72.3

  77.8

  Scotland

  31997

  72.6

  78.0

  Scotland

  31999

  72.7

  78.4

  (iv)

  United Kingdom

  21995–97

  74.4

  79.6

  United Kingdom

  31997

  74.7

  79.7

  United Kingdom

  31999

  75.0

  79.9

  1Not available

  2 Source: Griffiths C. and Fitzpatrick J. Geographic inequalities in Life Expectancy in the United Kingdom. 'Health Statistics Quarterly' no. 9. The Stationery Office 2001.

  3Source: The Government Actuary's Department

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 7 May; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [160972]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I attended the meeting of the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers with the Paymaster General.

  The Commission presented its recommendation for the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) for 2001. This consists of a section of guidelines addressed to the Community as a whole, and a series of guidelines addressed to individual member states. I made it clear that the Commission had exceeded its remit in proposing a UK-specific guideline that the expected ratio of UK public sector current expenditure to GDP should not exceed 37.3 per cent. Decisions on the level of public spending are for member states, and the Government's fiscal rules ensure sound and sustainable public finances while enabling increased investment in priority public services. The guidelines will now be discussed by officials from the member states and the Commission before ECOFIN presents them to the European Council in Gothenburg and their final adoption by ECOFIN.

  A joint Council-Commission delegation will travel to Russia next week to discuss economic co-operation. The presidency reported on its plans to discuss how the EU could best contribute to improving the financial and
  284W
  investment climate in Russia. No decisions would be taken, and the presidency will report back to ECOFIN on the dialogue.

  The presidency gave an update on the exchanges of correspondence between the Commission and the European Parliament on the modalities of the Lamfalussy proposals for improving the regulation of the securities market.

  The Economic Policy Committee chairman set out the committee's work programme for the coming year. This includes UK-inspired work on how economic incentives contribute to promoting R&D. The Committee will report back on this to ECOFIN in the autumn.

  Ministers agreed that further work was required on prudential regulation of supplementary pensions. Conclusions were also adopted on e-commerce and financial services.

  The Commission gave advance notice of the preliminary draft Community budget for 2002, which was subsequently adopted by the Commission on 8 May.

  The Commission presented its communication on the elimination of tax obstacles to the cross-border provision of occupational pensions, which advocates exchange of information and Sharing best practice as solutions to double or non-taxation of cross-border pensions. Ministers agreed that the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the member states and a technical working group should undertake a more detailed study of the communication.

  No votes were taken during the course of the meeting.

  Chester Street Insurance Holdings
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on compensation for asbestosis sufferers and their families following the insolvency of the insurance company Chester Street. [161061]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Following the insolvency of Chester Street on 9 January this year, concerns were raised over the position of employees whose private sector employer insured with Chester Street and no longer exists or is insolvent, and whose injury was sustained during employment in the private sector before 1972 (1975 in Northern Ireland). There were fears that these individuals would not receive the compensation for which their employers would have been liable.

  However, the insurance industry will fund compensation to those individuals in the following circumstances.
  The Policyholder's Protection Board (PPB) will make payment in accordance with their statutory powers (90 per cent. of awards in respect of pre-1972 (1975 in NI) liabilities) if the compensation award was settled prior to Chester Street's insolvency on 9 January 2001.If the award was settled on or after 9 January, the insurance industry will fund equivalent payments pending the implementation of the new industry funded Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), planned to come into effect no later than November this year. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) have been asked to explore rules to cover employee third party rights in employer liability cases to ensure that in cases where both the employer and the insurer are insolvent, victims receive compensation.285W
  The Government will themselves fund the compensation owed to former employees of public sector companies for whom they are liable.

  These arrangements apply only when the employer no longer exists or is insolvent. Where the employer still exists, or its liabilities have been carried forward to another company, that company or firm are liable to pay the compensation award.

  The PPB will ensure that claims are topped up to 100 per cent. so far as they relate to compulsory insurance policies (i.e. relate to the period from 1972 (1975 in Northern Ireland)). Both private sector employers and, where that employer no longer exists, the employees, are eligible for that payment.

  Waste Management
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to set the waste industry targets to allocate a greater proportion of tax credits under the landfill tax credit scheme towards sustainable waste management projects, particularly those which promote recycling. [161062]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have set an indicative target of 65 per cent. of landfill tax credits to be allocated to sustainable waste management projects (category C-CC). The Government also propose that the industry works towards at least maintaining the current proportion of a third of tax credits within this category allocated specifically to recycling projects.

  The Government will review progress towards these targets in future Budget reports.

  Long-term Unemployment
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on his measures to tackle long-term unemployment. [159880]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross).

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations are in place concerning the import of(a) meat and (b) livestock from countries where foot and mouth disease is prevalent. [156369]

  Ms Quin
  EU rules permit the importation of meat from a limited number of third countries where foot and mouth disease is present and where the veterinary authorities have contained the disease in specified regions. The meat must come from those regions of the relevant countries that are not considered to pose a risk to human or animal health. Fully matured boneless beef, which does not pose foot and mouth disease risk, may be imported from other regions subject to veterinary certification. Countries to which these controls currently apply are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. GB domestic 286W
  rules currently prohibit the import of meat from Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa and Swaziland where foot and mouth disease outbreaks have been recently confirmed. The GB Regulations governing the imports of these products are the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 (as amended) and the Fresh Meat (Import Conditions) Regulations 1996.

  GB imports livestock under EU or national rules only from countries or areas officially recognised as being free from foot and mouth disease. GB imports of livestock are regulated by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (as amended) and the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (as amended).

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries in which foot and mouth disease is considered to be endemic, indicating in each case if importation of their meat into the United Kingdom is prohibited. [154429]

  Ms Quin
  The importation of meat is permitted from a limited number of third countries where foot and mouth disease is present and where the veterinary authorities have contained the disease in specified regions. EC rules permit imports from those regions of the relevant countries that are not considered to pose a risk to human or animal health. Fully matured boneless beef, which does not pose any foot and mouth disease risk, may be imported from other regions subject to veterinary certification. Countries to which these controls currently apply are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. UK domestic rules currently prohibit the import of meat from Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa and Swaziland where foot and mouth disease outbreaks have been recently confirmed. The UK Regulations governing the imports of these products are the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 (as amended) and the Fresh Meat (Import Conditions) Regulations 1996.

  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when restrictions on imported beef from(a) Argentina and (b) other countries where foot and mouth disease is endemic were first imposed. [155232]

  Ms Quin
  EC rules permit the importation of meat from a limited number of third countries where foot and mouth disease is present and where the veterinary authorities have contained the disease in specified regions. The meat must come from those regions of the relevant countries that are not considered to pose a risk to human or animal health. Fully matured boneless beef, which does not pose a foot and mouth disease risk may be imported from other regions subject to veterinary certification. Countries to which these controls currently apply are Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Uruguay. Domestic legislation in England and Wales currently prohibits the import of meat from South Africa and Swaziland (since 5 January 2001), Argentina (since 14 March) and Uruguay (since 26 April). Scotland and Northern Ireland took similar action for each of these countries shortly after each of the dates specified.
  287W
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list his main policy decisions in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, indicating in each case whether he had to seek EU approval. [157266]

  Ms Quin
  The following table lists the key policy decisions, showing where EU approval had to be sought. Where it was not necessary to obtain EU approval, we have kept the Commission and other member states informed.

  Decision

  EU approval required

  Suspension of issue of export certificates

  1No

  Immediate standstill on all FMD susceptible animal movements throughout GB

  No

  Prompt slaughtering of all infected premises and dangerous contacts

  No

  Sheep and pigs 3 km cull in Cumbria

  No

  Army deployed

  No

  Contiguous premises to be treated as dangerous contacts

  No

  24/48 hour targets set

  No

  Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme launched

  2Yes

  Contingency plan for emergency vaccination in Cumbria and Devon drawn up

  Yes

  Lifting of restrictions in some areas

  No

  Animals in surveillance zones sent for slaughter for food chain, at approved abattoirs in same zone

  No

  Refinement of contiguous cull policy

  No

  1But resumption of exports will require EU approval

  2For State Aid purposes

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when movement restrictions imposed on the area surrounding Stiles abattoir in Bromham will be lifted. [156902]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: The Declaratory Order relating to the infected area which includes Bromham was revoked on 22 April 2001.

  The Stiles abattoir in Bromham is able to take animals for slaughter. From 23 April, animals inside an infected area but not within 3 km of an infected premises have been allowed to move for slaughter to an abattoir within the same infected area. This movement is subject to veterinary inspection for clinical signs of disease. The Minister announced on 3 May that healthy animals within the 3 km protection zone could also be licensed for slaughter within the infected area, subject to an examination for clinical signs of foot and mouth disease by a MAFF local veterinary inspector.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what warnings were given to(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department of the risk of spreading foot and mouth prior to the present outbreak through out-of-ring sales at markets. [156882]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 4 April 2001]: We are not aware of any warnings which highlighted the risk of spread of foot and mouth disease from out-of-ring sales. Since such sales are not recorded on the market records there will inevitably be delays and difficulties in tracing movements of these sheep from a market. Any delay in tracing livestock that may have been exposed to infection may increase the risk of disease spread.
  288W
  The Government are now consulting on proposals to introduce a requirement limiting movements of sheep, goats and cattle by restricting their movement off an agricultural holding within a period of 20 days following the movement of animals onto the holding. For sheep and goats it is also proposed to introduce a requirement for notification of movements. There is already a system of notifying cattle movements.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what warnings were given to(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department of the risk of spreading foot and mouth prior to the present outbreak on account of the absence of a standstill period after movement for sheep, goats and cattle. [156880]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 4 April 2001]: Ministers and officials are not aware of any warnings about the risk of spreading foot and mouth specifically as a result of the absence of a standstill period.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish daily statistics showing the number of animals awaiting slaughter, broken down to show the number of(a) healthy animals, (b) animals suffering from foot and mouth disease and (c) he carcases awaiting disposal. [156835]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 April 2001]: Daily statistics are published on MAFF's internet site www.maff.gov.uk showing the number of animals awaiting slaughter, number of animals slaughtered and the number of carcases that are awaiting disposal. We also publish daily average slaughter and disposal figures.

  It is not possible to break down the number of slaughtered animals into those that are healthy, and those that were diagnosed as infected with foot and mouth disease. This is due to the automatic cull of all animals on infected premises and those animals considered at risk as dangerous contacts. Not all animals which are slaughtered are tested for foot and mouth disease.

  MAFF also publishes daily statistics showing the number of healthy animals slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when it was decided to make a landfill site at Fosterville, Newton Abbot, available for the burial of carcases of animals slaughtered in connection with the control of foot and mouth disease; what category of carcases(a) have been buried at the site to date and (b) may be buried there in the future; how many carcases and what species of animal can be buried at Fosterville; how many carcases are to be buried at the site; if it is his policy to allow carcases from infected areas to be buried in uninfected areas; if he will list the burial sites that have been approved where carcases from infected areas are buried in uninfected areas; what (i) advice and (ii) representations he has received about the burial of carcases from infected areas in uninfected areas; and if he will make a statement. [157320]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The landfill site at Fosterville, Newton Abbot was made available from 30 March 2001 to accept uninfected carcases from the livestock welfare disposal scheme. Carcases from animals taken for disease control purposes rather than under the welfare scheme are not being sent to Fosterville.
  289W
  As of 23 April 2001 the site had accepted 34,540 carcases from the scheme. The site can accept approximately 200 tonnes of carcases per day. It is anticipated that use of Fosterville is likely to continue until the scheme is no longer necessary.

  MAFF does not approve individual movements of livestock carcases under the livestock welfare disposal scheme. The Intervention Board is responsible for administering this scheme and directs carcases to disposal sites in order to maximise the use of available resources such as abattoirs and disposal sites at any one time, taking account of policy guidelines.

  As far as possible, the objective of the authorities responsible for the disposal arrangements is to ensure that carcases are not transported from a higher risk area to a lower risk area. However factors such as the location of abattoirs and landfill sites mean this is not possible in all circumstances. We recognise that this is a matter of general concern, and has been raised a number of times. Veterinary advice is that the risk of spreading the disease through transporting welfare carcases from infected areas to non-infected areas is low when proper protocols are followed on veterinary inspection before slaughter, transportation and disposal.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average amount paid to date to farms in compensation for the culling of animals in the foot and mouth outbreak; and what estimate he has made of the final average payment. [157787]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Approximately £101 million has been paid so far (as of 3 May) to farmers in compensation for the animals slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. The average payments for each species (as of 26 April) are as follows:

  £

  Cattle

  900.20

  Sheep

  108.21

  Pigs

  88.35

  As of 5 May the estimated approximate total to be paid as compensation is £629 million.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 78W, for what reason motor vehicles arriving from France are not subject to the same disinfectant procedure as motor vehicles leaving Britain. [157085]

  Ms Quin
  The EU Standing Veterinary Committee considered that the risk of disease spread being transmitted by motor vehicles departing the UK for France, as compared to the risk posed by those departing France for the UK, was considered significantly greater because of the large number of outbreaks of foot and mouth in the UK compared with France. Foot and mouth disease related restrictions in France have now been lifted.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the disposal of carcases at Throckmorton airfield will affect the status of the surrounding area for foot and mouth control purposes; and if he will make a statement. [157867]
  290W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The disposal of slaughtered carcases at Throckmorton airfield does not affect the surrounding area for foot and mouth disease control purposes. Part of the site is located within the protection zone of the infected premises at Bishampton and the whole site is included within the infected area.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the incidence of the airborne spread of foot and mouth disease. [158450]

  Ms Quin
  Airborne spread of the virus can take place, especially from pigs, but the evidence so far suggests that this has not been a major factor in the spread of the current outbreak.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average cost per head is of (1) on-farm cremation of livestock; [158205]

  (2) on-farm burial of livestock. [158206]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: This information is currently not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his assessment is of the reasons for which the confirmed cases of foot and mouth are disproportionately concentrated in Dumfries and Galloway, Cumbria and Devon; and if he will make a statement. [158253]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The high concentration of cases in these areas is almost certainly attributable to the movements of sheep in the period before the infection at the farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall was confirmed on 23 February and livestock movements in Great Britain were banned on the same day. These areas are among the most highly stocked in the country and all received sheep from Longtown market during that period.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if the pig swill used at Burnside Farm, Heddon-on-the-Wall, was treated and used by a neighbouring farmer; [158244]

  (2) what the basis was of his Department's statement that two named dealers were the main source of spread of foot and mouth disease; [158251]

  (3) on what dates visits were made by MAFF officials to Burnside Farm, Heddon-on-the Wall; for what reason such visits took place; on what date officials first formed suspicions about the possible presence of foot and mouth disease in pigs at Burnside Farm; how much time elapsed between the suspicion of disease and its confirmation by test; and if he will make a statement. [158245]

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

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his assessment is of the impact on the spread of foot and mouth of the time which passed between the implementation of the export ban and the UK movement ban. [158250]
  291W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The export ban was introduced on 21 February. Before that, movement restrictions had been placed around all of the known cases of the disease, starting with the first suspected case in an Essex abattoir on 19 February.

  The tracing of farms supplying the Essex abattoir began immediately the case was notified. Once the infection at the farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall had been confirmed on 23 February, the nationwide standstill on livestock movements was introduced the same day.

  It is now known that the disease spread mainly through the movement of sheep and subsequent mixing of animals, and that the vast majority of the spread of disease around the country had already taken place before the first outbreak was discovered in Essex.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to establish the role of personal contact between farmers and (i) other farmers, (ii) veterinary staff and (iii) personnel involved in slaughter in the spread of foot and mouth disease. [158565]

  Ms Quin
  Epidemiological investigations into the outbreak are considering all possible routes of spread. Farmers have been issued with a wide range of advice and guidance on managing contacts with other people. With regard to (i) farmers should limit contact with other keepers of livestock. However, if there is contact then they are advised to disinfect footwear, change clothes and wash with hot water and soap, including hair, before going near their own animals. Any item or object that may have had contact with disease should also be disinfected. On (ii) and (iii) veterinary staff and slaughtermen operate under strict instructions to ensure that all appropriate cleansing and disinfection procedures are followed before and after attending a farm.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cost to benefit analysis he has conducted of the implications of(a) a regime of regular inspections and testing and (b) immediate culling of dairy herds of farms contiguous to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [158507]

  Ms Quin
  The scientific and veterinary advice we received was that the prompt culling of all potentially infected animals—including those on contiguous farms—was essential to the overall success of our disease control policy.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will halt the slaughter of healthy organic stock and rare breeds which are outside the three-mile zone of an area identified with foot and mouth; and if he will make a statement. [158283]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The only animals more than 3 km from infected premises which are being slaughtered under current foot and mouth disease control measures are animals which are dangerous contacts—that is, susceptible animals known to have been in contact with animals that have had the disease, or with personnel, vehicles and equipment which has been in contact with such animals. Exempting such dangerous contacts because they are organic stock or are from rare breeds would involve an unacceptable risk of disease transmission.
  292W
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy only to proceed with the cull of dairy cattle at Old House Farm and Eatons Farm, Tibberton, Worcestershire, after the case for such a cull has been reviewed by a Minister; and if he will make a statement. [158989]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: We currently have no plans to cull dairy cattle at either of these premises.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent advice he has received on the properties of napalm relating to(a) vaporising and (b) producing fumes and by-products. [158869]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Ministry has received advice from the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) concerning the use of napalm. There are two forms of napalm available, which both produce very toxic compounds when they burn. We therefore have not used napalm because of the public and environmental health risks.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what epidemiological studies he has conducted in(a) Cumbria and (b) elsewhere which study the location of animal cremation pyres, wind direction and later outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. [159455]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The Institute of Animal Health at Pirbright has recently produced a report, in collaboration with MAFF and the Meteorological Office, on the spread of the foot and mouth disease virus from the burning of animal carcases on open pyres. This reports is to be published in the "Veterinary Record" shortly.

  Six pyres, located in Devon, Exeter and Worcestershire, were monitored. Additional pyres are currently being investigated in Cumbria and Devon. The report concludes that early results indicate that breakdowns due to virus dispersion from pyres are unlikely to occur in general and the pyres analysed to date have shown no evidence that breakdowns due to this cause have occurred.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average valuation per cow has been for dairy Holstein cattle in each week of the foot and mouth epidemic. [159462]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The precise information requested is not readily available. The weekly average of cattle valuations received is as follows:

  Week ended

  £

  11 March

  712

  18 March

  662

  25 March

  864

  1 April

  810

  8 April

  1,007

  15 April

  1,006

  22 April

  878

  29 April

  1,229

  293W
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of animals from farms caught in the 3 km voluntary cull have tested positive for foot and mouth at Great Orton. [159458]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The information requested is not currently held on a computerised system and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughtered on suspicion cases there have been; and how many of these were included in the totals of infected premises. [159459]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: As of 2 May there have been a total of 210 slaughtered on suspicion cases. Of these, 50 have been reclassified as infected premises, following clinical examination or testing, and included in the total of infected premises.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each week of the foot and mouth epidemic the number of suspect cases reported to his Department by farmers and the numbers of those which had swabs sent to Pirbright before foot and mouth disease was confirmed. [159450]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The information requested is given in the table.

  Week commencing

  Number of suspect cases reported 1

  Number of samples taken from suspect cases

  19 February 2001

  36

  18

  26 February 2001

  365

  124

  5 March 2001

  426

  167

  12 March 2001

  581

  219

  19 March 2001

  674

  290

  26 March 2001

  722

  259

  2 April 2001

  596

  223

  9 April 2001

  537

  199

  16 April 2001

  446

  138

  23 April 2001

  340

  77

  30 April 2001

  151

  35

  1The figures include all suspect cases reported, not just those reported by farmers.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the ranks and job titles of the officials in Page street from whom temporary veterinary inspectors had to obtain authorisation that their diagnosis of foot and mouth was a confirmed case. [159451]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: On investigation for foot and mouth disease, a veterinary inspector in the field contacts a Veterinary Adviser at the Emergency Control Centre in Page street, London to discuss the individual case. The Veterinary Adviser will discuss the case with the Veterinary Manager of the Centre or a VA supervisor appointed by him. Centre managers are veterinary members of the senior civil service or unified grade 6. Veterinary Supervisors appointed by them are at veterinary grade 7 or equivalent. All these grades are staffed by experienced and qualified veterinary surgeons. The case is then either confirmed or negated on clinical grounds or the option of "slaughter on suspicion of disease" is followed.
  294W
  At the peak of the outbreak in late March/early April, in order to reduce delays in confirmation, those veterinary advisers who were experienced were given the authority to confirm or negate cases if need be without referral to the manager, though working under supervision. In practice about two thirds of the cases were still discussed before a decision was taken. As soon as the situation eased somewhat centre managers reverted to the standard process of confirmation of cases after discussion with a veterinary manager.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms in(a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Devon that were originally designated as contiguous were not slaughtered out because of appeals or interventions by (i) the farmers concerned and (ii) third parties. [159461]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: This information is not available in the format requested and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. However, in Cumbria currently there are 14 and in Devon 21 appeals outstanding. These appeals were made by the livestock owners or solicitors acting on their behalf.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms in Cumbria have had sheep slaughtered in the voluntary cull; and how many sheep were affected. [159456]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: As at 2 May, 523,857 sheep had been slaughtered on around 1,800 holdings in Cumbria as part of the north Cumbria/Solway precautionary cull.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many (i) cattle and (ii) sheep on how many farms in(a) England and (b) Cumbria have been slaughtered because they were contiguous to infected premises but where the infected premises later tested negative. [159475]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The information is as set out.

  England

  Cumbria

  (a) Infected premises for which laboratory tests detected no FMD virus

  224

  58

  (b) Number of premises contiguous to (a)1

  130

  9

  (c) Number of cattle slaughtered on (b)

  13,827

  1,616

  (d) Number of sheep slaughtered on (b)

  89,516

  7,322

  1Some premises may also be contiguous to other infected premises

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers his Department has to restrict the holding of car boot sales in agricultural areas during the foot and mouth outbreak. [159544]

  Ms Quin
  Article 29(3) of the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 allows a veterinary inspector to prohibit by notice in writing the holding of any sporting or recreational activity on any land in an infected area specified in the notice when in his opinion the holding of such activity on that land may cause the spread of disease.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to disposing of(a) infected and (b) non-infected

  295W
  animals slaughtered during the foot and mouth crisis at sea; what advice he has received on this option; and if he will make a statement. [159424]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The UK is a Contracting Party to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, which does not permit the disposal of animal carcases at sea. We are also advised that there would be substantial practical and environmental problems associated with the disposal of large numbers of carcases in this way.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he first notified other EU Governments of a suspected case of foot and mouth in England during the current outbreak; [159522]

  (2) when the French Government first slaughtered sheep as a result of the current outbreak of foot and mouth in the UK; [159523]

  (3) what discussions he has had with the French Government in their investigation of the importation of foot and mouth disease-susceptible species into France, with special reference to their choice of starting date as 15 January; and if he will make a statement; [159524]

  (4) how many and on what dates consignments of animal carcases were returned to the UK by the French Government after slaughter for foot and mouth disease control reasons since 15 January. [159525]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: We notified the European Commission, and through it other EU member states, on 20 February, the day the first case was confirmed. We understand that the French authorities started slaughtering susceptible animals of UK origin and contact animals, shortly afterwards. We have kept in close touch with the French authorities about export consignments of susceptible animals from Britain. Any decision to trace these exports back to 15 January has been taken by the French authorities. No animals slaughtered for foot and mouth disease control reasons have been returned as carcases to the UK.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what measures he is taking to control pollutant emissions from tyres used as accelerants in the open-air burning of slaughtered livestock; [159855]

  (2) on how many disposal sites for the combustion of slaughtered livestock tyres have been used as fuel; and if he will make a statement; [159856]

  (3) if he will forbid the use of tyres as fuel in the burning of slaughtered livestock carcases. [159857]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 2 May 2001]: Those responsible for building pyres are already instructed to avoid using tyres as fuel, where possible, and their use is discouraged by the Environment Agency (EA). This practice may have continued in some cases as tyres are effective in establishing the fire, and it is important to have a well established fire at an early stage. The Prime Minister announced on 3 May that no pyres to dispose of large numbers of carcases will be lit, and so it is unlikely that the use of tyres in pyres will continue.

  It is not possible to say how many disposal sites have used tyres for combustion purposes, as disposal arrangements are made at local level.
  296W
  The Defence Establishment Research Agency is currently carrying out research into how pyres can be made more efficient. The EA and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) have been monitoring pollution from pyres; two sites in Devon are being monitored automatically and findings from this project are published on the DETR website www.detr.gov.uk and are updated daily. Dioxins are being measured in three areas in Devon. Dioxin measurements from a site in South Wales have been published www.powys.gov.uk, and have also been measured in Cumbria. The studies so far have found that pollution levels from pyres are generally low. DETR is also working with the Department of Health (DoH) looking at the possible environmental impact of pyres and guidance for siting pyres has been produced; this is available on the DoH website www.doh.gov.uk/fmdguidance.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department expects to pay the outstanding invoices to Greyhound Plant Services, Oswestry in connection with foot and mouth plant services; and if he will make a statement. [160165]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Outstanding invoices are currently being processed and should be paid under the Ministry's normal terms of payment, that is within 30 days of receipt of an undisputed invoice.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibilities in relation to the drawing up of maps denoting the infected area status of constituencies in Wales. [160677]

  Ms Quin
  When a case of Foot and Mouth Disease is confirmed, an Infected Area with boundaries which are at least 10 km from the infected place has to be designated by a Declaratory Order unless the area is already within an existing Infected Area. The boundaries are set by describing features and map references from the Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 series. Declaratory Orders for England and Wales are made by my Department and a map depicting the infected area may be inspected in the MAFF office at 1A Page Street, London between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The maps are also reproduced on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been taken to increase the scrutiny of imports at(a) ports and (b) airports as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. [160503]

  Ms Quin
  As my right hon. Friend the Minister said in his statements on 27 March and 3 May, MAFF is co-ordinating action across Government to ensure that rules on both commercial and personal imports at ports and airports are enforced effectively. In addition he has also asked the European Commission to give urgent attention to ensuring that the law on personal imports is clear and robust to help enable effective controls across all the Community's borders.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reliability of the different kinds of test for foot and mouth disease carried out at his Department's laboratories at Pirbright. [160742]
  297W
  Ms Quin
  The Foot and Mouth Laboratory at Pirbright is the FAO/OIE nominated World Reference Laboratory for foot and mouth disease. They employ a number of diagnostic methods. We are confident that they provide the best possible scientific advice on the disease.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many farms at which his Department carried out contiguous culls of livestock were subject to laboratory tests for foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement; [161012]

  (2)how many farms that were subject to laboratory tests for foot and mouth disease as the result of the contiguous cull programme produced (a) positive evidence of the foot and mouth virus, (b) proof of the absence of the foot and mouth virus and (c) indeterminate results; and if he will make a statement. [161013]

  Ms Quin
  This information is not currently held in the format required.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence his Department has collated relating to the use of borax in the treatment of foot and mouth disease. [160715]

  Ms Quin
  We have not received any evidence relating to the effectiveness of Borax as a treatment for foot and mouth disease, nor have we received any scientific evidence to demonstrate its efficacy, safety or quality. In the absence of such evidence which would be required before Borax could be authorised as a veterinary medicinal product, claims that it is effective in preventing foot and mouth disease would be incompatible with the requirements of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994 as amended. Manufacturers of such products as Borax may apply for such authorisation.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure fair and comparable standards in the valuation of livestock to he called as a result of(a) foot and mouth disease contact and (b) inclusion in the livestock welfare disposal scheme. [160753]

  Ms Quin
  The two are not directly comparable. When livestock are slaughtered for disease control purposes, compensation is paid at market value. Under the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme, a payment is made to ensure welfare problems are resolved. It is not a compensation scheme and the payment rate does not reflect the full commercial value of the livestock involved.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the consequences of the formation of dioxins at high temperatures in the presence of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine, as a result of the use of pyres, built with creosote-soaked railway sleepers and tyres. [158867]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  Guidance has been issued by the Department of Health entitled "FMD: Measures to minimise risk to public health from slaughter and disposal of animals—further guidance" to provide practical advice to those at the local level on the best way, from a public health perspective, to dispose of animal carcases (available on www.doh.gov.uk/
  298W
  fmdguidance). This includes guidance on the construction and siting of pyres which takes account of the possible risks to health from the emissions of air pollutants from the pyres At the beginning of the outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Environment Agency issued a joint statement which advised that pyres should be constructed as set out in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food "Air Code". The code contains detailed advice on the materials to be used for the construction of pyres. This also includes advice on the materials, which should not be used as fuels in such pyres (such as plastics, rubber, and tyres), so as to minimise the production of air pollutants such as dark smoke, dioxins and furans.

  The national environmental technology centre have advised, with respect to the use of treated timbers in pyres, that "creosote treated wood is not expected to give rise to significantly higher emissions of dioxins or PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) than untreated wood". This advice, and consequences for public health, is contained within the risk assessment published by the Department of Health "Foot and Mouth—Effects on Health of Emissions from Pyres Used for Disposal Animals" available on www.doh.gov.uk.

  Swine Fever
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 566W, if he will make a statement on which holding was responsible for the source of the disease, including evidence on the cause and possible transmission of classical swine fever. [158451]

  Ms Quin
  At this stage there is nothing further to add to my answer of 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 566W.

  Throckmorton Burial Site
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he is taking to minimise(a) odour, (b) light pollution and (c) noise from the Throckmorton airfield burial site; and if he will make a statement; [159271]

  (2) what is the purpose of the floodlighting at the Throckmorton airfield burial site; for what reason the lighting operates through the night; and if he will make a statement. [159272]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: Air pollution control engineers, Air Spectrum Environmental, have been contracted to deal with all aspects of odour control. A spray system is in place which has recently been increased by 300 per cent.

  Flood lighting was installed at the Throckmorton burial site, because it was originally envisaged that some work might have to be carried out after the hours of darkness in order to clear the backlog of carcases. In the event, the operation did not require a prolonged period of night working and the lights have now been switched off at night following representations from local residents.

  The facilities at the Throckmorton site are now running on mains electricity, which has allowed the generators to be switched off.
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  Dioxin Emissions
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what analysis has been made of dioxins and other materials emitted by slow burning wood fires with particular reference to(a) foot and mouth cremation pyres and (b) forest fires. [158415]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Department of Health has recently published a risk assessment "Foot and Mouth—Effects on Health of Emissions from Tyres Used for Disposal of Animals" (available on www.doh.gov.uk). The risk assessment provides estimates of the release of dioxins and other air pollutants from pyres and predicted concentrations in air.

  My Department has undertaken air quality monitoring in the vicinity of some larger pyres, being used to dispose of animal carcases. Some local authorities have also instigated such monitoring. In addition, the Environment Agency have assisted Government by monitoring and modelling air pollution in the vicinity of pyres.

  Air quality monitoring has been undertaken at Sennybridge in Wales, and Holsworthy, Chumleigh and Okehampton in Devon. A limited survey was also undertaken around one pyre in Allerdale, Cumbria. At all sites, measurements of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles have been made, and found to be generally low. At Sennybridge, Holsworthy, Okehampton and Allerdale monitoring for polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls has also been carried out. Dioxin concentrations in air have been reported by Powys county council, measured in the vicinity of the pyre at Sennybridge, and Allerdale district council in the vicinity of the Allerdale pyre. At these sites dioxin concentrations in air, measured at locations between 1 km and 2 km from the pyres, ranged between 2.57–8.16 fg/m3 I-TEQ. These concentrations are low when compared with average urban levels, and are of a similar order to those currently found in rural areas of the UK.

  I am not aware of any corresponding work in relation to forest fires in the UK. However the national atmospheric emissions inventory estimates that 2 per cent. (5.8g) of the UK's annual emissions in the UK in 1999 was derived from natural fires.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he will answer the questions tabled for answer on 2 April, Refs. 156280 and 156277; [159445]

  (2) when he will answer the question tabled for answer on 23 April, Ref. 158489, concerning the issuing of Form D notices to farmers by telephone. [159444]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to her on 8 May 2001, Official Report, columns 122–23W, and 128W, and on 30 April 2001, Official Report, column 493W.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he will provide a substantive answer to the question tabled for answer on 6 April. (Ref.157364); [160102]
  300W
  (2) when he will provide a substantive answer to the question from the hon. Member for Ludlow tabled for answer on 6 April (Ref.157364). [160505]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 2 and 9 May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 124W.

  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 exclusion zones (ref: 156280). [157366]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 122W.

  Livestock Movements
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what route sheep are being conveyed from Devon through Dorset and Hampshire for disposal in Sussex. [158101]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme all sheep slaughtered in Devon are landfilled in that county.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the benefits of relaxing controls in East Sussex on animal movements to allow movement of cattle from winter quarters to summer pasture; if he will allow such decisions to be a matter for Trading Standards officers at East Sussex County Council; and if he will make a statement. [159588]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Local movement licences are available in East Sussex for welfare and management reasons. These licences are issued by MAFF Local Veterinary Inspectors who are usually members of local veterinary practices.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to tighten the rules concerning animal movements in the UK and the wider EU market. [160624]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Government have no such plans at present. Our priority is the control of foot and mouth disease, as a result of which animal movements in the UK are tightly controlled under licence. Proposals to have a 20-day stop following animal movements are out for consultation. The EU is currently reviewing the directions on animal movement and the UK will play a full role in that.

  Agricultural Exports
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the rate of agricultural export subsidies is; to which agricultural exports they apply; and if he will make a statement. [160450]

  Ms Quin
  Agricultural export subsidies, called export refunds, are paid across a range of agricultural commodities. The Common Agricultural Policy currently includes provision for export refunds for cereals, rice, sugar, olive oil, fruit and vegetables, beef, milk powders, butter, cheese, pigmeat, eggs, poultrymeat and various processed products manufactured from cereals, rice, sugar, dairy products and eggs.
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  Rates of refund vary between and within commodities depending on the actual product exported, the current market situation, including world prices and the euro/dollar exchange rate, and the destination. Currently there are in excess of 1,100 different rates many of which can, and do, change regularly in the light of trading conditions. For some products, the rate of export refund is currently zero. Detailed rates of refund are available, and can be obtained on request from the Intervention Board.

  Forest Enterprise
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) turnover, (b) profit and (c) amount of revaluation was recorded by Forest Enterprise in the most recent year for which figures are available. [160406]

  Mr. Morley
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. Christopher Gill, dated May 2001:
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the turnover, profit and revaluation figures for Forest Enterprise.In 1999–2000, Forest Enterprise made an operating deficit of £11.3m on a turnover of £95.5m. The Income and Expenditure account for Forest Enterprise shows a total deficit of £103.7m, including the net cost of Recreation, Conservation and Heritage, the deficit on sale of properties and the notional cost of capital.The Forest Estate was valued downwards by £146.0m in 1999–2000 as part of a total adjustment to the Revaluation Reserve of £144.9m.If you require any further information please let me know.
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the quinquennial review of the Forest Enterprise executive agency. [161073]

  Mr. Morley
  The first stage of the review of Forest Enterprise has concluded that the agency has put in a strong performance on the sustainability of its forest management, has successfully involved communities and other stakeholders in its decision-making and has responded successfully to change—particularly devolution. The review has recommended that Forest Enterprise should retain its status as an executive agency of the Forestry Commission. Ministers in the UK Government, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales have accepted these conclusions and recommendations. They intend to review the options for further decentralising handling of forestry policy and management, in the light of continuing experience of the devolved structure. The report of the first stage of the review is available on the Forestry Commission's website and will be placed in the Library.

  TB
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the destruction of a herd of fallow deer at Charlcote Park under tuberculosis regulations. [160672]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Though both the red and fallow deer herds at Charlcote Park have been under movement restrictions because of suspect TB since
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  1989 at no time has MAFF required the National Trust to cull out either herd. MAFF understand that in early April 2001 the National Trust culled the red deer herd. Any decision to cull the fallow deer herd at Charlcote will be a management decision of the National Trust.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what impact the foot and mouth outbreak has had on(a) regular tuberculosis testing of cattle, (b) the culling of badgers for the triplet studies of TB and (c) the validity of the triplet studies of TB. [160671]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 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. Some reactor cattle disclosed by testing carried out before the imposition of FMD movement restrictions are still being held on farms. Decisions on re-tests on inconclusive reactors and Short Interval Tests (SITs) are being made on a case-by-case basis according to the FMD situation in different Divisions of the SVS.

  The badger culling field trial has been put on hold. The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB has advised MAFF officials that this should not affect the scientific validity of the trial. The Group is developing advice to MAFF on a strategy for the resumption of trial operations after the conclusion of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) who the key official in the Intervention Board is who deals with Wales; and what his or her contact number is; [160698]

  (2) what plans he has to review the operation of the Intervention Board. [160699]

  Ms Quin
  The Intervention Board administers a number of Common Agricultural Policy schemes in Wales and many of its officials are in contact with farmers and traders. The Chief Executive of the Intervention Board is Johnston McNeill, who can be contacted at the board's office in Reading, for which the telephone number is 0118 958 3626.

  The future role of the Intervention Board was recently considered as part of the Department's review of its regional structure. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 24 July 2000, Official Report, column 472W. The work of the board in administering Common Agricultural Policy schemes is being brought together with similar work being done by the Regional Service Centres in the Department to form a new Paying Agency. Johnston McNeill was appointed Chief Executive of the new Agency with effect from 2 April.

  BSE
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those hunt kennels which the state veterinary service found to be unsatisfactory under the BSE enforcement programme in the last six months. [160750]
  303W
  Ms Quin
  From November 2000 to April 2001, there were five unsatisfactory visits to hunt kennels. Details of unsatisfactory visits are reported in the BSE Enforcement Bulletin which is available on our website.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if beef over 30 months old from(a) Argentina, (b) Australia, (c) Botswana, (d) Brazil, (e) Mauritius, (f) Namibia, (g) New Zealand, (h) Paraguay, (i) Poland, (j) South Africa, (k) Switzerland, (l) Uruguay, (m) the USA and (n) Zimbabwe is considered safe for importation into and sale in the UK on animal health grounds; and if he will make a statement. [156381]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 March 2001]: The over-30-months rule relates solely to BSE risks and beef from animals aged over thirty months at slaughter may be imported from the countries listed as it is not considered to represent a BSE risk. The age of animals at slaughter is not relevant in respect of other animal diseases.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken at border inspection points to ensure that requirements are being met with regard to the importation of meat. [160920]

  Ms Quin
  Under EU law all meat imported from third countries into the UK must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIP) where it is subject to veterinary inspections. The inspection services at the BIP are the responsibility of the local authority. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments are subject to physical checks in accordance with EU legislation. Each BIP's performance is monitored by MAFF on a regular basis and subject to inspection by the European Commission to ensure these standards are met.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much compensation has been paid to miners, ex-miners and miners' families in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in(a) the Glasgow, Pollok constituency and (b) the City of Glasgow. [160833]

  Mr. Hain
  With regard to compensation for respiratory disease, IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, have registered one claimant in the Glasgow, Pollok constituency, as defined by the postcodes G52 and G53. This claim has not been settled as yet.

  In the City of Glasgow1, there have been 53 claims initiated. In this region, 37 individual payments have been made, totalling £175,950.

  1The City of Glasgow is defined by the postcodes, G1, 2, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20, 21, 32, 41, 43, 45, 51, 53, 61, 64, 72, 73, 76, 81 and 82.

  Sir John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miners in the Aberavon constituency suffering from pneumoconiosis and vibration white finger had been paid compensation on the last date for which figures were available; what the total amount involved was; and what the largest single payment was. [159431]
  304W
  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, advise me that, to date, there have been 1,264 claims registered in the constituency of Aberavon, as defined by the postcodes SA 11–13, CF34 and 42, in respect of vibration white finger (VWF). In this region, there have been 353 individual payments totalling £1.83 million. The highest single payment made to date was £21,250. This does not include claims for services, which have only recently begun to be processed. With regard to pneumoconiosis, figures are only kept nationally.

  In relation to claims for coronary obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), IRISC have, to date, registered 3,077 claims in the constituency of Aberavon, as defined above. In this region, there have been 792 individual payments totalling £3.28 million. The single highest payment to date was £51,035.

  Sir John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miners in the Aberavon constituency suffering from emphysema have been paid compensation at the latest date for which figures are available; what the total amount involved was; and what the largest single payment was. [160845]

  Mr. Hain
  The present British Coal compensation scheme for respiratory disease covers Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema and asthma in certain circumstances. Until claims are assessed, the type and level of injury suffered by claimants cannot be identified and therefore the number of claimants suffering from emphysema alone in the constituency of Aberavon cannot be determined. IRISC have, to date, registered 3,077 claims in respect of respiratory disease in the constituency of Aberavon, as defined by the postcodes SA 11–13, CF34 and 42. In this region, there have been 792 individual payments totalling £3.28 million. The single highest payment to date was £51,035.

  Sellafield MOX Plant
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he has commissioned on the technical modifications necessary to the Sellafield MOX plant to enable the plant to process plutonium for immobilisation. [159784]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: None.

  British Shipbuilders
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry between which dates of employment and for which firms British Shipbuilders will pay damages for industrial injury in cases where there is an outstanding judgment. [160819]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The information requested is not held centrally and cannot be given in the time required.

  Walsall (Funding)
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding has been made available to the Borough of Walsall by his Department since June 1997. [160996]
  305W
  Mr. Caborn
  Since June 1997, up to the present date, the following offers of assistance have been made to businesses in the local authority district of Walsall.

  36 offers of Regional Selective Assistance totalling £2,474,000 have been made. These offers have been made towards projects with total capital investment of £17,570,360 which will create 561 jobs.

  Nine offers of Enterprise Grant have been made since the scheme was launched in March 2000. These offers involve grant of £269,000 and fixed capital investment of £2,087,070.

  Eight offers were made under the SMART (innovation) scheme. The total amount of assistance offered was £345,554, towards company projects with total investment of £683,165.

  Businesses have also been able to benefit from assistance from the Training and Enterprise Council, Business Link and a range of other DTI schemes to encourage innovation and best practice, including TCS (formerly Teaching Company Scheme).

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the funding programmes for social inclusion for which his Department is responsible that can be accessed by(a) national sports bodies and (b) local clubs and communities. [161006]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Tyneside, North (Mr. Byers) is the current Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  All types of organisation can make bids to the £96 million Phoenix Fund, which promotes the provision of good quality business support for entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups or neighbourhoods. However the fund does not directly support individual enterprises.

  Associated Newspapers
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost to public funds was of his recent legal action against Associated Newspapers, with special reference to the costs associated with work done by officials. [160103]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 2 May 2001]: No bill for costs has yet been received.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the(a) average and (b) maximum length of time taken to process export licences was in 2000. [158534]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government aim to provide a substantive response to Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) applications within 20 working days, except in special circumstances. The targets are set out in a Service and Performance Code published by the Export Control Organisation (ECO), and information on performance against these targets is set out in the Government's annual reports on Strategic Export Controls. In 2000, the Government processed 57 per cent. of SIEL applications within 20 working days. Within the 306W
  DTI, the ECO improved the proportion of SIEL applications on which it carried out its processing tasks within 10 working days to 79 per cent. in 2000, compared to 75 per cent. the previous year.

  The average lengths of time to process the SIEL applications completed in 2000 were:

  Mean: 26.5 working days

  Mode: 15 working days

  Median: 17 working days.

  These figures do not take account of periods during which applications were referred back to exporters for further information. These referrals occur, for example, when the nature or end-use of the goods requires further clarification.

  The longest time taken to process a SIEL finalised in 2000 was 222 working days. While this was unacceptably high, there will always be a significant proportion of cases that take longer than the 20 working day target, especially in view of the necessary consultation with other Departments and if circumstances in the intended destination are uncertain or if the application is particularly complex.

  The Government recognise the problems that delays in the processing of licence applications can entail. All Departments involved in the process are committed to fulfilling their roles effectively and efficiently. The ECO is pursuing a number of initiatives to improve the quality of decision taking and further reduce processing times, including improving the way we work with other Departments, enhanced progress chasing particularly for such longstanding casework and a general commitment to continuous improvement.

  It would entail disproportionate cost to establish the relevant figures for Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) applications.

  Kellogg Factory, Stretford
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on the Kellogg of Great Britain Company Ltd.'s application to build a combined heat and power station at the Kellogg factory, Stretford, Greater Manchester. [161072]

  Mr. Hain
  I have today given consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to the Kellogg Company of Great Britain Limited and clearance under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to build a 65 megawatt gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Kellogg factory, Stretford, Greater Manchester. Planning permission for the station was granted subject to 36 conditions agreed with Trafford metropolitan borough council.

  Copies of the decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Pressure Selling
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints of undue pressure selling by companies have been made by(a) consumers and (b) trading standards officers in (i) Teesside, (ii) Stockton, South and (iii) nationally in the last year; and if he will list the companies against whom complaints have been made. [160875]
  307W
  Dr. Howells
  I am afraid the information is not held centrally and cannot be obtained easily in the time available before the dissolution of Parliament.

  LPG Companies
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will ask for the pricing policies of LPG companies to be investigated by the competition authorities; [160910]

  (2) what representations he has made to LPG companies regarding their pricing system, with particular reference to the variations in price from area to area. [160909]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I have made no representations to LPG companies about their pricing policies or systems. Under UK competition legislation, it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading to monitor markets and investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. It is for the Director General to decide whether action under the competition legislation is appropriate. The Director General can act if pricing levels appear to be the result of anti-competitive practices, but he has no powers to act in relation to prices as such. Any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour should be sent to the Director General.

  Environmentally Friendly Fuels
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government have taken to provide incentives for research and investment into alternative environmentally friendly fuels. [160911]

  Mr. Hain
  The proposed Renewables Obligation will require all licensed electricity suppliers to supply a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. Based on current proposals, the Obligation will provide up to £600 million by 2010 as an incentive to the renewable energy industry.

  Exemption of renewable energy from the Climate Change Levy is expected to be worth about £160 million per year by 2010.

  Continuing support for renewables through the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) arrangements, which we propose to make more flexible, could rise to around £150 million per year.

  The Government have announced further funding for renewables research, development and deployment in excess of £250 million over the next three years. This includes £89 million for capital grants for offshore wind, energy crops and biomass power generation, £55.5 million for an expanded DTI R&D programme, £12 million from MAFF for their energy crops planting scheme and an initial £10 million as the first phase of a market stimulation programme for solar photovoltaic roofs. It also includes £100 million to be allocated later in the year in the light of recommendations of the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit.

  With regard to incentives for alternative transport fuels, the Powershift Programme, which is sponsored by DETR, provides grants towards the additional costs of buying gas and electric vehicles. The Government have also
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  introduced a range of fiscal incentives to encourage the wider use of cleaner fuels including lower levels of fuel duty on road gas fuels.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Digital Television
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the use of single channel 2MHz digital channels for community broadcasting. [160500]

  Janet Anderson
  Current practice is for frequency channels comprising 8MHz which provide a single analogue terrestrial service, or one digital multiplex carrying multiple programme services. I understand from the Independent Television Commission that it is unlikely to be feasible to employ channels of only 2MHz because transmissions would not be compatible with current European transmission standards and no existing digital television receivers would be capable of receiving such transmissions, in addition to other technical constraints. In planning for the transition from analogue to digital television the Government will consider all potential uses of spectrum. A post-switchover plan will be developed providing a clearer indication of the long-term prospects for local television.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to appoint a digital champion to help oversee and take forward the take-up of digital television services. [160201]

  Janet Anderson
  I have no immediate plan to appoint a digital champion, but will keep this approach under review.

  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he(a) has taken and (b) intends to take to promote uptake of digital television and, in particular, digital terrestrial television. [161014]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  As we announced in "Opportunities for All in a World of Change", the Government's aim is for the UK to have the most dynamic, high quality and competitive market for digital TV in the G7, as measured by take-up, choice and cost.

  The benefits of digital television are wide-reaching: it provides better picture and sound quality, enables an increased choice of programmes, both free-to-view and paid for, and can deliver new kinds of interactive broadcast services such as home shopping and home banking. Furthermore, while universal access to the internet, which is an essential objective for the Government, is not dependent on digital television, we strongly believe that the take-up of digital television does offer a valuable opportunity for many who may not otherwise seek to do so, to have access to the internet through the use of a familiar technology.

  We are now the world leaders in the take-up of digital television with nearly 30 per cent. of households already enjoying the benefits of digital viewing. Digital satellite, available in around five million households, is now well advanced and we understand BSkyB will achieve the full switchover from analogue to digital later this year. The roll-out of digital cable is progressing well, with ntl and

  309W
  Telewest having over one million digital customers. More than one million households have already decided to receive digital television through the terrestrial platform which requires relatively little receiving equipment and is likely to be the means by which many will continue to expect to receive their television services n the foreseeable future.

  Everyday more homes move to digital but we are well aware that a significant number remain to be convinced of the benefits of making the switch. This is the reason why a number of important initiatives have been put in place recently, with the co-operation of the broadcasting industry and of the ITC, to promote the development of digital television in the UK. These initiatives are in the following areas: extension of coverage; information for consumers and research on their needs and expectations; and involvement of the stakeholders.

  Government Departments and agencies are doing all that it is possible within the framework of international spectrum management arrangements to maximise the coverage of digital. We understand that the work on the equalisation of coverage across all six multiplexes—the "core coverage"—is well advanced. We have recently written to digital broadcasters, seeking their commitment to ITC plans to double the power on eight key transmitters, allowing improvement to the signal quality, giving better, more reliable reception of free-to-air and subscription services.

  The involvement of the digital broadcasting industry is important in all areas: we will continue to meet all the stakeholders and ensure that the fair competition between them leads to an enterprising and consumer-friendly environment.

  We intend to take a strong part in progressing the plans that the ITC is making to implement a programme providing a pilot series of neighbourhoods across the country with free conversion to digital television. Our aim in this is to understand better the practical and social issues which will be faced by people in taking decisions on switching from analogue to digital television.

  These pilots will complement the findings of the Viewers Panel we established last year, and whose report, due in September, will help us to ensure that our policies are well informed by consumer concerns and needs.

  We also hope that the DVB logo, now being promoted by broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers, will help consumers to purchase digital televisions with confidence so that they are not misled into buying sets with "digital features", under the mistaken impression that they are actually purchasing equipment capable of receiving digital services. We must now discuss with the industry how best to promote this scheme to be sure that all the consumers receive the appropriate information before buying a new TV set. Alongside this initiative, we must also consider whether a public information campaign will be helpful to demystify digital television.

  We are committed to developing a strategic plan which will lead the UK to meet the criteria on affordability, availability and accessibility we have set to allow for full digital switchover within the period 2006 and 2010.
  310W

  Football Referees
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has held with the Football Association about their policy of retiring referees at 42 years of age. [159832]

  Kate Hoey
  This is entirely a matter for the Football Association, and neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have discussed it with them. However, I understand that the age limit of 42 applies only to referees who are newly appointed to officiate at matches in the Nationwide Conference and the reserve leagues of the Premiership and the Football League. There is no age limit for officials in the recreational sport, and referees who officiate at Premiership and Football League matches may continue until they are 48.

  Religious Broadcasting
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the opportunities available to Christian radio stations with analogue licences applying for digital licences. [160382]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: Religious bodies are currently disqualified from holding digital radio licences and are therefore unable to apply for automatic renewal of their analogue licences, under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996. The White Paper "A New Future for Communications" makes clear the Government's commitment to remove the disqualification on the ownership of local digital licences by religious bodies, and invited comments on relaxing the restrictions regarding the ownership of other licences by such bodies. We are currently considering the responses made.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if Premier Christian Radio's analogue licences will automatically be renewed; and if he will make a statement. [160396]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: The Radio Authority is required automatically to re-advertise, in an open competition, all analogue local licences in areas where the number of persons, aged 15 years or over, resident in the coverage areas of that service exceeds 4.5 million. The only analogue services exempted from this requirement are those who broadcast, or are committed to broadcast, on a digital multiplex in the relevant area. As Premier Christian Radio is prohibited by current legislation from holding a digital licence, its analogue licence cannot be automatically renewed. The Government are committed to bringing forward communications legislation which would remove this prohibition.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to enable religious broadcasters to apply for terrestrial digital licences. [160395]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: The White Paper "A New Future for Communications" announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local terrestrial digital radio licence. We invited views on whether the restrictions on ownership of other terrestrial licences by religious bodies should be relaxed, and are currently considering the responses.
  311W
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if applications for remaining digital radio licences for London will be determined before changes can be made to allow applications from Christian broadcasters to be entertained. [160394]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: I understand that applications for the third and final digital multiplex licence for Greater London have already been submitted, and the Radio Authority is expected to make the award in June. Legislation to correct the anomaly whereby religious bodies are prevented from holding local digital licences will be brought forward, but any such legislation could not be enacted by June.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has to help tourism businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. [159904]

  Janet Anderson
  As a member of the rural task force, I have actively been proposing measures to help tourism businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. A package of financial measures to help tourist businesses was announced by the chairman of the task force on 20 March 2001,Official Report, columns 191–210. In addition, an extra £24 million for RDAs across the country was announced by DETR on 7 May. This will provide direct help to thousands of rural businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, including grant aid of up to £15,000. This builds on the £15 million already given to the RDAs in the four worst affected areas to provide direct support to businesses and help with promotional campaigns.

  We have also announced a package of help for the promotion of tourism to both the domestic and international markets. On 6 April, my Department announced that £3.8 million in additional funding was being made available to the English Tourism Council (ETC) for an advertising and promotion campaign to restore public confidence in visiting the countryside. We also announced that £2.2 million in additional funding was being made available to the British Tourist Authority (BTA) for the promotion of tourism overseas. On 2 May, a further £12 million was made available to support the BTA's marketing campaigns to get the message across to our key overseas markets that Britain is still a great place for a holiday.

  Art Galleries
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. [161060]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have today published the first stage report of the joint review of the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.

  The report examines the roles and functions of the galleries, and how these functions contribute to the delivery of wider DCMS and governmental objectives. It confirms that at the present the galleries' status as non-departmental public bodies is the best option for the delivering of their services and considers how the delivery of their services might be improved in the future.
  312W
  The publication of the report marks the end of the first stage of the review. The second stage will take forward the recommendations of the first stage and consider how the galleries' services and functions could be provided more efficiently and effectively in the future.

  A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of the overall Legal Services Commission's budget was paid to solicitors in each of the last five years in relation to class actions in the field of clinical negligence and personal injury; and what proportion of this amount related to work which could be carried out at less cost. [160246]

  Mr. Lock
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the Legal Services Commission, and before it the Legal Aid Board, have taken a number of steps to improve control over the cost of multi-party actions (MPAs). Due to their potential expense, MPAs have been subject to contract control since 1992. An expert panel of solicitors who have experience in handling such litigation was established in 1999, and new arrangements introduced to allow only panel members and any firm already involved in the action to submit a tender for an MPA contract.

  Now, under the Commission's Funding Code (introduced in April 2000), cases can be put out to competitive tender among the panel members, at or below specified hourly rates. Typically, the successful firm is then awarded a contract, which regulates the remuneration and conduct of the litigation. Specialist Commission staff manage contracted cases, and those residual cases that are not under contract. As directed by the Lord Chancellor, the Commission has set aside a budget for special cases, of which MPAs are one type. This commenced when the Commission's Funding Code came into effect. In 2001–02 this budget is £4.5 million.

  Under the new scheme, the Commission will fund personal injury MPAs only when the action has a significant wider public interest. Funding by the LSC will generally be concentrated only on the central or generic work on the action, leaving individual claims to be pursued under conditional fee agreements.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much the Legal Services Commission paid in each of the last five years to claimants' solicitors in relation to the investigation and running of clinical negligence claims against the NHS; and what proportion of this amount related to payments made to solicitors in relation to the initial investigation of the viability of claims. [160245]

  Mr. Lock
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  313W
  The Legal Services Commission records the value of main bills paid, comprising solicitors' costs, disbursements and Counsel's fees. The total figures for each year also include the value of claims which are met in full by the opponents. The net cost to the fund of clinical negligence cases is therefore less than the figures given.

  £million

  1995–96

  50.6

  1996–97

  56.9

  1997–98

  64.4

  1998–99

  64.6

  1999–2000

  60.6

  It is not possible to identify separately claims against the NHS from claims against GPs and dentists; nor is it possible to identify separately claims against private practitioners from those working in the NHS. The Commission does not record separately amounts claimed for different stages in proceedings, and it is therefore not possible to report separately the cost of initial investigations. Prior to the introduction of civil contracting in January 2000 clinical negligence was not separately identified as a category of advice work. The figures in the table therefore do not provide information regarding payments for advice and assistance work done under the former Green Form system.

  A number of measures have been introduced to seek to improve the value for money achieved in clinical negligence cases. From August 1999 only clinical negligence specialists who hold licences with the Commission have been able to provide publicly funded services in new cases. The Commission has a contract with Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (AVMA) to provide a merits screening test in clinical negligence cases; this expertise now supports the process of deciding which cases to fund. New guidance and tougher criteria have also been introduced and are aimed at restricting funding for lower value and weaker claims. Consequently there has been an increase in the proportion of claims that were found to lack merit, and were discontinued after the initial investigation, from 51 per cent. in 1996–97 to 60 per cent. in 1999–2000. There has also been an improvement in the success rate of claims that proceed beyond the initial investigation, from 46 per cent. in 1996–97 to 61 per cent. in 1999–2000. The discontinuation at an earlier stage of cases that lack legal merit represents an improvement in value for money. The reforms are also reflected in the number of new certificates issued annually for clinical negligence claims, which are just over half the totals being issued five years ago.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Vision 20/20
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if her Department has given(a) practical and (b) financial backing of the World bank loan for the Vision 20/20 proposals; [159760]
  314W
  (2) what representations she has made to the World bank in support of Vision 20/20; and what scale of World bank loan this has resulted in. [159761]

  Clare Short
  We share the objectives underpinning the 20/20 initiative, but have reservations about its capacity to influence implementation of poverty reduction objectives. The 20/20 idea is based on inputs rather than effective use of resources. While it encourages desirable attention to social programmes, it does not ensure that resources will be directed to the meeting of the International Development targets. As far as we are aware, the World bank is not proposing to provide financial support to the 20/20 initiative.

  Chernobyl
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid and assistance the Government have provided to the people of Chernobyl since 1986; and how much is planned to be made available over the next three years. [160976]

  Mr. Mullin
  Most UK assistance in response to the Chernobyl disaster is provided through the European Community and through our bilateral aid programmes. In total we have spent over £42 million since 1986.

  Most of our support has funded the rebuilding of the sarcophagus and essential decommissioning facilities at Chernobyl through the Chernobyl Shelter Fund and the Nuclear Safety Account.

  We also give modest direct support to Chernobyl charities, especially those helping children affected by the 1986 disaster.

  We expect to continue work in all these areas over the next three years.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of senior civil servants in her Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if she will make a statement. [160883]

  Mr. Mullin
  None. DFID's policy is that its employees should not be required to work in excess of the limits specified by the Working Time Regulations 1998 and none have been asked to do so.

  Botswana
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Government's policies in respect of poverty reduction in Botswana. [160829]

  Mr. Mullin
  Botswana's record in pursuing effective poverty reduction policies is one of the strongest in Africa, although many of the gains made are under threat from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. DFID has contributed substantially to the Government of Botswana's poverty reduction programmes focusing particularly on rural livelihoods, education and more recently in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the financial year 2000–01, DFID provided around £2.5 million directly to Botswana in addition to our contributions through multilateral agencies.
  315W

  EU Trade Regulations
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the Netherlands' proposals for reform of EU trade regulations relating to overseas countries and territories. [159743]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Netherlands have proposed amendments to the European Commission's proposal for a new Council Decision on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Community (the "OCT Decision"). The Commission's proposal maintains full freedom of access to the EC market for products originating in the OCTs, subject to special provisions for rice and sugar. The Netherlands' amendments would increase the proposed quota for milled or semi-milled rice, and would allow an additional quota for sugar which has undergone processing disallowed under the Commission proposal. The Netherlands have also suggested an alternative process for the management of these quotas. The Government are still assessing the implications of these amendments. In Council working groups, discussion is at an early stage.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Racially Aggravated Offences
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for racially aggravated offences have been taken up by the Crown Prosecution Service; in how many cases the defendant was(a) convicted and (b) acquitted; and how many cases the Crown Prosecution Service did not pursue. [160999]

  The Solicitor-General
  During the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, the CPS received 2,417 racist incident cases from the police. Prosecutions were brought against 1,832 defendants (76 per cent.) on a total of 2,651 charges. Cases against 585 defendants (24 per cent.) were discontinued, dropped at court or could not be prosecuted because the defendant failed to appear.

  Almost half (1,299) of the 2,651 charges were for racially aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which came into force in September 1999. A high proportion of the remaining offences contained admissible evidence of racial aggravation and were prosecuted under other legislation.

  Information kept by the CPS on convictions and acquittals relates to charges rather than defendants. Guilty pleas were entered on 66 per cent. of the charges prosecuted and there were convictions after trial on a further 12 per cent. of the charges. There were acquittals on 16 per cent. of the charges and the remaining charges resulted in other forms of disposal, eg bindover without trial.

  Further information is available from the CPS Racist Incident Monitoring Report 1999–2000, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.
  316W

  Union Flag
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Solicitor-General what guidance he will give to the Crown Prosecution Service on the prosecution of motorists displaying the Union Flag on car number plates. [161033]

  The Solicitor-General
  The size and character of car number plates (properly known as registration marks) and of the letters and numbers shown on them is governed by the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 and the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

  There is no provision which specifically prohibits the display of items, such as the Union Flag, on a registration mark. However, an offence is committed if a registration mark fixed on a vehicle is in any way obscured. This may be as a result of fixing another item to the registration mark or by simply allowing it to become so masked by dirt as to be no longer easily distinguishable.

  The offence can be dealt with only in a magistrates court and is punishable by a fine of up to £1,000. If the police refer evidence of such an offence to the Crown Prosecution Service, it will be reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and, if appropriate, criminal proceedings will then result.

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the projects undertaken for her Department by(a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144087]

  Mr. Stringer
  Since 1 May 1997 my Department has let 216 projects the total value of which is as follows:(a) Outside consultants: £13,079,903
  (b) Academic researchers and university departments: £230,741.

  A list of the projects undertaken with identifiable external consultancy costs has been placed in the Library.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of senior civil servants in her Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if she will make a statement. [160892]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Five per cent.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the companies with which the then Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), had discussions regarding sponsorship of the millennium dome. [148376]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  As shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), the then Minister Without Portfolio, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), had contact
  317W
  with sponsors from time to time, but the responsibility for negotiating and securing sponsorship rested with the NMEC. It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of ministerial meetings or discussions with companies or private individuals.

  Government Annual Report 1999–2000
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office for what reason the Government's Annual report for 1999–2000 was issued as an unnumbered Command Paper. [158117]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government Annual Report 1999–2000 was printed and published by the Stationery Office Ltd. (ISBN number 0–10–850638–6). It was issued as an unnumbered Command Paper to provide flexibility in the production and distribution process. It was presented to Parliament, published and distributed as usual for Command Papers, as well as being available from Tesco and WH Smith.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions special advisers who have left the Government since 1997 have been examined by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and if she will make a statement. [160260]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Under the terms of their contracts, special advisers are subject to the Business Appointment Rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code and Departmental Staff Handbooks. They are required to make an application to their employing Department for permission to take up outside appointments under the criteria set out in the rules. Where appropriate, Departments consult the Cabinet Office. Applications from the most senior staff would he referred to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, but none has been received from special advisers at this level.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many special advisers worked in her Department from 1997 to date. [160027]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Since 3 May 1997, no more than four special advisers have been in post at any one time. This includes the UK Anti Drugs co-ordinator and his Deputy who are appointed on special adviser terms.

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the funding programmes for social inclusion for which her Department is responsible that can be accessed by(a) national sports bodies and (b) local clubs and communities. [161002]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Cabinet Office is not directly responsible for any funding for social inclusion programmes.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will estimate(a) the numbers of deaths due to drug use and misuse, (b) the numbers of injuries and finished consultant episodes related to drug use and
  318W
  misuse and (c) the direct costs of care, treatment, investigation and damage caused by drug use and misuse in each year since 1995. [157835]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Office for National Statistics reports that the number of deaths due to drug misuse in 1999 was 2,943; this figure includes deaths from illicit and licit drug use. The figures provided include deaths from drug dependence, non-dependent abuse, accidents, suicides and homicide. The figures for previous years are as follows: 1998–2,922; 1997–2,858; 1996–2,721; and 1995–2,563. Figures in relation to the numbers of injuries and finished consultant episodes related to drug use and misuse are not available as they are not collected centrally.

  In terms of the direct costs of treatment of drug use and misuse, the only figures available are from the treatment strand of expenditure from the Drug Action Team returns for 1998–99 and 1999–2000. The figure for 1998–99 was approximately £165.7 million and the figure for 1999–2000 was approximately £151.8 million. Information on the indirect costs of the damage resulting from drug misuse are unavailable as they are not collected centrally.

  Ombudsman Review
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she expects to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the ombudsman review. [144200]

  Mr. Stringer
  [pursuant to the reply, 17 January 2001, c. 332]: This was a major review and we have received 174 responses, which we are considering carefully. Any announcement on the outcome of the consultation will be made in due course.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the variation between actual expenditure on Housing Benefit and expenditure projected in the FSR for(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01 in (i) cash and (ii) percentage terms. [160974]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Total Housing Benefit expenditure

  £million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Outturn

  11,068

  11,177

  1—

  Projected expenditure

  11,221

  11,247

  11,257

  Variance

  –153

  –70

  1—

  Variance (percentage)2

  –1

  –1

  1—

  1Not yet available.

  2Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Source:

  Figures underlie those shown in the relevant Financial Statement and Budget Reports for total Social Security expenditure.
  319W

  Pension Clawback
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions he has had with the Irish Government concerning pension clawback. [160680]

  Mr. Rooker
  None.

  Benefits
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the estimated total value is of the benefits available in cash and in kind, including accommodation, to a family with two unemployed adults and two children, broken down by type of benefit, in the financial year 2001–02. [160635]

  Angela Eagle
  There is a wide range of benefits which may be available including Jobseeker's Allowance and Child Benefit. Unemployed homeowners can benefit from help with their mortgage interest payments, while Housing Benefit can help meet accommodation costs for those who rent their homes. Council Tax Benefit is available to help meet council tax liabilities. However, the benefits and the amounts available will vary greatly depending on individual circumstances. Benefits in kind will also vary depending on the schemes operated by the local authority.

  Walsall (Funding)
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what funding has been made available to the borough of Walsall by his Department since June 1997. [160997]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department provides subsidy to local authorities in respect of their expenditure on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and the administration of these schemes. The amounts of these subsidies paid each year to Walsall borough are in the table.

  Period

  £

  June 1997 to March 1998

  21,085,206

  April 1998 to March 1999

  26,306,110

  April 1999 to March 2000

  27,533,011

  April 2000 to March 2001

  27,933,936

  Departmental Policies (Glasgow, Pollok)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Glasgow, Pollok constituency the effects on Glasgow, Pollok of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [160831]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of:Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;
  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and,
  Combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.
  320W
  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than data at a local authority level, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Glasgow, Pollok since May 1997.

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

  Child Benefit is worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from this April: nationally about 7 million families receive child Benefit, and in Glasgow, Pollok 8,550 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed. the long-term unemployed, the over 50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 960,600; in Glasgow, Pollok the number has reduced from 3,000 to 2,000. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally; in Glasgow, Pollok the number has decreased from 2,400 to 2,300.

  Older people ate disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. Last winter (2000–01), the payment was £200 for households who qualified. Around 13,000 older people in Glasgow, Pollok received a Winter Fuel Payment.

  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 13,100 pensioners in Glasgow, Pollok will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over 75s of whom we estimate there are about 4,900 in Glasgow, Pollok. 3,600 pensioner families in Glasgow, Pollok are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. They are now at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  To help tomorrow's pensioners, we have introduced the new stakeholder pension which is designed to help those on moderate to higher earnings who do not have access to an occupational pension; lower to moderate earners will benefit when we introduce the State Second Pension in April 2002; and from 2003, the Pension Credit will mean that pensioners will for the first time be rewarded, not penalised, for saving.
  321W

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average length of time is that people spend on Incapacity Benefit in(a) Glasgow, Pollok, (b) the City of Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK. [160830]

  Mr. Bayley
  The average duration of Incapacity Benefit for claims terminated in the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 is 1,094 days in Scotland and 1,027 days in Great Britain. If people who leave Incapacity Benefit for Retirement Pension are excluded, the average duration is 525 days in Scotland and 500 days in Great Britain.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are taken from a 1 per cent. sample of claims.

  2. Information is not available by constituency or local authority area.

  3. The Northern Ireland Assembly is responsible for social security matters within Northern Ireland.

  Vaccine Damage
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proposals he has to amend the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to include those who have been affected by vaccination but who are over the age of 21; [160915]

  (2) if he will seek to amend the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 to allow payments to be made to a person damaged by vaccine, irrespective of the age of that person, and when the damage occurred. [160916]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Vaccine Damage Payments (VDP) scheme is principally aimed at those vaccinated as part of the Department of Health-recommended childhood vaccination programme, although exceptions are made in cases such as polio and rubella where such vaccinations are more routinely given into adulthood. Given this basis those claiming a VDP must generally have been vaccinated before their 18 birthday.

  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 27 June 2000, we propose to amend the time limit for claiming a VDP so that a claim must be made on or before the date on which a vaccinated person attains the age of 21, or within six years of the date of the vaccination to which the claim relates, whichever is the later. We have no further plans to amend age limit provisions.

  State Retirement Pension (Women)
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women aged over 60 years have not claimed their state retirement pension. [160980]

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

  War Pensions Agency
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if individuals who claim disablement as a result of participating in experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down are entitled to receive the case notes of their application for an award from the War Pension Agency. [160495]
  322W
  Mr. Bayley
  No, individuals are not entitled to receive the War Pensions Agency's case notes relating to their application for a War Pension.

  However, under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals will have the right of access to clerical information from 24 October 2001.

  State Second Pension
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will calculate the outstanding liability to the state second pension for each of the next 40 years, in current price terms, and if all workers turning 25 years were from 2002 automatically contracted out of the state second pension at the standard occupational pension rate. [160524]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The benefit expenditure on State Second Pension is shown in the table.

  £billion

  Year

  Cost

  2001–02

  0.0

  2002–03

  0.0

  2003–04

  0.0

  2004–05

  0.1

  2005–06

  0.1

  2006–07

  0.2

  2007–08

  0.4

  2008–09

  0.5

  2009–10

  0.7

  2010–11

  0.9

  2011–12

  1.1

  2012–13

  1.3

  2013–14

  1.5

  2014–15

  1.7

  2015–16

  2.0

  2016–17

  2.2

  2017–18

  2.4

  2018–19

  2.7

  2019–20

  2.9

  2020–21

  3.2

  2021–22

  3.6

  2022–23

  4.0

  2023–24

  4.4

  2024–25

  4.9

  2025–26

  5.3

  2026–27

  5.8

  2027–28

  6.3

  2028–29

  6.9

  2029–30

  7.5

  2030–31

  8.0

  2031–32

  8.6

  2032–33

  9.1

  2033–34

  9.7

  2034–35

  10.2

  2035–36

  10.7

  2036–37

  11.3

  2037–38

  11.9

  2038–39

  12.4

  2039–40

  12.9

  2040–41

  13.5

  Notes:

  1. Figures are expressed in 2001–02 price terms.

  2. Costs allow for the introduction of stakeholder pensions and assume State Second Pension becomes a flat-rate scheme in 2006–07.

  3. There is no additional benefit expenditure for these years if all employed earners turning 25 years contract out of the State scheme from 2002.
  323W

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [158552]

  Mr. Rooker
  Special Advisers made no official visits overseas between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001.

  Family Incomes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate is provided by his Department's Family Resources Survey of the number of couples, married or unmarried, with at least one dependent child where both partners are in paid employment or self-employment, each earning less than £34,000 per annum and whose combined income is in excess of(a) £38,000, (b) £40,000, (c) £45,000 and (d) £50,000. [159446]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The information is in the table.

  The number of couples, with at least one dependent child where both partners are in paid employment, each earning less than £34.000 per annum and whose combined income from earnings are in excess of the following specified levels

  Combined earnings in excess of:

  Number of couples

  (£ per annum)

  (Million)

  38,000

  0.4

  40,000

  0.3

  45,000

  0.2

  50,000

  0.1

  Notes:

  1. Earnings are defined as gross payment for full-time, part-time employment and/or self-employment. The estimates of the number of couples are cumulatively above the specified earnings level and therefore should not be summed.

  2. All figures are estimates and are derived from the FRS. The FRS does not include Northern Ireland, and 1998–99 is the latest year for which data are available.

  3. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax band and a number of other demographic variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. All numbers are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1998–99

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which categories of civil servants will not be offered stakeholder pensions; for what reasons; and how many people will be affected. [160124]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have been asked to reply.

  A designated stakeholder arrangement will be introduced, under the access requirements of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, for those civil servants

  KPI

  Target

  Actual

  Category A prisoner escapes

  0

  0

  Total escapes, as a percentage of the average prison population

  0.05 per cent.

  0.03 per cent.

  Contractor escapes, as a ratio per 20,000 prisoners handled

  1:20,000

  1:21,649

  Proven adjudications of assault, as a percentage of the average prisoner population

  9 per cent.

  9.9 per cent.

  324W
  not eligible for membership of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. Access will therefore be mainly provided for some 12,000 casual employees.

  Additionally, access to the designated stakeholder arrangement will be available to those members of the PCSPS, earning below £30,000, who wish to use this route as an alternative or supplement to the scheme's additional voluntary contribution arrangements.

  Work is also being taken forward on a new pension scheme for the civil service. This will provide new entrants with a choice between improved defined benefit arrangements and a new defined contribution plan. The defined contribution plan will be delivered through stakeholder pension products. Existing members of the PCSPS will be given the choice of remaining with the current benefit structure or of paying the higher employee contributions associated with the new defined benefit arrangement. The intention is to launch the new pension scheme from 1 October 2002.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Service
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the results achieved by the Prison Service on each of its key performance indicators in 2001–01; and if he will make a statement. [161015]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Key Performance Indicators (KPI) results for 2000–01 for the Prison Service are given in the table. The data are provisional and subject to final validation.

  The results are extremely encouraging. The improvement in security is impressive—especially the reduction in escapes from prison establishments. There were 11 last year, compared with 30 in 1999–2000 and 232 as recently as 1992–93. The downward trend in drug misuse has continued and performance is well ahead of the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target. The level of drug abuse has fallen by 49 per cent. since 1996–97. The Service met the overall target for the number of prisoners completing accredited offending behaviour programmes and increased the overall number of completions by 30 per cent. on the previous year and by more than 93 per cent. on the number achieved in 1998–99. The purposeful activity target would have been met but for a sharp rise in the prisoner population since December, and I believe, could have been met despite the increase in population had governors not responded to encouragement to concentrate investment in education and offending behaviour courses which provide high quality activity but for small numbers of prisoners.

  The Director General of the Prison Service has introduced new arrangements for dealing with the high levels of staff sickness in the Service and although the basic skills targets were not met, it is very encouraging to note that prisoners achieved more than 50,000 separate certificates last year, 12,500 of them at basic skills level 2.
  325W

  KPI

  Target

  Actual

  Rate of positive random drug tests

  16

  12.4

  Number of voluntary drug testing compacts

  28,000

  77,861

  Percentage of the population held two to a cell designed for one (doubling)

  18 per cent.

  17.2 per cent.

  Average weekly purposeful hours per prisoner

  24 hours

  23.8 hours

  The proportion of prisoners discharged with basic skills in literacy below level 2

  52.8 per cent.

  76.6 per cent.

  The proportion of prisoners discharged with basic skills in numeracy below level 2

  61.9 per cent.

  67.6 per cent.

  Accredited offending behaviour programme completions

  5,000

  6,041

  Accredited sex offender treatment programme completions

  1,020

  848

  Cost per uncrowded prison place

  £27,031

  £27,022

  Cost per prisoner

  £26,118

  £27,566

  Average staff sickness days

  11.25 days

  13.6 days

  Public correspondence replied within 20 days

  95 per cent.

  95 per cent.

  Average telephone response time (Headquarters only)

  12 seconds

  12 seconds

  Percentage abandoned telephone calls (Headquarters only)

  5 per cent.

  7.2 per cent.

  Mrs. G. A. Officer
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will complete consideration of the case relating to the wife of Mr. G. A. Officer, a constituent. [160733]

  Mrs. Roche
  Mrs. Officer was granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom on 28 April.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of(a) the number of asylum seekers dispersed throughout the UK, (b) the number who are locating in London and (c) the number being offered accommodation by the Refugee Council on behalf of the National Asylum Support Service. [160793]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of March 2001, 23,5301 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and 13,4701 (including dependants) were allocated voucher-only support by NASS.

  Of the above, 5201 were allocated accommodation in London and 9,4201 of those allocated voucher-only support were staying in London.

  It is NASS policy to offer asylum seekers accommodation outside London and the south-east. However, in special circumstances, such as medical problems, some asylum seekers are allocated accommodation in London.

  As at 27 April 2001, the Refugee Council was accommodating 5,2301 asylum seekers (including dependants) in emergency accommodation on behalf of NASS. Of these, 4,4101 were in London.
  1Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seeker applicants opted for vouchers only, including dependants; and how many have accepted dispersal. [160790]

  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of March 2001, 13,4701 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated voucher-only support by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and 23,5301 (including dependants) were allocated accommodation by NASS.
  1Figures rounded to the nearest 10.
  326W
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to take full financial responsibility for asylum seekers and their dependants in place of local authority responsibility. [160792]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Home Office assumed responsibility on 1 April 1999 for reimbursing local authorities for direct costs incurred, within unit cost limits for supporting asylum seekers. Payment is by way of grant.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated total value is of the benefits available in vouchers, in cash and in kind, including accommodation, to an asylum-seeking family with two adults and two children which is being supported by NASS, broken down by type of benefit, in the financial year 2001–02. [160634]

  Mrs. Roche
  Asylum seekers in need can be supported with accommodation, subsistence or both. The current weekly value of voucher support for a family consisting of a couple and two children, aged 16 or younger, is £119.27, of which £40.00 is paid in cash vouchers. Accommodation is provided directly by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

  An asylum-seeking family in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation has their utility bills paid by NASS. This in-kind support is estimated to be worth around £18 per week. In addition, NASS accommodation includes items not generally included in furnished accommodation, such as towels, bedding, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, at an estimated value of around £5 per week. After six months, NASS-supported asylum seekers are also eligible for a one-off payment of £50 per person.

  If the children are new-born the family may be eligible for a maternity payment of £300 per child.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum appeals determined were(a) allowed, (b) dismissed and (c) withdrawn for nationals of (i) Iraq, (ii) Somalia, (iii) Sri Lanka, (iv) Sudan, (v) Turkey, (vi) Zimbabwe and (vii) each other nationality for the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [160802]

  Mrs. Roche
  Asylum appeal figures by nationality for 1999 and 2000 are not available as the Immigration Appellate Authority ceased to produce them. We hope to
  327W
  be able to publish this information for the 2001 asylum statistics and beyond. The most recent figures refer to 1998 and are published in the Home Office Statistical

  Asylum appeals: Table 8.2 Outcome of appeals1 under the 1993 and 1996 Acts determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1998

  Number of principal appellants

  Appeals determined by adjudicators2

  Allowed

  Dismissed

  Withdrawn

  Nationality

  Appeals sent to the IAA

  Total

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Europe

  Albania

  80

  75

  10

  10

  65

  86

  5

  4

  Czech Republic

  105

  130

  5

  2

  100

  78

  25

  20

  Poland

  450

  665

  10

  1

  595

  89

  60

  9

  Romania

  470

  665

  5

  0

  620

  93

  45

  7

  Slovak Republic

  90

  125

  5

  2

  80

  64

  40

  34

  Turkey

  545

  1,405

  530

  38

  805

  57

  70

  5

  Former USSR

  925

  635

  30

  5

  540

  85

  65

  10

  Former Yugoslavia

  165

  335

  50

  15

  140

  41

  145

  43

  Other

  590

  1,000

  20

  2

  905

  90

  75

  8

  Total

  3,415

  5,035

  655

  13

  3,845

  76

  535

  11

  Americas

  Colombia

  560

  400

  40

  10

  315

  80

  40

  10

  Ecuador

  1,240

  600

  5

  1

  525

  87

  70

  12

  Other

  130

  235

  15

  7

  205

  87

  15

  6

  Total

  1,930

  1,230

  60

  5

  1,045

  85

  125

  10

  Africa

  Algeria

  95

  235

  40

  17

  135

  58

  60

  25

  Angola

  110

  500

  90

  18

  385

  78

  20

  4

  Democratic Republic of Congo

  20

  195

  30

  15

  120

  62

  40

  21

  Ethiopia

  65

  250

  55

  22

  175

  69

  25

  10

  Gambia

  210

  380

  25

  6

  330

  87

  25

  7

  Ghana

  430

  1,700

  35

  2

  1,585

  93

  85

  5

  Ivory Coast

  165

  365

  95

  26

  250

  68

  20

  5

  Kenya

  360

  860

  85

  10

  730

  85

  50

  6

  Liberia

  45

  105

  5

  3

  95

  91

  5

  7

  Nigeria

  1,775

  4,085

  140

  3

  3,675

  90

  265

  7

  Sierra Leone

  60

  175

  20

  12

  110

  63

  45

  25

  Somalia

  15

  25

  5

  19

  20

  67

  5

  15

  Sudan

  70

  190

  85

  45

  80

  43

  20

  12

  Tanzania

  150

  920

  25

  3

  860

  93

  35

  4

  Uganda

  215

  495

  50

  10

  420

  85

  25

  5

  Other

  430

  605

  90

  15

  460

  76

  55

  9

  Total

  4,225

  11,085

  875

  8

  9,425

  85

  785

  7

  Middle East

  Iran

  35

  150

  60

  40

  75

  51

  15

  9

  Iraq

  25

  45

  15

  29

  25

  51

  10

  20

  Lebanon

  15

  65

  15

  20

  50

  74

  5

  6

  Other

  40

  100

  15

  13

  75

  72

  15

  15

  Total

  115

  360

  100

  27

  220

  61

  40

  11

  Asia

  Afghanistan

  15

  15

  5

  36

  10

  64

  —

  0

  China

  975

  1,230

  20

  2

  1,200

  97

  10

  1

  India

  1,040

  2,445

  25

  1

  2,355

  96

  65

  3

  Pakistan

  1,590

  2,570

  85

  3

  2,330

  91

  155

  6

  Sri Lanka

  745

  1,040

  495

  48

  510

  49

  30

  3

  Other

  320

  210

  10

  4

  185

  87

  20

  9

  Total

  4,680

  7,515

  640

  9

  6,590

  88

  280

  4

  Other and nationality not known

  30

  95

  20

  22

  75

  75

  5

  3

  Grant total

  14,385

  25,320

  2,355

  9

  21,195

  84

  1,770

  7

  1Provisional estimated figures rounded to the nearest 5 with *=1 or 2. Figures might not add up to total due to rounding. Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

  2Figures are based on the cases for which information is recorded on the Refugee Index.

  328W
  Bulletin "Asylum Statistics 1998", a copy of which is available in the Library. The information is given in the table.
  329W
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the places designated as clusters for the dispersal of asylum seekers, indicating the(a) population and (b) ethnic minority population of each. [160847]

  Mrs. Roche
  The areas designated as clusters are listed together with population figures. Research to identify the presence of ethnic minorities included advice received from consultation with regional consortium, voluntary groups and other interested parties plus evidence from the 1991 census. Actual statistics detailing the present ethnic minority population for each cluster area are not available.

  Region/cluster area

  Population estimate per cluster

  East Midlands

  Leicester

  294,300

  Derby

  235,800

  Nottingham

  286,800

  South Central and East

  Brighton and Hove

  255,800

  Hastings and St Leonards

  81,400

  Portsmouth

  189,900

  North East

  Darlington

  101,400

  Gateshead

  198,900

  Middlesbrough

  145,100

  Newcastle

  276,100

  North Tyneside

  194,000

  South Tyneside

  154,600

  Redcar and Cleveland

  138,300

  Hartlepool

  91,900

  Stockton on Tees

  181,000

  Sunderland

  292,300

  North West

  Manchester (Great Manchester)

  429,800

  Bolton (Great Manchester)

  267,500

  Bury (Great Manchester)

  182,800

  Oldham (Great Manchester)

  219,200

  Rochdale (Great Manchester)

  208,200

  Salford (Great Manchester)

  225,900

  Stockport (Great Manchester)

  292,800

  Tameside (Great Manchester)

  220,400

  Trafford (Great Manchester)

  220,300

  Wigan (Great Manchester)

  310,500

  Burnley

  91,000

  Blackburn

  140,000

  Liverpool

  461,500

  Nelson

  29,120

  Scotland

  Glasgow

  619,680

  Edinburgh

  450,180

  South West

  Bristol

  402,300

  Gloucester

  107,400

  Swindon

  179,700

  Taunton and Bridgewater

  199,700

  Exeter

  111,000

  South Gloucestershire

  241,000

  Torbay

  123,000

  North Somerset

  188,700

  Bath

  167,300

  Plymouth

  253,000

  East of England

  Ipswich

  113,900

  Norwich

  124,000

  Cambridge

  120,600

  Great Yarmouth

  89,300

  Peterborough

  156,000

  330W

  Region/cluster area

  Population estimate per cluster

  Wales

  Wrexham

  125,200

  Cardiff

  320,900

  Newport

  139,200

  Swansea

  229,500

  Bridgend and Porthcawl

  131,400

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  1,013,400

  Coventry

  304,300

  Dudley

  311,500

  Sandwell

  290,500

  Solihull

  205,600

  Stoke on Trent

  251,500

  Walsall

  261,200

  Wolverhampton

  241,600

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Bradford/Keighley

  483,300

  Doncaster

  290,500

  Halifax

  91,069

  Hull

  261,800

  Kirklees

  390,900

  Leeds

  727,400

  Rotherham

  254,400

  Sheffield

  531,100

  Barnsley

  228,100

  Grimsby

  90,703

  Wakefield

  318,800

  1Shown as Taunton Deane

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the places on which he plans to confer cluster status for the dispersal of asylum seekers, indicating the(a) population and (b) ethnic minority population of each. [160848]

  Mrs. Roche
  There are already 71 cluster areas in existence, and research and consultation through the regional consortium continue in order to identify other suitable areas.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will define the boundaries of the Grimsby cluster for the dispersal of asylum seekers; and what proportion of the population the ethnic minority population represents. [160849]

  Mrs. Roche
  The boundary of the cluster area for Grimsby is centred on the town itself. Statistics showing what proportion of the population are from ethnic minorities are not available.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers he intends to disperse to the Grimsby cluster; and what proportion of these will be accommodated by(a) the local council and (b) private accommodation providers. [160850]

  Mrs. Roche
  At present the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has procured 57 bedspaces through the private sector in Grimsby, and, while further accommodation is being explored, we are not seeking to disperse large numbers there. The intention is to achieve a fair and equitable dispersal.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his proposals for widening the Grimsby cluster for asylum seekers to include Cleethorpes; and what effect they will have on the size of the ethnic minority population of the cluster. [160852]
  331W
  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service continuously researches and seeks advice on possible new cluster areas. There has been no proposal to include Cleethorpes as part of the Grimsby cluster area.

  National Asylum Support Service
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the remit of the NASS Performance Monitoring Inspection Team; how many inspectors it employs; and what are the performance targets against which its performance is measured; [159775]

  (2) what procedures are in place to investigate complaints of sub-standard accommodation from people seeking asylum who are living in accommodation contracted through NASS; how NASS monitors its performance in providing accommodation of a proper standard; and what performance targets are in place in relation to this. [159776]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer I May 2001]: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has established a contract manager for each of its contracts with accommodation providers who is responsible for investigating complaints about the standard of accommodation. These investigations will either be carried out by the contract manager or by one of the chartered surveying firms employed by NASS as and when required.

  The main remit of the NASS Performance Monitoring Inspection Team is the assessment of housing management put in place by all NASS contractors.

  The current staffing level of the NASS Performance Monitoring Inspection Team is one Head of Inspections Senior Executive Officer (SEO), four Team Leaders Higher Executive Officer (HEO), 15 Inspectors Executive Officers (EO) and six support staff. All non-support staff are engaged in personally inspecting the accommodation and the support services that contractors are required to provide to NASS service users.

  The NASS Performance Monitoring Inspections team has no formal targets for the proportion of asylum seeker accommodation to be inspected. However, regular reviews of the management practices in place by accommodation providers are undertaken together with consultation with service users and independent property inspections to ensure that accommodation services are provided to the required standard.

  Terrorist Organisations
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2001, to the hon. Member for Gravesham (Mr. Pond)Official Report, columns 708–09W, on terrorist organisations, what assessment he has made of the impact of proscribing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam on the Norwegian peace initiative between the LITE and the Sri Lankan Government; what representations he has received from Tamil organisations in the United Kingdom since the proscription of the LTTE; what representations he has received from the Norwegian Government since the proscription of the LTTE; and what criteria he will use to consider the de-proscription of the LTTE. [160712]
  332W
  Mr. Straw
  In considering whether to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), I took full account of the information available to me, including that about the Sri Lankan peace process. I am satisfied that as an organisation the LTTE is 'concerned in terrorism' as defined by the Act and that it was appropriate for me to exercise my discretion to proscribe.

  Since the proscription of the LTTE was agreed by Parliament and came into force on 29 March, I have received a small number of representations from Tamil organisations. I have received none from the Norwegian Government. I would be unlikely to revisit any decision to proscribe unless the organisation concerned had demonstrated a convincing renunciation of terrorism. This approach is consistent in respect of all the 35 proscribed organisations listed in Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

  The United Kingdom will continue to support the Norwegian Government in their efforts to facilitate peace talks.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the Prison Service Union to discuss the regime for prisoners and staffing at HMP Blakenhurst. [160705]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Director General of the Prison Service has met with the Prison Service Union (PSU) representatives at Blakenhurst and assured them that the service will meet its obligations set out in the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. The Governor-designate will consult the PSU regarding arrangements for implementation of the new regime. Management of the Prison Service will then meet with the PSU representatives this month.

  While we recognise that the PSU represents a number of prison officers throughout the Prison Service, the overwhelming majority choose to be represented by the Prison Officers Association (POA).

  As this is an operational matter, negotiations with the PSU should be conducted by Prison Service officials and it would be inappropriate for the Secretary of State to meet them.

  Drugs
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people, broken down by type of drug, were(a) cautioned, (b) proceeded against in a magistrates court and (c) tried at the Crown court for possession of a prescribed drug in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999 and (v) 2000, in each police authority in England and Wales. [160740]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Although information is collected on cautions and convictions for drug offences, published breakdowns are not available in the specific form detailed in the question. It would be possible to provide such information only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the Area Tables of the Home Office bulletin "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom" give breakdowns by main type of controlled drug or by

  333W

  main offence type for individual police force areas. In addition, the Supplementary Tables provide information at a United Kingdom level for the main drug types broken down by type of drug offence and main police and court disposals. Copies of these publications, for the period up to and including 1999, are available in the Library.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was(a) spent and (b) allocated by his Department on tackling problems relating to drugs in respect of (i) improving international co-operation to reduce supplies from abroad, tip increasing the effectiveness of police and Customs enforcement, (iii) maintaining effective deterrents and tight domestic controls, (iv) developing prevention publicity, education and community action and (v) improving treatment and rehabilitation in (1) 1997, (2) 1998, (3) 1999 and (4) 2000. [160739]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is one of a number of Government Departments which spend money to reduce the supply of drugs, to prevent them from being taken, to reduce their harmful effects and to break the link between drugs and crime. Their actions are brought together under the Government's 10-year National Anti-Drugs Strategy launched in May 1998, "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain".

  While we do not have information to answer all aspects of the question, it is hoped that the following may assist.

  International Co-operation

  In each of the financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01, the Home Office spent about £2 million providing specialist training and equipment to overseas law enforcement agencies in countries close to the source of production with the aim of improving their ability to reduce the supply of drugs to the United Kingdom. Additionally we assist in improving international co-operation through the United Kingdom's membership of Europol, the European Union and G8.

  Effectiveness of Police Enforcement

  The Home Office is not responsible for Customs and Excise. The total amount spent by police forces in countering the supply of drugs cannot be disaggregated from other expenditure.

  Domestic Control

  There are tight legislative controls on the possession and supply of controlled drugs and the maximum available penalties reflect the seriousness of the offences. Supplying Class A drugs carries a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and an unlimited fine and a third conviction for the supply of a Class A drug carries a minimum period of seven years. imprisonment. For the Home Office, maintaining these controls will involve police (see earlier), probation and prison costs (see later). Its costs last year were some £400,000.

  Prevention and support of local initiatives

  Prior to the 1999 establishment of the Drugs Prevention Advisory Service (DPAS) to provide; support for local Drug Action Teams, the Drugs Prevention Initiative (DPI) was the vehicle by which the Home Office provided an
  334W
  evidence base for disseminating good practice. The spend during the period 1997 to 2000, covering both organisations, was:

  £

  Drug Action Team development funding1

  Arrest referral2

  DPI/DPAS grants

  Research and evaluation

  1997–98

  n/a

  n/a

  1,855,340

  382,000

  1998–99

  n/a

  n/a

  1,725,647

  364,223

  1999–2000

  5,035,000

  332,540

  246,979

  152,098

  2000–01

  5,817,000

  8,707,000

  669,532

  164,304

  1Funds were previously disbursed by the Department of Health (DH). Earlier information unavailable. Includes 2000–01 additional spend on DH behalf for recruitment of drug workers.

  2 £20 million has been allocated for the setting schemes over the three years up to 2001–02.

  Treatment and Rehabilitation

  All spending by probation areas on drug treatment and rehabilitation came out of the general probation grant allocations. There was no hypothecated drug funding.

  The figures available for actual drug spending relate to expenditure on drug partnerships.

  Drugs

  Drugs/alcohol1

  Drug treatment and testing orders (DTTO)

  1997–98

  1,852,378

  558,378

  —

  1998–99

  1,903,746

  851,899

  798,000

  1999–2000

  n/a

  n/a

  1,000,000

  2000–01

  n/a

  n/a

  20,000,000

  1Where spending on drugs could not be disaggregated from spending on alcohol

  The Prison Service allocation on tackling drug misuse was:

  Supply reduction and testing1

  Treatment and prevention

  1997–98

  2,230,000

  6,780,000

  1998–99

  2,230,000

  6,780,000

  1999–2000

  12,195,000

  19,390,000

  2000–01

  12,009,000

  23,292,000

  1Includes Headquarters costs

  Notes:

  1. First pilots established in 1998–99

  2. Further spend in 1999–2000 to support pilots

  3. A further £20 million in 2000–01

  4. £2 million was transferred to the Lord Chancellor's Department

  5. The rest went to probation areas for national roll out of DTTOs from October 2000.

  West Mercia Constabulary (Shrewsbury Division)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the capital improvement projects in the Shrewsbury Division of West Mercia Constabulary since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160512]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Most capital projects are entirely a matter for police authorities and forces. The Chief Constable of West Mercia

  335W
  Constabulary informs me that capital improvements in the Shrewsbury Division have been as follows:

  Year

  Project

  1997

  Alteration of Police House to create the new Pontesbury Police Station

  1999

  New Build—Bishop's Castle Police Station

  1999

  Alteration of Police House to create the new Craven Arms Police Station

  2000 to date

  Creation of an open plan Intelligence Cell from cellular offices, Shrewsbury Divisional Head Quarters

  2000 to date

  New Build—Ludlow Police Station

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for the period between the commencement of the home detention curfew scheme and 30 April inclusive(a) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, (b) the number of prisoners convicted of each offence who were released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, including offences committed by prisoners normally classified under the categories (i) other homicide and attempted homicide, (ii) other violence against the person, (iii) drug offences, (iv) assaults and (v) other offences, including a breakdown of the prisoners normally classified in the sub-category of other offences called other offences, (c) the average sentence (i) received and (ii) served, and the average period spent on the scheme, in respect of each offence, (d) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, who (i) breached the conditions of the curfew, (ii) disappeared and were recaptured, (iii) disappeared and remain unlawfully at large and (iv) had their licences revoked with reasons, (e) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme while on the scheme, including offences committed, by prisoners who committed more than one offence and (f) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed a further offence while on the scheme that was similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted, including offences committed by prisoners who committed more than one offence; and if he will make a statement. [159869]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: I have written to the right hon. Member and placed a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Imprisonment Rates
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the imprisonment rate was as a percentage of crimes committed for(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European countries in the latest year for which information is available. [160971]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest available information on the attrition rate in England and Wales was published in December 1999 in "Digest 4: Information on the criminal justice system in England & Wales". This indicates that, for the offences of criminal damage, theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle (including 336W
  attempts), bicycle theft, domestic burglary, wounding, robbery/theft from the person, 0.3 per cent. of the offences committed in 1997 resulted in a custodial sentence.

  Similar information is not available for other European countries. However, information based on a survey conducted by the Council of Europe on the percentage of persons convicted who received custodial sentences for certain offences was published in February last year in the Statistical Bulletin 04/00, "International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 1998".

  Copies of both these documents are available in the Library.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if he will make a statement. [160884]

  Mr. Straw
  Less than 4 per cent. of senior civil servants in my Department have signed such waivers. The standard terms and conditions of service for staff employed by the Home Office are well within the limits set by the Working Time Regulations.

  Severe Personality Disorders
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds his Department has allocated to the pilot assessment projects for those with dangerous and severe personality disorder for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02. [160637]

  Mr. Boateng
  Money allocated to fund dangerous and severe personality disorder (DSPD) pilot projects—for assessment and treatment—for those who are dangerous and severely personality disordered is as follows:

  Year

  Spent(£)

  1999–2000

  0

  2000–01

  554,353

  Following the Spending Review 2000, substantial capital and current funds have been allocated in the both the Home Office and the Department of Health for the development of further pilot projects. For 2001–02 the Home Office allocation is:

  Current—£11 million

  Capital—£9 million

  Police (Injuries)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers have received firearms injuries while on duty in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [160805]
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  (2) how many police officers have received firearms injuries from a police firearm (a) while on duty and (b) in training in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [160806]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate collates statistics of notifiable offences recorded by the police, in which police officers on duty are injured by a firearm. The table records numbers of incidents in England and Wales since 1989. Data for 2000–01 are not yet available.

  No distinction is made regarding how the firearm was used in causing the injury, who caused the injury, or whether it was incurred on duty or in training.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which a police officer on duty was injured by a firearm

  England and Wales

  Number of offences

  Fatal injury

  Serious injury1

  Slight injury

  Total

  1989

  1

  2

  8

  11

  1990

  1

  2

  2

  5

  1991

  —

  5

  2

  7

  1992

  21

  3

  6

  10

  1993

  1

  3

  6

  10

  1994

  —

  12

  9

  21

  1995

  1

  9

  5

  15

  1996

  —

  4

  5

  9

  1997

  —

  2

  4

  6

  1997–98

  —

  3

  3

  6

  1998–99

  —

  —

  11

  11

  1999–2000

  —

  —

  10

  10

  1A serious injury is one which necessitated detention in hospital or involved fractures, concussion, severe general shock, penetration by a bullet or multiple shot wounds.

  2 Special constable.

  Police firearms officers undertake rigorous training and their use of firearms is governed by ACPO (the Association of Chief Police Officers) guidelines.

  Crime Clear-up Rates
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average crime clear-up rate was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; how many recorded crimes were not cleared up in each year; and if he will make a statement. [160796]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The table shows the clear-up rates for recorded crime in England and Wales since 1990, together with the total number of recorded crimes that were not cleared up in this period.

  Recorded crime clear-up (or detection) rate and notifiable offences not cleared up

  Percentage clear-up rate

  Number of offences not cleared up

  1990

  32

  2,984,209

  1991

  29

  3,595,853

  1992

  26

  3,992,621

  1993

  25

  3,988,955

  1994

  26

  3,706,081

  1995

  26

  3,609,069

  338W

  Recorded crime clear-up (or detection) rate and notifiable offences not cleared up

  Percentage clear-up rate

  Number of offences not cleared up

  1996

  26

  3,580,686

  1997

  28

  3,202,396

  1998–99

  29

  3,611,970

  1999–2000

  25

  3,964,272

  Notes:

  1. Offences of Criminal damage £20 and under have been excluded up to 1997; all criminal damage is included thereafter.

  2. New guidance was issued in April 1999 that tightened up the conditions under which a crime can be detected. One of its principal features was the removal of post-sentence visits as a method of detection

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 11 April and 2 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. S. Anjum. [160967]

  Mr. Straw
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 10 May.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 26 March from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to the Dahem family. [160969]

  Mr. Straw
  I will write to my right hon. Friend shortly.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 10 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mujibur Rahman. [160966]

  Mr. Straw
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 9 May.

  Crime Reduction Programme
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the initiatives(a) under way and (b) planned as part of his Crime Reduction Programme, indicating the objectives, expected duration and cost to public funds of each initiative. [159017]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Crime Reduction Programme (CRP) is the biggest single investment in an evidence-based approach to crime reduction which has ever taken place in any country. Knowledge gained will contribute to reversing the long-term growth rate in crime and ensuring we are achieving the greatest impact for the money spent. Projects which are successful will form the basis of future mainstream programmes; those which are not will be dropped.

  All of the initiatives in the table are under way; no new initiatives are planned as part of the Crime Reduction Programme. CRP projects are of differing duration, but all CRP initiatives are due to finish by 31 March 2002 although some will, exceptionally and with prior approval, be completed in 2002–03.
  339W

  Crime Reduction Programme

  £

  Initiative

  Objective

  Actual expenditure for 1999–2000

  Provisional final expenditure for 2000–01

  Forecast expenditure for 2001–02

  Reducing Burglary

  To reduce burglary nationally by targeting areas with worst domestic burglary Problems

  2.1

  9.2

  18.5

  Locks for the over-60s

  To improve security for low-income pensioners in high crime areas

  0

  0.9

  3.0

  Summer Schemes

  To engage in constructive activities 13 to 17-years-olds in high crime neighbourhoods

  0

  1.9

  1.7

  Prostitution—What Works

  To find out what works in reducing crime/disorder associated with prostitution

  0

  0.04

  1.0

  Targeted Policing

  To help develop problem oriented approach to local crime/disorder problems

  0.5

  9.4

  18.6

  'On Track'

  Long-term initiative aimed at children at risk of getting involved in crime

  0.2

  5.0

  10

  Vehicle Crime Publicity

  To increase motorists' awareness of vehicle security issues

  0

  8.0

  20

  Treatment of Offenders

  To develop effective practice on what reduces re-offending

  2.3

  7.8

  8.2

  Drug Arrest Referrals

  Development of arrest referral schemes to impact upon drug-related offending

  0.3

  8.8

  10.5

  Schools Intervention

  To integrate schools' management of pupils' behaviour and reduction in truancies and exclusions

  0.2

  6.1

  5.4

  Violence Against Women

  To develop and implement local strategies for reducing domestic violence and rape/sexual assault by known perpetrators

  0.09

  2.0

  7.1

  Vehicle Crime

  To help prevent stolen vehicles being given new indentity and reduce number of cars stolen for resale

  0

  0.5

  2.6

  Youth Inclusion

  Multiple intervention Package for most at risk 13 to 16-year-olds in deprived neighbourhoods

  0

  2.75

  2.75

  Sentencing Practices

  To maximise impact of sentences on crime reduction

  0.3

  0.9

  3.2

  Neighbourhood Wardens

  To pump-prime new and existing warden schemes

  0

  0.9

  3.0

  Design Against Crime

  To increase crime resistance of new products, designs and systems

  0.6

  0.5

  1.1

  Arson control Forum

  To contribute to 30 per cent reduction in number of deliberate fires by 31 March 2009

  0

  0.1

  20

  Offender Index

  To provide a criminal career database on the offender population

  0.075

  0.2

  0

  Suzy Lamplugh Trust

  To support the establishment of a Centre for Personal Safety

  0

  0.2

  0.3

  CCTV Initiative

  Capital funding of CCTV projects

  0

  23.4

  101.3

  Rape Crisis Federation

  To support and develop rape crisis groups

  0

  0

  0.4

  Toolkits

  Production of toolkits to assist partnerships in crime reduction work

  0

  0.1

  0.4

  Total

  6.7

  88.7

  189.05

  1Responsibility for funding `On Track' transferred to DfEE's Children's Fund with effect from 1 April 2001

  2 No longer funded by Crime Reduction Programme

  Lord Birt
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Lord Birt met representatives of(a) Victim Support and (b) other victims' organisations in his capacity as the Government's adviser on crime. [158256]
  340W
  Mr. Straw
  I understand that Lord Birt met representatives of Victim Support on 30 January 2001 and that he met representatives of Crime Concern on 30 January and the National Association of Care and Resettlement of Offenders on 14 February 2001.
  341W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criminal justice organisations Lord Birt has met in his capacity as the Government's adviser on crime; and when. [158257]

  Mr. Straw
  I understand that over the months since his appointment in July 2000 Lord Birt has met the following organisations involved in criminal justice and crime reduction:

  Home Office

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Crown Prosecution Service

  HM Customs and Excise

  Department for Education and Employment

  Youth Justice Board

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator

  Social Exclusion Unit

  Northumbria Police

  Sunderland Youth Offending Team

  Nottingham County Council; Nottingham Sure Start; Youth Offending Team

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  Aylesbury Youth Offender Institution

  HM Prison Brixton

  National Criminal Intelligence Service

  National Crime Squad

  Parole Board for England and Wales

  National Probation Service

  Victim Support

  National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

  Crime Concern.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Lord Birt met representatives of(a) ACPO, (b) the Police Superintendents' Association and (c) the Police Federation in his capacity as the Government's adviser on crime. [158258]

  Mr. Straw
  I understand that Lord Birt met the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers on 19 December 2000.
  343W

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Peter Bleach
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received to the letter which he sent to the Indian Government about the imprisonment of Peter Bleach; and if he will make a statement. [158444]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not yet received a reply to his letter of 4 December 2000 to the Indian Government asking for Peter Bleach to be released on the grounds of fair and equal treatment with his co-convicted who have already been released. He sent a reminder on 29 January. Our High Commissioner in New Delhi has followed up the Foreign Secretary's request with key players in the Indian Government. My noble Friend Baroness Scotland, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, called in the Indian High Commissioner on 7 March to remind him of the Foreign Secretary's request. I also raised the case with the Indian High Commissioner on 22 March.

  EU Secret Documents
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret. [158753]

  Mr. Vaz
  EU security regulations provide for classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret and set out the rationale for doing so. It is right that where institutions of the European Union hold information that is Top Secret, they should handle that information with appropriate care as provided for in the relevant security regulations.

  Council of Europe Conventions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the conventions of the Council of Europe which the UK has yet to ratify. [158747]

  Mr. Vaz
  There are 16 conventions of the Council of
  Europe which the UK has not yet ratified. They are:

  1. Protocol no.4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, securing certain rights and freedoms other than those included in the Convention and in Protocol no.1

  Waiting times in weeks for settlement applications

  2000

  2001

  Post/Queue

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Bombay

  Q1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Q2

  6

  5

  4

  4

  4

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Q3

  6

  5

  4

  4

  4

  6

  6

  6

  8

  6

  Q4

  6

  5

  4

  4

  4

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  New Delhi

  Q1

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Q2

  12

  12

  13

  16

  15

  10

  10

  15

  15

  12

  Q3

  12

  12

  13

  16

  15

  10

  10

  15

  15

  12

  Q4

  12

  12

  13

  16

  15

  10

  10

  15

  15

  12

  344W
  2. Convention relating to stops on bearer securities in international circulation

  3. Convention on the establishment of a scheme of registration of wills

  4. European Convention on the Control of the acquisition and possession of Firearms by individuals

  5. European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter

  6. Protocol amending the European Social Charter

  7. European Social Charter (revised)

  8. Convention on the Participation of Foreigners in public life at local level

  9. European Convention relating to questions on copyright law and neighbouring rights in the framework of Transfrontier Broadcasting by satellite

  10. Agreement on illicit traffic by sea, implementing article 17 of the United Nations Convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

  11. Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education in the European region

  12. Criminal law convention on corruption

  13. European agreement relating to persons participating in proceedings of the European Court of Human Rights

  14. Sixth protocol to the general agreement on privileges and immunities of the Council of Europe

  15. Civil law convention on corruption

  16. European Convention on the promotion of a Transitional long-term voluntary service for young people

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs further to his answer of 10 April 2001,Official Report, column 529W. on entry clearance, what proportion of the cases in which he intervened pertain to families of individuals known to him personally; and if he will make a statement. [158811]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 April 2001,Official Report, column 420W.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for how long on average a person who applied for entry clearance for settlement in(a) June 2000, (b) July 2000, (c) August 2000, (d) September 2000, (e) October 2000, (f) November 2000, (g) December 2000, (h) January 2001, (i) February 2001 and (j) March 2001 will have to wait for an interview in each queue at each post in the Indian sub-continent. [160093]

  Mr. Vaz
  The statistics are as follows:
  345W

  Waiting times in weeks for settlement applications

  2000

  2001

  Post/Queue

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  Dhaka

  Q1

  20

  22

  22

  18

  16

  14

  14

  12

  14

  16

  Q2

  28

  30

  28

  28

  26

  24

  21

  20

  22

  24

  Q3

  20

  22

  22

  18

  16

  14

  14

  12

  12

  16

  Q4

  44

  44

  42

  44

  40

  36

  35

  35

  34

  38

  Islamabad

  Q1

  5

  5

  4

  5

  3.5

  3

  4

  0

  7

  5

  Q2

  20.5

  19

  19

  18.5

  18

  18

  17

  0

  15

  13

  Q3

  29

  27

  25.5

  24

  22

  22

  20

  0

  18

  16

  Q4

  36

  36

  33

  31

  31

  29

  28

  0

  25

  23

  Calcutta1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Colombo1

  10

  8

  8

  7

  10

  0

  0

  5

  5

  4

  Karachi1

  3

  7

  9

  8

  10

  12

  11

  12

  8

  5

  Madras1

  8

  6

  7

  5

  3

  7

  7

  6

  7

  7

  1Calcutta, Colombo, Karachi and Madras operate as a single settlement queue

  Notes:

  Q1—Right of abode cases and Dependant Relatives over 65

  Q2—Spouses and Children under 18

  Q3—Fiance(e)s and other First Time Applicants

  Q4—Re-applicants

  EU Single Sky Initiative
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Spain regarding the European Union's single sky proposals; and if he will make a statement. [159580]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed the matter with his Spanish counterpart on 9 April. The Government fully support the EU single sky initiative, which should benefit UK industry and consumers. The Stockholm European Council on 23–24 March called for progress on this issue before the next European Council in Gothenburg on 15–16 June.

  Regional and Minority Languages
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision he has made in accordance with his commitments under Article 12, paragraph 3 of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages to reflect the(a) Irish, (b) Welsh and (c) Scots Gaelic languages and culture; and what the estimated cost of such provision is in each of the next four years. [159498]

  Mr. Vaz
  There is no fixed budget for honouring this commitment over the next four years, but the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Devolved Administrations, who are responsible for implementing these measures, have a number of programmes in hand.

  The Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive have allocated a total of £310,000 in 2001–02 for the Columba Initiative in co-operation with the
  346W
  Republic of Ireland to promote links between speakers of Irish and Scots Gaelic in both Scotland and the whole island of Ireland.

  The Northern Ireland Administration is committed to a number of projects, including a £2.53 million subsidy for the Irish Language Agency under the Good Friday Agreement, and a touring exhibition of all the languages used in Northern Ireland, both of which will benefit the Republic of Ireland. The NIA has also, in conjunction with the British Council and the Arts Council in the Republic of Ireland, funded a number of events to promote Irish culture in countries such as France, Germany and the USA, and will continue to offer support where appropriate to similar future initiatives.

  The National Assembly for Wales announced in April 2000, funding worth £130,000 over three years, in support of a project to support the Welsh Language and Culture in the Chubut province of Argentina. The project is managed for the Assembly by the British Council in collaboration with the Wales-Argentina Society and Cardiff University's Welsh Language Teaching Centre for Adults:

  Your Britain, Your Europe Roadshow
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 549W, on the Your Britain, Your Europe Roadshow, at what level and on what date the decision was made to (a) postpone and (b) cancel the initiative. [159555]
  347W
  Mr. Vaz
  In early January I decided that this visit would have to be postponed. It was subsequently rescheduled for 20 March. Following consultations with officials in the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Office, by late February it was clear that this date would not be convenient for their Ministers. On 28 February I decided to cancel the visit. I hope it will be reinstated in the near future.

  Turkey
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Turkish authorities regarding the hunger strikers in Turkish prisons. [159924]

  Mr. Vaz
  We are very concerned about the continuing hunger strikes in some Turkish prisons. Our Ambassador in Ankara raised our concern about the deaths of hunger strikers with the Turkish Government on 12 April. Our Embassy in Ankara again raised our concerns at the growing number of deaths with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 April.

  Entertainment Budgets
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the entertainment budget for his Department was in each year from 1997 to date. [160101]

  Mr. Wilson
  Total worldwide entertainment expenditure amounted to £10.3 million in 1997–98, £9.3 million in 1998–99 and £11.2 million in 1999–2000. Figures for 2000–01 are not yet available. Expenditure on entertainment covers a wide range of activities including promotional and trade events, receptions in honour of high-level visitors, and events to establish and cultivate contacts; all were undertaken in pursuit of FCO objectives, both at home and in our 224 Posts overseas.

  In addition, the FCO-administered Government Hospitality Fund, drawn upon by all Government Departments when entertaining overseas visitors, spent £1.2 million in 1997–98, £1.8 million in 1998–99, and £1.3 million in 1999–2000.

  Turkmenistan
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2001,Official Report, column 132W, on Turkmenistan, if he has received a formal response from the Turkmen authorities concerning the continuing incarceration of Shageldy Atakov; what representations he is making to the Turkmen authorities on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [160144]

  Mr. Vaz
  The British Government, along with their EU Partners, have not yet received a formal response from the Turkmen Foreign Minister concerning the detention of Mr. Atakov. EU Embassies in Ashgabat have requested a further meeting with the Foreign Minister to remind him of our concern. We also raised Mr. Atakov's situation with the Deputy Foreign Minister in April.

  Nagorno-Karabakh
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement his 348W
  Department has had in attempts to reach a settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. [159852]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding, answer 2 May 2001]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not played a direct role in the international mediation that has taken place in an effort to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group, America, Russia and France are leading the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The UK has constantly encouraged both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress there has been in complying with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the franchise for Gibraltarians for elections to the European Parliament; when the Court decision was made; and if he will make a statement. [160146]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Matthews judgment, given on 18 February 1999. requires the UK to extend the European Parliamentary franchise to Gibraltar. The UK unequivocally accepts this obligation.

  The UK has proposed an amendment to the 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections to extend the franchise to Gibraltar. This amendment remains on the agenda of the relevant Council working group. But HMG are considering other options in order to extend the franchise before the 2004 European Parliament elections.

  Family Visit Visas
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will provide a breakdown, by entry clearance post, of the number of family visit visa refusals in relation to which(a) an appeal was received, (b) a refusal was overturned by an entry clearance manager after receipt of an appeal and (c) an appeal was despatched in April; [160463]

  (2) if he will provide a breakdown, by entry clearance post, of the number of family visit visa applications (a) received, (b) determined, (c) allowed and (d) refused in April. [160461]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: Statistical information is received monthly only from the 100 largest posts. The remaining 64 posts submit information on an annual basis. To answer this question for all 164 posts we would have to ask the annual reporting posts to provide the information requested. This could only be done at disproportionate cost.

  The monthly reporting posts are not required to submit statistical information on any given month until the middle of the following month. So information for April is not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member when it becomes available.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many family visit visa applications were(a) received, (b) determined, (c) allowed and (d) refused by (i) the largest 100 entry clearance posts and (ii) all entry clearance posts in the first quarter of 2001. [160462]
  349W
  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: (i) Our latest information from the 100 largest entry clearance posts which submit monthly statistical data is shown in the table.

  Family visit visa applications 2001—top 100 posts

  Applications received

  Applications determined

  January

  February

  March

  January

  February

  March

  1. Abidjan

  19

  29

  16

  20

  22

  19

  2. Abu Dhabi

  24

  34

  34

  23

  35

  34

  3. Abuja

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  4. Accra

  753

  1,694

  1,857

  685

  782

  1,962

  5. Addis Ababa

  31

  12

  15

  39

  11

  15

  6. Almaly

  36

  13

  20

  37

  13

  20

  7. Amman

  426

  85

  58

  0

  85

  58

  8. Amsterdam

  38

  34

  34

  38

  34

  34

  9. Ankara

  29

  38

  19

  29

  38

  19

  10. Bahrain

  16

  10

  2

  16

  10

  2

  11. Baku

  19

  9

  8

  19

  9

  8

  12. Bandar Seri Begawan

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  13. Bangkok

  80

  173

  361

  73

  154

  277

  14. Banjul

  38

  34

  49

  40

  31

  32

  15. Beirut

  92

  62

  82

  89

  62

  78

  16. Belgrade

  258

  391

  320

  4

  352

  290

  17. Bogota

  33

  33

  47

  33

  33

  47

  18. Bombay

  619

  1,070

  1,787

  619

  1,070

  1,791

  19. Bratislava

  50

  122

  184

  50

  118

  171

  20. Brussels

  14

  10

  35

  4

  7

  22

  21. Bucharest

  58

  85

  109

  59

  90

  110

  22. Budapest

  6

  7

  5

  6

  7

  5

  23. Cairo

  137

  145

  146

  129

  142

  143

  24. Calcutta

  94

  118

  222

  97

  120

  225

  25. Canberra

  7

  15

  15

  7

  16

  15

  26. Casablanca

  117

  119

  115

  110

  116

  115

  27. Chicago

  141

  176

  200

  119

  162

  190

  28. Colombo

  70

  74

  161

  70

  74

  49

  29. Copenhagen

  44

  36

  42

  44

  36

  39

  30. Damascus

  0

  0

  15

  0

  0

  15

  31. Dar Es Salaam

  107

  104

  191

  107

  104

  191

  32. Dhaka

  451

  490

  502

  348

  415

  437

  33. Doha

  49

  31

  24

  49

  31

  24

  34. Dubai

  71

  79

  75

  75

  81

  51

  35. Dublin

  36

  21

  20

  36

  18

  18

  36. Dusseldorf

  106

  272

  383

  100

  246

  332

  37. Ekaterinburg

  11

  16

  24

  11

  16

  24

  38. Geneva

  25

  74

  63

  21

  67

  61

  39. Georgetown

  33

  74

  63

  33

  25

  61

  40. Guangzhou

  121

  143

  1—

  90

  91

  1—

  41. Hanoi

  4

  3

  5

  4

  3

  4

  42. Harare

  0

  1

  1—

  0

  1

  1—

  43. Havana

  3

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  44. Hong Kong

  32

  34

  40

  32

  37

  5

  45. Islamabad

  2,326

  2,225

  3,411

  1,512

  1,120

  2,864

  46. Istanbul

  430

  453

  227

  485

  522

  231

  47. Jakarta

  36

  58

  62

  37

  56

  61

  48. Jedda

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  49. Jerusalem

  5

  9

  13

  5

  29

  13

  50. Kampala

  116

  102

  156

  120

  84

  142

  51. Karachi

  575

  420

  495

  460

  82

  495

  52. Kathmandu

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  53. Khartoum

  44

  15

  45

  15

  16

  49

  54. Kiev

  83

  1—

  1—

  20

  1—

  1—

  55. Kingston

  52

  68

  130

  46

  70

  132

  56. Kuala Lumpur

  14

  12

  20

  13

  13

  20

  57. Kuwait

  200

  43

  28

  200

  43

  28

  58. Lagos

  1,147

  1,193

  1,718

  901

  1,293

  1,509

  59. Lima

  12

  27

  29

  12

  30

  29

  60. Los Angeles

  0

  216

  320

  0

  216

  320

  61. Luanda

  8

  2

  14

  8

  2

  3

  62. Lusaka

  0

  55

  65

  0

  19

  65

  63. Madras

  217

  229

  490

  233

  226

  544

  64. Madrid

  26

  37

  26

  26

  37

  26

  65. Manila

  0

  129

  1—

  0

  129

  1—

  66. Minsk

  0

  14

  20

  0

  14

  18

  350W
  (ii) the remaining 64 posts submit information on an annual basis. To answer this question for all 164 posts we would have to ask the annual reporting posts to provide the information requested. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
  351W

  Family visit visa applications 2001—top 100 posts

  Applications received

  Applications determined

  January

  February

  March

  January

  February

  March

  67. Moscow

  237

  214

  286

  228

  191

  268

  68. Muscat

  75

  39

  65

  72

  39

  65

  69. Nairobi

  156

  164

  203

  156

  164

  203

  70. New Delhi

  913

  1,153

  1,335

  907

  1,129

  1,244

  71. New York

  533

  558

  650

  511

  549

  635

  72. Nicosia

  0

  1—

  1—

  0

  1—

  1—

  73. Oslo

  30

  44

  92

  27

  42

  89

  74. Ottawa

  475

  278

  364

  442

  185

  255

  75. Paris

  286

  253

  296

  0

  248

  328

  76. Peking

  109

  63

  288

  94

  51

  288

  77. Port Louis

  80

  136

  275

  80

  136

  275

  78. Port of Spain

  5

  0

  20

  5

  0

  20

  79. Prague

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  80. Pretoria

  27

  25

  9

  20

  13

  11

  81. Quito

  24

  14

  17

  24

  14

  16

  82. Riga

  11

  6

  1—

  11

  12

  1—

  83. Riyadh

  8

  15

  1—

  12

  20

  1—

  84. Rome

  63

  90

  99

  61

  80

  92

  85. Sana'a

  20

  13

  12

  20

  10

  11

  86. Sarajevo

  61

  119

  159

  61

  119

  159

  87. Shanghai

  10

  30

  116

  10

  30

  116

  88. Singapore

  21

  26

  39

  24

  25

  37

  89. Sofia

  89

  118

  120

  74

  117

  114

  90. St. Petersburg

  0

  0

  65

  0

  0

  65

  91. Sto Domingo

  6

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  92. Stockholm

  89

  103

  105

  129

  123

  116

  93. Taipei

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  94. Tashkent

  13

  5

  13

  13

  5

  13

  95. Tbilisi

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  96. Tehran

  0

  0

  1—

  0

  0

  0

  97. Tirana

  21

  21

  15

  15

  23

  15

  98. Tokyo

  5

  5

  11

  5

  4

  12

  99. Tunis

  97

  92

  105

  87

  70

  105

  100. Valletta

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Total

  13,053

  14,862

  19,376

  10,555

  12,164

  18,094

  1Information not yet received from posts

  Applications issued

  Applications refused

  January

  February

  March

  January

  February

  March

  1. Abidjan

  19

  21

  18

  1

  1

  1

  2. Abu Dhabi

  17

  29

  32

  6

  6

  2

  3. Abuja

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  4. Accra

  277

  757

  1,060

  408

  25

  902

  5. Addis Ababa

  14

  6

  10

  25

  5

  5

  6. Almaly

  37

  13

  20

  0

  0

  0

  7. Amman

  0

  84

  57

  0

  1

  1

  8. Amsterdam

  32

  30

  32

  6

  4

  2

  9. Ankara

  28

  38

  17

  1

  0

  2

  10. Bahrain

  16

  10

  0

  0

  0

  2

  11. Baku

  18

  9

  7

  1

  0

  1

  12. Bandar Seri Begawan

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  13. Bangkok

  45

  131

  253

  28

  23

  24

  14. Banjul

  32

  20

  20

  8

  11

  12

  15. Beirut

  87

  61

  77

  2

  1

  1

  16. Belgrade

  0

  347

  289

  4

  5

  1

  17. Bogota

  25

  29

  46

  8

  4

  1

  18. Bombay

  454

  874

  1,419

  165

  196

  372

  19. Bratislava

  47

  115

  171

  3

  3

  0

  20. Brussels

  3

  5

  22

  1

  2

  0

  21. Bucharest

  48

  82

  102

  11

  8

  8

  22. Budapest

  5

  7

  4

  1

  0

  1

  23. Cairo

  113

  124

  132

  16

  18

  11

  24. Calcutta

  95

  116

  224

  2

  4

  1

  25. Canberra

  4

  13

  15

  3

  3

  0

  26. Casablanca

  105

  114

  106

  5

  2

  9

  27. Chicago

  119

  162

  190

  0

  0

  0

  28. Colombo

  32

  48

  0

  38

  26

  49

  29. Copenhagen

  44

  36

  39

  0

  0

  0

  30. Damascus

  0

  0

  11

  0

  0

  4

  31. Dar Es Salaam

  93

  83

  172

  14

  21

  19

  352W 353W

  Applications issued

  Applications refused

  January

  February

  March

  January

  February

  March

  32. Dhaka

  203

  227

  234

  145

  188

  203

  33. Doha

  46

  31

  21

  3

  0

  3

  34. Dubai

  47

  47

  33

  28

  34

  18

  35. Dublin

  34

  16

  17

  2

  2

  1

  36. Dusseldorf

  94

  241

  332

  6

  5

  0

  37. Ekaterinburg

  11

  16

  24

  0

  0

  0

  38. Geneva

  20

  66

  57

  1

  1

  4

  39. Georgetown

  28

  20

  57

  5

  5

  4

  40. Guangzhou

  84

  85

  1—

  6

  6

  1—

  41. Hanoi

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  42. Harare

  0

  0

  1—

  0

  1

  1—

  43. Havana

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  44. Hong Kong

  27

  32

  3

  5

  5

  2

  45. Islamabad

  1,112

  1,059

  1,664

  400

  61

  1,200

  46. Istanbul

  424

  451

  207

  61

  71

  24

  47. Jakarta

  33

  50

  49

  4

  6

  12

  48. Jedda

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  49. Jerusalem

  5

  9

  13

  0

  20

  0

  50. Kampala

  100

  59

  114

  20

  25

  28

  51. Karachi

  397

  19

  345

  63

  63

  150

  52. Kathmandu

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  53. Khartoum

  5

  6

  45

  10

  10

  4

  54. Kiev

  1—

  1—

  1—

  20

  1—

  1—

  55. Kingston

  35

  59

  118

  11

  11

  14

  56. Kuala Lumpur

  10

  11

  12

  3

  2

  8

  57. Kuwait

  196

  39

  23

  4

  4

  5

  58. Lagos

  688

  1,143

  1,316

  213

  150

  193

  59. Lima

  8

  26

  28

  4

  4

  1

  60. Los Angeles

  0

  216

  318

  0

  0

  2

  61. Luanda

  8

  1

  3

  0

  1

  0

  62. Lusaka

  0

  7

  58

  0

  12

  7

  63. Madras

  216

  211

  511

  17

  15

  33

  64. Madrid

  26

  37

  26

  0

  0

  0

  65. Manila

  0

  59

  1—

  0

  70

  1—

  66. Minsk

  0

  13

  18

  0

  1

  0

  67. Moscow

  223

  190

  261

  5

  1

  7

  68. Muscat

  68

  36

  63

  4

  3

  2

  69. Nairobi

  132

  141

  167

  24

  23

  36

  70. New Delhi

  573

  682

  777

  334

  447

  467

  71. New York

  500

  547

  633

  11

  2

  2

  72. Nicosia

  0

  1—

  1—

  0

  1—

  1—

  73. Oslo

  27

  41

  89

  0

  1

  0

  74. Ottawa

  442

  184

  252

  0

  1

  3

  75. Paris

  0

  246

  325

  0

  2

  3

  76. Peking

  88

  40

  238

  6

  11

  50

  77. Port Louis

  73

  126

  263

  7

  10

  12

  78. Port of Spain

  5

  0

  20

  0

  0

  0

  79. Prague

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  80. Pretoria

  16

  11

  7

  4

  2

  4

  81. Quito

  20

  14

  16

  4

  0

  0

  82. Riga

  11

  6

  1—

  0

  6

  1—

  83. Riyadh

  9

  9

  1—

  3

  11

  1—

  84. Rome

  60

  77

  91

  1

  3

  1

  85. Sana'a

  8

  1

  6

  12

  9

  5

  86. Sarajevo

  61

  117

  158

  0

  2

  1

  87. Shanghai

  8

  23

  107

  2

  7

  9

  88. Singapore

  18

  25

  37

  6

  0

  0

  89. Sofia

  71

  113

  114

  3

  4

  0

  90. St. Petersburg

  0

  0

  61

  0

  0

  4

  91. Sto Domingo

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  92. Stockholm

  128

  121

  116

  1

  2

  0

  93. Taipei

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  94. Tashkent

  12

  4

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  95. Tbilisi

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  96. Tehran

  0

  0

  1—

  0

  0

  1—

  97. Tirana

  15

  20

  15

  0

  3

  0

  98. Tokyo

  4

  2

  11

  1

  2

  1

  99. Tunis

  60

  70

  84

  27

  21

  21

  100. Valletta

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Total

  8,308

  10,467

  14,114

  2,247

  1,718

  3,980

  1Information not yet received from posts

  354W 355W

  Overseas Territories
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on transport to and from(a) Pitcairn Island, (b) Norfolk Island, (c) St. Helena, (d) Ascension and (e) Tristan da Cunha. [160668]

  Mr. Battle
  Pitcairn has no air services nor a regular shipping service; however cargo vessels transiting between New Zealand and the Panama Canal are used to transport passengers and freight to and from Pitcairn. A passenger and cargo shipping service operates between the UK and St. Helena, calling at Ascension Island on a regular basis and Tristan da Cunha once a year. Tristan is also served by non-regular visits by research and fishing vessels. There is an American-run military airfield on Ascension Island, through which the RAF operates regular flights to and from the Falklands.

  Norfolk Island is Australian territory and we do not have the information sought.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the population is of(a) Pitcairn Island, (b) Norfolk Island, (c) St. Helena, (d) Ascension and (e) Tristan da Cunha; and how the population of these islands has changed since 1971. [160667]

  Mr. Battle
  The current population of Pitcairn is 44 (74 in 1976, the nearest date to 1971 for which there are reliable figures); St. Helena is 5,016 (5,147 in 1976); Ascension is 974 (1,311 in 1971); and Tristan da Cunha is 287 (312 in 1971). Norfolk Island is Australian territory and we do not hold these statistics.

HEALTH

  Departmental Policies (Cannock Chase)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Cannock Chase constituency, the effects on Cannock Chase of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158066]

  Yvette Cooper
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2001–02 to 2003–04 and Main Estimates 2001–02" is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies is not examined by constituency, and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by South Staffordshire health authority and Staffordshire social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for South Staffordshire health authority are set out in the table.
  356W

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £million (cash)

  95.9

  £million (real terms)

  59.2

  Percentage (cash)

  35.89

  Percentage (real terms)

  20.40

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  South Staffordshire health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.2 million for accident and emergency modernisation (£0.82 million for Burton Hospitals NHS Trust and £0.38 million for Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust); £74,000, £163,000, £217,000 and £175,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer out-patients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; South Staffordshire health authority has also received £0.17 million investment for cancer equipment; £5.68 million to deliver improvement in in-patient waiting lists and out-patient waiting times; £0.77 million for Booked Admissions Projects; £0.41 million for Action on Cataracts Project; £2.20 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £0.79 million for winter pressures in 2000–01; £0.13 million for heart disease services 2000–01; £0.11 million for four Investing in Dentistry projects plus £50,000 Dental Care Development Fund award.

  Staffordshire local authority's personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 compared with 1996–97 is set out in the table.

  Percentage increase

  £million

  Real

  Cash

  1996–97

  120.2

  —

  —

  2001–02

  113.8

  —16.1

  —5.3

  Note:

  On 1 April 1997 Staffordshire local authority was reorganised and Stoke-on-Trent local authority came into existence (i.e. the figures in the table for 1996–97 relate to one local authority (Staffordshire local authority) serving a larger area and population than it now serves. That same area is now served by two local authorities (Staffordshire local authority and Stoke-on-Trent local authority), who each receive a standard spending assessment based on their smaller than previous populations). Therefore, figures for 2001–02 are not directly comparable with 1996–97.

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Staffordshire local authority received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  4,779

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership grant2

  —

  3,437

  2,952

  4,006

  Prevention grant2

  —

  266

  401

  Carers grant3

  —

  269

  635

  887

  Children's grant3

  —

  675

  1,059

  2,681

  Mental Health Core grant

  675

  11,884

  1,319

  41,607

  Training Support Grant

  467

  504

  519

  4494

  1The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

  2The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grants

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000

  4 Indicative allocation

  357W

  Departmental Policies (Sandwell)
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Health Authority, the effects of his Department's policies and actions on health provision in the Sandwell district health authority since 2 May 1997. [158331]

  Yvette Cooper
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2001–02 to 2003–04 and Main Estimates 2001–02", is available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport

  Increases in allocations between 1997–97 and 2001–02 for Sandwell health authority are set out in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  65.1

  £ million (real terms)

  42.0

  Percentage (cash)

  39.19

  Percentage (real terms)

  23.33

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  Sandwell health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £0.79 million for accident and emergency modernisation (Sandwell general hospital) plus £1.4 million invested to build a medical assessment unit; £80,000, £137,000, £153,000 and £158,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal and lung and cancer outpatient) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00 and 2000–01 respectively; Sandwell Health Authority has also received £0.15 million for investment in cancer equipment. £3.58 million lo deliver improvements in in-patient waiting lists and out-patient waiting times; £0.38 million for booked admissions projects; £0.12 million for action on cataracts project; £1.25 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £0.38 million for winter pressures in 2000–01; £0.16 million for heart disease services 2000–01.

  In addition, Sandwell health action zone has received funding of £2.8 million (2000–01) and £2.7 million (2001–02) pending further funding announcements.

  Departmental Policies (Plymouth)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Plymouth, Sutton constituency and (b) Plymouth, Devonport constituency and (c) South-West Devon constituency, the effects on (i) the South-West Devon health authority area and (ii) Plymouth unitary authority area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [158033]
  358W
  Ms Stuart
  Detailed information on the impact of Department of Health policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "Department of Health—Government Expenditure Plans 2001/02–2003/04 and Main Estimates 2001–02" is available in the Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  The impact of policies are not examined by constituency, and statistics collected centrally by the Department are not collected on a constituency basis.

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by South and West Devon health authority and Plymouth social services authority.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02 for South and West Devon health authority are set out in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1996–97 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  117.3

  £ million (real terms)

  55.2

  Percentage (cash)

  30.12

  Percentage (real terms)

  16.52

  Note:

  Increases for 1999–2000 onwards are for unified allocations which cover hospital and community health services, prescribing and discretionary family health services. Those for previous years cover hospital and community health services only.

  South and West Devon health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £1.181 million for accident and emergency modernisation in 2000–01; £221,000, £265,000, £376,000 and £237,000 for improving cancer services (breast, colorectal, lung and cancer out-patients) in 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 respectively; South and West Devon health authority has also received £980,000 for investment in cancer equipment; £2.065 million and £5.026 million to reduce waiting lists and times in 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively; £1.714 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £2.691 million to deal with winter pressures in 2000–01. £206,000 of this went to Plymouth social services; £1.813 million and £451,000 for developing intermediate care services in 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively; £933,000 and £1.2 million for heart disease services in 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively; £95,000 invested into dentistry in 2000/01

  In addition, my hon. Friend's constituents will benefit from the new £101 million major hospital development that is being developed at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Plymouth local authority came into existence on 1 April 1998. Its personal social services standard spending assessment for 2001–02 is £45.960 million.

  In addition to its SSA, Plymouth has received additional funding in the form of a number of special and specific grants as set out in the table.
  359W

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Special Transitional Grant1

  1,729

  —

  —

  —

  Partnership Grant2

  —

  1,256

  1,077

  1,471

  Prevention Grant2

  —

  99

  149

  Carers Grant3

  —

  99

  256

  357

  Children's Grant3

  —

  439

  696

  1,679

  MH Core Grant

  249

  433

  505

  4622

  Training Support Grant

  152

  235

  248

  4225

  1The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99.

  2The partnership and prevention grants have been combined in 2001–02 and called the promoting independence grant.

  3 The carers' and children's grants were introduced in 1999–2000.

  4Indicative allocation.

  Meat Hygiene Inspections
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meat inspectors have been employed in inspecting(a) domestic abattoirs and (b) meat entering the UK in each of the last 10 years. [155290]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer sent 23 March 2001]: I am advised on food safety issues by the Food Standards Agency.

  The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) was established in 1995 when it took over meat inspection duties in licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain from some 300 local authorities. The number of meat inspectors employed by the local authorities prior to 1 April 1995 is not known.

  In licensed abattoirs, Meat Hygiene Inspectors (MHIs) are present throughout processing and are responsible for the post mortem inspection of carcases and offal. The average number of MHIs employed by the MHS in licensed abattoirs in Great Britain in each of the last six years is shown in the table:

  Average number of MHIs

  1995–96

  960

  1996–97

  1,084

  1997–98

  1,173

  1998–99

  1,267

  1999–2000

  1,205

  2000–01

  1,174

  The increase in numbers is as a result of extra inspection work associated with the enforcement of BSE controls in licensed abattoirs.

  Information for Health Initiative
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress to date on the Information for Health initiative. [158572]

  Key Information Management and Technology targets

  National percentages by date

  Targets

  31 March 2001

  31 March 2002

  31 March 2003

  31 March 2004

  31 March 2005

  IMT01—Desk top access to basic e-mail, browsing and directory services for all clinical and support staff in NHS trusts

  25

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT02—Provide remaining NHS staff with access to the above

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  IMT03—Submit Address Books and produce interim centrally managed NHS Address Book

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  IMT04—Access to X500 conformant NHS Address Book directory for all connected staff

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  360W
  Ms Stuart
  Information for Health focuses on the best use of information and Information Technology in improving health and health care and in supporting the delivery of patient centred care and services. It is also a partnership approach involving key stakeholders such as front line clinicians, professional and representative bodies and IT suppliers. By being inclusive, considerable approval and support has been gained for the strategy across the National Health Service.

  The strategy was launched in September 1998 and it has had to flex to take into account major new initiatives flowing from the NHS plan and the e-Government agenda. These requirements are now fully reflected.

  There are clear and defined national targets to ensure the implementation of a national information and IT infrastructure. Record levels of funding have been committed for investment in IT over a three-year period. Local plans produced in all health communities are monitored and analysed to ensure that investments will meet the target deliverables. Each local community consists of a host health authority, its constituent NHS trusts, general practitioners, other primary care contractors, local authority social services and voluntary sector organisations. All local plans produced last year were published on the Department's internet site.

  The document "Building the Information Core: Implementing the NHS Plan" (www.doh.gov.uk/nhsexipu/strategy/update/) contains details of key targets to be achieved over the next four years, in order to meet the commitments contained in the NHS plan in relation to information systems. Other related targets around national service priorities will emerge in due course. Collectively they give the immediate Information Management and Technology priorities which Local Implementation Strategy (LIS) communities need to address to provide the NHS-wide core applications and services. These fundamental targets are listed in the table.

  The targets stretch to 2005 but progress on intermediate milestones has been strong. All GPs will be connected to NHSnet by March 2001 which will speed up and improve communications for test results, appointment booking and other patient centred information flows. NHS Direct services now cover the whole population of England.

  In addition to local implementation major development programmes are in place across the NHS. The National Booked Admission Programme pilots have now been running for 12 months and the Electronic Record Development and Implementation Programme (ERDIP) will provide essential lessons for national implementation of electronic patient and health records.

  Progress so far has been strong and we will maintain the effort to ensure that we fully realise the opportunities now unfolding to support a patient focused and modern NHS.
  361W

  Key Information Management and Technology targets

  National percentages by date

  Targets

  31 March 2001

  31 March 2002

  31 March 2003

  31 March 2004

  31 March 2005

  IMT05—GP Practices to be computerised

  98

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT06—GP Practices with NHSnet Connection

  95

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT07—GP Practices with local area networks connected to NHSnet eg desktop access

  90

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT08—Online public information on availability of NHS services

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  IMT09—Acute electronic patient record (EPR) level 3

  10

  35

  —

  75

  100

  IMTIO—Integrated primary and community EPR

  —

  —

  25

  50

  100

  IMT11—Emergency care electronic health record

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  IMT12—All bookings from GPs to out-patients or from out-patients to day-case or in-patients to be made electronically

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  IMTI3—Electronic transfer of all haematology and microbiology test
  results

  —

  60

  —

  —

  —

  IMT14—Electronic transfer of all radiology reports and discharge summaries between hospital and GPs

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  IMT15—All NHS pathology laboratories to be connected to NHSnet

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  IMT16—All pathology results sent to GPs to contain NHS number

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT17—All electronic communications about patients to include their NHS number verified by NHS numbers strategic tracing service

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  IMT18—Online access to national codes for GPs and consultants

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  IMT19—National NHS payroll and integrated human resources system

  —

  —

  —

  100

  —

  IMT20—All out-patient data set to he transmitted through NHSwide clearing service

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT21—LIS update

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1MT22—Integration of information strategies to

  support National Service Framework topics into LIS development within six months of the publication of the relevant strategy

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT23—Application of working in partnership toolkit

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  IMT24—Production of local education, training and development strategies

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Note:

  The final analysis of the quantitative targets and qualitative scoring of all LIS against 10 critical progress markers will be completed by mid June 2001.

  Renal Services
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of renal services in Bolton. [159835]

  Mr. Denham
  Following the further £1,248 million capital allocation in the north-west for dialysis developments in 2001–02, a proposal for a new dialysis facility at the Royal Bolton Hospital has been received in the Department. A decision based on clear criteria will be made on the allocations in the near future.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported food poisoning cases there were in England and Wales during the last 12 months. [160271]

  Ms Stuart
  For the 52 weeks ending 27 April 2001 there were 88,110 notified cases of food poisoning in England and Wales. However, this figure includes only cases who consult a doctor or who are identified during the investigation of outbreaks.

  NHS Dentists
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists were registered(a) in May 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which data are available; and if he will make a statement. [160366]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of General Dental Service principals on a health authority list, their assistants and vocational dental practitioners in England is shown in the table for 31 March 1997 and 31 December 2000.
  362W

  General Dental Service: number of dentists at March 1997 and December 2000—England

  Date

  Principals

  Assistants

  Vocational dental practitioners

  Total

  March 1997

  15,301

  591

  495

  16,387

  December 2000

  16,269

  1,175

  614

  18,058

  Walsgrave NHS Trust
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps were taken by the Walsgrave NHS Trust management to investigate the surgical mistake that resulted in an anvil being left in a patient's rectum; and when the patient was informed of the mistake. [159611]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer sent 03 May 2001]: Our White Paper "A First Class Service" sets out a requirement for all organisations within the National Health Service to set up and implement a clinical governance framework, which identifies procedures to be followed when reporting and investigating clinical and untoward incidents. Such procedures should enable incidents to be investigated thoroughly in a culture of openness and reflection to ensure lessons are learnt and clinical practice improved.

  In this particular case, a clinical incident report was completed on 10 December 2000. The head of nursing for theatres was asked to undertake a thorough investigation to review and revise the necessary trust theatre procedures.
  363W
  As a result of the investigation, the importance of following theatre-checking procedures was reinforced to theatre managers and staff, and all theatre procedures were reviewed and amended accordingly to reflect lessons learned through this incident.

  The clinical director for surgery has ensured that junior doctors involved in colorectal surgery have a clear understanding of the operating mechanisms of the stapling gun. In addition, the Trust medical director also wrote to all consultant surgeons who carry out colorectal surgery reminding them of the need to be present throughout this kind of surgery.

  The consultant surgeon responsible for his care informed the patient on 18 January 2001 that the anvil had been left in his rectum following the operation of 4 December 2000. The patient's wife and another family member together with the specialist stoma nurse were present during this discussion.

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total cost incurred by the Walsgrave NHS Trust since the suspension of Mr. Barros D'Sa on account of that suspension, including the suspended surgeon's salary, disciplinary hearings and related procedures and legal and court costs. [159610]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The total cost incurred by the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service Trust in regard to this matter was £171,605 at the end of March 2001. This cost includes elements relating to the salary of the suspended consultant, costs of locum cover, the setting up of an Inquiry Panel in accordance with HC(90)9, legal and court costs and mediation meeting costs.

  The National Clinical Assessment Authority will issue new guidance to NHS organisations later this year on handling suspensions and will consider any outstanding cases which are still awaiting resolution.

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average peri-operative mortality rates for rectal cancer operations were in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 for (i) England, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) Walsgrave NHS Trust excluding the St. Cross Hospital at Rugby. [159612]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The table shows a count of discharges from hospital for patients where the main operation was on the rectum and the main diagnosis was 'malignant neoplasm of rectum'. This information is for National Health Service hospitals in England, West Midlands and the Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust in 1996–97 to 1999–2000 and includes both emergency and planned operations undertaken in this period.

  Live discharges

  Mortality

  1996–97

  Walsgrave NHS Trust

  49

  1—

  West Midlands

  732

  32

  England

  5,480

  228

  1997–98

  Walsgrave NHS Trust

  39

  1—

  West Midlands

  694

  32

  England

  5,381

  250

  364W

  Live discharges

  Mortality

  1998–99

  Walsgrave NHS Trust

  58

  1—

  West Midlands

  681

  32

  England

  5,649

  241

  1999–2000

  Walsgrave NHS Trust

  59

  1—

  West Midlands

  675

  23

  England

  5,773

  210

  1Owing to reasons of confidentiality, figures between one and five at trust level are not normally published.

  Notes:

  1. The main operation is the first of four operation fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set, and is usually the most resource intensive performed during the episode.

  2. The main diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the HES data set, and prov ides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  3. Figures in this table have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data.

  4. The Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust became the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in 2000.

  5. The statistics provided are whole trust statistics and include St. Cross Hospital in Rugby for the time it has been a part of the trust.

  Source:

  HES Department of Health

  The average peri-operative rates during the four year period 1996 to 2000 is:

  Total discharges

  Mortality

  Rate percentage

  1996–2000

  Walsgrave NHS Trust

  216

  11

  5.1

  West Midlands

  2,901

  119

  4.1

  England

  23,212

  929

  4.0

  Note:

  The average number of deaths related to rectal cancer operations at the former Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust is less than three per year.

  Source:

  Department of Health

  Heart Attack Statistics
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the proportion of patients is who having suffered a heart attack (myocardial infarction) survive for five years; and what the equivalent figures are in(a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Sweden and (d) the USA. [160239]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: Data on the number of patients who survive for five years after having a heart attack are not routinely collected. Equivalent data for international comparisons are also not readily available. We have developed the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease, a 10-year strategy which deals with all aspects of coronary heart disease to provide a modern service with fair and fast access to high-quality services. One of the NSF's immediate priorities is to improve the use of effective medicines after heart attack (especially use of aspirin, beta-blockers and statins) so that 80 to 90 per cent. of people discharged from hospital following a heart attack will be prescribed these drugs.

  We recognise the importance of better information and that is why we have funded, through the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the Royal College of Physicians'

  365W
  Myocardial Infarction National Audit Project (MINAP), which will collect information on all people hospitalised with a heart attack. It is expected that MINAP will eventually link to mortality data through the United Kingdom central cardiac audit database, and provide information on survival rates.

  Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on planned spending on child and adolescent mental health services by local health authorities for the financial year 2001–02. [160638]

  Mr. Hutton
  Health authority spending plans to develop further their child and adolescent mental health strategies in 2001–02 have yet to be finalised. The planned health authority expenditure will reflect priorities as assessed jointly with local authorities.

  The Department has provided £20 million in 2001–02 to health authorities, which is in their baseline allocations. This funding, together with £15 million allocated to local authorities, is a significant investment for the development of services for this vulnerable group of children and young people.

  Heart Disease
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many echocardiography technicians were employed by the NHS for each of the last five years. [160603]

  Mr. Denham
  Data for the professions in health care science are not collected to this level.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recruitment and retention of cardiac technicians accredited by the British Society of Echocardiography to carry out echocardiography, within the NHS. [160604]

  Mr. Denham
  We are implementing a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention for all staff, including cardiac technicians accredited by the British Society of Echocardiography to carry out echocardiography. We are investing in fair pay, encouraging the National Health Service to become a better employer, increasing training attracting former staff back to the NHS and encouraging flexible retirement.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from the British Society of Echocardiography regarding concerns about the recognition of specialised echo technicians in the NHS. [160605]

  Mr. Denham
  We have not received any representations.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to increase the number of dedicated echocardiography technicians in the NHS. [160606]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department is carrying out a review of the health care scientist work force. The need for an increase in the number of echocardiography technicians will be considered as part of the review.
  366W

  Disabled Persons (Consultation, Representation and Services) Act 1986
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent in the last financial year under the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Consultation, Representation and Services) Act 1986. [160534]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Disabled Persons (Consultation, Representation and Services) Act 1986 forms part of the overall legislative framework for the provision of services to disabled people. As such, money spent under this Act is not separately identified, and forms part of the overall allocation for social services expenditure for disabled people of all ages.

  Details of local authority social services expenditure for the last financial year are not as yet available. Our latest available figures relate to the 1999–2000 financial year, details of which can be found in the Department of Health bulletin Personal Social Services Current Expenditure in England 1999–2000.

  Abattoirs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the price of inspection for small and medium-sized abattoirs. [160645]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Meat Inspection Charges Task Force was established by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in April 2000 to look at the issue of meat inspection charges and to consider alternative approaches to charging that would help to alleviate the burden of inspection charges on small and medium-sized abattoirs and cutting plants.

  In its report, the taskforce recommended that the Government should contribute to the costs of meat inspection in Great Britain. The taskforce recommended moving away from charging for meat inspections on an hourly basis and that, instead, all abattoirs and cutting plants should be charged the lower of either the standard (headage) charges laid down in EU Directive 96/43/EEC or their actual inspection costs. The taskforce estimated that adopting this recommendation would result in a cost to Government of up to £19 million in 2001–02 and each year thereafter.

  We accepted the taskforce recommendation and announced new, additional financial support in the context of the publication of the Rural White Paper on 28 November 2000 to secure the future of small and medium-sized abattoirs.

  Following consultation, a new charging system based on the taskforce recommendation was introduced by the FSA on 2 April 2001. Under the new system, the majority of meat plants will be paying substantially reduced meat inspection charges.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if he will make a statement. [160885]
  367W
  Ms Stuart
  There are currently 16 waivers signed by senior civil servants in the Department of Health. This figure includes eight waivers relating to staff in the regional offices and two waivers relating to staff of executive agencies of the Department.

  This represents just under 4 per cent. of the total number of senior civil servants employed by the Department as at 1 April 2001. Although this represents only a small proportion of senior civil servants in the Department, I am determined to improve the work/life balance of staff throughout my Department and there is currently a project under way to address all such long working hours.

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will accept evidence from(a) patient organisations (b) charities, (c) pharmaceutical companies,(d) individual patients and (e) the medical profession in the forthcoming review of the operation of NICE; and if he will make a statement; [160745]

  (2) if the forthcoming results of the review of the operation of NICE will be (a) published and (b) conducted in public; and if he will make a statement; [160747]

  (3) if he will refer the forthcoming review of the operation of NICE to an independent reviewing body; and if he will make a statement; [160744]

  (4) if he will list the (a) start and (b) completion dates for the forthcoming review of the operation of NICE. [160746]

  Mr. Denham
  Decisions on the detail of this review have yet to be taken.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 6 March and 5 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Reverend Canon Professor R. Preston. [160953]

  Ms Stuart
  A reply to my right hon. Friend's letter was sent on 8 May 2001.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 14 February, 15 March and 19 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. S. McHugh. [160955]

  Ms Stuart
  A reply to my hon. Friend's letter was sent on 8 May 2001.

  NHS Vacancies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2001,Official Report, column 454W, on NHS vacancies, how many NHS vacancies there were in London for (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) midwives, (d) health visitors, (e) professions allied to medicine and (f) management and administration staff for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; how many posts in each category have been vacant for longer than three months; and if he will make a statement. [158774]
  368W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The information requested is contained in the "Department of Health's Vacancies Survey—1999–2000", copies of which are available in the Library.

SCOTLAND

  Block Grant
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the current value is of the block grant under the Barnett Formula to central Government funding for Scotland; what it was in 1997–98; and what the forecast is for 2003–04. [145199]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The expenditure of the former Scottish Office within Departmental Expenditure Limits in 1998–99 was £13,134 million. Expenditure in Scotland in 2001–02 (including expenditure by the Scotland Office) is planned to be £16,322 million and the corresponding figure for 2003–04 is £18,547 million. Following the introduction of resource budgeting, figures on a consistent basis for years prior to 1998–99 are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many job losses there were in Scotland, broken down by the lowest regional level for which data are available, for each of the last five years. [145647]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Figures on job losses are not held centrally. However figures on employment for Scotland by unitary authority (the lowest regional level for which data are available) are produced by the ONS as part of the Labour Force Survey.

  Total employment Scottish unitary authorities, 1996–2000

  Thousand

  Area Name

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Scotland

  2,260

  2,284

  2,309

  2,297

  2,331

  Aberdeen City

  115

  109

  111

  123

  110

  Aberdeenshire

  110

  115

  107

  115

  119

  Angus

  57

  59

  49

  52

  56

  Argyll and Bute

  42

  40

  44

  38

  37

  Clackmannanshire

  15

  16

  23

  19

  18

  Dumfries and Galloway

  68

  63

  63

  67

  65

  Dundee City

  60

  65

  65

  61

  57

  East Ayrshire

  54

  43

  46

  43

  48

  East Dunbartonshire

  51

  53

  53

  55

  54

  East Lothian

  39

  41

  44

  48

  42

  East Renfrewshire

  43

  44

  43

  43

  41

  Edinburgh, City of

  207

  206

  215

  223

  222

  Eilean Siar

  15

  16

  11

  11

  1—

  Falkirk

  67

  62

  70

  66

  73

  Fife

  150

  156

  162

  155

  160

  Glasgow City

  208

  215

  220

  207

  225

  Highland

  92

  101

  98

  93

  98

  Inverclyde

  39

  39

  34

  40

  37

  Midlothian

  38

  39

  43

  37

  42

  Moray

  45

  39

  40

  45

  42

  North Ayrshire

  58

  56

  59

  53

  63

  North Lanarkshire

  128

  131

  139

  141

  133

  Orkney Islands

  1—

  12

  10

  13

  15

  Perthshire and Kinross

  64

  67

  62

  57

  64

  Renfrewshire

  77

  90

  81

  85

  89

  Scottish Borders

  48

  51

  49

  50

  54

  Shetland Islands

  10

  11

  12

  12

  1—

  South Ayrshire

  46

  52

  60

  48

  47

  369W

  Total employment—Scottish unitary authorities, 1996–2000

  Thousand

  Area Name

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  South Lanarkshire

  147

  136

  141

  150

  142

  Stirling

  42

  33

  34

  36

  32

  West Dunbartonshire

  36

  42

  42

  35

  44

  West Lothian

  81

  83

  80

  76

  82

  1Spring of each year, refers to UAs with less than 10,000 employed in a particular year, where the survey is not reliable.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, Labour Force Survey

  Employment
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will provide a breakdown by industry of the jobs created in Scotland between 1 May 1997 and 1 July 1999. [145887]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: Exact figures on job creation are not held centrally. However figures on employee jobs by sector (the lowest level of aggregation available for Scotland) are collected by the ONS on a quarterly basis. For the dates specified, the closest match is the June quarter. These figures do not include the self-employed.

  Employee jobs by sector, Scotland

  Thousand

  June

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

  35.8

  32.4

  38.6

  Mining and Quarrying Industries

  24.9

  27.2

  26.0

  Manufacturing

  320.0

  315.9

  301.4

  Electricity Gas and Water Supply

  16.0

  16.7

  17.8

  Construction

  111.1

  117.5

  111.4

  Retail and Wholesale

  324.1

  316.4

  312.5

  Hotels and Catering

  120.2

  131.8

  127.7

  Transport Storage and Communication

  104.6

  106.5

  113.6

  Financial Services

  79.3

  77.6

  82.0

  Real Estate and Business Services

  206.6

  221.0

  229.4

  Public Administration

  126.1

  115.0

  148.1

  Education

  155.8

  152.6

  155.0

  Health and Social Work

  272.1

  263.2

  261.6

  Other services

  92.4

  98.4

  96.7

  Total

  1,989.1

  1,992.5

  2,021.7

  Note:

  Columns may not add up, owing to rounding

  Source:

  ONS Employer Surveys

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many jobs were lost in Scotland in each year between 1 May 1997 and 1 July 1999, broken down by(a) sector and (b) industry. [145889]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 16 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer above, columns 368-69W. Figures are not held centrally for jobs lost.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the number of asylum seekers and refugees placed in Scotland under the dispersal scheme. [145888]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer I6 January 2001]: Glasgow City is currently the only local authority in Scotland providing services for asylum claimants under
  370W
  the dispersal scheme implemented by the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. At 30 March it was accommodating 1,301 principal asylum seekers (3,903 individuals) under these arrangements.

  The YMCA in Glasgow is also contracted to provide services under the dispersal scheme and at 30 March it was providing accommodation for 186 single asylum seekers.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press releases were issued by his Department in the financial years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; how many have been issued in the current financial year; and what his estimate is of the total number for the current financial year. [149240]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: The former Scottish Office issued 1,968 press releases in 1996–97; 2,162 in 1997–98 and 2,451 in 1998–99.

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. In 1999–2000 the Department issued 174 press releases and 372 in 2000–01.

  Public Relations (Expenditure)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure was in her Department for the financial years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000, and what the planned expenditure and breakdown of expenditure for 2000–01 is on (i) public opinion research, (ii) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (iii) direct mail. [149262]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 8 February 2001]: Expenditure by the former Scottish Office was as follows:

  £

  Press advertising

  TV

  Radio

  Direct mail

  1996–97

  981,335

  1,160,447

  444,957

  —

  1997–98

  526,206

  814,874

  221,021

  63,473

  1998–99

  1,058,573

  2,371,073

  393,701

  89,080

  1999 April-June

  286,323

  378,719

  1,681

  —

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The Department has carried out one advertising campaign on electoral registration. Expenditure was as follows:

  2000–01

  £

  Press advertising

  154,758

  TV

  163,073

  Radio

  —

  Direct mail

  —

  Ministerial Visits
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official representations abroad were made by Ministers in his Department in(a) 1997–98,

  371W
  (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01; which countries were visited; in which capacity each visit was undertaken; and what was the cost of each visit. [150059]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 12 February 2001]: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since then Scotland Office Ministers have made a number of visits abroad for a variety of official purposes. The Secretary of State made visits to Spain and Italy and the Minister of State made visits to

  Azerbaijan

  Belgium

  Canada

  Cuba

  Egypt

  France

  Germany

  Italy

  Ireland

  Japan/Manila

  Mexico

  Singapore

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Sweden

  Thailand

  Vietnam.

  The Minister of State's overseas visits were to promote Scottish trade or wider Scottish and UK interests. The total cost of ministerial overseas travel in 1999–2000 was £11,198 and £29,183 in 2000–01.

  The information for earlier years is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official trade representations abroad Scotland Office Ministers have made in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01; and which countries were visited. [150036]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 12 February 2001]: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. In 1999–2000 the Minister of State, who had trade responsibilities within the Department, made trade-related visits to France, Belgium, Italy, Egypt and the Far East (Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam). In 2000–01 the Minister made visits to Belgium; Azerbaijan; Germany; Sweden; Slovenia; Canada; Cuba; Italy and Japan.

  Departmental Running Costs
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate she has made for the staffing levels and running costs for the Scotland Office in the years 2000–01 and 2001–02. [150045]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 12 February 2001]: Details of the staffing levels and running costs for the period to 2003–04 were set out in the Scotland Office Departmental Report 2001, which was published on 30 March 2001.
  372W
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the running costs of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and Advocate-General for Scotland were in each year since 1999–2000; how much of the budget in each year was allocated to(a) staff costs, (b) maintenance, (c) travel costs and (d) other expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [152351]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 7 March 2001]: Information in the form requested is not available. Details of administration costs were set out in the Scotland Office Departmental Report 2001, which was published on 30 March 2001 and in the Department's annual accounts.

  In 1999–2000 expenditure on Scotland Office staff was £1,976,000 and on other administration costs was £1,991,000. Comparable figures for 2000–01 are not yet available.

  Expenditure
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate she has made of the total sums projected to be spent in Scotland in(a) this financial year and (b) each of the next two financial years (i) by the Scottish Executive and (ii) through direct spending by the Government of the UK. [152090]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Details of expenditure by the Scottish Executive were set out in "The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report" published by the Executive on 30 March 2001. Expenditure for 2000–01 was £17,997 million and is planned to be £19,823 million in 2001–02 and £21,022 million in 2002–03.

  Details of other direct spending by the UK Government in Scotland are not calculated for forward years. Information on public expenditure by country and function is published by the Treasury each year in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much certified timber has been purchased by her Department over the past six months; and what proportion of total timber purchases this represents. [152108]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No timber has been purchased by my Department over the past six months.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152149]

  Mrs. Liddell
  An annual report will be provided in line with the answer given on 28 July 2000,Official Report, columns 947–48W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment.

  New Deal
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will estimate the number of Scots on benefits who have found employment under the New Deal scheme. [153128]
  373W
  Mrs. Liddell
  The New Deal has been a resounding success in Scotland with over 48,000 people going into jobs as a result of their participation in the New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25+, New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal 50 plus.

  A/F Protein Inc.
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if her Office's(a) Ministers and (b) officials met, prior to devolution, representatives of A/F Protein Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America. [157766]

  Mrs. Liddell
  There is no record of Scottish Office Ministers or officials having met representatives of A/F Protein Inc. prior to devolution.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations her Office's(a) Ministers and (b) officials received, prior to devolution, from representatives of A/F Protein Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America; and what response she made. [157767]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No such representations were received by either Scottish Office Ministers or officials prior to devolution.

  GM Food (Research)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the projects funded by the Scottish Office from 1990 to devolution on scientific research into(a) genetically modified and (b) transgenic fish in the UK and abroad, by research project title, indicating the purpose of the research, the project timespan, its total cost and recipient research centres. [157765]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No scientific projects on genetically modified or transgenic fish have been directly funded by the Scottish Office since 1990.

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158544]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No special advisers for am my Department have travelled abroad in an official capacity.

  Appointments (Age Limits)
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in her Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158126]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies.

  In respect of the Boundary Commission for Scotland, the only public body for which I am responsible, there was no specific age limit for applications in the last round of appointments for membership, in 1998.

  Irish Visit
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Irish Government departments the Permanent Under-Secretary of State met during his visit of 10–11 February 1999. [159796]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Permanent Under-Secretary of State met officials from the Department of An Taoiseach, the Clerk of the Dail, and the Department of Foreign Affairs during his visit to Dublin of 10–11 February 1999.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost was of employing special advisers in her Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160050]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer I May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) on 9 April 2001, Official Report, column 425W.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many special advisers worked in her Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160035]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: In the Scottish Office in 1997–98 there were two special advisers and during 1998–99 there were three special advisers in post at any given time.

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. In 1999–2000 and 2000–01 there were three special advisers in post at any one time, one of whom was unpaid. There are currently two special advisers.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what target levels have been set for the aims and objectives of the Employment Service in Scotland in operational year 2001–02. [161065]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The aim of the Employment Service is to help people without jobs find work and employers to fill their vacancies. The Employment Service in Scotland makes an important contribution to an efficient and flexible labour market and to delivering the Government's welfare to work policies, working in close partnership with employers and others. These targets pave the way for the new agency, Jobcentre Plus, whose pathfinder offices will begin work in October. They give stronger emphasis than ever before to helping individuals facing particular difficulty in the labour market to move from unemployment and economic inactivity into sustainable employment. The highest priority will be given to helping people who have been economically inactive for long periods, including lone parents, to find work, and to capitalise on the opportunities created by the new generation of New Deals.

  I am announcing today the targets we have set for Scotland. They are challenging and stretching. We are looking for improved levels of customer service to jobseekers and employers, together with consolidation of the improved performance against the Jobseeker's Allowance Labour Market Activity target. These targets cover a full year, but we propose to carry out a

  375W
  comprehensive consultation and review later in the year that will inform the setting of targets for the new agency for people of working age, called Jobcentre Plus, for 2002–03.

  The targets for the Employment Service in Scotland for 2001–02 are:

  Vision and Purpose

  The Employment Service in Scotland aims to make a major contribution to an efficient and flexible labour market and to the Government's objectives of an increase in the effective supply of labour, and countering poverty and social exclusion by helping welfare recipients facing the most severe disadvantages to compete effectively for jobs. It does this by working closely with employers and with its private, voluntary and public sector partners to provide a quality service for all people without a job and to promote employment opportunities for all who can work. It aims to attract a diverse range of vacancies and to fill those vacancies quickly by matching the right people and skills with the right jobs. Its chief priority is to help individuals facing particular difficulty in the labour market to move from welfare and economic inactivity into sustainable employment. It does this through correct application of the Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) regime, delivery of the New Deals, and the provision of appropriate information, advice, training and support. The challenge and opportunity for the Employment Service, is to sustain continuous improvement in its services to jobseekers and employers and to make these services more accessible and relevant to customer needs, through effective use of modern technology and close working with a wide range of partners.

  Aim

  To help people without jobs find work and employers to fill their vacancies.

  Objectives and Targets

  Objective A
  To help all people without jobs, and particularly those on welfare and at a disadvantage in the labour market, to find and keep work by providing appropriate information, advice, training and support and by encouraging employers to open more opportunities to them.

  Targets
  Al: To help into work 7.214 people who are either jobless lone parents, participants in the New Deal for Partners, participants in the New Deal for Disabled People or other disabled people claiming 'inactive' benefits.
  A2: To help into work 46,517 participants in the JSA New Deals, New Deal 50+, Employment Zones, other disabled people not recorded in Al. and others at a particular disadvantage.
  A3: To help into work 90,202 welfare recipients and other disadvantaged people.
  A4: To help into work 150,788 jobless people.
  A5: For 75 per cent. of long-term JSA claimants to be off benefit 13 weeks after starting a job into which they were placed by the Employment Service.

  Objective B
  To ensure that the rights and relevant labour market responsibilities of people on JSA and other benefits are fulfilled, while helping to combat fraud and abuse of the benefit system.
  376W
  Target
  B I: To ensure that the relevant labour market responsibilities of people on JSA are fulfilled in 91 per cent. of cases checked.

  Objective C
  To harness new technology, the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement to deliver effective, efficient and accessible services to all people without jobs and to employers in Jobcentres and increasingly through other locations and means of communications.

  Targets
  CI: To achieve a 93 per cent. customer service level for jobseekers.
  C2: To achieve an 83 per cent. customer service level for employers.

  Objective D
  To deliver services to all ES customers in a way which respects individual differences, helps to overcome disadvantages due to ethnicity, gender, age or disability and achieves the best possible outcome for each of them.

  Targets
  D1: From October To achieve a proportion of new ethnic minority claimants who leave JSA for a job within 12 months, which is equal to the percentage of all white claimants leaving JSA for a job within 12 months (to work towards equality of outcomes by 2004.) (Target level to be announced.
  D2: From October: To screen benefit claimants for basic skills requirement and N here needed refer to appropriate training. (Exact target wording and level to be announced.)

  Milestone Target
  By 30 September 2001, for 95 per cent. of jobseekers claiming JSA to have been asked to identify their ethnicity and for this answer to be recorded.

  Employment (Glasgow)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were in(a) full-time and (b) part-time employment in (i) the constituency of Glasgow, Pollok and (ii) Glasgow (1) in 1997 and (2) the latest date for which figures are available; and what the percentage change was in each case. [160923]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The table shows the number of people who were in(a) full-time and (b) part-time employment in (i) the constituency of Glasgow, Pollok and (ii) Glasgow City in September 1997 and December 1999 respectively; and what the percentage change was in each case.

  Employee jobs 1997; and 1999—Glasgow, Pollok parliamentary constituency and Glasgow City unitary authority

  1997

  1999

  Change(Percentage)

  Glasgow

  Pollok

  Full-time

  8,900

  9,600

  7.9

  Part-time

  4,100

  4,100

  0.0

  Glasgow City

  Full-time

  236,200

  249,000

  5.4

  Part-time

  90,500

  93,700

  3.5

  Source:

  Annual Business Inquiry, Office for National Statistics

  Mr Ronnie Biggs: Arrival and Arrest
  Mr Ronnie Biggs: Arrival and Arrest
  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Prison Service Performance Indicators
  Prison Service Performance Indicators
  Katanga: Food Situation
  Katanga: Food Situation
  Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
  Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
  Commonwealth Development Corporation Annual Report
  Commonwealth Development Corporation Annual Report
  Everything but Arms Initiative and Caribbean Countries
  Everything but Arms Initiative and Caribbean Countries
  Census Form: People of Chinese Background
  Census Form: People of Chinese Background
  Finance Bill: Human Rights Act Statement
  Finance Bill: Human Rights Act Statement
  Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill: Human Rights Act Statement
  Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill: Human Rights Act Statement
  BBC World Service
  BBC World Service
  Order of Battle
  Order of Battle
  Gulf War Veterans: Compensation
  Gulf War Veterans: Compensation
  Foot and Mouth Payment of Compensation
  Foot and Mouth Payment of Compensation
  Foot and Mouth Cull of Healthy Sheep
  Foot and Mouth Cull of Healthy Sheep
  Foot and Mouth Virus: Importation of Meat
  Foot and Mouth Virus: Importation of Meat
  Fish: Genetic Modification
  Fish: Genetic Modification
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Immunity
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Immunity
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Leicestershire
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Leicestershire
  Foot and Mouth Outbreak: Influence of EU
  Foot and Mouth Outbreak: Influence of EU
  Foot and Mouth: Post Statistics
  Foot and Mouth: Post Statistics
  Farms with Foot and Mouth: Crop Growing
  Farms with Foot and Mouth: Crop Growing
  Cheviot Sheep
  Cheviot Sheep
  Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme
  Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme
  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Foot and Mouth: Burial Pits
  Foot and Mouth: Burial Pits
  Foot and Mouth: Animals awaiting Slaughter on 3 May
  Foot and Mouth: Animals awaiting Slaughter on 3 May
  Foot and Mouth: Effects of Disposal of Carcasses
  Foot and Mouth: Effects of Disposal of Carcasses
  English Fishing Fleet: Restructuring
  English Fishing Fleet: Restructuring
  Forest Enterprise Review
  Forest Enterprise Review
  EU Food Imports: Monitoring
  EU Food Imports: Monitoring
  Wheelchairs
  Wheelchairs
  Haemophiliacs: Infection with Hepatitis C
  Haemophiliacs: Infection with Hepatitis C
  Respiratory Disease
  Respiratory Disease
  Human Remains Working Group
  Human Remains Working Group
  Museums: Statement of Chairman of Resource
  Museums: Statement of Chairman of Resource
  Northern Ireland: Tourism
  Northern Ireland: Tourism
  Millennium Dome
  Millennium Dome
  Life Peerages: Prime Minister's Recommendation
  Life Peerages: Prime Minister's Recommendation
  House of Lords Appointments Commission Applications
  House of Lords Appointments Commission Applications