Written Answers of 11 May 2001

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much radioactive nuclear waste was(a) pumped and (b) dumped into the Irish Sea in (i) 1970 to 1979, (ii) 1980 to 1989, (iii) 1990 to 1999 and (iv) 2000 to date. [143160]

  Mr. Meacher
  Annual discharge data for the years 1970 to 1994, for nuclear sites in the UK, are contained in Government reports on radioactivity in the marine environment as follows:
  Radiobiological Laboratory Technical 12,Report, Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles, MAFF. Annual publication, 1966–1976.Aquatic Environment Monitoring Report, Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles, MAFF. Annual publication, 1977–1994.
  I am arranging for copies of these reports to be placed in the Libraries of the House. Data for the years 1995 to 1999 are contained in the annual publication "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment", copies of which are in the House of Commons Library. Data for 2000 will be published in due course.

  I am commissioning work to be done on collating this information in the form requested.

  The UK ceased all sea dumping of radioactive waste from 1982. The issue of dumping of radioactive waste in Beaufort's Dyke and other parts of the Irish Sea prior to that date was addressed by the then Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker), in his answers of 1 July 1997, Official Report, columns 158–60W, 30 July 1997, Official Report, columns 322–24W, and 24 November 1997, Official Report, columns 409–10W.

  Landfill
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will make use of the provision in Article 5 of the EU directive on the landfill of waste of April 1999 allowing the postponement of the attainment of the targets set out in that Article for the diversion of waste from landfill. [156821]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government announced in Waste Strategy 2000, published in May 2000, that they proposed to make use of the full four-year derogations allowed under Article 5 of the EU Directive on the landfill of waste.

  Radioactivity (North-West Coast)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has assessed of radioactivity ratings of silt and mud produced by sand winning plant screening processes on the north-west coast of England. [157153]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency routinely monitors the coastline of north-west England for radionuclides and the results are published in its annual "Radioactivity in the Environment" report.

  In addition, an ad hoc assessment programme was initiated at the end of 1998 to assess the radiation levels in the lagoons that receive the waste washings from the sand winning process at Southport. Samples of sediments were taken from the lagoons in 1998 and 1999 and analysed for radionuclides and the results were reported back to the Environment Agency. The reported levels for the two most significant radionuclides present in the sediment, caesium-137 and americium-241, were as follows:
  caesium-137 ranged from 60.5 to 1510 Bq/kg with a mean value of 585 Bq/kg;americium-241 ranged from 19.7 to 394 Bq/kg with a mean value of 180 Bq/kg.
  The Environment Agency undertook an initial radiological assessment based on these levels. They used Generalised Derived Limits (GDLs) for marine sediments, published by NRPB as a yardstick. GDLs are levels of radioactivity which, using pessimistic exposure assumptions, would result in a dose of 1 milliSievert per year.

  Using pessimistic exposure assumptions, and taking account of direct external exposure, inadvertent ingestion, and inhalation of re-suspended particulate (i.e. dried sand and mud being blown by the wind), these mean values would lead to a maximum dose of respectively 12 per cent. and 0.2 per cent. of the 1 milliSievert per year dose limit for the general public.

  The radioactivity levels in the sediment were not considered high enough to warrant a full radiological risk assessment, and detailed assessment of the effects of ingestion/inhalation over time has not been carried out. These results are consistent with the Agency's routine coastal monitoring programme. I understand that no further monitoring of the lagoons has been undertaken.

  Euratom
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the United Kingdom has made a submission to Euratom, pursuant to(a) Article 34 and (b) Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty since the United Kingdom joined the European Community. [158426]

  Mr. Meacher
  Under Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty, any member state in whose territories particularly dangerous experiments are to take place is required to take additional health and safety measures, and in advance to obtain the opinion on the European Commission. The assent of the Commission is required where the effects of such experiments are liable to affect the territories of other member states. No such submissions have been made by the United Kingdom.
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  Under Article 35 of the Treaty the European Commission has the right of access to certain facilities. The Article does not require submissions to be made to the Commission.

  Roads (Debris)
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much has been spent by his Department on removing litter and debris from the side of the A1 in each of the last four years; [159195]

  (2) how much was spent by his Department in each of the last four years on removing litter and debris from the side of motorways and roads for which his Department is responsible.[159196]

  Mr. Prescott
  Responsibility for removing litter and debris from the motorway network in England rests with the Highways Agency which employs a number of maintenance contractors to carry out the work. Because these contractors carry out this task together with other routine maintenance work, it is not possible to disaggregate the cost of litter collection from the total cost of maintenance.

  The responsibility for litter collection on the all purpose trunk road network rests with district and borough councils and the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  London Underground
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what commitments he has made to the on-going financing of the first seven years of the London Underground public-private partnership. [159794]

  Mr. Hill
  The financial requirements of London Underground under the public-private partnership will not finally be known until negotiations with preferred bidders have been completed. The PPP is about obtaining best value in the way that farebox revenue and any public subsidy is spent. The Government have made it clear that, as long as it proves value for money to do so, then Transport for London will receive the appropriate level of central government grant to allow for London Underground's need to make payments to the PPP contractors.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date; [160032]

  (2) what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160049]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Since 3 May 1997 this Department has generally employed three full-time and two part-time special advisers at any one time, except for a period of nine months in 1997 and 1998 when there were four full-time and two part-time special advisers. In 1997 under the
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  previous Administration there were three full-time and two part-time special advisers in the Departments of the Environment and Transport.

  The total cost of employing special advisers in the four financial years 1997–98 to 2000–2001 was £642,000.

  Urban II Programme
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the EU's Urban II Programme; what delays have taken place to implementation of the EU's Urban II Programme; and what the reasons are for such delays. [160105]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 2 May 2001]: We will shortly be submitting the English programmes for Bristol; Burnley; Halifax in Calderdale; Hetton and Murton; Normantorn, Derby; Peterborough; Stockwell and Thames Gateway to the European Commission.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to answer the letter transferred to him by the Chancellor of the Exchequer dated 6 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. T. Perkins. [160926]

  Mr. Meacher
  I replied to my right hon. Friend yesterday.

  Smoking (Workplaces)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the methodology of the work conducted by M. Cremieux in Canada on the economic impact of the introduction of controls on smoking in workplaces. [160880]

  Mr. Meacher
  None, but HSE is aware of Canadian studies, including this recent research by Pierre-Yves Cremieux and Pierre Oullette and will take this into account in future policy development.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the process for claiming rate relief for those businesses affected by foot and mouth disease. [160860]

  Mr. Meacher
  Businesses should direct applications for hardship relief to their local authority who have discretionary powers to grant rate relief of up to 100 per cent. to any ratepayer who is suffering hardship, for whatever reason, provided it is in the interest of the wider local community to do so. We have extended the central Government contribution to the cost of this relief from 75 per cent to 95 per cent. in cases where the business is seriously affected by foot and mouth disease, is located in one of the 151 eligible rural districts and has a rateable value of £12,000 or less.

  Full details of the arrangements for providing this relief were set out in Special Grant Report No. 80, which was approved by Parliament on 2 April 2001.
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  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he is giving to local authorities on how they should approach(a) businesses that apply for rateable value revaluations and (b) businesses that apply for hardship relief in relation to foot and mouth disease. [160861]

  Mr. Meacher
  Rating lists are compiled and maintained by the Valuation Office Agency and proposals to alter values shown in the rating list must be made to the local valuation officer.

  Local authorities have discretionany powers to grant rate relief of up to 100 per cent. to any ratepayer who is suffering hardship, for whatever reason, provided it is in the interest of the wider local community to do so. We have extended the central Government contribution to the cost of this relief from 75 per cent. to 95 per cent. in cases where the business is seriously affected by foot and mouth disease, is located in one of the 151 eligible rural districts and has a rateable value of £12,000 or less. Full details of the arrangements for providing this relief were set out in Special Grant Report No. 80, which was approved by Parliament on 2 April 2001.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) for what reason liquid animal waste from animal carcases was dumped in the Irish sea in the period 1 February to 30 April as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and if he will make a statement; [161045]

  (2) what the (a) geographical origin and (b) volume is of the liquid waste from animal carcases which has been dumped in the Irish sea as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak; [161044]

  (3) what action he is taking to prevent the further dumping of liquid waste from animal carcases into the Irish sea; and if he will make a statement; [161046]

  Mr. Meacher
  The waste effluent in question has arisen from two sources, the Great Orton mass burial site in Cumbria and the Birkshaw mass burial site, near Lockerbie in Dumfriesshire. The waste effluent consists of the natural breakdown products which occur as the carcases decompose, primarily blood, fats, grease etc.

  Both the mass disposal sites in question are operated on the "containment principle". As a result, it is an essential part of the site operation that effluents are removed from the disposal cells in order to prevent pollution of local surface and ground waters, and to be treated at appropriate facilities.

  In the case of the Great Orton waste effluent, it is removed from the disposal cells and is then treated on site by means of ph adjustment to ensure that no active foot and mouth virus remains before being sent to Workington Wastewater Treatment Works (WTW). Like abattoir waste, this effluent is a readily biodegradable material and as such ideal for treatment at the WTW facilities. On discharge to the WTW it receives a dilution equivalent to 1 in 400 with the sewage already at the works for treatment. At the point of the consented discharge from the WTW to the Irish Sea, via a long sea outfall, it is estimated that a further dilution rate of in 10,000 occurs and a dilution rate of 1 in 100,000 Upon reaching the
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  coastline. At this point that would equate to a total dilution rate of 1 in 40 million. This represents zero impact on human health.

  The criteria for selection of Workington WTW as the appropriate facility to receive this waste were as follows:
  The rate of effluent production.
  The available facilities capable of receiving such material.
  The proximity of such facilities to the site of production.
  The most practicable environmental solution given the nature of the foot and mouth crisis.

  As a consequence and following discussion between MAFF, Environment Agency and United Utilities the Workington facility was identified as the best practicable environmental option in the circumstances.

  The Environment Agency has made it clear to both MAFF, who operate the Great Orton site, and to United Utilities, who operate the Workington WTW, that the use of this works as a means of effluent disposal could only be considered as a short-term disposal option. In the medium to long term more sophisticated and robust treatment facilities must be developed on the Great Orton site in order to pre-treat the effluents and reduce their biological strength before they leave the site. This combined with the natural reduction in effluent strength as the rate of decomposition slows in the site will greatly increase the available range of off-site treatment options as an alternative to discharging to the Irish Sea.

  Removal of effluent from Great Orton to Workington WTW began on 6 April 2001. As of the 9 May 2001, 8,900 cubic metres of effluent had been removed to Workington WTW.

  Effluent from the Birkshaw mass burial site in Dumfriesshire is removed from the site for the same reasons as at Great Orton. It is also subject to the same virus control measures which ensures that no active virus leaves the site. In this case the effluent is taken to a licensed waste management facility near Workington, operated by ALCO Waste Management Ltd. The site is licensed to receive such wastes under the terms of its waste management licence conditions. The effluent is deposited into the landfill site where the natural biological processes taking place within the site begin the treatment of the effluent. All effluents from the site are then subject to further treatment, in the site's purpose built effluent treatment facility, before being discharged to foul sewer under and in accordance with the terms of a trade effluent consent issued by United Utilities.

  The site began receiving effluent on the 18 April 2001. To date, 5,000 cubic metres have been received.

  The Environment Agency has undertaken monitoring of the effluents, sampling at the marine outfalls, carried out coastal surveys and arranged for aerial photographs to be taken of the discharges. To date, no environmental impact has been observed but the position will be kept under observation.

  Light Duty Vehicles
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will summarise the results of the study commissioned by his
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  Department into the track and environmental costs of cars and light duty vehicles; and when he will publish the full report. [160932]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department expects the contractors to complete their research report by July 2001. It is expected that the report will then be published.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the review of the Central Railway proposal which he has requested from the SRA will include an appraisal of the financial viability of the project. [161054]

  Mr. Hill
  Yes.

  Road Safety Units
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of the future of road safety units. [161098]

  Mr. Hill
  It is for local authorities to decide how to deliver their local casualty reduction targets. However, well resourced road safety units can provide an important focus to this work, helping to ensure that targets are achieved. It is vital that local authorities keep to their targets to ensure delivery of the national targets to be achieved by 2010.

  A44 (Worcester to Kington)
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans there are to improve the A44 road between Worcester and Kington in Herefordshire. [161066]

  Mr. Hill
  The A44 between Worcester and Kington is the responsibility of Worcestershire county council and Herefordshire council as local highway authorities.

  Herefordshire council's Local Transport Plan includes some safety improvements in Bromyard. The council is also in the early stages of considering the need for a bypass for Pembridge. If they conclude there is a need they will be able to bid for funds in their next Local Transport Plan submission.

  Worcestershire county council has no plans for improvements on their section of the route.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many deaths and serious injuries there were in road accidents in each constituency in Great Britain in 1999. [161021]

  Mr. Hill
  The information is not available in the form requested. Data for metropolitan areas and unitary authorities and counties are given in the table.

  Numbers of killed and seriously injured casualties in 1999

  Metropolitan areas/ Unitary Authority (UA)/County

  Killed

  Seriously injured

  Greater London

  264

  5,697

  Greater Manchester

  89

  1,035

  Merseyside

  55

  633

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  Numbers of killed and seriously injured casualties in 1999

  Metropolitan areas/Unitary Authority (UA)/County

  Killed

  Seriously injured

  South Yorkshire

  50

  683

  Tyne and Wear

  37

  479

  West Midlands

  89

  1,664

  West Yorkshire

  111

  1,189

  Bath and North East Somerset UA

  7

  93

  City of Bristol UA

  8

  180

  North Somerset UA

  14

  86

  South Gloucestershire UA

  12

  136

  Bedfordshire1

  46

  263

  Luton UA

  3

  83

  Bracknell Forest UA

  3

  62

  West Berkshire UA

  16

  162

  Reading UA

  4

  64

  Slough UA

  5

  56

  Windsor and Maidenhead UA

  13

  76

  Wokingham UA

  7

  63

  Buckinghamshire1

  37

  407

  Milton Keynes UA

  8

  152

  Cambridgeshire1

  63

  473

  Peterborough UA

  13

  102

  Cheshire1

  53

  532

  Halton UA

  7

  97

  Warrington UA

  15

  127

  Hartlepool UA

  1

  40

  Middlesbrough UA

  5

  63

  Redcar and Cleveland UA

  10

  58

  Stockton on Tees UA

  6

  75

  Cornwall

  30

  272

  Cumbria

  62

  495

  Derbyshire1

  56

  566

  City of Derby UA

  4

  124

  Devon1

  38

  370

  Plymouth UA

  9

  96

  Torbay UA

  1

  54

  Dorset1

  24

  311

  Bournemouth UA

  6

  101

  Poole UA

  5

  57

  Durham1

  28

  192

  Darlington UA

  5

  40

  East Sussex1

  33

  417

  Brighton and Hove UA

  15

  148

  Essex1

  94

  983

  Southend on Sea UA

  11

  75

  Thurrock UA

  7

  117

  Gloucestershire

  47

  306

  Hampshire1

  78

  865

  Portsmouth UA

  5

  114

  Southampton UA

  12

  119

  Herefordshire UA⋆

  13

  166

  Hertfordshire

  52

  884

  East Riding of Yorkshire UA

  42

  258

  Kingston upon Hull UA

  11

  145

  North East Lincolnshire UA

  9

  116

  North Lincolnshire UA

  14

  109

  Isle of Wight UA

  5

  90

  Kent1

  89

  927

  Medway Town UA

  11

  102

  Lancashire1

  65

  919

  Blackburn with Darwen UA

  7

  74

  Blackpool UA

  7

  133

  Leicestershire1

  65

  332

  City of Leicester UA

  16

  105

  Rutland UA

  5

  27

  Lincolnshire

  104

  662

  Norfolk

  71

  698

  Northamptonshire

  76

  662

  Northumberland

  34

  202

  North Yorkshire1

  59

  876

  City of York UA

  9

  122

  Nottinghamshire1

  48

  629

  City of Nottingham UA

  16

  242

  Oxfordshire

  57

  522

  Shropshire1

  35

  282

  Telford and Wrekin UA

  10

  106

  Somerset

  34

  283

  Staffordshire1

  47

  303

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  Numbers of killed and seriously injured casualties in 1999

  Metropolitan areas/ Unitary Authority (UA)/County

  Killed

  Seriously injured

  Stoke on Trent UA

  8

  82

  Suffolk

  48

  432

  Surrey

  73

  717

  Warwickshire

  50

  558

  West Sussex

  45

  507

  Wiltshire1

  42

  320

  Swindon UA

  7

  102

  Worcestershire*

  17

  364

  England

  2,922

  33,710

  Wales

  191

  1,678

  Scotland

  310

  3,734

  Great Britain

  3,423

  39,122

  1 Excludes UA

  Medium-density Fibreboard
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been carried out by the Health and Safety Executive into the long-term health effects and hazards presented by medium-density fibreboard; and if he will make a statement. [161051]

  Mr. Meacher
  In 1997 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) undertook a review of all available scientific evidence about the possible ill-health effects arising from exposure to medium-density fibreboard (MDF) dust.

  HSE's review and research concluded that the health hazards associated with exposures arising from working with MDF are similar to those associated with working with natural wood (e.g. softwood and hardwood).

  Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999, there are duties on employers to control exposures to substances which may be hazardous to health. Under these regulations formaldehyde, hardwood dusts and softwood dusts (the usual constituent parts of MDF) are subject to maximum exposure limits (MELs). These are limits on the airborne concentrations of substances in the workplace, measured over specific reference time periods. There is a duty to control exposure to substances with a MEL to a level as low as is reasonably practicable, and in any case below the value of the MEL. This duty does not stop once the MEL level has been achieved but continues until all that is reasonably practicable has been done.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information the Health and Safety Executive has collated from(a) European Union countries and (b) North America on (i) the rules governing the use of medium-density fibreboard and (ii) research undertaken into respiratory and other hazards presented by its use; and if he will make a statement. [161052]

  Mr. Meacher
  In many European Union (EU) countries and the USA, the rules applying to use of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) at work are similar n principle to those applied in Great Britain. Adequate control of exposure through inhalation of dust or fume is assessed by compliance with occupational exposure limits for wood dust and formaldehyde. There is some variation in the scope of the limits (i.e. which types of wood are covered), the numerical values, and the detailed nature of the duties on employers associated with inhalation control.
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  The Health and Safety Executive is not aware of any research in EU or North American countries into the health hazards presented by use of MDF.

  Local Government Ombudsman
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve(a) the response time of and (b) the public's access to the local government ombudsman. [161026]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 153W.

  Planning Controls
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent his Department has been able to make progress with its proposals to remove Crown exemption from statutory planning controls, currently contained in DETR circular 18/84, as envisaged in a letter from his Department to the Chairman of the Westminster Society of 4 May 2000, which envisaged action as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arose. [161107]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government remain committed to the removal of Crown exemption from planning controls as soon as a suitable opportunity arises to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. In the meantime the non-statutory procedures for the consideration of objections to development proposed by the Crown, set out in DOE Circular 18–84, continue to apply.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will extend the consultation period for the reassessment of the BNFL economic case for the Sellafield MOX plant beyond 7 June; [161118]

  (2) if he will set out the criteria used to select Arthur D. Little Ltd. as the consultant for the evaluation of the most recent BNFL economic case for operating its Sellafield MOX plant; which other consultants were considered; from which departmental budget the consultants will be paid; and what (a) BNFL and (b) other documentation relevant to the assessment and held by official bodies he has made available to the consultants. [161122]

  Mr. Meacher
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions external radioactivity has been measured as above permissible limits on flasks and rail transporter wagons carrying spent nuclear fuel to Sellafield since April 1998; and what measures are in place to minimise the sweating of radioactivity from nuclear transport flasks. [161121]

  Mr. Hill
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Motorway Verges
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has
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  been spent by his Department on landscaping, horticulture and tree planting on motorway verges in each of the last four years. [159201]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Richard Thorndike to Mr. Archie Norman, dated 11 May 2001:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions has asked the Chief Executive, Tim Matthews to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about spending on landscaping, horticulture and tree planting on motorway verges. I am replying in the absence of Tim Matthews.
  Responsibility for landscaping, horticulture and tree planting on the motorway and trunk road network in England rests with the Highways Agency. Because of the way our records are kept, we cannot readily separate spending on the motorway network from spending on the trunk road network.
  The table below therefore shows total spend recorded on all landscaping, horticulture and tree planting across the network. This includes significant expenditure associated with the environmental treatment of major new schemes, expenditure on the maintenance of existing landscaping and on schemes aimed at supporting the UK's biodiversity strategy, which aims to protect and encourage the diversity of plants and animals. This is in line with the Government policy to reduce the environmental impact of roads, which was one of the major aims of the 1998 Roads Review "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England".
  The A34 Newbury Bypass was completed in 1998/99, with its substantial environmental treatment contributing to the overall spend in that year.

  £ million

  Year

  Spend

  1997–98

  7.4

  1998–99

  35.5

  1999–2000

  29.3

  2000–01

  21.4

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if national insurance numbers are checked to ensure that the declared income is the only source of tax income. [158200]

  Disability Living Allowance: Numbers and percentages of cases cleared in 1998 which were outside target clearance times

  New claims

  Renewals

  Reviews within three months1

  Reviews outside three months2

  Appeals

  Month

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  January

  5,306

  14

  2,503

  14

  3,291

  16

  1,936

  13

  489

  10

  February

  4,585

  14

  2,202

  12

  2,730

  15

  1,572

  13

  512

  12

  March

  3,746

  11

  2,315

  13

  2,652

  15

  1,534

  13

  424

  8

  April

  2,545

  8

  2,147

  15

  2,018

  13

  1,004

  11

  274

  7

  May

  2,704

  9

  2,440

  18

  1,557

  12

  890

  11

  324

  8

  June

  3,072

  9

  3,002

  19

  1,906

  12

  1,288

  12

  378

  9

  July

  3,207

  9

  3,304

  20

  1,909

  12

  1,618

  15

  432

  10

  August

  3,038

  10

  3,047

  23

  1,858

  14

  1,631

  17

  368

  10

  September

  3,446

  11

  4,332

  26

  1,972

  13

  1,994

  17

  394

  10

  October

  4,054

  13

  3,563

  20

  2,014

  13

  2,056

  16

  516

  12

  November

  6,353

  18

  3,566

  20

  2,227

  15

  2,053

  17

  431

  11

  December

  4,991

  17

  2,744

  19

  1,730

  15

  1,411

  15

  349

  11

  1 Cases where the existing decision may be changed from the date it came into effect

  2 Cases where the existing decision may be superseded from a later date

  388W
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Department uses available information to detect discrepancies in declared income.

  When a claim is made for Income Support (IS) or Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) claimants are required to provide evidence of any declared income, for example wage slips for earnings or payment slips for occupational pensions. Details on the pay slips are checked by Benefits Agency (BA) staff for deductions from pay, including the rate of income tax. Where the amount of tax deducted is disproportionate to the gross payment, or the tax code quoted seems inappropriate, further inquiries are made to establish if there is another source of taxable income being paid to the claimant.

  Regular checks are made on continuing claims where there is a declared source of income to ensure that any changes have been reported. These checks confirm not only the net payment made to the claimant but the details of any deductions for tax and NI. Once again, this information can act as an indicator of other taxable income.

  In addition to checks made on claims where there is a declared income, the Department work closely with Inland Revenue (IR) to detect those claimants in receipt of IS and JSA who fail to declare that they have commenced remunerative work. Tax form P46 is completed by employers for all new employees who are unable to provide a P45. IR is able to provide data to the Department of all P46 completions on a monthly basis.

  The Department match the NINOs of all employees who appear in the P46 data with the NINOs of claimants who have a current claim to IS or JSA. Where the employment start date overlaps a benefit claim by more than four weeks, the case is referred to the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service (BFIS) for investigation.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) initial applications, (b) renewal claims, (c) reviews and (d) appeals for Disability Living Allowance were cleared outside the target clearance times in each month of 1998; and how many (i) initial applications, (ii) renewal claims, (iii) reconsiderations, (iv) supersessions and (v) appeals for Disability Living Allowance were cleared outside the target clearance times in each month of 2000 [160684]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the tables.
  389W

  Disability Living Allowance: Numbers and percentages of cases cleared in 2000 which were outside target clearance times

  New claims

  Renewals

  Reconsiderations1

  Supersession1

  Appeals

  Month

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  January

  8,514

  30

  7,004

  43

  469

  7

  650

  21

  1,303

  34

  February

  10,448

  32

  7,422

  43

  2,186

  25

  2,935

  41

  2,405

  45

  March

  9,860

  28

  7,250

  36

  4,271

  39

  6,269

  53

  3,648

  52

  April

  3,134

  12

  1,907

  11

  1,460

  18

  2,711

  21

  2,470

  42

  May

  3,852

  11

  1,990

  10

  1,728

  16

  3,021

  18

  3,355

  43

  June

  5,003

  12

  2,556

  12

  1,319

  12

  2,741

  15

  3,840

  45

  July

  5,194

  13

  2,291

  8

  1,093

  9

  2,896

  14

  3,776

  38

  August

  5,408

  14

  1,317

  8

  912

  8

  2,024

  13

  3,594

  30

  September

  4,655

  13

  1,153

  7

  701

  7

  1,740

  13

  3,946

  34

  October

  4,161

  12

  1,258

  7

  764

  7

  1,795

  13

  3,842

  29

  November

  3,566

  10

  705

  4

  745

  7

  1,377

  10

  2,719

  21

  December

  2,194

  9

  642

  5

  446

  6

  892

  9

  1,379

  19

  1Reconsiderations and supersessions replaced reviews under the new system of decision making and appeals which was introduced from October 1999

  The number of people who receive Disability Living Allowance continues to increase. Significant backlogs of work accrued in the processing of the is benefit last year, because of the growing case load and introduction of a new system of decision making and appeals. The Benefits Agency tackled the backlog as a priority and it has now been substantially cleared. The continuing high level of appeals cleared outside of that target clearance time reflects in the numbers received following the introduction of the new procedures.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [160882]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our records show that of 132 senior civil servants in this Department five have signed a waiver under the Working Time Regulations.

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the fundig 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. [161010]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Department does not have any responsibilities for funding the type of social inclusion programmes described in the question.

  Expenditure and Caseloads
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Mr. Goggins) of 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 594W, what analysis his Department has carried out on the changes in the growth of social security expenditure to isolate the changes in benefit expenditure on (i) unemployed claimants, (ii) single parents, (iii) changes in entitlement arising from legislation passed prior to May 1997, (iv) changes in entitlement arising from legislation passed since May 1997 and (v) other causes; and if he Will place a copy in the Library. [160839]
  390W
  Mr. Rooker
  No analysis has been made in the format outlined in the question, as it would not be possible to identify separately the continuing effects of all legislation since 1991–92.

  The analysis that has been carried out is presented in the table.

  2001–01 prices1

  £billion

  Expenditure on unemployed people 2

  Expenditure on lone parents 3

  Expenditure arising from legislative change since May 1997 4

  1991–92

  9.5

  5.5

  n/a

  1996–97

  8.4

  8.1

  n/a

  change from 1991–92

  —1.1

  +2.6

  n/a

  2000–01

  4.2

  7.4

  2.5

  change from 1991–92

  –5.3

  +2.0

  n/a

  change from 1996–97

  –4.2

  –0.6

  2.5

  2003–04

  4.2

  7.2

  8.8

  change from 1991–92

  –5.3

  +1.7

  n/a

  change from 1996–97

  –4.2

  –0.8

  8.8

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion. Change figures may not appear to sum due to rounding.

  2 Expenditure on unemployed people by reason of their unemployment, through Unemployment Benefit (1996–97 only), Income Support (1996–97 only), Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

  3 Expenditure on lone parents by reason of their lone parent status, through Income Support, Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

  4 Figures relate to new measures affecting Social Security benefits for pensioners and families. They do not include Working Families' Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

  Analysis of changes in expenditure on unemployed people and lone parents has been made from administrative data. Analysis of the change in expenditure arising from legislation since May 1997 affecting social security benefits for pensioners and families has been made using administrative data and statistical models. The figures provided by the different analyses are not mutually exclusive, in that some of the changes in expenditure arising from legislative change will have applied to unemployed people and lone parents, notably the increases in child amounts in income-related benefits. Therefore, the change figures cannot be added together. The figures do not account for all the changes since 1991–92, nor do they cover all groups of recipients.

  Child Support
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many child support cases have been calculated using the new assessment procedure in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999. [161049]

  Angela Eagle
  Section 80 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 amended the Child Support Act 1991 to permit the Inland Revenue to disclose information on the earnings of self-employed non-resident parents to the Child Support Agency for the purposes of assessing child support liability.

  As at 16 March 2001 the Agency had contacted the Inland Revenue on 7,632 occasions for income details of self-employed non-resident parents.

  Stakeholder Pension Schemes
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many stakeholder pension schemes have been registered; and what other information the Government will routinely collect on this type of pension. [161047]

  Mr. Rooker
  47 stakeholder pension schemes have been registered so far.

  We will collect a range of information about stakeholder pensions. This will include the number of individuals (broken down by gender, age and earnings) as well as the value of contributions made.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people eligible for a non-automatic Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2000 who did not claim the benefit. [161048]

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

  An information campaign has been running since last April. Its aim has been to ensure that existing and potential customers know about changes to the scheme and what, if anything, they need to do to get a payment. It was up to the individual to choose whether to claim a payment.

  Pensioner Incomes (Devon)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples in the Torbay, Teignbridge and Totnes constituencies have weekly incomes below (i) £80, (ii) £90. (iii) £100, (iv) £125, (v) £150, (vi) £175 and (vii) £200. [161032]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy to ensure an air strip is available in St Helena(a) at the
  392W
  same time and (b) before one becomes available at Pitcairn. [160859]

  Clare Short
  We are currently waiting for the results of a Comparative Study of Air and Sea Access to identify the least cost solution to St. Helena's future international passenger and cargo transport needs. The final report is expected shortly and its recommendations will then need to be discussed with the St. Helena Government. The results of that study cannot be prejudiced and no presumption can be made that it will lead to support being offered for the provision of an airfield.

HEALTH

  Worcestershire NHS Acute Hospitals Trust
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of current bed availability in the Worcestershire NHS Acute Hospitals Trust; and if he will make a statement. [154587]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: Assessment of current bed availability in Worcestershire is ongoing on a number of levels. On a practical level there are weekly meetings within the trust to maximise the use of current capacity and review any delayed transfers of care The health authority works in partnership with Social Services and National Health Service colleagues to address capacity issues through weekly meetings of the local Winter Operational Forum.

  In relation to the longer-term position the Worcestershire Health Authority is currently modelling bed numbers and capacity for the year ahead.

  The health authority's modelling work on bed numbers will take into account the Government's National Beds Inquiry and the total number of beds available within Worcestershire to care for patients in the most appropriate location after the new hospital opens will actually be in line with the national average.

  Shelton Hospital
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of his approval of an acute ward at Shelton hospital. [156514]

  Yvette Cooper
  I am informed that Shropshire's Community and Mental Health National Health Service trust is in the process of developing plans for replacement Child Development Centres and the replacement of Adult Acute Mental Health wards. However, approval has not yet been given to an acute ward at Shelton Hospital, and no business case has been received by the NHS Executive: West Midlands Regional Office in regard to these developments.

  The Government are committed to investment in modernising and improving facilities for patients and staff, and the Regional Office will give full consideration to any business case received from Shropshire's Community and Mental Health National Health Service trust within the usual processes.

  Smoking Cessation Services
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much new money was spent in England on specialist
  393W
  advice and support for the NHS for smokers waiting to quit in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; what the figure will be for 2001–02; and if he will reconcile these figures with those in paragraph 4.9 of the 1998 White Paper "Smoking Kills". [158352]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: In "Smoking Kills" we undertook to invest up to £60 million of new money for smoking cessation services over the three years 1999–2000 to 2001–02. We expect to exceed this commitment. Investment in the services has been:
  1999–2000: £10 million (health action zones only).
  2000–01: £20 million (£10 million HAZ, £10 million non-HAZ health authorities).
  2001–02: £20 million (310 million HAZs, £10 million non-HAZ Has) with an additional £3 million to provide a co-ordinator for services for pregnant services.

  In addition, we have made provision for health authorities to cover the cost of the recently de-blacklisted Zyban and nicotine replacement therapy, which we expect to cost between £10.5 million and £42 million per year.

  Cardiothoracic Hospital, Paddington Basin
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster health authority has made of the effect upon access to its proposed new cardiothoracic hospital in Paddington Basin of road user charge s upon(a)patients, (b) staff and (c) relatives and friends of patients. [158604]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The impact of national and local strategies for public and private transport will be the subject of work requested by Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster health authority. This work is to be included in the full business case for the proposed Paddington Basin development.

  Audiology Services
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to recruit more staff into audiology services. [160072]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are currently around 1,400 audiologists, 300 audiological scientists and 120 hearing therapists working in the National Health Service. The Department of Health is working with the National Advisory Group for Scientists and Technicians on a number of initiatives that will help try to improve recruitment and retention of staff into audiology services.

  The "Modernising NHS hearing aid services" project will examine all the issues, including staff numbers, involved in modernisation of audiological services. Having the correct balance of staff numbers and grades is one of the keys to developing an effective and modern service.

  Herbal Remedies
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the provisions of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive do not restrict the ability to continue to market in the United Kingdom herbal products which are on the market as(a) herbal medicines exempt from licensing under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 and (b) foods; [159959]
  394W
  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive does not impose upon traditional herbal remedies a technical compliance regime based upon criteria established in the Medicines Directive 65/65 and related legislation for pharmaceutical products; [159947]

  (3) what progress is being made by the Medicines Control Agency in discussions at the European Commission Pharmaceutical Committee in relation to the proposed Traditional Medicines Directive; and what assessment he has made of the likelihood of those discussions leading to a directive that would meet his objective of securing in European law a safe home for herbal remedies marketed under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 as medicines not requiring a product licence; [159960]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the impact of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive on product innovation and development in natural remedies. [159948]

  Yvette Cooper
  The draft directive would not affect products which are not classified as medicines.

  In discussions with herbal interest groups, the Medicines Control Agency has reached a wide measure of consensus that the current regulatory arrangements which permit unlicensed herbal remedies under section 12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968 do not provide adequate safeguards for the public: there are no specific standards for the safety and quality of individual products under this regime, and there are inadequate arrangements for providing the public information about the use of the product.

  Although work is still at a relatively early stage, we are encouraged by progress in Europe on developing a draft directive on traditional medicinal products. We expect that if negotiations are successful, this legislation would provide systematic regulatory arrangements for a wide range of traditional herbal remedies of the kind currently sold and supplied under section 12(2).

  Any systematic updated regulatory regime for traditional herbal remedies is likely to place greater constraints on companies than is currently the case with the weak regulatory arrangements for unlicensed herbal remedies. A potential advantage for companies, however, is the greater confidence the public could have in the safety and reliability of these products.

  We take the view that traditional herbal remedies properly classified as medicines should be appropriately regulated within a medicines regime. Standards should be consistent with those applying to other licensed medicines, including the many herbal medicines which have received a marketing authorisation under Directive 65/65/EEC. We also wish to ensure that relevant regulatory requirements developed for traditional medicines are in practice applied in a way that is appropriate to the nature of the specific product under consideration.

  The current draft directive includes several features which would have the effect of containing the burden of regulatory requirements: for example, the possibility of a positive list of traditional medicines where in certain defined circumstances the safety of the product and the requirement to demonstrate traditional usage could both

  395W
  be accepted as met without the applicant presenting evidence, and the possibility of simplified quality dossiers for defined categories of traditional medicines.

  On product innovation, a key feature of the proposed directive is that the usual requirement for medicines to demonstrate efficacy would be replaced by a requirement to show evidence of traditional use. There will need to be continuing discussions about many aspects of the detailed contents of the directive. Our starting point, however, is that where companies are seeking to bring a new medicine, natural or otherwise, to the market the normal route should be through demonstration of the product's safety, quality and efficacy.

  Kidderminster Hospital
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from Wyre Forest district council regarding Kidderminster hospital; and if he will make a statement. [160403]

  Yvette Cooper
  Representatives of Wyre Forest district council have written to Ministers on many occasions concerning their opposition to the relocation of services from Kidderminster hospital.

  However, local general practitioners have publicly confirmed their belief that the move of services for clinical safety reasons was appropriate and local hospital clinicians have been fully engaged in the process.

  The recently established Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust is also committed to supporting the changes that have taken place and is well placed to strengthen local influence and leadership on health service provision in Kidderminster.

  The newly approved £13 million Ambulatory Care Centre offers an opportunity to further develop quality services and is good news for Kidderminster, as it maximises an effective and patient-focused service provision within those services that can be provided safely at the hospital.

  Capital Spending (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the current capital projects and their value in community and mental health services in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [160367]

  Yvette Cooper
  National Health Service trusts receive discretionary block capital with which to address small scale capital works. Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services National Health Service Trust has received a £1.3 million discretionary block capital allocation, from which it is funding a programme of smaller estates projects throughout the county, most of which are to do with maintenance works.

  Funding for larger capital projects must be pursued via the local NHS Executive regional office. The NHS Executive: West Midlands Regional Office is not currently dealing with any business cases for capital projects in Shrewsbury and Atcham. However, I am informed that Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services National Health Service Trust is in the process
  396W
  of developing plans for replacement Child Development Centres and the replacement of Adult Acute Mental Health wards.

  Flu Immunisation
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of over 65-year-olds received flu immunisation in(a) the winter of 1997 and (b) the winter of 2000; and if he will make a statement. [160369]

  Yvette Cooper
  Last year, we extended the recommended groups for influenza immunisation to include everyone aged 65 and over, irrespective of their underlying health, as well as younger people in established high-risk groups. This increase has led to record numbers of vaccine being made available, nearly 11 million this year compared to 7.8 million last year—an increase of 40 per cent. Previous policy was to vaccinate all those over 75 years of age.

  Data collected from the Public Health Laboratory Service give an estimate from population samples that 45.2 per cent. of 65s and over were immunised in the winter of 1997–98.

  Last year, for the first time, health authorities were set the target of achieving a minimum 60 per cent. uptake of immunisation among people aged 65 years and over in their areas—and also for the first time were required to provide accurate monitoring of uptake. Final data received from health authority flu co-ordinators at the end of December 2000, indicated that 65 per cent. of people aged 65 years and over received their flu immunisation.

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) general and (b) acute NHS hospital beds there were at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in each year for 1997 to date; and if he will make a statement. [160365]

  Yvette Cooper
  National Health Service trusts provide healthcare, but may provide it at more than one site. Data are not collected on an individual site basis, but by entire NHS trust. The bed data for Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust are as follows.

  Bed availability in Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  Bed availability in Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  Sector

  Year

  Acute

  General and acute

  Total beds

  1997–98

  354

  393

  462

  1998–99

  375

  417

  486

  1999–2000

  374

  431

  499

  Source:

  KHO3 Department of Health

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department has given to the London Ambulance Service during the last 12 months. [160270]

  Mr. Denham
  During the financial year 2000–01, the Department directly gave the London Ambulance Service £4.25 million; the London Ambulance Service's total income for 2000–01 was £121 million.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on TB in Gloucestershire. [160669]

  Yvette Cooper
  The latest available information from the Public Health Laboratory Service shows that the incidence of tuberculosis in Gloucestershire in 2000 was 5.3 cases per 100,000 population, compared to a national incidence of 10.9 per 100,000 population.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the vaccination of children against TB. [160743]

  Yvette Cooper
  United Kingdom immunisation policy against tuberculosis is set out in the UK Health Departments' Guidance "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease". A copy of the latest, 1996 published, edition is in the Library. UK immunisation policy is to offer BCG routinely to school children at between 10 and 14; to offer BCG at birth to specified high-risk groups; and to other specified high-risk groups.

  ME
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the number of people diagnosed as suffering from ME in(a) England and (b) the (i) Cambridgeshire/Peterborough, (ii) Lincolnshire and (iii) Northamptonshire health authority areas. [160330]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: Information about actual numbers of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is very hard to come by because of the problems in producing a precise definition of the illness.

  Estimates of the number of people diagnosed as suffering from ME in the specific health authority areas mentioned are not collected centrally.

  Heart Disease
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were(a) diagnosed with heart failure and (b) diagnosed with myocardial infarction in each of the last five years. [160607]

  Yvette Cooper
  The table contains data for National Health Service hospitals in England in the years 1995–96 to 1999–2000. The figures show the number of finished consultant episodes where the main diagnosis was myocardial infarction or heart failure.

  Myocardial infarction

  Heart failue

  1995–96

  107,591

  104,391

  1996–97

  105,230

  109,506

  1997–98

  109,898

  113,588

  1998–99

  106,895

  111,722

  1999–2000

  104,428

  111,048

  A finished consultant episode is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within a year. The figures will also not show those people who received care wholly in a primary care setting.
  398W
  The main diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics dataset and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  Data for 1995–96 to 1997–98 are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data: 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are ungrossed.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total number of undiagnosed heart failure sufferers. [160608]

  Yvette Cooper
  Data published in the British Heart Journal in 1994 states that heart failure affects between 0.4 per cent. and 0.8 per cent. of the general population in the United Kingdom. However, the authors of that report estimated that the prevalence of heart failure is more likely to be in the region of 1.5 per cent., which suggests about two thirds of people with heart failure are undiagnosed.

  We recognise that heart failure is a previously under-recognised area, which is why Chapter Six of the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease deals specifically with its diagnosis and treatment.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the use of(a) beta blockers and (b) ACE inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure; and if he will make a statement. [160600]

  Yvette Cooper
  Our position on treatment of heart failure is set out in the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease. The NSF standard states that people with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure should be offered treatments most likely to both relieve symptoms and reduce their risk of death. First line treatment should be with ACE inhibitors, which can be used in combination with beta-blockers.

  We have also commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to produce a clinical guideline on the management of heart failure. Work on this should start shortly.

  Information on the use of ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers for heart failure is not currently collected. However, as part of the NSF implementation programme, by 2002, every hospital will have clinical audit data describing the delivery of key treatments such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers for heart failure. By 2003, every primary care team will collect audit data including the number and percentage of people with confirmed heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction who are being prescribed an ACE inhibitor.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance he has issued to enable general practitioners accurately to identify heart failure patients. [160601]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Service Framework for coronary heart disease, published on 6 March 2000, provides guidance on the identification and diagnosis of heart failure patients. This includes advice on service models and an algorithm for the assessment of suspected heart failure.

  We have also commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to produce a clinical guideline on the investigation and management of heart failure. Work on this is due to start later in the year.
  399W
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps he has taken to enable(a) hospitals and (b) general practitioners to develop accurate and speedy diagnoses of heart failure. [160602]

  Yvette Cooper
  Our position on the treatment of heart failure is set out in chapter 6 of the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease. The NSF standard states that doctors should arrange for people with suspected heart failure to be offered appropriate investigations that will confirm or refute the diagnosis.

  We need to improve access to echocardiography to help more people to get a quick and accurate diagnosis of heart failure. As a first step, money from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund has funded the purchase of over 50 echocardiography machines.

  We have also commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to produce a clinical guideline on the investigation and management of heart failure. Work on this is due to start later this year.

  Leukaemia (Oldbury Nuclear Power Station)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will evaluate the research by Dr. Chris Binky on the possible links between childhood leukaemia and adult cases to proximity to Oldbury nuclear power station. [160283]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: The independent Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE), which advises Government on such matters had already recommended an investigation of the geographical distribution of childhood cancer and leukaemia in Great Britain and how the pattern of cases around nuclear installations compares with the national pattern. This study is nearing completion and my Department has asked COMARE to advise on which, if any, nuclear installations have incidences of childhood cancer and leukaemia in their vicinity which are statistically outside the distribution seen nationally. COMARE are hoping to report this year. In addition the health authority will examine any research sent to them around the Oldbury nuclear power station.

  Strokes (Women)
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to combat the incidence of stroke in women. [160541]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Key risk factors for stroke include poor diet, smoking, obesity, alcohol misuse and physical inactivity. The Department is taking action to address the incidence of stroke through the National Service Frameworks (NSFs) for Coronary Heart Disease and Older People. Action is being taken forward to:
  improve access to healthy food through the five-a-day programme and work with industry to reduce salt in food.provide National Health Service smoking cessation services including dedicated services for pregnant smokers who want to give up.address alcohol misuse through the National Strategy to Tackle Alcohol Misuse increase opportunities to exercise through the provision of services locally such as Exercise Referral schemes.400W
  The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease has set a milestone that by April 2001, all NHS bodies, working closely with local authorities, will have agreed and be contributing to delivery of local programmes on smoking, healthy eating, physical activity and overweight and obesity.

  Cancer (Severn Estuary)
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what incidence of cancer there has been, on a postcode basis, for the Seve n Estuary region for the most recent three year period for which figures are available. [160788]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department does not collect the information in the form requested. For detailed information the hon. Member should contact Dr. Jennifer Smith, Director of the South and West Cancer Intelligence Service at Highcroft, Ro sey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, S022 5DH.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of health spending was allocated to treatment and research into mental health in the last financial year. [160784]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on mental health expenditure for 2000–01 is not yet available.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will rank each health authority in England and Wales by incidence of(a) psychiatric morbidity and (b) schizophrenia. [160973]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  In 1993, the Department commissioned surveys by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) into the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among adults aged 16–64 living in private households and other institutions in Great Britain. It is estimated that about one adult in six in the United Kingdom aged between 16 and 64 suffers from some form of mental illness. This includes psychosis, (a prevalence of 44 per 1000 population) of which schizophrenia makes up less than one per cent. The results of the surveys were presented in a series of reports covering prevalence of psychiatric problems among adults as well as their associated social disabilities and uses of services.

  It is also estimated that one child in ten between the ages of 5 and 15 suffers from a mental disorder in Great Britain. The source for the prevalence of mental disorder in children is a survey on mental health of children and adolescents in private households carried out by the ONS in 1999.

  The information at health authority level is not reliable because of the sample size used in the surveys.

  Professor Dick Van Velzen
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will (1) require the Medicines Control Agency to re-examine research findings by Professor Dick Van Velzen into medicines used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis; [160707]
  401W
  (2) meet Professor John Dodge of the University of Wales, to discuss his concerns about research undertaken by Professor Dick Van Velzen into the treatment of cystic fibrosis. [160706]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1994–95 Professor Van Velzen undertook research into bowel strictures (fibrosing colonopathy) reported in children with cystic fibrosis, as one of several pathologists, paediatricians and epidemiologists. The study report, together with other information, led to warnings from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) on the use of high-strength pancreatic enzymes. There have been no new confirmed cases of fibrosing colonopathy reported to the CSM since their advice was issued in 1995. The study to which Professors Van Velzen and Dodge contributed was published in The Lancet, and I refer my hon. Friend to correspondence on this issue published in The Lancet dated 12 May 2001. We do not consider a meeting with Professor Dodge to be necessary.

  Doctors and Nurses (Greater Manchester)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses there are per 1,000 patients in each NHS trust in Greater Manchester. [159782]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Population figures are available only on a health authority basis. These figures are not directly comparable to National Health Service trusts as patients can often cross health authority boundaries for their treatment.

  Maternity Services
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards midwife-led maternity units; and how much of the recently announced extra expenditure for maternity services will be allocated to them. [160719]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer sent 10 May 2001]: Every single maternity unit in the country will benefit from the extra investment of £100 million which was announced recently. All maternity units, including midwife-led units, will have the opportunity to submit a bid to their regional heath authority to help modernise and improve services. No decisions have yet been made on the allocations to individual regions.

  We believe that women must have more choices over the maternity care they receive. The National Heath Service provides a variety of types care for women during pregnancy and childbirth including care in midwife led units. We would expect to see this variety continue, offering individual choice whenever possible.

  The Maternity and Neonatal Workforce Working Group that has recently been set up by the Department will advise the Department on models of care, working practices and standards for maternity and neonatal care, to ensure the best outcomes for women and their babies.

  Walsall (Funding)
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to the Borough of Walsall by his Department since June 1997. [160995]
  402W
  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 2000–01" is available in the Library and on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport.

  My hon. Friend's question relates to the geographical area covered by Walsall health authority and Walsall social services authority.

  Walsall health authority general allocations on behalf of its resident population for 2001–02 compared with 1997–98 is set out in the table.

  Increases in allocations between 1997–98 and 2001–02

  Increase

  £ million (cash)

  53.6

  £ million (real terms)

  35.0

  Percentage (cash)

  40.7

  Percentage (real terms)

  24.6

  Note:

  Not directly comparable from 1999–2000 onwards due to introduction of unified budgets for HA and primary care services

  Walsall health authority has also received additional funding for certain policies. This includes: £0.7 million for accident and emergency modernisation; £0.37 million allocated since 1997 for specific cancer services (breast, colorectal and lung cancer services and cancer outpatient services) as well as £0.11 million allocated for cancer equipment; £3.43 million to deliver improvements in inpatient waiting lists and outpatient waiting times; £0.67 million for Booked Admissions Projects; £0.71 million to expand critical care services in 2000–01; £0.75 million winter pressures in 2000–01; £0.11 million for heart disease services 2000–01; £0.03 million from Investing in Dentistry; £0.18 million Health Action Zone moneys for smoking cessation.

  Walsall is the lead health authority for the proposed £43 million "5th wave" scheme at Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust and Walsall Community Health NHS Trust—work to develop this scheme is due to begin in 2002.

  Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust has also received £0.5 million from the Local Capital Modernisation Fund for new hospital equipment and other projects proposed by clinical teams.

  Walsall 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

  39.4

  —

  —

  2001–02

  52.7

  18.5

  33.8

  In addition to the SSAs referred to, Walsall 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

  2,136

  —

  —

  —

  403W

  £000

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Partnership grant2

  —

  1,546

  1,311

  1,766

  Prevention grant2

  —

  112

  167

  Carers grant3

  —

  114

  282

  391

  Children's grant3

  —

  463

  726

  1,710

  MH Core grant

  283

  477

  551

  4820

  Training Support Grant

  206

  212

  222

  4198

  1 The special transitional grant ended in 1998–99

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

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

  4Indicative allocation

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [161008]

  Yvette Cooper
  Funding can be accessed from the Department through the following routes:

  (1) Health Action Zones (HAZs) are multi-agency partnerships between the National Health Service, local authorities (including social services), the voluntary and business sectors and local communities. Their aim is to tackle inequalities in health in the most deprived areas of the country through health and social care modernisation programmes. As well as tackling key priorities such as coronary heart disease, cancer and mental health, and issues such as teenage pregnancy and smoking cessation, they are addressing other interdependent and wider determinants of health, such as housing, education and employment, and linking with other initiatives. As part of their local involvement programmes, many HAZs run "Community Chest" schemes where they invite applications from the local community to bid for funds for specific local projects.

  (2) The National Service Framework for coronary heart disease and health improvement programmes enable health authorities to work with local health economies on the development of local programmes on smoking, healthy eating, physical activity, overweight and obesity. These programmes will be accessible to national sport bodies, local clubs and communities. One element of local plans to promote physical activity may be exercise referral schemes. These schemes involve a general practitioner or practice nurse referring a patient to facilities such as leisure centres or gyms for a supervised exercise programme.

  (3) Section 64 grants provide money to voluntary organisations running projects connected to public health and social care.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 26 January, 1 March and 5 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss P. Mills; [160954]

  (2) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 7 April and 3 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. E. Graal; [160956]
  404W
  (3) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 8 February, 8 March and 12 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. E. Jones. [160960]

  Ms Stuart
  It is the Department's intention to reply to all outstanding correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members before the general election.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 1 February, 1 March and 5 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Battersby; [160959]

  (2) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 2 April and 3 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr. Ben Glaizner; [160957]

  (3) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 7 March and 12 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss L. Collins; [160958]

  (4) when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 3 April and 3 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Dr. D. Bishop. [160961]

  Ms Stuart
  Replies to my right hon. Friend's letters were sent on 10 May.

  Adoption
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adoptions of children(a) three years and under and (b) over three years broke down in (i) Stockton, (ii) Teesside and (iii) nationally, in each of the last three years. [160877]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not collect information on the number of adoptions which break down after the adoption order has been made.

  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children(a) under the age of three years and (b) three years and older were placed for adoption in each of the last three years in (i) Stockton, (ii) Teesside and (iii) nationally. [160879]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is as follows.

  Estimated number of children1 placed for adoption, by age and selected local authority, at 31 March 1998–2000

  Age at 31 March

  1998

  1999

  2000

  3 years and over

  Stockton on Tees

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Teesside2

  19

  17

  24

  England

  1,100

  1,400

  1,600

  Under 3 years

  Stockton on Tees

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Teesside2

  34

  21

  16

  England

  1,300

  1,500

  1,600

  All ages

  Stockton on Tees

  16

  11

  9

  Teesside2

  53

  38

  40

  England

  2,400

  2,900

  3,100

  1 Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.

  2 For the purpose of this table Teesside is defined as being four local authorities: Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees.

  405W
  Note:

  Sample numbers in the Department's database are too small to provide reliable estimates.

  n/a—not available.

  Fostering
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children of(a) three years and under and (b) over three years were placed in a foster home in each of the last three years in (i) Stockton, (ii) Teesside and (iii) nationally. [160878]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Estimated number of children1 in foster care by age and selected local authority, at 31 arch 1998–2000

  Age at 31 March

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Under three years and over

  Stockton on Tees

  13

  28

  25

  Teesside2

  76

  92

  104

  England

  5,800

  6,000

  6,300

  Over three years

  Stockton on Tees

  81

  96

  101

  Teesside2

  288

  322

  336

  England

  29,200

  30,200

  31,600

  All ages

  Stockton on Tees

  94

  124

  126

  Teesside2

  364

  414

  440

  England

  5,000

  36,200

  37,900

  1 Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.

  2 For the purpose of this table Teesside is defined as being four local authorities: Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees.

  Roberts' Baby
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the records held at University College Hospital show happened to the internal organs of the Roberts' baby on or after 16 January 1979; [160836]

  (2) what records the University College Hospital has regarding the surviving twin, Natalie Roberts, born on 16 January 1979; [160838]

  (3) what the cause of death was of the Roberts' baby, born at University College Hospital, on 16 January 1979; [160835]

  (4) who signed out the body of the Roberts' baby from University College Hospital on 26 January 1979. [160837]

  Mr. Denham
  I am aware that this case is in the hands of solicitors and may be the subject of legal proceedings. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on this at this time.

  South Lancashire
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the changes in the level of NHS spending in south Lancashire as a result of the Budget. [159901]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: In his Budget statement on 7 March 2001, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced additional
  406W
  resources for the National Health Service in England of £300 million in 2001–02, £295 million in 2002–03 and £240 million in 2003–04.

  South Lancashire health authority has received a total allocation of £223.3 million for 2001–02. This represents a cash increase of £18.2 million or 8.89 per cent. Final decisions have not yet been made for 2002–03 and 2003–04 allocations but all health authorities will receive a minimum increase of 6 per cent.

  £500,000 has also been allocated to Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust for local capital modernisation projects.

  Final decisions on the allocations from the remaining budget money have yet to be made.

  GPs (Worthing)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many family doctors south of the railway in Worthing are accepting new patients other than at the direction of the health authority; and if he will make a statement. [161096]

  Mr. Denham
  At present, general practitioners' practices south of the railway line in Worthing are unable to voluntarily register new patients. West Sussex health authority is aware that there is a capacity problem in this area, since 1 April the health authority has allocated 98 patients and work is ongoing with the primary care agency to ensure all patients are registered with a GP. The health authority is currently working closely with primary care providers to provide solutions to this issue.

  Plymouth Derriford NHS Trust
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Plymouth Derriford NHS Trust has spent on legal fees in(a) each of the last three financial years and (b) the financial year to date; and what steps have been taken in relation to the patients whose personal details came into the possession of Channel 4 Television. [161055]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department does not collect information on spending on legal services by National Health Service trusts.

  The actions taken as a result of the obtaining of patient confidential information by Channel 4 Television are the responsibility of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

  For information on these matters, the hon. Member should contact Mr. Russell Mitchell, Chairman of the trust.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will provide an answer to the question from the hon. Member for the Vale of York concerning the price of inspection for small and medium-sized abattoirs, ref. 160645. [161110]

  Ms Stuart
  I replied to the hon. Member on 10 May.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of deaths ascribed to meningitis for each of the last 10 years. [160927]
  407W
  Yvette Cooper
  Data on the number of deaths attributable to meningitis for the last 10 years (1990–99) have been provided by the Office for National Statistics and are shown in the table. These figures include all causes of bacterial meningitis disease, such as haemophilus influenza type B, meningococcal, pneumococcal, and viral meningitis. It also includes deaths where the type of meningitis has not been specified. Data for deaths attributed to meningitis for 2000 are not yet available.

  Number of deaths attributable to meningitis infection (all causes)

  Year

  Number

  1990

  242

  1991

  269

  1992

  247

  1993

  253

  1994

  189

  1995

  241

  1996

  289

  1997

  272

  1998

  253

  19991

  209

  1 provisional

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on proposals to inoculate foreign students studying in the UK against meningitis. [160928]

  Yvette Cooper
  As in line with previous years, we recommend that new first year students coming to United Kingdom universities should obtain meningococcal vaccine in their country of origin before coming to the UK or shortly after arrival.

  Fasting
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers he has to intervene in respect of a person(a) in psychiatric hospital and (b) elsewhere who is seeking to fast to death; and what guidance he has issued to (i) health care workers, (ii) social workers and (iii) others, in respect of the exercise of such powers. [161024]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Secretary of State for Health has no power to intervene in respect of a person in a psychiatric hospital or elsewhere who is seeking to fast to death. The "Reference Guide to Consent for Examination or Treatment" published in March 2001 (www.doh.gov.uk/ consent) provides guidance on English law concerning consent to physical interventions that are relevant to all health care professionals. Further information concerning people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 may be found in chapters 15 and 16 of the Mental Health Act Code of Practice.

PRIME MINISTER

  Correspondence
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter dated 4 April from Mrs. Frances Beatty, Regional Director of the Country Landowners Association, regarding animal welfare concerns in connection with foot and mouth disease. [159983]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]:
  408W
  The Minister for Fisheries and the Countryside wrote my hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) to Mrs. Beatty on my behalf on 10 May.

  St. Thomas's Hospital Pain Management Clinic
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit St. Thomas's hospital pain management clinic in the next four weeks. [161097]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans at present to do so.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the occasions on which he has met any of the Hinduja brothers since 1 May 1997. [161102]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Maidstone and the Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 31 January 2001,Official Report, column 224W.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if prior notification of the meeting of 4 June 1998 between the Prime Minister and S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra was given to the United States Administration; [161081]

  (2) if the United States Administration was notified of the outcome of the meeting of 4 June 1998 between the Prime Minister and S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra; [161082]

  (3) what assurances he received from the Government of India about the standing and status of S. P. Hinduja and G. P. Hinduja prior to his meeting with them and Brajesh Mishra on 4 June 1998; and if he will make a statement; [161076]

  (4) if the British High Commission in Delhi was consulted about the meeting with Brajesh Mishra and the Hinduja brothers on 4 June 1998 prior to its taking place; [161080]

  (5) if the Government took prior advice about the Prime Minister's meeting with S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra of 4 June 1998 from the Indian High Commissioner in London. [161078]

  The Prime Minister
  I have regular exchanges on a variety of matters with Commonwealth and foreign Governments. It is established practice under successive Administrations not to disclose details of confidential discussions with such Governments, or confirm whether they have, or have not occurred.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if(a) he or (b) his office told Sir Anthony Hammond QC of the existence of the exchanges of correspondence that had taken place between him and the Hinduja brothers since 1 May 1997; [161084]

  (2) if (a) he or (b) his office advised Sir Anthony Hammond QC of the Prime Minister's meeting with S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra on 4 June 1998. [161077]

  The Prime Minister
  I made it clear when I set up the independent review headed by Sir Anthony Hammond QC into the applications for naturalisation by S. P. and
  409W
  G. P. Hinduja, that all relevant information that he required would be made available to him. I also said that it was for Sir Anthony to decide how he carried out the review, what papers and files he needed to see and to whom he needed to speak.

  I published Sir Anthony's report in full on 9 March which concluded that:
  "no improper pressure was brought to bear by any Minister in respect of these applications".
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he was first asked to agree to the meeting of 4 June 1998 with S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra; [161083]

  (2) what the purpose was of his meeting on 4 June 1998 with S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra; who else was present at the meeting; what official note of the meeting was taken and by whom: and if he will make a statement; [161075]

  (3) at whose instigation the meeting with S. P. Hinduja, G. P. Hinduja and Brajesh Mishra on 4 June 1998 took place; and if he will make a statement. [161079]

  The Prime Minister
  As had been made clear no such meeting took place. I greeted Brajesh Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Indian Government, who delivered a letter from the Indian Prime Minister. Mr. Mishra then had a meeting with Downing street officials. They discussed Anglo-Indian relations and regional issues.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Trading Standards Departments (Test Purchasing)
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his Department's policy is on the use of children of compulsory school age in undertaking test purchasing on behalf of local authority trading standards departments during school hours; and if he will make a statement. [158492]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Policy on the employment of children is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. I refer my hon. Friend to his reply on 26 April 2001,Official Report, column 330W.

  Education Funding (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the allocations for literacy and numeracy funding for each school in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [160514]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The allocations for literacy and numeracy for individual schools are determined by local education authorities, and the Department does not collect such information. For 2001–02, Shropshire LEA has been allocated £619,405 for the National Literacy Strategy aid £669,904 for the National Numeracy Strategy.
  410W
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each school in Shrewsbury and Atcham the value of grants given directly by his Department to purchase books since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160522]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Local education authorities are responsible for determining the allocation of funding to individual schools for the purchase of books, and the Department does not collect such information. Under the Books for Schools grant, Shropshire LEA has received £691,728 since 1997–98.

  Departmental Policies (Glasgow, Pollok)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Glasgow, Pollok constituency, the effect on Glasgow, Pollok of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [160825]

  Mr. Wills
  Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Glasgow, Pollock constituency. The Scotland Office will be able to provide details of education policies.

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

  New Deal for Young People
  In the Glasgow, Pollock constituency, 1,265 young people have joined the New Deal to end February 2001. 565 have found jobs, 385 of which are sustained.

  Labour market statistics
  The working age employment rate in Glasgow in winter 2000–01 was 63.9 per cent., below the UK rate of 74.5 per cent. The rate in winter 1996–97 was 55.3 per cent.
  The claimant unemployment rate has fallen from 17.1 per cent. in March 1997 to 12.1 per cent. in March 2001 in the Glasgow Pollok constituency.

  Employment Zones
  The Glasgow Employment Zone commenced operation in April 2000. Up to the end of March 2001, 850 participants have found work through the Zone. Of the April 2000 intake of 116 participants, 49 (42.2 per cent.) were found employment, and from the May 2000 intake of 128 participants, 55 (43 per cent.) were found jobs.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 3 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. I. Hanif. [160925]

  Mr. Wills
  My right hon. Friend replied to the letter of 3 April on 9 May.

  Walsall (Funding)
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been made available to the borough of Walsall by his Department since June 1997. [160994]
  411W
  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer my hon. Friend to the letter sent on 16 February from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, setting out the total funding for Walsall local education authority for the years 1996–97 to 2001–02.

  There have been some adjustments made to the capital allocations in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Following are the updated figures for Walsall local education authority between the years 1997–98 and 2001–02.

  £ million

  SSA

  Grants

  Capital

  1997–98

  108.9

  4.7

  2.2

  1998–99

  118.2

  1.5

  3.6

  1999–2000

  124.6

  4.9

  8.3

  2000–01

  130.3

  11.2

  8.9

  2001–02

  134.7

  10.8

  15.9

  1 So far issued

  Between 1992–93 and 1997–98, average recurrent funding per pupil fell nationally by £120 in real terms from £2,830 to £2,710. Since then, it has risen by an average of £540 in real terms, to £3,250 this year. By 2003–04, it will have increased by around £750 in real terms since 1997–98.

  Remploy APA 2001–02: Proposed Targets

  Proposed target 2001–02

  Target 2000–01

  Forecast outturn 2000–01

  Progressions

  Total

  11,800

  2700

  3700

  of which minimum:

  Factory to Interwork

  400

  —

  —

  Interwork to Placement

  400

  —

  —

  All sources to mainstream

  700

  —

  —

  Total unit cost

  £9,250

  £9,600

  £9,526

  External financing limit

  4£99.16 million

  4£99.16 million

  £99.16 million

  Gross margin5

  £57 million

  5£53.3 million

  5£50.9 million

  Non-Productive Time (excludes times spent on formal training)

  25%

  6—

  31%

  1 The individual targets are 300 short of the overall target. This will enable Remploy to have some flexibility within the total APA.

  2 Includes internal progressions and those to mainstream (unsupported) employment.

  3 Of which 480 to mainstream.

  4Includes a £5 million loan facility.

  5 This target was negotiated as part of the milestones agreed for release of the additional £5 million modernisation money this year, therefore covers the period January-March 2001 only.

  6 Not an APA target currently.

DEFENCE

  Ocean War Graves
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent of trespass by divers, collectors and archaeologists on the site of(a) HMS Repulse and (b) HMS Prince of Wales and the associated war graves; and what action he is taking to stop such activities. [146063]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 23 January 2001]: We are aware of several reported diving expeditions that have taken place in the vicinity of both HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse.

  Our High Commission in Singapore and Malaysia where possible will continue to monitor the situation locally.

  Remploy
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets Remploy has been set in its 2001–02 Annual Performance Agreement. [161103]

  Ms Hodge
  I have on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, written to the Chairman of Remploy approving the 2001–02 Annual Performance Agreement between the Department and the company. This agreement covers the year from 1 April 2001. It has been negotiated by the Chief Executive of the Employment Service on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. The targets are:the average number of progressions of disabled people will increase to 1,800, including a minimum of 700 to mainstream employment;
  Remploy Ltd. will maintain a total unit cost target (operating deficit per disabled worker) of £9,250;
  the company will achieve gross margin of £57 million;
  non-productive time (excluding time spent on formal training) will be a maximum of 25 per cent.
  the company will not exceed its external financing limit of £99.16 million.

  The text of the Annual Performance Agreement is contained in the table.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 14 February 2001, Offical Report, 132W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn).

  Job Evaluation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason sailors in all ranks are not permitted to view their job evaluation results under the evaluation of the system put forward under Pay 2000; and if he will make a statement. [153978]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Job Evaluation (JE) system used in the armed forces evaluates the post, not the individual postholder. In view of the total number of service personnel, it is not possible to evaluate posts individually. In practice, a representative sample of jobs is evaluated and the results applied to like jobs undertaken at the same rank. While copies of the full job descriptions generated as part of the el aluation process are made widely
  413W
  available, the final evaluation scores are not released. This is common practice in the wider evaluation industry and is consistently followed throughout the armed forces regardless of rank or Service. The evaluation system and its use are periodically scrutinised by independent consultants on behalf of the Office of Manpower Economics and the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the job evaluation results of the Officer Corps will be published; and if he will make a statement. [153982]

  Mr. Spellar
  To date, few Officer posts have been evaluated using the current evaluation system. Priority has been given to evaluating non-commissioned personnel to underpin the introduction of the new pay system, Pay 2000. However, a comprehensive programme of Officer evaluation will begin this year and the first tranche of results will be provided to the Armed Forces Pay Review body in September. While copies of the full job descriptions generated by the evaluation process are made widely available, the final scores are not published. This is common practice within the wider evaluation industry.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the recent statement by the Second Sea Lord about the job evaluation system for officers; and if he will make a statement. [153980]

  Mr. Spellar
  During the course of a discussion with a group of Royal Navy Senior Ratings at HMS Dryad on 28 February 2001, the Second Sea Lord explained that officers below one star rank (Commodore Royal Navy and Brigadier Royal Marines) have not yet been job evaluated. He stated that this was in part due to the career patterns of officers, which can complicate the evaluation process. In addition, the priority has been to complete sufficient job evaluation for non-commissioned personnel to support the introduction of the new pay system, Pay 2000. Prior to its adoption in 1997, the present Job Evaluation system was extensively tested over a wide variety of posts, including over 400 officer posts.

  It was demonstrated to be a sufficiently robust system for evaluating jobs at all ranks, including officers. Most senior officer posts at two star rank and above have now been evaluated, and a comprehensive programme to evaluate the remaining officer ranks is about to begin. The aim is to complete the first tranche by September 2001 in accordance with the stated requirements of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Royal Naval personnel of all ranks are permitted to see their Job Evaluations; and if he will make a statement. [158581]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Job Evaluation (JE) system used in the armed forces evaluates the post, not the individual postholder. In view of the numbers A posts involved, it is not possible to evaluate them individually. In practice, a representative sample of jobs is evaluated and the results applied to like jobs undertaken at he same rank. The single services are extensively involved in the evaluation process. In the Royal Navy, the Director of Naval Manning nominates the individuals whose posts will be evaluated. RN warrant officers conduct the corresponding interviews. A tri-service team of three evaluation judges at RN Captain rank and equivalent then score the jobs.
  414W
  It is not normal practice within the wider JE industry to release the results for individual posts. This is also the case in the armed forces, regardless of rank or service. Individual results are normally combined with others in the sample population to arrive at scores for a whole trade. On its own, therefore, the result for an individual post is open to misinterpretation. The process used to evaluate the jobs of service personnel is subject to periodic scrutiny by independent consultants acting on behalf of the Office of Manpower Economics and the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision of the Greek Government to postpone the acquisition of 60 Eurofighter Typhoon strike aircraft; [158902]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on British industry of the decision of the Greek Government to postpone the acquisition of 60 Eurofighter Typhoon strike aircraft. [159370]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Greek Government's decision to delay the procurement of the aircraft will have no impact on the core Eurofighter programme. The contract is now expected around 2004. It remains an important export order for this excellent aircraft and many UK companies will benefit from the sale.

  Defence Assets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2001,Official Report, columns 91–92W, on defence assets, what proportion of total assets (a) are available under the Headline Goal at Helsinki, (b) are available under the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom and United Nations and (c) are dedicated to other bodies and standing tasks; if he will list those areas where multiple commitments cannot be maintained; and if he will make a statement. [160844]

  Mr. Hoon
  The potential UK contributions to the UN or to the Headline Goal were identified in my answer to question 159370.

  The UK has always made it clear that British forces would be potentially available for operations of all kinds across the crisis spectrum whether under NATO, European Union, UN, OSCE coalition or national auspices. A decision on any particular deployment will be dependent on circumstances at the time, including existing commitments and standing tasks.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [160890]

  Dr. Moonie
  In the Ministry of Defence, seven members of the senior civil service, about 2.5 per cent. of the total, have currently signed waivers to disapply the 48-hour limit on average weekly working time. It is Ministry of Defence policy to discourage long hours of working.

  Army Personnel (Removal Costs)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of moving Army personnel within the United Kingdom in each year from 1994 to 1998; and how many such removals took place in each year. [160975]

  Dr. Moonie
  The cost of moving Army personnel within the UK and the number of removals for each of the financial years were as follows:

  Years

  Total cost (£)

  Number of removals

  1995–96

  5,869,854

  9,483

  1996–97

  6,732,587

  9,695

  1997–98

  7,010,089

  8,692

  1998–99

  7,418,526

  8,022

  The costs identified above relate to charges for a removal contractor to pack household/personal effects, transport them to the next place of residence, deliver and unpack them. The information for 1994–95 is no longer available.

  HMS Gannet
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when anti-submarine warfare operations will cease on a permanent basis from HMS Gannet. [161020]

  Mr. Spellar
  With effect from April 2002, HMS Gannet will cease to operate as a permanent base for anti-submarine warfare. From this date, it will be used as a forward operating base, activated as and when required, as well as a permanent base for search and rescue operations.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of capital expenditure spent on HMS Gannet in the previous 12 months. [161019]

  Mr. Spellar
  Capital expenditure at HMS Gannet in the last financial year 2000–01 was approximately £50,000. This was in respect of vehicles and minor plant acquisitions essential to the future role of HMS Gannet as a forward operating base.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 551W, regarding Porton Down, if his Department's officials conducting the comprehensive survey will speak to (a) scientists and staff at Porton Down who conducted the experiments and (b) former service personnel who took part in the experiments; and if he will make a statement. [161041]

  Dr. Moonie
  The historical survey of the Porton Down Volunteer programme will gather information, initially from documentary sources. A decision on whether to contact former Porton Down staff or volunteers will be made at a later date.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 551W, regarding Porton Down, if he will place in the Library a description of each piece
  416W
  of research which has been carried out in response to inquiries from (a) former volunteers, (b) parliamentarians and (c) the Wiltshire police. [161040]

  Dr. Moonie
  No. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to his previous question of 9 April 2001,Official Report, column 364W, which explained the procedure for allowing former Porton Down volunteers access to information about the trials that they took part in at Porton Down. Each inquiry from an individual volunteer is a research task in itself and the information is personal to the volunteer and Porton Down.

  Inquiries from parliamentarians are in two forms: either parliamentary questions to which responses are already in the public domain, or parliamentary inquiries on behalf of an individual. In the case of the latter the information is personal to the volunteer and is given to the parliamentarian in confidence.

  Inquiries from the Wiltshire police are subject to ongoing investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment on these at this time.

  Plan Colombia (British Training)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the British(a) military and (b) other personnel training of the Colombian Government forces, indicating in each case the cost and whether it forms part of Plan Colombia. [160643]

  Mr. Spellar
  We maintain contacts with the Colombian armed forces and some police units on a range of issues. These contacts occasionally include the provision of training, including counter drugs training, and cost in the region of £70,000 in financial year 2000–01. I am withholding further details under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which covers information whose disclosure would be harmful to national security, defence or international relations.

  The United Kingdom has not provided financial or other support to Plan Colombia. Instead the UK is contributing to, and fully supports, assistance to Colombia through the European Union of 105 million euros over the next five years. The EU package will focus on measures to support human rights, long term economic and social development and an end to violence.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Nadhmi Auchi
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which(a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department made representations to (i) the French Government and (ii) other authorities regarding the arrest warrant for British citizen Nadhmi Auchi; on what dates the representations were made; if a Minister from his Department has met him; and if he will make a statement. [160259]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  No representations have been made to either the French Government or other authorities. Details of inquiries made by Mr. Auchi have been passed to the Home Office. On ministerial meetings, I refer to my reply of 23 April.

  Crowd Control Technologies
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001,Official Report, column 68W, what the findings of the DSAC in its October 1999 report were on the injury potential of the L21A1 plastic baton round at the 1 metre minimum range of engagement. [158042]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have been asked to reply.

  Due to a change in specification of the L21A1 baton round system, the October 1999 report was not fully relevant and was therefore not issued.

  Criminals (Profit)
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government will take to ensure that criminals do not profit financially from past crimes. [160853]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Proceeds of Crime Bill, for which the Government published draft clauses on 5 March (Cm 5066), a court in England or Wales which is considering whether to make a confiscation order against a convicted defendant who has a criminal lifestyle will be required to assume that any property held by the defendant at any time after conviction, and any property transferred to the defendant during the six years preceding the commencement of the criminal proceedings, was obtained by him as a result of criminal conduct; and that any expenditure incurred by him during the six year period was met from property obtained as a result of such conduct. The court will however be prohibited from making the assumption if it is shown to be incorrect or if making it would give rise to a serious risk of injustice.

  A defendant will be considered to have a criminal lifestyle if convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering or any other of a list of offences to be specified in regulations; or if the offence constitutes conduct forming part of a course of criminal activity (this term is defined in draft clause 69); or if the offence was committed over a period of six months or more.

  These provisions represent an extension of the circumstances in which such assumptions may be made under existing legislation.

  The Bill will also empower the Director of the proposed new Criminal Assets Recovery Agency, which the Bill will create, to seek civil recovery in the High Court of property which has been obtained through unlawful conduct (Part V of the draft Bill). Civil recovery will apply to property obtained through conduct committed before the Bill comes into force. The Government are not minded to insert a limit on the period after the conduct during which property will be recoverable, but are considering this point carefully.

  CCTV
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what total funds were(a) allocated and (b) spent on new CCTV projects in the last financial year for which figures are available. [161011]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Crime Reduction Programme Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) initiative, £4.2 million was allocated to new projects in the financial 418W
  year 2001–02, and a further £108 million worth of schemes were given outline approval, pending consideration of final bids. In the same year, £23.4 million was spent on CCTV projects, including schemes that had been approved before the beginning of the financial year.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in each police force in England and Wales on(a) 31 March 2000, (b) 30 September 2000 and (c) the most recent date for which figures are available. [161022]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The requested details are given in the table.

  Special constable total strength. March 2000 to January 2001

  Police force

  March 2000

  September 2000

  January 2001

  Avon and Somerset

  459

  416

  402

  Bedfordshire

  151

  134

  128

  Cambridgeshire

  274

  214

  217

  Cheshire

  350

  307

  275

  Cleveland

  128

  122

  119

  Cumbria

  176

  167

  158

  Derbyshire

  282

  286

  287

  Devon and Cornwall

  870

  836

  834

  Dorset

  298

  278

  275

  Durham

  157

  155

  151

  Essex

  483

  478

  453

  Gloucestershire

  206

  197

  186

  Greater Manchester

  457

  408

  391

  Hampshire

  615

  500

  470

  Hertfordshire

  216

  214

  204

  Humberside

  246

  198

  196

  Kent

  436

  416

  409

  Lancashire

  382

  362

  356

  Leicestershire

  247

  202

  175

  Lincolnshire

  195

  179

  172

  City of London

  56

  46

  46

  Merseyside

  476

  452

  513

  Metropolitan Police

  758

  754

  762

  Norfolk

  285

  270

  257

  Northamptonshire

  199

  195

  189

  Northumbria

  332

  323

  310

  North Yorkshire

  217

  189

  186

  Nottinghamshire

  411

  411

  319

  South Yorkshire

  205

  193

  185

  Staffordshire

  482

  461

  424

  Suffolk

  391

  376

  374

  Surrey

  175

  168

  167

  Sussex

  352

  317

  313

  Thames Valley

  472

  463

  445

  Warwickshire

  260

  260

  212

  West Mercia

  476

  443

  406

  West Midlands

  680

  662

  636

  West Yorkshire

  484

  452

  411

  Wiltshire

  173

  172

  156

  Dyfed Powys

  202

  193

  194

  Gwent

  119

  131

  147

  North Wales

  247

  233

  250

  South Wales

  267

  254

  248

  Total

  14,347

  13,487

  13,008

  Source:

  Research Development and Statistics Directorate, Home Office.

  Immigration, Gatwick
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average morning peak waiting time is for non-EU passengers waiting to clear immigration at Gatwick airport.160858]
  419W
  Mrs. Roche
  The information requested is not available. The length of time involved in assessing a passenger's eligibility for entry varies considerably depending on the particular situation and on factors such as the availability of interpreters and sponsors, which are outside the control of the Immigration Officer. Every effort is made to deal with each case at the earliest opportunity.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed through local authorities; and if his Department plans to use local authorities for this purpose in respect of new asylum seekers. [160855]

  Mrs. Roche
  There is no information held centrally on the number of asylum seekers dispersed by local authorities under the interim dispersal scheme.

  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has entered into contracts with a number of local authorities by which they supply accommodation for asylum seekers supported by NASS and the aim is to continue to do so.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date and for what reasons private accommodation providers were brought in to the process of dispersing asylum seekers to cluster areas. [160854]

  Mrs. Roche
  Private sector accommodation providers have been part of the process since the beginning of the new arrangements. Their inclusion was necessary in order to meet demand and provide sufficient accommodation throughout the country.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the total number of asylum seekers to be dispersed over the next six months, broken down by region. [161070]

  Mrs. Roche
  No firm estimate is available on likely number of dispersals as this is dependant upon a number of factors including the number of applications for asylum and the number of those requesting accommodation as part of an application for support. The National Asylum Support Service has established a National Consultation Group of which every consortium is a member.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the costs per asylum seeker of dispersal through(a) local authorities and (b) private accommodation providers. [160856]

  Mrs. Roche
  Contracts with local authorities and private accommodation providers for the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are negotiated by the NASS based on the current market rates and to achieve value for money.

  Details of individual contracts cannot be given as they are commercially sensitive.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed to Scotland in the last 12 months; and at what cost. [161018]
  420W
  Mrs. Roche
  As at the end of March 2001, 2,8601 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation in Scotland by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

  NASS operates as a national system and does not have detailed records of costs involved in dispersal to individual areas.

  1Figure rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he publishes on where asylum seekers live. [161025]

  Mrs. Roche
  The National Asylum Support Service has a duty of confidentiality to the asylum seekers it supports. Therefore it would be inappropriate to publish information about where asylum seekers live.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers entered at each port of entry in the latest available year. [159753]

  Mrs. Roche
  The following table details the breakdown of applications for asylum by port of entry. All data were taken from manual counts of asylum applications taken at port, which do not reconcile with the provisional monthly asylum statistics published on http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html

  Total asylum claims at ports of entry, 2000–011

  Number

  Heathrow

  7,765

  Dover East

  4,835

  Waterloo

  4,810

  Gatwick

  2,870

  Cheriton

  1,300

  Stansted

  865

  Harwich

  240

  Manchester

  210

  Hull

  160

  London City

  155

  Ashford

  145

  Portsmouth

  130

  Felixstowe

  110

  Tees Ports

  95

  Birmingham

  70

  Luton

  65

  Newcastle/North Shields

  25

  Dover Hoverport

  15

  Edinburgh

  15

  Poole

  10

  Aberdeen

  10

  Belfast

  5

  Bristol

  5

  Plymouth

  5

  Liverpool

  5

  Southampton

  5

  Swansea

  5

  Folkestone

  5

  Leeds Bradford

  ⋆

  Norwich

  ⋆

  Newhaven

  ⋆

  East Midlands

  ⋆

  Cardiff

  ⋆

  1Data rounded to multiple of five, (⋆) = 1 or 2

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers he intends to disperse to clusters in England. [160851]
  421W
  Mrs. Roche
  No firm estimate is available on likely number of dispersals as this is dependant upon a number of factors including the number of applications for asylum and the number of those requesting accommodation as part of an application for support. The National Asylum Support Service has established a National Consultation Group of which every consortium is a member.

  Police (Disclosure of Information)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures exist for members of the public to require police forces to disclose information held about them. [161028]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Data Protection Act 1998 (which amended the Data Protection Act 1984) governs procedures in respect of the disclosure of information. Members of the public may exercise their right under this Act by applying to the main police station nearest to where they last lived in this country to make a subject access inquiry. When the application form is completed, this should be sent back to the police together with any accompanying documents that are required and a £10 fee for each category of information that they wish to access. The police are then under a legal requirement to respond to their inquiries within 40 days.

  Currently, legislation relates to computer-based records only until the new Act takes effect from 24 October 2001 when structured manual files are also included. Applications to make a subject access request can be obtained from all major police stations or by contacting the relevant force's Data Protection Officer

  Covert Filming
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has(a) to deal with and (b) to prevent harassment by covert filming. [161027]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are no specific provisions covering harassment by covert filming. A course of conduct causing another person harassment, alarm or distress is an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The Act also provides for a second offence of causing someone to fear on two or more occasions that violence will be used against them. The courts can impose on anyone convicted of either of these two offences a restraining order preventing further harassment or fear of violence. A breach of such an order is a serious matter, and attracts a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment. The Act also provides for a civil order, a breach of which is a criminal offence.

  Fasting (Prisons)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to intervene in respect of a person in custody in one of Her Majesty's prisons who is seeking to fast to death and what guidance he has issued to(a) prison officers and (b) others in respect of the exercise of such powers [161023]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service has a duty of care but compulsory treatment may be provided only in certain circumstances. Generally, prisoners who are assessed to be of sound mind, who have no evidence of mental illness, and who fully understand the consequences of their actions, cannot be treated compulsorily and therefore 422W
  cannot usually be fed artificially against their will by prison authorities. In such situations, some prisoners may, in consultation with their legal advisers, make directives to the effect that they do not wish for medical intervention in the event of a deterioration in their well-being. However, even where advance directives have been made, all aspects of prisoners' conditions are reviewed, including mental capacity and well-being. They are reminded of the consequences of their actions should they wish to continue to refuse food.

  The Prison Service issued detailed guidance to prison doctors, in January 1996, on the subject of food refusal, which discussed the question of mental capacity and the implications of advance directives.

  Police Complaints (Northamptonshire)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Northamptonshire about the. investigation of a complaint by a constituent whose name has been forwarded to him. [161029]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand from the chief constable of Northamptonshire police that in the particular case referred to, no formal complaint has been made. However, I also understand that the allegations have been investigated thoroughly by the Area Commander for the Wellingborough area who has ascertained that they are unfounded.

  Commonwealth Games
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his role as chair of the Ministerial Committee on the Commonwealth Games. [160728]

  Mr. Straw
  I chair an ad hoc Ministerial Group which considers Government support to the Commonwealth Games.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office explained, in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 20 March, that Manchester city council, with the Government, had arranged a review of the finances and organisation of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year as the build-up to the Games moves from the planning to the implementation phase.

  Discussions continue.

  Primates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) of the primates listed in Table 2 of his Department's statistics on the use of animals in scientific procedures for 1999 which came from outside the EU(a) how many were wild-caught, (b) from which countries were wild-caught primates imported, (c) how many were ill or injured on arrival, specifying the illness or injury in each case and (d) how many became ill or were injured during quarantine for reasons unrelated to the scientific procedures, specifying the illness or injury in each case; [160894]
  423W
  (2) of the primates listed in Table 2 of his Department's statistics on the use of animals in scientific procedures for 1999 which came from outside of the EU (a) how many were captive-bred, (b) from which countries captive-bred primates were imported, (c) how many were ill or injured on arrival, specifying the illness or injury in each case and (d) how many became ill or were injured during quarantine for reasons unrelated to the scientific procedures, specifying the illness or injury in each case; [160895]

  (3) in relation to primates destined for UK laboratories not used for scientific procedures (a) how many primates (i) captive-bred and (ii) wild-caught outside the EU were (A) found dead on arrival in the UK and (B) died or became ill in quarantine in (x) 1999 and (y) 2000 in each case giving relevant details. [160917]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We announced in 1997 our intention that licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will never be issued for programmes of work involving the use of Great Apes (chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans) and that exceptional justification is required for the use of wild-caught primates.

  In addition, the 1986 Act requires that non-human primates cannot be used unless no other species is suitable. Along with regulatory testing to help ensure the safety of medicines, non-human primates (mainly marmosets and macaques) are also used for other important areas of fundamental research. For example, they contribute to programmes of work relating to Parkinson's disease, visual impairment, stroke, diabetes, disorders of reproduction and vaccine development.

  Table 2 of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 1999 records 418 non-human primates used in scientific procedures as coming from outside the European Union. The detailed information requested in relation to these animals is for the most part not held centrally by the Home Office and it is, therefore, not possible to provide all of the information required about them. However, Home Office records confirm that none of these 418 animals were wild caught.

  The overseas sources of primates used in 1999 were Mauritius, the Philippines, China, Israel and South Africa.

  I am advised that problems encountered with imported primates are generally few and instances of death following acquisition are very rare.

  It is not possible to provide general information with regard to primates destined for laboratories in the United Kingdom but subsequently not used. Such animals are not included in the annual statistics. However, I have previously advised the hon. Member that no deaths or injuries have been reported in baboons during

  Programme (Home Office unit concerned)

  Directly accessible by national sports bodies

  Directly accessible by local clubs and communities

  Connecting Communities (Race Equality Unit)

  No

  1Yes

  Family Support Grant "Dads and Lads" parenting programme (Family Policy Unit)

  Yes

  No

  Mentoring Fund (Active Community Unit)

  Yes

  Yes

  Community Resource Fund (Active Community Unit with Community Development Foundation)

  No

  Yes

  Small Bids (to prevent offending) (Youth Justice Board)

  Yes

  Yes

  Mentoring for Ethnic Minorities/Literacy and Numeracy (Youth Justice Board)

  No

  Yes

  1Local communities

  424W
  transportation, including the group of twenty-eight wild-caught baboons imported from Kenya in May 1999 but not used.

  Departmental Texts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy towards replacing Anno Domini with Common Era in departmental texts. [160841]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have no such policy, and have not considered introducing one.

  May Day Protests
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will reimburse the Metropolitan Police Authority for the additional costs above budget incurred in preparing for and policing the 1 May protests in London; and if he will make a statement; [160918]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the additional costs to that for which budget provision exists of the 1 May protests in London. [160919]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Costs of policing operational activities are matters for the police authorities and chief police officers concerned. Such costs are met from the budgets and reserves held by each authority. I have made no estimates of the costs incurred on the 1 May protests.

  The additional cost of public order events in London is already partly reflected in a special payment for national and capital city functions which is added to the annual police grant for the Metropolitan Police Authority. The special payment is £191 million in 2001–02.

  I am prepared to consider applications from forces for special grant towards extraordinary costs which may be incurred from time to time in exceptional circumstances. The normal criteria for grant are that the event could not reasonably have been anticipated and financial provision made; that the cost is a significant proportion of the force budget; and that having to meet the cost unaided would materially affect the efficiency of the force concerned.

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the funding programmes for social inclusion for which his Department is responsible that call be accessed by(a) national sports bodies and (b) local clubs and communities. [161004]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is shown in the table; all funding is dependent on the body or group concerned meeting the aims of the particular programme:

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to answer the letter to him dated 2 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. J. A. Javed. [160968]

  Mr. Straw
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 May.

  Prison Service Staff
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed in the Prison Service(a) as (i) prison governors and (ii) assistant governors working in prisons, (b) as prison officers working in prisons, (c) as support staff working in prisons and (d) as (i) prison governors and (ii) assistant governors working in an administrative capacity (I) in his Department and (II) outside individual prisons. [161001]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at 30 April 2001

  (a) (i) The number of governing governors currently working in establishments was 130.
  (ii) The number of other senior operational management staff working in establishments was 774.

  (b) The number of prison officers, senior officers and principal officers working in establishments was 23,554.

  (c) The number of support staff working in establishments was 17,109.

  (d) (i) The number of grade 1 senior operational managers working in an administrative capacity at Prison Service headquarters was 37

  (ii) The number of other senior operational managers working in an administrative capacity at Prison Service headquarters was 210.

  Additionally, four senior operational managers are currently seconded to other Government Departments and three to other organisations.

TREASURY

  Disabled People (Unemployment)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the(a) percentage and (b) numerical change in the number of unemployed disabled people was between (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [143372]

  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 Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 11 May 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question about the percentage and numerical change in the number of unemployed disabled people between May 1997 and the latest available data (143372). I am replying in his absence.
  The available data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are on a consistent basis only from spring (March to May) 1998.
  Between Spring 1998 and Spring 2000, the number of employed disabled people increased, so that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment rate for disabled people (the proportion of economically active working age people who are ILO unemployed) fell from 11.3% in Spring 1908 to 10.3% in Spring
  426W
  2000. During the same period, the number of ILO unemployed people in the UK of working age with a disability increased by 17,000 (4.8%).
  This information has been taken from the Labour Force Survey, National Statistics' main source of labour market data on individuals. The LFS identifies whether respondents have a current long-term disability covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) or a work-limiting disability. Both categories have been included to give a comprehensive and coherent coverage of disability.
  The measure of unemployment derived from the LFS is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the ILO. It counts as unemployed people who are (a) without a paid job, (b) available to start work within the next two weeks, and (c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.

  Statistics (Northern Region)
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs there were in the economy in the Northern Region(a) in 1996 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [155044]

  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 Mr. Fraser Kemp, dated 11 May 2001:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question about the number of jobs in the Northern region in 1996 and for the most recent period for which data are available (155044). I am replying in his absence.
  Data on jobs are no longer published for the Northern Standard Statistical Region, but they are published quarterly for the North Eastern Government Office Region (GOR) in the Labour Market Statistics First Release for the North East region. These data may be accessed via the NOMIS database in the House of Commons Library.

  Tax credit Fraud
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 3 April 2001,Official Report, column 154W, on tax credit fraud, if he will break down by (a) type of offence involved and (b) occupational group, the (i) penalties and (ii) prosecutions. [157873]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 10 April 2001]: Information on penalties is available only for the most recent 164 cases. Prior to that date, the information was held clerically and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information as to the occupation group is not routinely collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The primary reason for applying penalties in each of the 164 cases is given in the table.

  Penalties

  Number

  Undeclared partner

  60

  Earnings from self-employment understated

  25

  Undeclared job

  24

  Other undeclared income

  2

  Undeclared or understated savings

  21

  Undeclared land or property

  10

  Working insufficient hours

  11

  False claim for child

  5

  False claim for child care costs

  2

  Other

  4

  427W
  Since my reply of 3 April 2001 there has been one additional prosecution in respect of Working Families Tax Credit, bringing the total to 16. The offences are given in the following table. The total number of offences is more than 16 as some individuals are prosecuted for more than one offence.

  Offences

  Number

  False accounting

  9

  Theft

  6

  Going equipped to cheat

  2

  Conspiracy

  2

  Fraud

  2

  Deception

  1

  The occupation groups of the 16 individuals are given in the table.

  Occupation groups

  Number

  Managerial and administrators

  2

  Associate professional and technical occupations

  1

  Clerical and secretarial occupations

  3

  Personal and protective services

  3

  Sales occupations

  2

  Unemployed

  5

  Children's Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many one earner couples are on the Children's Tax Credit taper or above Children's Tax Credit entitlements who would be entitled if their income was divided equally between them as a two earner couple; [158696]

  (2) how many families are expected to (a) receive the full Children's Tax Credit, (b) receive a partial Children's Tax Credit because their income is too low to receive a full credit and (c) receive a partial Children's Tax Credit because their income is too high to receive a full credit; [158712]

  (3) how many families are (a) on the Children's Tax Credit taper and (b) ineligible for the Children's Tax Credit because their earnings are above the threshold for entitlement; and how many of these are (i) one-earner couples, (ii) two-earner couples and (iii) single parents. [158688]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recipients of the Children's Tax Credit have, as a result, had a reduction in their entitlement to(a) Housing Benefit, (b) Council Tax Benefit, (c) Working Families Tax Credit, (d) Disabled Persons Tax Credit and (e) other benefits. [158711]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information is not available on the number of rewards reviewed since 5 April. People who are claiming Children's Tax Credit, and also the Working Families Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit, will 428W
  have their award increased from June when they re-apply so that they will receive the full benefit of the Children's Tax Credit.

  Helplines
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its agencies. [159508]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is as follows:

  HM Treasury
  Full details may be found on the website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

  Inland Revenue
  A full list can be found on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

  Customs and Excise
  National Advice Service 0845 010 9000 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday. (There is a dedicated line for Welsh speakers and a textphone line.) This deals with Customs/VAT and other taxes like Insurance Premium Tax.
  Customs Confidential 0800 59 5000 24 hours a day seven days a week. (To report smuggling and fraud.)
  National Insolvency Helpdesk 0151 703 8711/8450 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am to 4 pm Friday.
  Tariff Classification 01702 366 077 9 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday. (To obtain commodity codes for imported goods.)
  Trade Statistics 01702 367 485 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. (Statistics on imports.)

  Office for National Statistics
  The ONS helplines are listed on the "contacts" pages of the National Statistics website at www.statistics.gov.uk (actual page address http.//statbase/email.asp).
  Debt Management Office
  Full details on the website at www.dmo.gov.uk.

  Office of Government Commerce
  Full details on the website at www.ogc.gov.uk.

  Royal Mint
  The Royal Mint does not provide a "service to the citizen" as with most mainstream Government Departments; they do provide a dedicated telephone inquiry and helpline for Coin
  Club customers. In addition, the Information Office is charged with assisting members of the general public with their coinage inquiries. Both telephone numbers are published.

  Government Actuaries Department
  Full details may be found on the GAD website at www.gad.gov.uk.

  National Savings
  Full details may be found on the website at www.nationalsavings.co.uk.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses have been given additional funding to ease cash flow difficulties caused by the payment of Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Persons Tax Credit in each quarter. [159699]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Employers whose Prospective payments of tax credits in any period (up to six months) exceed the PAYE tax, national insurance contributions and student loan deductions they expect to deduct in the same period can apply for the additional funding required. The numbers of employers receiving funding in each quarter were as follows.
  429W

  Quarter

  Number

  April to June 2000

  10,000

  July to September 2000

  20,000

  October to December 2000

  30,000

  January to March 2001

  30,000

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when guidelines on the handling of informants were last revised; and what factors underlay the changes made; [160387]

  (2) how much has been paid in total to informants in each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the number of payments made to informants within the ranger (a) £1,000-£9,000, (b) £10,000-£49,000, (c) £50,000-£99,000 and (d) £100,000 and over. [160371]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The guidelines for handling informants were last revised in October 2000 as a result of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. It is not Customs' policy to disclose information about the amounts paid to informants on the ground that this could undermine the effectiveness of law enforcement.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many Customs and Excise officers are suspended; and in which(a) divisions and (b) regions of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise they work; [160370]

  (2) who is conducting the investigation into Peter Robinson; and if he will make a statement; [160385]

  (3) how many Customs and Excise officers have been arrested in the last six years; how many of them have been charged; and with what offences. [160384]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information retating to Customs officers who have been arrested is not held centrally. The other information sought by my hon. Friend cannot be provided, in accordance with exemptions 4 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what investigations are planned into the activities of(a) John Haase, (b) Paul Bennett and (c) their handlers; [160386]

  (2) when (a) Paul Bennett and (b) John Haase ceased to be registered informants; [160373]

  (3) what reviews have been made of the convictions contingent upon the evidence of John Haase and Paul Bennett. [160388]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The persons named have not given evidence in any Customs prosecution. As a result of a joint customs/police investigation John Haase is now serving 13 years for his part in a conspiracy to supply drugs and guns. No further investigations are planned. It is not policy to confirm or deny whether any person is or has been an informant.

  Drugs
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases involving the import of drugs were 430W
  (a) successfully prosecuted, (b) summarily dismissed by the court and (c) unsuccessfully prosecuted in the last year. [160372]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Most recent available information is for the financial year 1999–2000. Customs successfully prosecuted 884 drugs cases. 29 cases were dismissed prior to a jury decision and 69 cases resulted in no conviction.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in contracted out money purchase pension schemes are owed outstanding national insurance contribution rebates; how much these rebates are worth in total; and when the Government expect to have paid the outstanding rebates. [160228]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001: There are approximately 2,800 people in contracted out money purchase schemes owed NI rebates for 1999–2000. The rebates are worth approximately £700K. We will pay the rebates when we receive and process a correctly completed end of year return from the employer.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much compensation the Government expect to pay out in the current financial year to people who are owed national insurance contribution rebates. [160226]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The estimated compensation costs for 200–02 cannot yet be quantified.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people with personal pensions are owed outstanding national insurance contribution payments; how much these rebates are worth in total; and when the Government expect to have paid the outstanding rebates [160227]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: There are approximately 67,000 people with personal pensions owed NI rebates for 1999–2000. The rebates are worth approximately £29.1 million. We will pay the rebates when we receive and process a correctly completed end of year return from the employer.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have received outstanding national insurance contribution rebates; what is the average length of time people have had to wait to receive outstanding rebates; and what the average compensation paid to people owed outstanding rebates is. [160229]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: For the 1999–2000 tax year, it is estimated that approximately 4.5 million people have received a NI rebate. There is no estimate of the average length of time people have had to wait or of the average compensation paid.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married women who previously chose to pay reduced national insurance contributions have opted to pay the full contributions in each year since 1997; and how much last year's information campaign aimed at these women cost. [160232]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: An estimate of the number of women opting to pay full-rate

  431W
  contributions in the years identified, based on a 3 per cent. sample of our records is:

  Number

  6 April 1997 to 5 April 1998

  17,200

  6 April 1998 to 5 April 1999

  14,700

  6 April 1999 to 5 April 2000

  4,800

  6 April 2000 to 5 April 2001

  3,300

  The Mailshot and publicity prompted a number of women to request state retirement pension forecasts. We dealt with 35,314 requests between 2 October 2000 and 5 March 2001. As of 5 March 2001, we have issued 20,959 actual forecasts.

  The cost of the campaign was approximately £32,000.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to monitor the take-up of age-related personal allowances by pensioners completing the latest self assessment forms. [160248]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue asks taxpayers to state their date of birth on the self assessment form. The age related personal allowance will then be given depending on their income.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual taxpayers who file self-assessment tax returns have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns on the internet in each month since the service became available; and if he will make a statement. [160118]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Since the registration service became available on 3 April 2000, 134,550 individual taxpayers who file self assessment tax returns have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns over the internet. The numbers of registrations in each month were given in my answer to the hon. Member on 18 July 2000, Official Report, column 110W. The updated figures are as follows:

  Month

  Registrations

  Cumulative total

  August 2000

  11,700

  81,894

  September 2000

  16,557

  98,451

  October 2000

  2,736

  101,187

  November 2000

  1,697

  102,884

  December 2000

  2,902

  105,786

  January 2001

  14,162

  119,948

  February 2001

  595

  120,543

  March 2001

  522

  121,065

  April 2001

  13,485

  134,550

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual taxpayers who file self-assessment tax returns and have registered for the Inland Revenue service for filing tax returns on the internet have submitted their tax returns using the internet-based service in each month since the service became available; and if he will make a statement. [160117]
  432W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Since the facility to submit tax returns over the internet became available on 3 July 2000, 40,299 tax returns have been received over the internet from individual taxpayers who file self assessment tax returns. The number of submissions in each month were as follows:

  Month

  Returns submitted

  Cumulative total

  2000

  July

  7,321

  7,321

  August

  6,630

  13,951

  September

  9,419

  23,370

  October

  2,544

  25,914

  November

  1,165

  27,079

  December

  1,412

  28,491

  2001

  January

  9,694

  38,185

  February

  973

  39,158

  March

  122

  39,280

  April

  1,019

  40,299

  Fluoride Toothpaste
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the benefits of introducing a VAT zero rate on fluoride toothpaste. [160348]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: There are no plans to extend the existing VAT relief to include fluoride toothpaste Price is not considered to be a disincentive to the use of fluoride rather than non-fluoride toothpastes

  European Insurance Directive
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the European Commission over compliance by Lloyd's with European Insurance Directive 73/239. [160402]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: Treasury Ministers have had no discussions with the European Commission over compliance by Lloyd's with European Insurance Directive 73/239.

  Cross-border Smuggling
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the income through taxation being lost as a result of cross-border smuggling into Northern Ireland of petroleum fuel and related products. [160337]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lagan Valley t Mr. Donaldson) on 21 March 2001, Official Report, column 234W.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement regarding the impact of advanced corporation tax credits on Scottish pensioners. [159297]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 May 2001]:The Government's package of corporation tax reforms included not only the withdrawal of payable tax credits,

  433W
  but also cuts in corporation tax rates. The withdrawal of payable credits removed a distortion in the tax system which encouraged companies to pay out their profits as dividends, rather than retain them for reinvestment in the business. These and other measures help to improve investment performance. The effect of these changes on the size of UK pension funds varies depending upon many factors, such as the type of scheme; the take-up of private pensions; the level of future contributions and the investment policy adopted by fund managers.

  Department

  Current contracts with SERCO

  Contracts with SERCO over the lust three years

  HM Treasury

  None

  None

  Inland Revenue

  1. Contract for the provision of off-site records management for IR offices at Nottingham

  1. Remote typing services for IR East Region

  2. Typing, secretarial and administration services at IR offices in Nottingham

  HM Customs and Excise

  1.Provision of works manager services by way of a call-off contract to C&E offices in the South East (in existence throughout previous 3 years)

  2.Supply installation and maintenance automatic number plate readers

  The Office for National Statistics

  None

  1. July 1998— Consultancy services (installation of air conditioning)

  2. January 1999—(minor works to server rooms)

  Office of Government Commerce

  None

  None

  PACE

  None

  None

  TBA

  None

  None

  CCTA

  SERCO have been a contractor in the CCTA managed S-Cat Catalogue

  Census
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many callers to the Census Helpline have been asked to call back later; [158819]

  (2) for what reason the Census Helpline does not permit callers to hold when operators are busy. [158818]

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

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 11 May 2001 The Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent questions asking about callers to the Census Helpline (158818 and 158819). I am replying in his absence.
  The Helpline was operational from 1 April and to date more than 2 million calls have been received, with 240,000 calls received on 23 April alone. In comparison, in 1991 only 125,000 calls were received by the Helpline before Census day and a further 85,000 calls after it.
  Because of this unprecedented level of response in such a short period it has been necessary for the Helpline to advise callers to call back at a time that may be less busy rather than to hold. This was a significant problem for two days, however over 99 per cent. of calls are now getting through.
  In a move to ensure that everybody has a form and to further improve the service:

  A separate number was introduced for those who wish to request a form (500 lines);

  SERCO Contracts
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the contracts that exist between SERCO and the Department, its executive agencies and associated public bodies; and if he will list those which have existed in the last three years. [151351]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information is as follows:All other queries have been dealt with on the existing helpline number and the number of telephone lines was increased to 1000. With the additional operators, many more callers were able to pose questions not covered by the extensive range of recorded messages.
  Information on the numbers of callers who have been asked to call back is not available.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the combined cost of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160056]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 1 May 2001, Official Report, column 607W.

  Family Statistics
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of(a) families with dependent children are headed by (i) married couples, (ii) cohabiting couples and (iii) a lone parent by each type and (b) dependent children live in families which are headed by (1) a married couple, (2) a cohabiting couple, (3) a parent who has never married, (4) a widowed parent, (5) a divorced parent and (6) a separated parent. [160734]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  435W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 11 May 2001:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about dependent children and the marital status of heads of families. (160734).
  Estimates of marital status and household composition are available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) household datasets, which are available for the spring and autumn quarters of each year. The latest available LFS estimates of the marital status of heads of households are for the autumn (September to November) quarter of 2000 and are given in the following tables.
  The first table gives non-seasonally adjusted LFS estimates of families with dependent children by the marital status of the head of the family unit; the second gives estimates of dependent children by the marital status of the head of the family unit.

  Table 1: Families with dependent children1 by marital status of head of family: United Kingdom, autumn 2000; not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage

  Percentage of which headed by:

  Married couple

  67.3

  Cohabiting couple

  10.8

  Male lone parents

  2.3

  Female lone parents

  19.7

  All families with dependent children = 100 per cent.

  7,400,000

  1 Dependent children are defined as all 0–15 year olds and 16–18 year olds in full-time education.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Table 2: Dependent children1 by marital status of head of family: United Kingdom, autumn 2000: not seasonally adjusted

  Percentage

  Percentage of dependent children in families headed by:

  Married couple

  70.7

  Cohabiting couple

  9.5

  Single parent, never married

  7.2

  Widowed parent

  1.2

  Divorced parent

  6.5

  Separated parent

  5.0

  Dependent children in all family units= 100 per cent.

  14,463,000

  1 Dependent children are defined as all 0–15 year olds and 16–18 year olds in full-time education.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the questions from the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton which were tabled on 25 April 2001 (ref 158818, 158819). [160921]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have already done so.

  Mortality Rates
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rates are for(a) those aged between 55 to 60 years and (b) those aged 60 years, broken down by (i) social class, (ii) sex and (iii) socio-economic ranking. [161050]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This is a matter for the National Statistician, whom I have asked to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Tax Law Rewrite
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been achieved by the tax law rewrite project in the last year; and what plans it has for the coming year. [161124]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am pleased to announce that the Tax Law Rewrite project has continued to make excellent progress in the past 12 months. The Inland Revenue will shortly publish a report which reviews the recent progress of the project and outlines its work programme for the current year.

  The Capital Allowances Act 2001, the project's first Act, became law in April. This is a major achievement and one that has been warmly welcomed by the main users of tax law. The tax community is keen that the project should continue and looks forward to further rewritten legislation in the future.

  Valuation Office Agency
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if a revised framework document for the Valuation Office Agency is available. [161123]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A Revised Framework Document for the Valuation Office Agency has now been drawn up, incorporating the recommendations of the recent 5-yearly review. It is available on the Inland Revenue's website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk, together with the report of the review which was published on 13 Septemeber 2000. Copies of the Revised Framework Document are also being placed in the House Libraries.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Buy British Initiatives
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking in respect of Buy British initiatives consequent on the foot and mouth outbreak. [160502]

  Ms Hewitt
  British Trade International are working with MAFF and the Foreign Office and Food for Britain to ensure foreign markets for British food products remain open whenever possible. An additional £18 million has been provided by DCMS to the British Tourist Authority and English Tourism Council to help promote tourism in domestic and overseas markets.

  Efforts by rural businesses to strengthen the marketing of their products may also be eligible for support under the £50 million rural business recovery fund to be managed by RDAs which was announced on Monday 7 May. The Small Business Service telephone helpline is also providing advice to businesses affected by foot and mouth disease which may include assistance on marketing and the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme has been extended to help rural businesses suffering cash flow problems.

  Liquid Petroleum Gas
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average price of LPG was(a) overall, (b) in rural areas and (c) in urban areas in each of the last three years. [160907]

  Mr. Hain
  The average price paid for LPG by manufacturing industry in Great Britain is published regularly in the DTI publication "Energy Trends". No additional breakdown is available for rural and urban prices. Average prices for each of the last three years are as follows:

  Average price of LPG purchased by manufacturing industry in Great Britain1

  £ per tonne

  1998

  151.3

  1999

  144.4

  20002

  236.0

  1Figures are based on the results of a survey of manufacturing industry in Great Britain. They do not include LPG used for transport purposes.

  2The figure for 2000 is provisional

  Source:

  DTI

  Fossil Fuels
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent on research into the use of(a) LPG, (b) hydrogen and (c) electricity as an alternative to fossil fuels in each of the last five years.[160912]

  Mr. Hain
  Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) has been available in the market for a long time and the technology involved is well developed. The Government have not viewed it as appropriate to carry out their own research programme into LPG.

  Over the past five years, the has provided support averaging some £1 million per year for research on fuel cells, which could provide a major application for hydrogen in the medium term. The DTI is currently reviewing hydrogen research, and a report has been commissioned.

  It is unclear what the hon. Member intends by his reference to research on the use of electricity as an alternative to fossil fuels, since of course electricity can be generated from both fossil fuels and other fuels such as renewable energy. My recent announcement of £55.5 million funding for R&D on renewables over the next three years represents a substantial boost for renewables R&D, as part of the Government's £260 million wide-ranging package of incentives for renewable energy.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the additional sums to promote the development of new sources of renewable energy announced in the 2000 Spending Review has been spent to date; on what schemes; and what plans he has for the remaining sums. [160913]
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  Mr. Hain
  The new money announced in the 2000 Spending Review and the other new funding for renewable energy, comprising a total package in excess of £250 million, relates to the three year period 2001–;04.

  The package includes £89 million for capital grants for offshore wind, energy crops and biomass generation; £55.5 million for an expanded DTI R&D programme: £12 million from MAFF for their energy crops planting scheme; an initial £10 million as the first phase of a market stimulation programme for photovoltaic roofs; £3 million investment in a solar housing trial; and £100 million to be allocated later in the year.

  My Department is working in consultation with the wind energy industry on detailed arrangements for the new capital grants scheme for offshore wind energy projects. The New Opportunities Fund will be consulting the biomass industry and other interested parties on the details of the energy crops electricity generation and small-scale biomass heating schemes.

  The precise allocation of the £100 million announced by the Prime Minister for different renewable technologies will be decided in the light of recommendations of the Cabinet Office's Performance and Innovation Unit later in the year. The Prime Minister indicated that this new money will help promote solar photovoltaics, give a boost to offshore wind, kick start energy crops and bring on stream other new generation technologies.

  Decisions on the allocation of the DTI's increased R&D budget for renewable energy will be made in the light of consultation with industry and the universities. Of the £18 million available for renewables R&D in the current financial year, some £8 million has already been allocated to a range of renewable energy projects.

  Telecommunications (Gibraltar)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made (1) in the European Union Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code; [160929]

  (2) to the European Union competition authorities regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls routed through Spain destined for Gibraltar; and what plans Her Majesty's Government have to take legal action against the Government of Spain in respect of the effect on the Gibraltar economy of Spain's actions with the intention of seeking financial compensation; [160930]

  (3) to the European Union competition authorities to ensure that the competition cases relating to the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls routed through Spain destined for Gibraltar are processed speedily; and what plans Her Majesty's Government have to take legal action against the Spanish Government in respect of their instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar mobile telephone company. [160931]

  Ms Hewitt
  HMG are deeply concerned about the problems which Gibraltar is experiencing, including the issue of the handling of internationally dialled, least-cost routed telephone calls destined for Gibraltar, and we are pressing the European Commission and the Spanish Government for an early resolution.
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  The European Commission, which under the EC Treaty has the primary responsibility for upholding Community Law, is considering two private competition complaints relating to these problems, one of which concerns mobile roaming. HMG are in frequent contact with the Commission on this matter and have made it clear that they support these complaints.

  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make representations to the Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code; [161038]

  (2) if he will take action to stop the Spanish Government instructing Spanish mobile telephone companies not to sign roving agreements with the Gibraltar mobile telephone companies. [161034]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead (Mr. Austin) by my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [160881]

  Dr. Howells
  This information is held at local management level and is not readily available centrally.

  Departmental Staff Numbers
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the reason was for the increase in his Department's staff numbers between 1996–97 and 2001. [161126]

  Mr. Byers
  The figures published in the DTI's March Expenditure Plans Report show DTI actual staff numbers of 9,640 in 1996–97 and an estimated figure of 10,324 for 2000–01 This represents an increase of 684 staff (or 7 per cent.) over four years, principally reflecting caseload increases in demand-led activities:

  ACAS, a Non-Departmental Public Body which by convention counts towards DTI's staff numbers although it is not part of DTI. Staff numbers have increased by 210 (or 34 per cent.) from 614 in 1996–97 to 824 in 2000–01. Over the same period, caseloads have increased significantly with the number of individual conciliation cases received—one of ACAS's principal activities—rising by 45 per cent. from 77,481 to an estimated 112,000 and the number of inquiries handled growing by 71 per cent. from 439,943 to an estimated 753,000.

  The Employment Tribunal Service, a DTI agency. Staff have increased by 91 (or 15 per cent.) from 621 in 1996–97 to 712 in 2000–01. Over the same period, employment tribunal applications rose by 46 per cent. from 88,910 to an estimated 130,000.

  The Patent Office, a Trading Fund agency which meets all its outgoings from receipts. Staff numbers have increased by 167 (or 23 per cent.) from 729 in 1996–97 to 896 in 2000–01. Over the same period, caseloads in the agency's main areas of work grew significantly. Between the calendar years 1996 and 2000, patent applications
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  increased by 15.7 per cent. from 27,143 to 31,412 while trade mark applications (including for additional classes) rose by 41.2 per cent. from 71,463 to 100,902.

  In addition, smaller increases have occurred at two other DTI agencies: the Insolvency Service (35 staff, about 2 per cent.) and Companies House (34 staff, about 4 per cent.).

  Nearly all of the remainder is accounted for by an increase of 141 staff across the Department's headquarters and central services and the Small Business Service. The paybill has fallen by 4.6 per cent. in real terms between 1996–97 and the estimate for 2000–01, from £239 million in 1996–97 to £251 million estimated for 2000–01.

  MOX Fuels
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the assessment his Department made the BNFL economic case for the Sellafield MOX Plant, on which the departmental letter of endorsement included in the current public consultation documentation is based. [161120]

  Mr. Hain
  The Department endorsed on 22 March the second MOX market review prepared by BNFL for DETR. As noted in the consultation document published by DETR and the Department of Health on 28 March, the Department took into account advice from the FCO on the content of that market review, since it related to the major overseas customers who have had plutonium separated from spent fuel at Sellafield. That FCO advice is available from DETR as part of the consultation process.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has received from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in respect of proposals to use United Kingdom-origin plutonium in United States lead test assemblies for MOX plutonium-based fuels. [161119]

  Mr. Hain
  The Department is aware that the official transcript of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for 2 February referred to such a proposal, which has also been reported in the specialist media. We understand this option was being considered by the US Administration. The Government have not been formally approached by the US Administration about the matter.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) sub-post offices and (b) Crown offices closed in each quarter of the last financial year. [160716]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: The information is not available in the form requested.

  Icelandic-water Trawlermen
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many payments under the compensation scheme for former trawlermen who fished in Icelandic waters have been made; what has been the average payment; how many applications for such payments have
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  been turned down; how many have subsequently been paid following a successful appeal; and if he will make a statement. [159710]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 2 May 2001]: The most recent figures show 1,286 payments have been made under the compensation scheme and the average payment made has been £11,993. A total of 289 claims have been rejected and a further 2,173 duplicate claims have been identified.

  To date there have only been four formal appeals and they have been unsuccessful.

  British Coal (Former Employees)
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to help identify former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners in order that they may receive their equal pay compensation awards. [161068]

  Mr. Hain
  Former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners eligible to receive an award are already identified. They are those whose claims were lodged with the Employment Tribunal by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the period 1985–1992.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former canteen workers and cleaners of British Coal have been identified as qualifying for an equal pay award under the recently resolved agreement. [161069]

  Mr. Hain
  There are 1,327 former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners whose equal value claim was lodged with the Employment Tribunal by the National Union of Mineworkers in the period 1985–92 who qualify for an award.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects former canteen workers and cleaners of British Coal to receive their recently agreed award for compensation under the equal pay agreement. [161067]

  Mr. Hain
  Former British Coal canteen workers and cleaners should receive payment within a week of formal notification of their claims being withdrawn from the Employment Tribunal.

  I expect first payments to be made at the end of May.

  Employment Tribunals
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the results of the consultations carried out last year on the proposals to change employment tribunal cost rules. [161043]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My officials held informal discussions with a range of organisations last year concerning employment tribunal rules procedure. I have no plans to publish the outcome of those discussions.

  Miners' Compensation
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average amount of compensation paid to former miners is for(a) vibration white finger and (b) emphysema. [161016]
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  Mr. Hain
  With regards to vibration white finger, the Department is not yet able to make full and final offers in many cases as there are some elements of compensation (for example, claims for loss of services) that still have to be agreed with the miners' solicitors. However, interim payments are made in the meantime in respect of general damages. The average payment after medical assessment is £6,828. The average payment across all full and final and interim payments is £5,790.

  In relation to compensation for respiratory disease, the average settlement is £4,982. However, this mainly reflects Expedited Offers paid on the basis of spirometry results which account for the large majority of settlements to date.

  There have been 5,025 interim payments made, averaging £3,000 based on spirometry results. The Department has also paid 5,521 bereavement awards, averaging £8,200 and 14,764 payments of £2,000 to claimants who have received Industrial Injuries Benefit for Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema. The average payment across all full and final payments and interim payments is £3,914.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former miners have received compensation for(a) vibration white finger and (b) emphysema. [161017]

  Mr. Hain
  The Department has made 47,253 individual payments, including interims and full and final payments, in respect of vibration white finger, totalling £273.6 million.

  In respect of respiratory disease, 31,188 individual payments, including interims and full and final settlements, have been paid to former miners, totalling £98.2 million. In addition, there have been 5,521 bereavement awards totalling £45.5 million.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will recognise emphysema and chronic bronchitis as industrial diseases. [161106]

  Mr. Hain
  In January 1998 my Department assumed responsibility for the former British Coal's health liabilities, which include both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and since then we have paid out over £146 million in compensation.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Radio Licences
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when applications for the last remaining digital radio licence in London will be determined; and if religious organisations will have equal consideration to other applicants. [159273]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.
  443W
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) whether applications for the last digital radio licence available for London will be determined prior to a change in the law; [161128]

  (2) under what circumstances radio stations can obtain automatic renewal of their analogue licences by applying for a digital licence; [161129]

  (3) what the Government's policy is on granting an automatic renewal of Premier's analogue licence. [161130]

  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the standard time is for turning round export licence applications made to his Department. [160791]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My Department's export licensing unit has a code of practice under which the unit aims to issue export licences within five working days of receiving the application. Unfortunately, they cannot do so if any information is missing from the application or if it needs to be referred to an expert adviser in a museum or gallery. Expert advisers will normally be consulted within five working days and they are asked to respond to the unit within 15 working days.

  If there is a particular urgency with an application, the unit will try to issue a licence by the deadline requested.

  Manpower
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings Ministers attended with Manpower to discuss the Millennium Dome. [160657]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: According to my Department's records, neither I nor my Ministers have attended meetings with Manpower to discuss the millennium dome. My right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), the Minister without Portfolio, held one meeting with Manpower in April 1998. His successor as shareholder, Lord Falconer, met Manpower in June 1999 and January 2000. It was normal practice for the shareholder to be kept informed of progress on issues surrounding the Millennium Experience, including progress on the zones in which the sponsors had an interest.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [160891]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  No senior civil servants in this Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week. Hours being worked by all staff are monitored through an annual survey.

  Departmental Policies (Glasgow, Pollok)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Glasgow, Pollok constituency, the effects on Glasgow, Pollok of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [160832]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Through their commitment to public service broadcasting, the Government have helped to foster an environment in which a creative, commercially successful broadcasting industry provides a wide range of UK-made, high quality, original programmes catering for all viewers and listeners. We have ensured a secure funding base for the BBC, while giving them the freedom to develop commercial operations which complement and support their public service remit. We have made clear in the Communications White Paper that public service broadcasting will continue to have a key role to play in the digital future.

  The Government have also introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over from 1 November last year. Information on the number of beneficiaries by constituency is not available, but estimates based on the 1991 census indicate that there were approximately 5,200 people aged 75 or over living in the Glasgow, Pollok constituency.

  According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies, for the national lottery awards database, there have been 76 national lottery awards to Glasgow, Pollok, totalling £2,268,974, since 2 May 1997. 38 millennium award winners have been identified from Glasgow, Pollok and between them they have received grants totalling £107,947. There have been no specific awards to Glasgow, Pollok from the millennium festival, however, Glasgow as a whole did receive grants totalling £546,000 for the New Year's Eve celebrations.

  Other functions which were the responsibility of my Department have been devolved in Scotland to the Scottish Executive.

  Walsall (Funding)
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding has been made available to the borough of Walsall by his Department since June 1997. [160998]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Most of the Department's funding is allocated through its non-departmental public bodies such as the Arts Council of England, Sport England and English Heritage. Information about what they fund can be obtained from those bodies.

  My Department has given more support to the cultural and sporting infrastructure, doubling the budget for sport and the largest ever increase for arts. This includes the following schemes:

  Space for Sport and Arts Scheme

  Under the Space for Sport and Arts (SSA) scheme, a £130 million capital programme made up of £75 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund and £55 million from Sport England, the Arts Council of England and the third round of the New Opportunities Fund, Walsall local education authority has been allocated up to £1.25 million towards providing improved facilities for sport and arts

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  in primary schools which can also be used by the wider community. Of the three schemes proposed in Walsall, one is in Walsall, South and the other two in Walsall, North.

  Creative Partnerships

  In taking forward our aim to develop the educational potential of culture and sport, £40 million has been allocated to developing creative partnerships. On 21 February, I announced the 16 areas in which it is hoped creative partnership pilots will be developed. The Black Country is one of these areas, including Walsall. The Arts Council of England, which is delivering the initiative, will be consulting schools and creative organisations in each location over the next few months to establish which bodies and schools will be involved. Details on how schools and cultural organisations can take part in creative partnerships will be available from the Arts Council shortly. Funding for the initiative will come on stream in April 2002.

  School Sports Co-ordinators

  School Sport Co-ordinators will be based in families of schools, in areas of greatest need linked wherever possible through local education authorities to specialist sports colleges. They will provide opportunities for young people to compete regularly for their school and take part in a wide range of sports. By 2004, there will be about 250 families established with 1,000 secondary schools and up to 6,000 primary schools benefiting directly from this programme. Walsall has been awarded £407,542 in the second round of awards. There are six school sport co-ordinators in Aldridge-Brownhills, 30 primary teachers and one partnership development manager.

  DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge Fund

  The borough of Walsall received awards of £82,000 in 1997–98, £2,000 in 1999–2000 and £149,645 in 2000–01.

  Social Inclusion
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [161003]

  Kate Hoey
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Premiere
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Government's policy is on granting an automatic renewal of Premiere's analogue licence. [160937]

  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  BBC
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make representations to the BBC to transmit(a) BBC Online and (b) Westminster Live in ADSL broadband. [161056]
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  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Listed Buildings
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if English Heritage's Grant Aid Budget for privately-owned Grade I and II⋆ listed buildings will remain unchanged in the current year; and what plans it has to alter the balance of funding between such buildings and those owned by English Heritage. [161042]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  English Heritage's (EH) Strategic Plan indicates that they currently plan to offer £12.3 million in Grant Aid to privately owned Grade I and II⋆ listed buildings in this financial year, and the same amount in each of the next two years ie 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively.

  The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has had an adverse impact on revenue from EH's historic properties and sites that are open to the public. Consequently, all aspects of the organisation's 2001–02 budget are currently under review. It is too early to predict the full impact of FMD on EH and firm decisions about budget allocations have yet to be taken. It is for EH to decide on grant allocations within the resources available to them.

  Union Flag
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he will take to encourage the Union Flag to be flown the correct way up. [161104]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

WALES

  Proportional Representation
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the operation of proportional representation in elections to the National Assembly of Wales. [161036]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The National Assembly for Wales has 40 directly elected constituency Members and 20 additional Members who are elected on the basis of the formula set out in the Government of Wales Act 1998.

  This retains local constituencies while giving a strong element of proportional representation to ensure that the membership of the National Assembly reflects more accurately the number of votes cast for each party.

CABINET OFFICE

  St. George's Day
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many headquarters buildings of
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  Government Departments with (a) policy and (b) funding responsibilities relating to England displayed the Cross of St. George on St. George's Day 2001. [161105]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Dissolution. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Departmental Surveys
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list for(a) 1992–93, (b)1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f)1997–98, (g) 1998–99, (h) 1999–2000 and (i) 2000–01, (I) her

  II. Individual Projects

  (f)1997–98

  Description

  Cost(£)

  Research focus group study

  2,938

  Opening up Quangos—consultation paper

  5,234

  Evaluation of effectiveness of Charter Mark in improving public service

  22,912

  Survey assessing effectiveness of Charter Mark promotion public awareness

  24,000

  Your right to know—consultation for White Paper

  33,954

  Civil servants' views and experiences on lifelong learning

  54,788

  Electronic government "The view from the queue"

  517,000

  Total

  660,826

  (g) 1998–99

  Description

  Cost (£)

  Focus groups—consultation on Citizen's Charter programme

  4,700

  Research into better government

  5,875

  GDCA—Customer Satisfaction Survey

  6,568

  Usage and attitude study of direct access government

  8,577

  Government websites and the delivery of public services.

  18,271

  People's Panel—attitudinal opinion survey into public services

  237,915

  Total

  281,906

  (h) 1999–2000

  Description

  Cost (£)

  People's Panel: Analysis of the views and attitudes of people towards public services

  4,500

  National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Consultation and Analysis

  4,569

  Expanded qualitative research into Charter Mark holders

  9,000

  Research on Neighbourhood Renewal Management for Policy Action Team 4

  11,370

  Literature review of evidence on the performance of mainstream education services in deprived and non-deprived areas

  16,925

  GDCA—Customer Satisfaction Survey

  17,037

  Young people and Gender: A review of research

  20,000

  National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Consultation with hard to reach groups

  21,100

  Neighbourhood Statistics Quality Assurance

  21,150

  Staff attitude survey

  25,000

  PCSPS 2000 attitude survey

  28,000

  Total

  190,401

  (i) 2000–01

  Description

  Cost (£)

  Contacting departments/agencies directly re: uptake of qualifications within certain key occupational areas

  3,583

  Women in ITEC employment

  10,000

  Establishment of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit

  13,105

  Parents' perceptions of and attitudes towards government work-life balance initiatives

  15,000

  To seek views of public on privacy and data sharing

  16,500

  To seek views of the public on e-government

  18,500

  Literature and data review of evidence on the performance of mainstream health services in deprived and non-deprived areas

  19,600

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  Department's total spending on quantitative and qualitative surveys of policy issues by focus groups, opinion polling, task forces or other means and (II) the cost of each individual project. [146581]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Details of my Department's expenditure on quantitative and qualitative surveys of policy issues since 1997 is listed in the table. Information prior to 1997–98 are not available because the Department's previous accounting systems did not enable expenditure on these services to be identified separately.

  Total Expenditure

  (f) 1997–98: £660,826

  (g) 1998–99: £281, 906

  (h) 1999–2000: £190,401

  (i) 2000–02: £871,177
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  Description

  Cost (£)

  Qualitative work on communications issues

  23,000

  Review of the Policy Action Team Approach to Policy Development

  24,990

  National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Consultation and Analysis

  26,032

  Women's individual incomes research

  32,145

  Research to identify how poor areas changed in the 1990s

  33,520

  Staff attitude survey

  39,285

  Crisis management and how the public viewed a crisis

  48,410

  National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal Consultation with hard to reach groups

  52,300

  People's Panel: Satisfaction with public services and what people expect from them; perceptions about how public services deal with complaints

  64,400

  People's Panel: Research into what people from ethnic minority communities think of the services they receive and how their opinions differ across and between different ethnic minority groups

  68,100

  People's Panel: To establish which out-of-hours services people want access to; what sort of business will they want to be able to contact; and how

  68,600

  Equality in performance review

  71,381

  Equality in performance review

  222,726

  Total

  871,177

  Note:

  All figures include recoverable VAT.

  Civil Service (Management Functions) Act
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what delegations have been made in 2000 under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992; to whom these delegations were made; and what the main conditions attached to them were. [146459]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope) on 6 February 2001,Official Report, column 489W.

  Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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. [158556]

  Mr. Stringer
  A total of five visits were made by the special advisers between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001. In addition the UK anti-drugs co-ordinator and his deputy made a total of 20 visits overseas. These trips abroad, by the UK anti-drugs co-ordinator and his deputy, sometimes included more than one country. All travel complied with the requirements of the civil service management code.

  Civil Service Pay
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the notional(a) minimum and (b maximum salary is for each of the senior five administrative civil service grade pay scales assuming the same pay awards and an averaging of performance related pay for each grade. [160857]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  In 1996, the senior civil service was created to cover the top 3,000 civil servants formerly in grades 1–5. Members of the senior civil service are placed in one of nine overlapping pay bands broadly according to job weight. Permanent Secretaries have a separate pay range.
  450W
  The band minima and maxima for 2001–02 are as follows:

  £

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Band 1

  44,038

  69,178

  Band 2

  48,552

  77,869

  Band 3

  53,534

  87,598

  Band 4

  59,088

  98,494

  Band 5

  64,768

  104,292

  Band 6

  70,905

  110,428

  Band 7

  77,635

  116,904

  Band 8

  84,811

  123,856

  Band 9

  92,696

  131,276

  Permanent Secretaries

  104,292

  179,022

  The average individual performance-related award for members of the senior civil service for 2000–01 was 4.8 per cent.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he will take in response to the UN report on Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [160679]

  Mr. Wilson
  We have taken careful note of the panel's work so far. We have also supported the extension of the panel's mandate to give it a further opportunity to provide a fully balanced analysis and to include corroborated evidence relating to all parties in the conflict. We now await the panel's final report.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [160886]
  451W
  Mr. Wilson
  The Department does not hold central records of those who have voluntarily signed waivers.

  India
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Indian authorities concerning the continuing violence and intimidation suffered by Christians in India. [160924]

  Mr. Wilson
  We have raised our concern over attacks on Christians with the Indian Government on a number of occasions and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Palestinian Authority Prisons
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released from Palestinian Authority prisons since the start of the current intifada. [160991]

  Mr. Wilson
  There have certainly been releases, but no reliable figures are available. A few of those released have been rearrested.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 2001,Official Report, column 797W, on entry clearance, for what reason a backlog of replies to hon. Members' letters on entry clearance cases accumulated; and what has been the reduction in waiting times since the Minister for Europe assumed responsibility. [158335]

  Mr. Vaz
  A backlog of replies to right hon. and hon. Members' letters had accumulated due to a shortage of staff in the Visa Correspondence Unit. This has now been addressed. I assumed ministerial responsibility for entry clearance in October 1999. In that month 38 per cent. of letters received from hon. Members were replied to within 15 working days. In March 2001, 92 per cent. were replied to within that period.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if information given to an entry clearance officer during an informal assessment of a visitor's visa application is retained and used in a later fresh application by the same applicant. [160682]

  Mr. Vaz
  If an applicant decides not to pursue a visit visa application after the preliminary assessment, the visa application form may be retained. If the applicant subsequently lodges a formal application, the interviewing entry clearance officer can consider any evidence relevant to the application when making a decision on the case. The information taken at the pre-assessment stage may be put to the applicant, who would be invited to explain any discrepancies that emerge.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedures are in place for an applicant to challenge the contents of an entry clearance officer's notes taken during an informal 452W
  assessment of the prospects of the award of a visitor visa on the grounds of the applicant's statements being misunderstood. [160697]

  Mr. Vaz
  The pre-assessment is the procedure whereby an entry clearance officer can give advice to an applicant that their application is unlikely to succeed. The applicant does not have to accept this advice and can proceed with the application at any time. If an applicant therefore believes that his or her statements have been misunderstood during the preliminary assessment, he or she will be given the opportunity to make this clear during the formal visa interview.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of the reduction in the amount of paperwork required from applicants for entry clearance at Islamabad. [160843]

  Mr. Vaz
  The visa section in Islamabad has recently significantly improved the service they offer. A special exercise conducted in March reduced the non-settlement queue from 42 working days to a same day service and brought all the settlement queues back within the Ministerially agreed targets.

  Alongside the special exercise, it was felt that less emphasis should be placed upon the documents submitted with an application when making a decision on the case. Islamabad formerly produced forms which listed in great detail the documents that an applicant should submit with each type of application. Applicants are offered the INF series of visa information leaflets, which clearly explain the Immigration Rules and how to make an application.

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means the EU Association Committee at its meeting in May will assess the compliance of Israel with the human rights clauses within the EU-Israel Association Agreement; and what factors it will take into account. [158806]

  Mr. Vaz
  The EU and Israel will have a wide ranging discussion at the Association Committee meeting on 21 May. There are no restraints on the dialogue. The EU will be raising issues of concern.

  Bahrain
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent EU-Gulf Co-operation Council Ministerial meeting in Bahrain, indicating at what level the United Kingdom was represented and what the outcome was. [160614]

  Mr. Vaz
  My hon. Friend, the Member for Cunninghame, North, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, attended the EU-Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Joint Council in Manama, Bahrain on 23 April. A copy of the Joint Declaration, covering the issues discussed at the Joint Council, has been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action the
  453W
  Government are taking to help protect the Serbian Orthodox churches in Kosovo from vandalism and destruction; [160664]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning damage to Serbian Orthodox churches in Kosovo. [160665]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: We have received representations from a variety of sources including the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, MPs and members of the public. The protection of religious and patrimonial sites is an important role for KFOR, undertaken to improve security and the way of life for all communities in Kosovo. KFOR provides armed guards to protect churches and monasteries throughout Kosovo, but unfortunately attacks against churches do still occur.

  Turkmenistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his counterparts in Turkmenistan regarding the imprisonment of Shageldy Atakov; and if he will make a statement. [160714]

  Mr. Vaz
  On 23 February the British Government, with EU partners and the US, issued a demarche to the Turkmen Foreign Minister regarding reports that Mr. Shageldy Atakov had been beaten and that he was seriously ill, and called for his release on humanitarian grounds. In the absence of a formal response from the Turkmen Foreign Minister, EU and US Ambassadors called on him again on 2 May to press him once more to release Mr. Atakov. The Foreign Minister maintained that as Mr. Atakov refused to ask the Turkmen Government for a pardon he could not be released except under a general amnesty. The Government will continue to press the Turkmen Government for Mr. Atakov's release.

  EU Applicants
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the impact on the UK's financial contribution to the EU if the 12 applicant states join, as a result of their membership. [160620]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999 the EU agreed indicative limits for expenditure in an enlarged EU until 2006, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The size of any increase in the UK's net contribution would depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but would be restricted by these limits. Also at Berlin, the governments succeeded in retaining the UK abatement. The abatement will apply to the bulk of spending in the new member states.

  Any increase in the UK's net budgetary contribution would also need to be viewed against the considerable political and economic benefits of enlargement.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on the CAP as a result of admitting(a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Bulgaria and (e) Romania into the EU. [160627]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999, the EU agreed a Financial Perspective for 2000–06. This contained annual
  454W
  ceilings on agricultural expenditure for the current 15 member states. From 2002 onwards, and for the first time ever, the ceilings on CAP spending in the existing member states decline in real terms.

  Berlin also agreed indicative ceilings for expenditure in an enlarged EU, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of annual expenditure in an enlarged EU will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on(a) the CAP and (b) the total EU budget as a result of admitting the 12 applicant countries negotiating to join the EU. [160621]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999 the EU agreed indicative limits for expenditure in an enlarged EU until 2006, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of expenditure, overall and on the CAP, will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits. These limits leave the overall ceiling on spending in an enlarged EU well beneath the current Own Resources ceiling (1.27 per cent. of community GNP).

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will accommodate Gibraltar's telephone system within the UK 0044 code. [160676]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: HMG are deeply concerned at the problems which Gibraltar is currently experiencing over telecommunications. We are considering various options for resolving these problems.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he intends to take legal action against Spain in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar Mobile Phone Company; [161087]

  (2) what action he has taken following Spain's decision not to recognise Gilbraltar's international dialling code; what assessment he has made of the impact of this decision; and if he will make a statement; [161085]

  (3) what representations he has made to the EU competition authorities regarding telecommunications and Gibraltar; [161090]

  (4) what compensation he is seeking from Spain for damage to the Gibraltar economy as a result of Spain's decisions on telecommunications policy in respect of Gibraltar; [161088]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the combined impact of the use of least cost routing and Spain's decision not to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code on the Gibraltar economy; [161089]

  (6) when Gibraltar exhausted its supply of telephone numbers; and what representations he has made to Spain on this subject. [161086]
  455W
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has made to the EU competition authorities about mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar; [161037]

  (2) what plans he has to take legal action against the Spanish Government relating to its actions on restricting mobile telephone use relating to mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar. [161039]

  Mr. Vaz
  HMG are concerned about the various problems which Gibraltar is experiencing over telecommunications. Spain does not recognise Gibraltar's International Direct Dialling code which is recognised by every other country. Gibraltar has now virtually exhausted its numbering capacity.

  The European Commission, which under the EC Treaty has primary responsibility for upholding Community Law, including competition law, is considering two private competition complaints relating to Gibraltar telecommunications, one of which concerns mobile roaming. HMG have made it clear that they support these complaints.

  The Government of Gibraltar have also brought to our attention problems with Gibraltar-bound international calls failing to reach their destination. We are working hard to identify the exact cause of the problem of dropped calls, and the best way forward.

  HMG are in direct contact with the Commission on all these matters. We raise them with the Spanish Government, at both ministerial and official level, at every appropriate opportunity, and will continue to do so.

  Syria
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Nations security resolutions being contravened by Syria. [160984]

  Mr. Wilson
  We have a continuing dialogue with Syria about a broad range of United Nations Security Council Resolutions of direct relevance to them, including those concerned with the middle east peace process and Iraq.

  Where we have concerns, we continue to seek assurances that Syria is not contravening those resolutions.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ballistic missile capability of Syria. [160986]

  Mr. Wilson
  Syria has a combined inventory of several hundred short-range ballistic missiles, with a range of up to 500km. We assess that Syria is also working towards a missile with a range of 700km.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara'a to discuss Syria's support for Hizbollah. [160985]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Foreign Secretary has no plans to meet the Syrian Foreign Minister, Faruq al-Shara'a before the general election. The Foreign Secretary last spoke to Mr. Shara'a on 18 April welcoming Syria's restraint in response to an Israeli airstrike against a Syrian radar site 456W
  in Lebanon. The Foreign Secretary urged Syria to use her influence to restrain further Hizbollah attacks across the UN designated "Blue Line".

  Iran
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Iranian Foreign Minister to discuss the whereabouts of the Israeli airman, Ron Arad. [160987]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Foreign Secretary currently has no plans for a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister, although he has stated that he still hopes to visit Iran later this year. The Iranian Foreign Minister assured him during their meeting in January last year that although he had no information concerning Ron Arad he would pass on any information he might obtain.

  Gallipoli (Commemoration)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature of the United Kingdom delegation to recent commemorations in Gallipoli. [160840]

  Mr. Vaz
  The United Kingdom was represented by HM Ambassador in Ankara, Sir David Logan, and the Defence Attaché in Ankara, Brigadier Kim Winfield, at the commemoration of Gallipoli on 24 April.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to answer the letter transferred to him by the Home Secretary dated 12 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Denise Southworth. [160964]

  Mr. Vaz
  This Letter has not been transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The subject is a matter for HM Customs and Excise.

  Missile Defence
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has from the United States Administration on the scope and degree of consultation the United States(a) has had and (b) intends to have, with the Governments of the Group of 77 in respect of proposals for global deployment of missile defence systems. [160804]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: We have no information from the US Administration on any consultations they may have had or intend to have with Governments of the Group of 77 on issues relating to missile defence.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to consult the Governments of the British Commonwealth over the security and economic implications of missile defence systems. [160811]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: We regularly discuss a range of foreign and security policy issues in meetings with Commonwealth Governments.

  Palestinian Authority
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU Commissioner Chris Patten regarding the level of corruption in the Palestinian Authority. [160982]

  Mr. Wilson
  We fully support calls by the EU General Affairs Council for the Palestinian Authority to take effective measures against corruption. We welcome EU Commissioner Chris Patten's efforts to encourage greater transparency within the Palestinian Authority.

  The Government regularly urge the Palestinian Authority to implement effective reforms. The Foreign Secretary last raised the issue directly with Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Co-operation, Nabil Sha'ath when they met on 1 May.

  Palestinian Schools
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Palestinian Authority regarding the content of literature in school books in Palestinian schools. [160981]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government are deeply concerned by allegations of incitement through literature being used in Palestinian schools. We have sought assurances from the Palestinian Authority, that no such material is contained within the textbooks of the new Palestinian curriculum.

  We urge both sides to maintain objectivity and historical accuracy in their school books and we encourage them to "educate for peace" by promoting reconciliation and greater mutual understanding.

  Gaza Strip
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Palestinian Authority regarding mortar shells fired from within the Gaza Strip into Israel. [160983]

  Mr. Wilson
  In his telephone conversation with Nabil Sha'ath, Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Co-operation, on 18 April, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stressed that the international community was looking to the Palestinian Authority to take every possible step to halt the mortar attacks. We are in regular contact with the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel, urging them to resume security co-operation and to do all in their power to end the violence.

  US Military Personnel
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many US military personnel work in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) British Overseas Territories; and if the UK-US treaties covering military co-operation proscribe any limit on deployment in the UK. [160807]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: The information requested is not centrally held and is in the process of being collated. I will write to my hon. Friend with the information as soon as it is available.

  Lebanon
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Lebanese Prime Minister to discuss the presence of Hizbollah in southern Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [160989]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Secretary of State has no plans at present to meet the Lebanese Prime Minister. The Government regularly urge the Lebanese Government to assert its authority fully in southern Lebanon and maintain law and order up to the "Blue Line".

  Space-based Energy Weapons
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the compatibility of space-based energy weapons systems using nuclear power with the non-proliferation treaty. [160803]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: Space-based energy weapons systems using nuclear power for non-explosive purposes would be compatible with obligations of both nuclear-weapon state and non-nuclear weapon state parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Spaced-based energy systems using nuclear power for explosives would be compatible with the obligations of nuclear-weapons state parties to the Treaty but not with the obligations of non-nuclear weapon state parties to the Treaty.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed in the tête-à-tête discussions at the meeting referred to in the letter from G. P. Hinduja to the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister on 9 June 1998; and if the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) was present. [161101]

  Mr. Vaz
  The hon. Member for Leicester, East was not present at the 5 June 1998 meeting. Discussion was exclusively on current issues of Indian foreign policy.

  Brajesh Mishra
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the date was of his meeting with Brajesh Mishra in May and June 1998; and who else was present. [161100]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Secretary of State met Brajesh Mishra on 5 June. The first part of the meeting was tête-à-tête. British and Indian officials sat in on the remainder of the meeting. No-one else was present.

  Israel/Lebanon (Kidnappings)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action has been taken by(a) Amnesty International, (b) the International Committee for the Red Cross, (c) the International Commissioner for Human Rights and (d) his Department in attempting to secure the release of Israelis kidnapped on the Israeli side of the Israeli-Lebanon border; [160990]
  459W
  (2) if he will discuss with the Government of Lebanon the whereabouts of (a) the three Israeli soldiers kidnapped on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border and (b) the Israeli civilian kidnapped in Switzerland. [160988]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government condemn hostage taking under any circumstances. On 3 May the Foreign Secretary and I met the families of the three soldiers kidnapped in occupied Syrian territory on 7 October and the reservist colonel kidnapped in Lebanon on 4 October. The Government are already doing all they can to help and have raised these cases with relevant countries in the region and will continue to do so, pressing particularly for access to the hostages for the ICRC. We also support the ICRC's wish to have access to all those held by Israel in administrative detention. We strongly support all efforts to secure the release of all hostages, particularly efforts led by the United Nations Secretary-General. We are regularly in touch with the relevant organisations but cannot answer for them.

  Oslo Accords
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make statement on the honouring of commitments made at the Oslo accords by Israel and the Palestinians not to use violence as a means of furthering national aspirations. [160992]

  Mr. Wilson
  Since the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("Oslo 1") in 1993, both Israel and the Palestinians have consistently committed to pursuit of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement in the middle east on the basis of non-violence. The key now is to look forward. We call on both parties to commit every possible energy to bring about an end to violence. We urge them to take immediate parallel steps to break the cycle of violence and build confidence, in the context of a renewed political re-engagement, aimed at an agreement based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the principle of "land for peace", security for Israel within recognised borders and an end of occupation.

  Treaty of Nice
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2001,Official Report, column 392W, on the Treaty of Nice, if he will publish the latest version to which he has access of the consolidated versions of the treaties on European Union and establishing the European Communities. [161099]

  Mr. Vaz
  The latest version of the consolidated treaties is that incorporating the changes made by the Treaty of Amsterdam. It was published as a Command Paper on 29 October 1997 (Cm 3780), and is available in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Import Ban
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 1 February 2001,Official Report, column 524, on the banning of
  460W
  imports, how many of the precedents cited related to the legal grounds of (a) animal health and (b) public morality. [150876]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The then Government's stated rationale for banning imports of turkeys from France was the potential risk to animal health in relation to Newcastle disease. This argument was rejected by the European Court of Justice.

  Neither of the other two cases cited related to the imposition of import bans. In one case, a judicial review against Government for not banning veal calf exports on public morality grounds was not upheld. In the other, restrictions on the ability of non-UK EU fishermen to operate vessels on the UK register were deemed unlawful by the European Court of Justice.

  Food and Drink Exports (France)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the financial value of French exports of food and drink was to the United Kingdom in each month in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [150246]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 13 February 2001]: Official Overseas Trade Statistics show that exports of food and drink (excluding live animals) to France during 1999 and 2000 were as follows:

  Year/Month

  £million

  1999

  January

  81

  February

  91

  March

  104

  April

  99

  May

  95

  June

  94

  July

  90

  August

  91

  September

  108

  October

  100

  November

  103

  December

  104

  2000

  January

  76

  February

  73

  March

  89

  April

  78

  May

  73

  June

  83

  July

  81

  August

  82

  September

  84

  October

  89

  November

  94

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise

  Departmental Travel Costs
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total gross running cost to his Department for travel, including fares, subsistence, accommodation and other expenses met by public funds for visits exclusively within the United Kingdom by(a) him and (b) Ministers in the last 12 months. [149145]
  461W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  During the 2000–01 financial year £146,126 was spent by Ministers and officials in their private offices on travel, including fares, subsistence, accommodation and other expenses. Of this, £52,655 was spent by my office.

  Entertainment Costs
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total gross cost to his Department was in the last 12 months of alcoholic drinks. [149146]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Department's financial records do not include a separate heading for alcoholic drinks. The information requested could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when his Department first received an indication of a possible potential outbreak of foot and mouth disease prior to the first confirmed outbreak; what steps his Department has taken to contain such an outbreak; and how many of these measures had been put in place before the first outbreak had been officially confirmed; [154826]

  (2) on what date he was first informed of the possibility of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [154909]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) by my right hon. Friend the Minister on 30 April 2001,Official Report, column 493W.

  From the outset, the Government put stringent disease control measures rapidly in place, based on the advice of the Chief Veterinary Officer. Movement restrictions were imposed within an 8 km zone as soon as the first case was reported on 19 February. All animal movements in a 10 km infected area were halted as soon as the first case was confirmed on 20 February. On 23 February, on the same day as the first case outside Essex was confirmed at Heddon-on-the-Wall, a nationwide prohibition on animal movements was imposed. The UK Government and the European Commission also acted swiftly to prohibit temporarily the export of live animals, meat, fresh milk and other animal products from the UK from 20 February onwards.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial support has been given to farmers in Shrewsbury and Atcham affected by foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [156561]

  Ms Quin
  All farmers are paid full market value as compensation for any animals slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. Compensation is not payable for consequential losses connected with foot and mouth controls. There are no plans at present to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, although this is being kept under review.

  We are unable to provide my hon. Friend with specific details of how many farmers in Shrewsbury and Atcham have received compensation so far, as data are not readily available in this form. However, Shrewsbury and Atcham is within the Ministry's Worcester Division
  462W
  (Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire) and, as of 4 May, Worcester Animal Health Office had received 325 claims for compensation. These claims will total £23,737,218.70.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the findings on the report of the 1967 foot and mouth outbreak with regard to the time taken between cases being suspected and being confirmed. [155561]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 26 March 2001]: The 1967 report investigated the time taken between suspected disease being reported, confirmation and slaughter, and found that in approximately 98 per cent. of cases slaughter was completed by the day following diagnosis. The report commented that veterinary inspectors had to consult MAFF Headquarters by telephone in order for disease to be confirmed, and suggested that diagnosis could instead by made by the veterinary inspector. However, the report also recognised that this procedure ensured that HQ was promptly informed of outbreaks and that it did not delay slaughter.

  The Government accepted the recommendations made by the 1967 report at that time and incorporated them into legislation and standing instructions as appropriate.

  In the current outbreak, as soon as notification of a suspected case is received by the Divisional Veterinary Manager Form A restrictions are placed on the premises which prohibit any animal, person or thing entering or leaving the premises without permission. A veterinary inspector is required to visit the premises and inspect any susceptible animals within two hours. If the vet believes that disease is present, HQ is contacted, disease is confirmed and all susceptible animals are slaughtered. If the vet is in any doubt as to whether disease is present, all susceptible animals are 'slaughtered on suspicion' and samples are taken for testing at the Institute of Animal Health. If the vet is satisfied that there are no clinical signs of foot and mouth disease or any reason to suspect that disease may be present, slaughter does not take place.

  In the majority of suspected cases clinical diagnosis, rather than laboratory diagnosis, is made in order to speed up the process of confirming the disease.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2001,Official Report, column 358W, on foot and mouth, what cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken on the foot and mouth cull. [156097]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 29 March 2001]: An EU risk assessment analysing the costs and benefits of both a vaccination and slaughter policy was published in 1993. This concluded that a slaughter policy would cost less than a vaccination policy. It was therefore decided that EU policy should be to slaughter and dispose of affected animals, or those animals exposed to infection, and that this was the most effective way of controlling the disease.

  The results of this cost-benefit analysis confirmed the results of a cost-benefit evaluation of alternative control policies for foot and mouth disease which was published in 1973 following the 1967 outbreak.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making to allow farmers to move ewes that are due to lamb but are still on
  463W
  their winter pastures to areas nearer to the farm to which they belong to permit farmers to supervise the lambing; and if he will make a statement. [152807]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: These arrangements were introduced on 28 April.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason (1) the Government made no declaration under Regulation 35 of the Products of Animal Origin (Imports and Exports) Regulations 1996 in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Kwa-Zulu-Natal; [153366]

  (2) no Customer Information Note was issued by his Department in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. [153368]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  On 21 September last year we were advised by the European Commission that the South African Authorities had declared 16 magisterial districts as controlled areas in the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Province and as a consequence the South African authorities were not issuing health certificates required for imports of meat into the EU. The Government were content with this situation at that time. However, it became clear from later reports to the Standing Veterinary Committee that the disease situation in South Africa was deteriorating. In view of this, on 5 January the Government issued a Declaration under Regulation 35 of the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996, prohibiting meat imports from all of South Africa. A Customer Information Note explaining the situation was sent out on 8 January, as was a letter to all UK Border Inspection Posts. Similar action to the above was taken by Scotland and Northern Ireland shortly after the dates specified. After 21 September our records show that there were no imports of meat from South Africa into the UK.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to ban the import of meat from countries outside the EU where there is foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [156217]

  Ms Quin
  EC rules only permit the importation of meat from a limited number of third countries where foot and mouth disease is present in circumstances 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 an FMD 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.

  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) and Brazil (10 May). Scotland and Northern Ireland took similar action for each of these countries shortly after each of the dates specified. All meat imported from third countries is subject to veterinary checks at Border Inspection Posts to ensure that import requirements are met.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the(a) disposal methods being employed and (b) length of
  464W
  time taken to dispose of animal carcases slaughtered as part of the control of foot and mouth disease in Worcestershire; [155161]

  (2) what plans he has to use additional sites in Worcestershire for the disposal of culled animals; [156986]

  (3) when disposal of carcases will begin at the Waresley landfill site in Worcestershire; for how long the site will be used for this purpose; and how many animals he anticipates will be disposed of at the site. [157699]

  Ms Quin
  We will continue to use all safe disposal methods available to us. At present the main options are burial or burning on farm, incineration in authorised incinerators, rendering, disposal in specially identified landfill or mass burial sites, or burning in mass burning sites. Commercial landfill sites are used primarily for the disposal of animals slaughtered under the Livestock Disposal (Welfare) Scheme.

  In Worcestershire, there are no suitable incinerators or rendering facilities, so these are not options. Although the Waresley site in Worcestershire has been approved by the Environment Agency for carcase disposal, there are no plans at the present time to use this site.

  There is a mass burial site currently being used, at Throckmorton airfield. There are currently no plans to use additional sites in Worcestershire.

  With the help of the armed forces, we have been able to reduce significantly the time taken to dispose of carcases in the majority of cases. The statistics collected for Hereford and Worcester show that for animals slaughtered in this area in the week commencing 22 April, the average time taken to dispose of carcases was 28 hours.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if(a) semen and (b) embryos from (i) foot and mouth infected animals and (ii) foot and mouth vaccinated animals can be used subsequent to an outbreak within the criteria for disease-free status. [156651]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 2 April 2001]: Semen and embryos from foot and mouth infected animals are not eligible for use. In the event of a vaccination policy being adopted, Community rules would set out any restrictions on the use of semen and embryos from vaccinated animals.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) which Ministers in his Department approved the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and on what dates; [156877]

  (2) on what date since he became the Minister the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease was first put to him by his officials for his consideration; and what his response was; [156878]

  (3) pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling on 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 220W, on foot and mouth, on what date his Department's updated contingency plan for foot and mouth was approved by the European Commission; [158305]

  (4) pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 220W, on foot and mouth, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's contingency plan that was submitted to the European Commission in July 2000; [158304]
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  (5) pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling of 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 220W, on foot and mouth, if he will list the bodies outside his Department which were consulted over the updating of his Department's contingency plan for foot and mouth before it was submitted to the European Commission in July 2000. [158306]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 4 April and 23 May 2001]: Contingency planning against foot and mouth disease operates at two levels. The GB contingency plan provides a general overview of our planned response to an outbreak. It was approved by Commission Decision 93/455/EEC on 23 July 1993 as being in compliance with the requirements of European Commission Decision 91/42/EEC. The revised version of the contingency plan submitted to the European Commission in July 2000 did not require formal approval by the European Commission.

  No bodies outside my Department were consulted during this revision of the contingency plans. The update was a purely factual one to expand the section on publicity and disease awareness so that it covered the same ground as the Classical Swine Fever contingency plan. The State Veterinary Service Standing Instructions for foot and mouth disease set out the detailed procedures to be followed during an outbreak. It was not necessary for Ministers to approve the revision to the contingency plans last year.

  As the outbreak of foot and mouth has progressed, Ministers have been involved in daily discussions with officials, other Government Departments and interested parties on the development and implementation of our disease control strategies.

  A copy of the foot and mouth contingency plans for Great Britain will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The Standing Instructions of the State Veterinary Service are already available in the MAFF library. A copy of this document, which has had certain commercially confidential sections removed on legal advice, is being placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what economic analysis his Department has conducted into(a) the costs and benefits to the UK economy and (b) the costs to public funds of (i) a cull to eradicate and (ii) a vaccination without eradication approach to foot and mouth disease; and if he will publish the analysis. [157070]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: European Union rules on the control of foot and mouth disease were amended in 1990 when it was decided that eradication was preferable to vaccination. This decision was taken after consideration of a risk assessment to compare the costs and benefits of a vaccination and non-vaccination policy and on the assumption that disease outbreaks would be stamped out in both cases. This study concluded that the economic costs of a vaccination policy to the food chain would be substantially higher than the costs of a slaughter policy. This confirmed the conclusions of an earlier study carried out in the UK following the 1967 outbreak and published in the Journal of Agricultural Economics in 1973.
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  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make provision for limited movement licensing of bulls in time for the end of the present spring calving period. [157252]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: We have modified the FMD longer distance movement scheme to remove the welfare test which normally needs to be satisfied before animals can be moved. It is now possible for male FMD susceptible animals including bulls to move for breeding purposes. All other conditions of the scheme, apart from the welfare test, will continue to apply.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many landfill sites in the North Wiltshire constituency he intends to use for the burial of carcases; how many such carcases there will be; and from where they will be transported. [157546]

  Ms Quin
  The following landfill sites in Wiltshire have been identified by the Environment Agency, subject to meeting specific criteria, as suitable for carcase disposal:Viridor Waste Management, Westbury, Towbridge Road, Wiltshire Viridor Waste Management, Sands Farm, Sandpit Road, Calne, Wiltshire.

  It is expected that approximately 100 tonnes of carcases will be disposed at each of these two sites per day. There are approximately 20–25 sheep or 10 pigs or two cattle to one tonne. As for where carcases are transported from, decisions are made on a daily basis according to the availability of resources and depending on the number and location of carcases.

  This information is correct as of 8 May 2001.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if local vets will be allowed to agree movement of livestock in the local vicinity with supervision to enable farmers to manage stock. [157394]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: These arrangements were introduced on 28 April.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the movement of cattle on farms in Chorley in order to ease overcrowding. [157164]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 April 2001]: Various schemes have been introduced since the start of the FMD outbreak to permit the movement of farm animals. Details are available from the MAFF website, and helplines.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will issue guidance on the minimum ratio of vets to animals culled; and what plans he has to increase the ratio. [157540]

  Ms Quin
  There has been no guidance issued on the ratio of vets to animals culled.

  The State Veterinary Service is instructed to provide veterinary supervision of slaughter teams. Depending on the number of animals to be slaughtered on each farm, a veterinary officer will audit the work of up to a maximum of 10 slaughter teams. There are no plans to change these instructions.
  467W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what sites are being considered in Herefordshire for the burial of slaughtered livestock; and if he will make a statement; [157249]

  (2) what consultations he has had with (a) Herefordshire council, (b) local parish councils and (c) local NFU representatives on the location of sites in Herefordshire for the burial of livestock; and if he will make a statement. [157250]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answers 6 May 2001]: There are no mass burial or landfill sites under consideration for the burial of slaughtered livestock in Herefordshire. The Environment Agency has undertaken risk assessments of the suitability of proposed locations for on-farm burials of carcases. No consultations have been carried out with Herefordshire council, local parish councils or the NFU over the disposal of carcases in Herefordshire.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the number of illegal animal movements occurring each week and the numbers of foot and mouth outbreaks caused by such movements; [157557]

  (2) how many farmers have been prosecuted for the illegal movement of animals; and how many farmers have been discovered illegally moving animals since the start of the foot and mouth outbreak. [157558]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: Three farmers have been convicted to date by local authorities for illegal movements of foot and mouth susceptible animals. There have been many allegations of illegal movements of animals and the police and local authorities are engaged in the prevention and detection of illegal movements.

  Epidemiological investigation so far has not found any case in which an illegal movement of animals has been positively identified as a cause of disease in a new place but a large number of illegal movements are under investigation and the risks of spreading foot and mouth this way are very high.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his estimate is of the cost to date of providing compensation in connection with the foot and mouth outbreak. [157516]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The estimate of the cost up to 5 May of compensation for the compulsory slaughter of animals and destruction of infected items in connection with the foot and mouth outbreak is £629 million.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that the information on his Department's list of infected premises by county website is(a) accurate and (b) updated to within the last 24 hours. [156925]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The list of infected premises and the county list on the website is updated several times a day with details of new cases when official confirmation of disease is sent to the Divisional Veterinary Manager at the relevant MAFF Animal Health Divisional Office.
  468W
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of contiguous farms which will be closed down as a result of the foot and mouth crisis; and if he will make a statement. [158056]

  Ms Quin
  No estimate has been made at this stage but the matter will be kept under review.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries, and regions thereof, from which imports of meat are admitted into the United Kingdom; and which of these(a) currently and (b) in the last 12 months have had occurrences of foot and mouth disease. [158381]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: EU rules permit the importation into the Community of fresh meat of the bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species are currently permitted from the following countries:

  All EU countries

  Argentina

  Australia

  Brazil

  Bulgaria

  Botswana

  Canada

  Croatia

  Chile

  Czech Republic

  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

  Greenland

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Namibia

  New Zealand

  Paraguay

  Poland

  Romania

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  South Africa

  Swaziland

  Switzerland

  Uruguay

  USA

  Yugoslavia

  Zimbabwe.

  Of those listed, the following countries have had outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the last 12 months:

  EU countries:

  France

  Greece

  The Netherlands

  The Republic of Ireland

  Third countries:

  Argentina

  Brazil

  Namibia

  South Africa

  Swaziland

  Uruguay.

  469W
  Following outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, 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.

  Community legislation recognises that disease is present in some countries but also recognises where it has been contained in specific regions. The importation of meat is permitted from a limited number of countries where foot and mouth disease is present but only where the disease is so contained. Imports of fresh meat are only permitted 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 an FMD risk, may be imported from other regions subject to veterinary certification.

  All meat imported from third countries is subject to veterinary checks at Border Inspection Posts to ensure that import requirements are met.

  Following outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, 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), Uruguay (since 26 April) and Brazil (since 10 May). Scotland and Northern Ireland took similar action for each of these countries shortly after each of the dates specified.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list on his Department's website the addresses of premises where foot and mouth disease preventive culls are carried out. [158202]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The website presently lists the details of all premises that have been confirmed as having foot and mouth disease present. There are no plans to list those premises where preventive culls are being carried out. However, should disease be confirmed in premises where preventive culling has taken place, details of the premises will be placed on the website.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what standing instructions, made, pursuant to the conclusions of the Western Command report on the 1967–68 outbreak of foot and mouth, were in place prior to the current outbreak; and if he will place a copy of the current standing instructions in the Library. [158222]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Ministry relied on the Northumberland Report when drawing up revised contingency plans after the 1967–68 outbreak. The Western Command Report was an internal Ministry of Defence Report. The GB contingency plan for dealing with outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, in accordance with Article 5 of Council Directive 90/423/EEC, provides a general overview of our planned response to an outbreak. The State Veterinary Service Standing Instructions for foot and mouth disease set out the detailed procedures to be followed during an outbreak. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the reasons for the spread of foot and mouth disease in Worcestershire;470W
  what role contiguous culls have played in inhibiting the spread of the disease in the county; and if he will make a statement. [158477]

  Ms Quin
  As in other parts of the country the epidemiology of the outbreaks in Worcester is complex and multifactoral. However, as elsewhere, introduction and subsequent dissemination relates to sheep movement and sheep husbandry practices.

  Detailed epidemiological studies of individual cases are still being pursued with a view to ensuring that origin and spread is correctly identified. These studies will also take into account the efficiency of the contiguous culls, both nationally and in Worcestershire.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what experiments his Department had carried out on the foot and mouth virus before the current outbreak; and what assessment he has made of the possibility of contamination of the national(a) herd and (b) flock as a result of such tests. [158249]

  Ms Quin
  There are many different strains of foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus. The strain responsible for the current outbreak is a new strain to the UK of FMD virus, but is related to other strains belonging to the type O PanAsia group. Although the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, has carried out experiments with other viruses belonging to the type O PanAsia group, no work could be done on this new strain before the current outbreak, so nothing was known about the virulence or genetic characteristics. It was therefore not possible to make any assessment of the risk of this particular strain infecting the national herd and flock.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a cost-benefit analysis of(a) slaughter and (b) vaccination to control foot and mouth with special reference to (i) costs to the public purse and (ii) costs to trade. [158499]

  Ms Quin
  A risk assessment analysing the costs and benefits of both a vaccination and slaughter policy was carried out by the EU and published in 1993. This looked at the cost for each member state of vaccinating animals and, if vaccination were not used, the cost of an outbreak for each member state. The assessment concluded that a slaughter policy would cost less than a vaccination policy.

  A copy of this study will be made available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will empower local authorities to require areas of commonland to be fenced to retain livestock where such action would(a) inhibit the spread of foot and mouth disease and (b) benefit the rural economy during the foot and mouth outbreak. [158564]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister has powers under the Animal Health Act 1981 to make an order empowering a local authority to require areas of common land to be fenced when such action would inhibit or prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.

  My right hon. Friend has no such power to make an order for the sole purpose of benefiting the rural economy, but fencing as part of a strategy of safely reopening footpaths is being considered by Ministers in the DETR.
  471W
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will empower local authorities to require livestock to be removed from commonland where such action would(a) inhibit the spread of foot and mouth disease and (b) substantially benefit the rural economy during the foot and mouth outbreak. [158563]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister has powers under the Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended) to make an order empowering a local authority to require the movement of animals for disease control purposes. No such order has been made. My right hon. Friend has no such power to make an order for the sole purpose of benefiting the rural economy.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will empower local authorities to permit commoners to provide fodder to their livestock on commonland where such action would substantially benefit the rural economy during the current foot and mouth epidemic; [158561]

  (2) if he will empower local authorities to permit commoners to provide fodder to their livestock on commonland where such action would inhibit the spread of foot and mouth disease. [158562]

  Ms Quin
  There are no restrictions on the movement of fodder in either the controlled area or infected areas unless the fodder is being moved from infected premises, when it can only be moved under licence. Moreover, there is a requirement under animal welfare legislation for livestock owners to take reasonable steps to ensure that animals are fed a wholesome diet in sufficient quantity.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to fund the economic research required to understand the continuing impact of foot and mouth disease. [158590]

  Ms Quin
  We continue to assess the various economic impacts of the disease but it is too early to identify these robustly, because the future path of the outbreak is still uncertain. We will commission new research where it offers the prospect of improving our understanding of the impacts. The results of any commissioned research will be made public.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if civilians and other staff working at Throckmorton airfield on the disposal of carcases(a) have contact with other livestock in other locations or (b) live on a livestock farm; and if he will make a statement. [158566]

  Ms Quin
  There have been 120 personnel involved in the disposal operation at Throckmorton during the peak of activity. Some may have stayed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation on farms, making a contribution to individual local business and to the wider rural economy in the locality.

  Strict decontamination routines are enforced, which apply to both vehicles and personnel entering and leaving the site.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of(a) milk sampling, (b) blood testing, (c) throat swabs, (d) faeces testing and (e) visual inspection as methods of diagnosing foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [158509]
  472W
  Ms Quin
  Live virus and viral antigen can be found in milk, blood, throat and faeces of infected animals. Specific antibody can be found in the blood and saliva of animals recovered from foot and mouth disease. Recovered sheep and cattle, and vaccinated sheep and cattle which have bad contact with live foot and mouth disease virus continue to carry the virus in the pharyngeal region for up to three years in cattle and nine months in sheep; this virus can be recovered using a probang sampling technique which collects saliva and cellular material from the pharynx. Tests for foot and mouth disease virus antigen and antibody are outlined in the OIE Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines (2000). These are the tests used at the IAH laboratory in Pirbright. However, Pirbright scientists are constantly investigating new and more sensitive methods of diagnosis, such as polymerase chain reaction and the use of monoclonal antibodies.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the(a) minimum and (b) maximum distance is from an outbreak of foot and mouth within which the free movement of cattle is precluded; and if he will make a statement. [158452]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The whole of Great Britain was declared a controlled area on 23 February and since then livestock may be moved only under approved movement schemes and subject to licence. The conditions attached to these licences vary depending on the proximity of the movement to an infected place and the requirement of the particular scheme.

  The tightest restrictions are in the infected areas drawn around infected premises. The boundary is at least 10 km from the infected premises but may extend in places to slightly more than this, e.g. where a geographical feature such as a river provides a natural barrier. Within the infected area, a protection zone is drawn at a radius of 3 km from the infected premises.

  However, subject to the overriding need to continue to eradicate the disease, the Government are being as flexible as possible to allow the movement of livestock within infected areas.

  From 23 April, animals from farms in the infected areas, but outside protection zones, have been allowed to move direct to slaughter to an abattoir within the same infected area. The licences for these movements are issued by local authorities. And rules introduced on 3 May allow the movement of healthy animals direct to slaughter from within a protection zone, subject to certain conditions. These animals may leave the protection zone but not the infected area. The licences for these movements are issued by MAFF animal health offices.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will redraw the boundaries to allow cattle on the west bank of the River Avon to be transported for slaughter; and if he will make a statement. [158453]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Although the River Avon is outside the 10 km zone required around an infected place it provides the most sensible barrier to delineate the edge of the infected area. However, although cattle on the west bank remain within the infected area, more flexibility exists to allow farmers to move

  473W
  animals within them. In particular, changes to movement restrictions introduced on 23 April now mean that livestock in infected areas can be moved direct to slaughter for human consumption to approved areas within the same infected area. Full details of these arrangements are available from the Ministry's website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to ease movement restrictions in restricted areas of South Derbyshire. [158571]

  Ms Quin
  The only area of Derbyshire in which blood sampling has recently been carried out with a view to lifting restrictions is around Dovedale. The sampling is now complete and we await the results of those tests. Other areas are being kept under review and the procedures which lead to the lifting of restrictions will be introduced as soon as it is safe to implement them.

  In the meantime, and subject to the overriding need to continue to eradicate the disease, the Government are being as flexible as possible to allow the movement of livestock within infected areas.

  From 23 April, animals from farms in the infected areas, but outside protection zones, have been allowed to move direct to slaughter to an abattoir within the same infected area. The licences for these movements are issued by local authorities. And rules introduced on 3 May allow the movement of healthy animals direct to slaughter from within a protection zone, subject to certain conditions. These animals may leave the protection zone but not the infected area. The licences for these movements are issued by MAFF animal health offices.

  Information on all these matters is available on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals which have not been identified with foot and mouth infection had been slaughtered by midnight 9 April; and if he will make a statement: [158715]

  Ms Quin
  As at midnight on 9 April, 810,000 animals had been slaughtered on premises contiguous to, or identified as a dangerous contact to, an infected premises1.

  Animals are slaughtered on contiguous or dangerous contact premises where there is reason to believe they have been exposed to infection and could be incubating disease although there is no clinical sign of it.

  1Source:
  MAFF disease control system database—figures subject to revision as more data become available.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the plants authorised to render foot and mouth animals. [158749]

  Ms Quin
  The following rendering plants have been authorised to take all carcases slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak, which includes infected animals.
  474W

  Fats & Proteins (UK) Ltd., Lancaster

  Forrest (W) & Son (Paisley) Ltd., Newarthill, Scotland

  Granox Ltd., Widnes, Cheshire

  Peninsular Proteins Ltd., Torrington, North Devon

  Thomas (JL) & Co Ltd., Exeter

  Waddingtons (P) & Co Ltd., Bradford.

  In addition, the following plants have been authorised to take only carcases slaughtered under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme:

  Canterbury Mills Ltd., Kent

  Dundas Chemical Co, Dumfries

  Dundas Proteins Ltd., Bradford

  Pears (JG) Ltd., Neward

  Pointon (John) & Sons Ltd., Leek, Staffs.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to list cases of slaughter on suspicion of foot and mouth disease on his Department's website. [159376]

  Ms Quin
  The website presently lists the details of all premises that have been confirmed as having foot and mouth disease present. We do not currently include premises where slaughter on suspicion has been authorised, but do not rule this out and further consideration to it will be given.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what warnings he received from(c) the FAO and (b) the EU Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare on the impact of large-scale movements of animals within the EU and the high density of livestock on the risk of foot and mouth outbreaks. [158872]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: The FAO meets to review and report on the international situation regarding serious animal diseases like foot and mouth disease. The EU Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Welfare is a scientific committee of the European Commission that considers matters affecting animal health in the European Union. While we are not aware of any specific warnings issued by these bodies regarding the impact of large scale movements of animals, a number of documents have been circulated among EU members in the context of the on-going review of the FMD control directive.

  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many livestock have been slaughtered in contiguous culls next to sites registered as confirmed foot and mouth outbreaks but which subsequently showed a negative result from the laboratory tests; and if he will make a statement. [159359]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Great Britain

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

  370

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

  155

  (c) Total livestock slaughtered on (b)

  127,087

  1Some premises may also be contiguous to other infected premises.

  Note:

  Figures subject to revision as more data become available.

  Source:

  MAFF Disease Control System as at 7 May
  475W
  Cases are confirmed on the basis of either clinical or laboratory evidence of foot and mouth disease. Cases are cleared when there is neither clear clinical evidence nor laboratory evidence of foot and mouth disease.

  Animals are slaughtered on contiguous or dangerous contact premises where there is reason to believe they may have been exposed to infection and could be incubating disease although there is no clinical sign of it.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if cases which were registered as confirmed foot and mouth outbreaks but which subsequently showed a negative result from the laboratory tests were removed from the register of confirmed outbreaks; and if he will make a statement. [159358]

  Ms Quin
  No. The status of such cases remains as confirmed.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the farms from which animals have been burnt at Salsdons Farm, Himbleton, Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement. [158983]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Most of the cattle and sheep disposed of at Salsdons Farm came from eight premises in the immediate vicinity. 200 cattle were transported by the Army from Gloucestershire where no disposal options were available at the time. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality we can release information on premises affected by the outbreak (other than infected premises) only to organisations that require it for the purposes of safeguarding public health and for co-ordinating rural recovery programmes, unless the individuals concerned have given written consent.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many cases which were registered as confirmed foot and mouth outbreaks returned a negative result from the laboratory tests of samples from the stock; and if he will make a statement; [159357]

  (2) how many livestock have been slaughtered on sites registered as confirmed foot and mouth outbreaks but which subsequently showed a negative result from the laboratory tests; and if he will make a statement. [159360]

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many confirmed infected premises have subsequently tested negative. [159452]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: As at 19:00 on 1 May 2001, there were 1,525 confirmed cases of which 305 gave a negative result on laboratory testing. A total of 208,352 animals relating to these 305 cases were slaughtered. For 364 cases either no samples were taken or the results are awaited.

  Cases are confirmed on the basis of either clinical or laboratory evidence of foot and mouth disease. Cases are cleared when there is neither clear clinical evidence nor laboratory evidence of foot and mouth disease.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the reasons were for the culling of the cattle belonging to the Duke of Westminster; what considerations determined the timing of the culling; and if he will make a statement. [159574]
  476W
  Ms Quin
  The hon. Member is asked to write specifying which cattle on which farm he is referring to, and if the animals are not on infected premises, with an assurance that the Duke of Westminster has given his written consent for this information to be released to him.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the results of studies(a) done and (b) commissioned by his Department into the comparative merits of culling and vaccination of foot and mouth infected animals. [159732]

  Ms Quin
  A risk assessment carried out by the EU analysing the costs and benefits of both a vaccination and a slaughter policy against foot and mouth disease was published in 1993. Following the 1967 foot and mouth outbreak a cost benefit evaluation of alternative control policies for foot and mouth disease was published in 1973 in the "Journal of Agricultural Economics". Copies of both these studies have now been made available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many farms in Cumbria which were classed as dangerous contacts, temporary veterinary inspectors discovered foot and mouth when they went to conduct the contiguous on 3 km cull; and how many(a) cattle and (b) sheep were affected. [159466]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: As at 4 May 2001, there were 477 dangerous contacts in Cumbria, of which 47 premises later had foot and mouth disease confirmed and were therefore reclassified as infected premises.

  Two of these cases were confirmed on site by temporary veterinary inspectors. The remaining cases were initially slaughtered on suspicion; foot and mouth disease was subsequently confirmed as a result of positive test results.

  A total of 8,907 cattle and 24,865 sheep were slaughtered on these premises.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many farms in Devon animals have been slaughtered because they were contiguous to a farm which eventually tested negative for foot and mouth disease; and how many animals were slaughtered. [159473]

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

  Devon

  Number

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

  41

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

  31

  (c) Total cattle slaughtered on (b)

  4,414

  (d) Total sheep slaughtered on (b)

  20,024

  1Some premises may also be contiguous to other infected premises

  Note:

  Figures subject to revision as more data become available.

  Source:

  MAFF Disease Control System as at 6 May

  Cases are confirmed on the basis of either clinical or laboratory evidence of FMD. Cases are cleared when there is neither clear clinical evidence nor laboratory evidence of FMD.
  477W
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many infected premises classified as such in(a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Devon subsequently have proved not to be infected; and how many cattle and sheep were involved. [159464]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 April 2001]: The position as at 3 May is shown in the table.

  England

  Cumbria

  Devon

  (a) Number of infected premises for which laboratory testing proved negative

  222

  55

  40

  (b) Number of cattle slaughtered on (a)

  23,838

  7,457

  4,548

  (c) Number of sheep slaughtered on (a)

  125,079

  25,019

  19,512

  Source:

  MAFF Disease Control System database—figures subject to revision as more data become available

  Cases are confirmed on the basis of either clinical or laboratory evidence of foot and mouth disease. Cases are cleared when there is neither clear clinical evidence nor laboratory evidence of foot and mouth disease.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm animal carcases were disposed of in Devon on each of the days from 16 to 25 April; and at what locations these farm animal carcases were disposed of during this period. [R] [159589]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The table shows the number of carcases disposed of in Devon on the days in question.

  Cattle, sheep and pig carcases disposed of in Devon

  Date

  Number

  16 April

  5,857

  17 April

  2,326

  18 April

  8,523

  19 April

  2,762

  20 April

  10,864

  21 April

  16,513

  22 April

  20,130

  23 April

  67,084

  24 April

  21,300

  25 April

  13,984

  Carcases in this period were disposed of through rendering by J. L. Thomas of Exeter and Peninsular Proteins of Great Torrington and on-farm burning at 48 premises.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals were slaughtered(a) on suspicion and (b) as confirmed cases of foot and mouth in Devon, indicating the farms concerned on each of the days from 16 to 25 April. [159590]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: Our policy, based on legal advice, is to release details of infected premises as this information is necessary for the control of foot and mouth. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality we only release information on other premises affected by the outbreak to organisations that require it for the purpose of safeguarding public health and for co-ordinating rural recovery programmes, unless the individuals concerned have given written consent.
  478W
  For this reason, while I am able to release figures on the number of animals slaughtered in confirmed cases of foot and mouth, and on the number of animals slaughtered on suspicion, I cannot release the list of individual farms where animals were slaughtered on suspicion.

  I have placed two tables in the Library. The first table gives the daily total of slaughter on suspicion and confirmed foot and mouth cases, the second identifies the farm locations of the confirmed foot and mouth cases.

  Mr. John Burnett
  (Torridge and West Devon): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many animals were slaughtered (a) on suspicion and (b) as confirmed cases of foot and mouth in Devon, indicating the farms concerned on each of the days from 16–25 April. [159590]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 April 2001]: The table gives details of the numbers of animals slaughtered on suspicion in Devon (SOS cases) and the number of animals slaughtered on infected premises (FMD cases) in Devon from 16–25 April.

  Animals slaughtered in Devon, 16–25 April 2001

  Data as at 1900, 2 May 2001

  SOS Cases

  FMD Cases

  16 April 2001

  301

  1,620

  17 April 2001

  274

  0

  18 April 2001

  439

  164

  19 April 2001

  618

  3,558

  20 April 2001

  0

  3,625

  21 April 2001

  0

  50

  22 April 2001

  0

  1,624

  23 April 2001

  1,070

  0

  24 April 2001

  1,724

  740

  25 April 2001

  0

  317

  Total

  4,426

  11,698

  The following table gives details of farms in Devon which were identified as infected premises on 16–25 April and where the animals were slaughtered as a result.

  Name

  Address

  M. & I. Littlejohns

  Minehouse Farm, Okehampton, Devon EX20 4LN

  S. & M.J. & J.M. Cork

  Chuggaton, Chittlehampton, Umberleigh, Devon EX37 9SB

  E.W. Underhill & Son

  Upcott, Barton Beaford, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8AQ

  R.W. & W.H. Weeks

  Beer Hill, North Tawton, Devon EX20 2AD

  K. & R. Elworthy

  Upcott, Burrington, Umberleigh, Devon EX37 9LF

  Griffin

  Thorndon House, Ashwater Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5HD

  G.M. & R.L. Macer & Son

  Summerwell, Hartland, Bideford, Devon Son EX39 6HB

  Avery

  Beara Farm, Marwood, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4EH

  P.K. Dunn

  Holmacott Farm, Instow, Bideford, Devon EX39 4LR

  M.J. & S.A. Hill

  Higher Broadpark, Iddesleigh, Winkleigh EX19 8BN

  479W
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the landfill sites in Surrey, Sussex and Kent that have been allocated to take animal carcases as a result of the foot and mouth crisis; [157602]

  (2) when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton of 6 April (ref 157602). [160922]

  Ms Quin
  The following landfill sites in Sussex and Kent have been identified by the Environment Agency, subject to meeting specific criteria, as suitable for carcase disposal.Biffa Waste Services Ltd., Brookhurstwood Landfill, Langhurstwood Road, Warnham, Horsham, West Sussex

  Viridor Waste Management, Horton Landfill Site, Horton Clay Pit, Small Dole, Henfield, West Sussex
  Waste Research Group Ltd., Norwood Farm, Lower Road, Brambledown, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
  Biffa Waste Services Ltd., Shakespeare Farm, St. Mary Hoo, Rochester, Kent.

  These sites have agreed to take carcases of animals slaughtered through the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme. To date, no suitable landfill sites have been identified in Surrey.

  This information is correct as of 8 May 2001.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease he has rejected suggestions made in representations from the NFU. [159957]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Other Ministers in the Department and I have met the NFU and other organisations on numerous occasions to discuss the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. We have accepted some of their suggestions and rejected others. It is not possible to quantify the precise numbers.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances RSPCA officers are prevented from witnessing the slaughter of livestock under the current foot and mouth arrangements. [159841]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: RSPCA officers are not permitted to enter premises without the permission of the owner concerned. In addition, if premises are under infected premises restrictions, only essential visitors are allowed access for the purposes of disease control. RSPCA officers have visited slaughter and burial sites, such as Great Orton, which are not under restriction.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what the results were of foot and mouth tests carried out at Ashes farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire; [R] [159941]

  (2) if foot and mouth tests have been carried out at farms adjacent to Ashes farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire; [R] [159943]

  (3) if there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease at Ashes farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire. [R] [159942]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Our policy, based on legal advice, is to release details of infected premises as this information is necessary for the control of foot and mouth. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality we only release test results to organisations
  480W
  that require it for the purpose of safeguarding public health and for co-ordinating rural recovery programmes, unless the individual concerned has given written consent.

  Ashes farm appears on the list of confirmed cases published on the MAFF website as confirmed on 6 April. Tests have been carried out on contiguous farms.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the results of recent vaccinations against foot and mouth disease in(a) The Netherlands, (b) Albania, (c) Macedonia. (d) Taiwan and (e) Algeria. [159989]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: The Government will be considering what lessons can be learned for the future from various aspects of the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease including the approach to vaccination adopted by The Netherlands.

  The use of vaccination to control foot and mouth disease in The Netherlands. Albania, and Macedonia were in response to local outbreaks, which could be isolated by using vaccination. Vaccination was used in addition to other control measures.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from people living in the Church Stretton area regarding the firebreak cull of sheep which took place in All Stretton on Wednesday 18 April; and if he will make a statement. [160076]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry has received a large number of representations from members of the public over a wide range of issues associated with the Government's slaughter policy. Two meetings have been held with local representatives.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests for foot and mouth disease were made in the stock of Mr. Philip Smith-Maxwell after the slaughter on suspicion of the disease that took place at Phepson Manor farm, Worcestershire on 12 and 13 April; what the results of such tests were; and if he will make a statement. [159847]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Our policy based on legal advice is to release details of infected premises, as this information is necessary for the control of foot and mouth. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality we release information on other premises affected by the outbreak only to organisations that require it for the purpose of safeguarding public health and for co-ordinating rural recovery programmes, unless the individual concerned has given written consent.

  The farmer mentioned does not appear on the list of confirmed cases published on the Ministry foot and mouth website. If the farmer wishes to know the results of tests done on samples taken from his animals he should approach his animal health office.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment has been made and testing carried out to ascertain the levels of dioxins and furans present on agricultural land in proximity to the sites of pyres for the incineration of dead livestock, and in particular in respect of the presence of TCDDs and TCDFs; and if he will make a statement. [159851]
  481W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 May 2001]: The Department of Health has recently published a risk assessment "Foot and Mouth—Effects on health of Emissions from Pyres 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.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has undertaken monitoring of dioxins, furans and other air pollutants 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.

  An initial assessment by the Food Standards Agency suggests that the dioxins deposited onto farmland near pyres will lead to only a small increase to the current levels of dioxins in food.

  The Food Standards Agency will measure dioxins in agricultural produce, grass and soil in the vicinity of pyres as part of a concerted programme of monitoring with the Environment Agency. The results will be used to inform decisions about the safety of livestock grazing pasture and the growing of other crops.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make the results of blood tests arising from suspected cases of foot and mouth disease available to private veterinary surgeons engaged by farms where the disease is confirmed by his Department's contracted veterinary laboratory services. [159408]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: The results are available on application to the local divisional veterinary manager.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, for official statistical purposes, the definition of foot and mouth carcase disposal has changed since 20 February. [160215]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Carcase disposal has been and continues to be defined for official statistical purposes by reference to the date on which disposal was completed. This is reflected in the statistical data published on the Ministry's website http://www.maff.gov.uk.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make interim payments of compensation to farmers affected by foot and mouth disease. [160702]

  Ms Quin
  None.

  All farmers are paid compensation for any animals slaughtered as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. Stock is valued immediately prior to slaughter and the Ministry's target is to process and pay all compensation claims within three weeks of slaughter. The Ministry is putting in further resources to help meet this target. However, we are aware that in some areas, such as Cumbria where a particularly large number of claims have had to be made, this target is not being met. This is a problem that is currently being addressed and the Ministry is doing all it can to process all claims as quickly as possible. To make interim payments would add further delay.
  482W
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of claims for compensation for stock slaughter as a result of foot and mouth disease have been paid within 21 days of the cull. [160703]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is not readily available.

  The Ministry's target is to process and pay all compensation claims within three weeks of slaughter. However, we are aware that in some areas, such as Cumbria where a particularly large number of claims have had to be made, this target is not being met. This is a problem that is being urgently addressed with extra resources and the Ministry is doing all it can to process all claims as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what livestock has been slaughtered in North Essex constituency in the past seven days due to foot and mouth disease. [160609]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: There have been no livestock slaughtered in the North Essex constituency in the past seven days (1–7 May). Two infected premises were previously reported in this constituency (foot and mouth disease numbers 125 and 401). Animals from these sites were slaughtered and disposed of by 22 March. Slaughter of livestock on premises identified as a dangerous contact to foot and mouth disease 125 took place on 28 April, and disposal occurred on 30 April.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the proposed reduction in the rates payable to farmers under the welfare disposal scheme. [160700]

  Ms Quin
  Revised payments under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme (LWDS) for those categories of animals intended for the human food chain took effect for all animals collected for slaughter or slaughtered on-farm from Monday 30 April. LWDS was introduced to provide a means of resolving serious animal welfare problems arising directly from the FMD movement restrictions. It was specifically not to be used as an alternative to the market, where the market was available. With the introduction from 23 April of scope to market animals from inside Infected Areas and, more recently, from inside protection zones, the route into the market has now been largely re-established. There was already considerable evidence that the original payment levels were encouraging farmers to use LWDS as their preferred alternative to the market. In light of the greatly increased opportunities some payment rates were reduced to between 70 per cent. and 80 per cent. of market prices. Payment rates for animals not intended to enter the food chain remain unchanged.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the cost is of the burial ground being constructed at Petrockstow, Devon. [R] [160655]
  483W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 May 2001]: The total cost of acquiring the site, including costs and compensation was £350,000. We are unable to give details of further costs at this time.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet the Minister for Rural Affairs in the National Assembly for Wales to discuss the operation of the Welfare Disposal Scheme in Monmouthshire. [160701]

  Ms Quin
  We meet regularly with Ministerial colleagues from the devolved Administrations to consider aspects of agricultural policy and their implementation.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the laboratory samples taken from stock at Eirianfa Farm, near Ardleen in Powys indicated(a) the existence of the foot and mouth virus or (b) an unreadable or other result; and if he will make a statement. [160741]

  Ms Quin
  The farm mentioned does not appear to be on the list of confirmed cases published on the Ministry's foot and mouth website. For reasons of data protection and confidentiality we only release information such as that requested by the hon. Member to organisations that require it for the purpose of safeguarding public health and for co-ordinating rural recovery programmes, unless the individual concerned has given written consent.

  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been paid in total to farmers in compensation for slaughtered livestock in the course of the foot and mouth outbreak to date; what the(a) average amount paid to each farmer and (b) largest payment to a single farmer has been; and if he will make a statement. [160904]

  Ms Quin
  Up to 9 May, the compensation paid to farmers was £116 million for 1,135 claims. The average claim was therefore £102,000. The largest payment to a single farmer is £4,238,800.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will deal with the claim lodged by Mr. and Mrs. Rogers of the Corner Cottage, Ashprington, Devon for their 10 in-calf cattle under the Welfare Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the reason for the delay in dealing with this claim. [160903]

  Ms Quin
  It is not practicable or appropriate to comment on the position of individual cases. The Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme has attracted a very high number of applications—apparently 1.6 million animals initially registered from 6,000 applicants. Every effort is being made to minimise delay in processing these, and we are giving priority to the most urgent welfare cases. Given full information on individual applications, the Intervention Board will be happy to provide details of progress.

  To date over one million animals have been dealt with under the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria have been used in the appointment of valuers used in the valuation 484W
  of livestock to be culled as a result of (a) foot and mouth disease contact and (b) inclusion in the Livestock (Welfare) Disposal Scheme. [160752]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: Valuation of animals which are to be compulsorily slaughtered is carried out by a valuer appointed by the Ministry's local Divisional Veterinary Manager. In addition to existing contacts and nominations by farmers, DVMs may refer to lists of valuers for pedigree stock and commercial stock provided by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. No valuer is required if standard rates are used.

  Animals slaughtered under the Livestock (Welfare) Disposal Scheme qualify for payments that are designed to assist the farmer in resolving an identified welfare problem. Payments are set at fixed rates and do not represent compensation for the commercial value of the animal.

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms have had animals slaughtered in the contiguous cull. [160900]

  Ms Quin
  As at 19:00 on 8 May, animals had been slaughtered on 1,548 premises which were contiguous to infected premises.

  Source:
  MAFF Disease Control system database—figures are subject to revision as more data become available.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm herds were slaughtered because(a) at least one animal had been infected by foot and mouth and (b) the herd was considered at risk due to proximity to an infected herd; how many individual animals were slaughtered, similarly broken down; and if he will make a statement. [160821]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is provided in the tables:

  (a) Infected premises

  Number of infected premises—1,565

  Number of herds/flocks

  Animals slaughtered

  Cattle

  1,286

  249,792

  Sheep

  1,247

  690,865

  Pigs

  85

  22,085

  Goats

  50

  429

  Total

  2,668

  963,171

  (b) Contiguous dangerous contact premises

  Number of contiguous premises—1,855

  Number of herds/flocks

  Animals slaughtered

  Cattle

  915

  101,139

  Sheep

  1,295

  460,986

  Pigs

  99

  33,598

  Goats

  69

  787

  Total

  2,378

  596,510

  The total number of herds/flocks differs from the number of premises because premises may have more than one herd/flock.

  All herds/flocks on an infected premise are slaughtered out where at least one animal in one herd/flock is found to be infected.
  485W
  Source:
  MAFF Disease Control System database at 19.00 on 8 May—figures are subject to revision as more data become available.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what prohibitions exist on imports of animal feed into Britain from countries(a) where foot and mouth is endemic and (b) where there have been recent outbreaks of the disease. [153361]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  EU rules govern the production requirements of animal feed in the Community and also provide the conditions for import from third countries. With regard to FMD controls on imports from third countries which have had recent outbreaks, 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) and Brazil (10 May). Scotland and Northern Ireland took similar action for each of these countries shortly after each of the dates specified. All meat imported from third countries is subject to veterinary checks at border inspection posts to ensure that import requirements are met. The UK will prohibit the import of any animal products which do not meet Community standards.

  Livestock Movements
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will use local vets to agree and supervise the movement of livestock across lanes to ease welfare problems. [158359]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Changes introduced to the Livestock Movement Scheme made on 28 April allow Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs) to issue a Local Movement Licence for such a single movement, subject to an inspection prior to movement. LVIs may also issue Occupational Licences for multiple movements, within the same premises and in the same sole occupancy. It is not necessary for the LVI to supervise the movement of animals.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if livestock can be moved on welfare grounds from outside a restricted area to a restricted area. [158358]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Animals may be moved from areas of lower disease risk to areas of higher disease risk, but not in the other direction. Pigs cannot be moved into or through Infected Areas. Licences are not available to move animals to premises within 3.0 km of infected premises or premises subject to foot-and-mouth disease control restrictions. Special arrangements apply to these circumstances.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will allow movement to take place of flocks of sheep owned by single farmers on split sites to lambing sheds on single sites. [158360]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: Licences have been available since 9 March to allow animals to be
  486W
  moved for welfare reasons across roads to single premises, between premises in the same ownership, subject to restrictions on the maximum distance. Changes which came into effect on 28 April have allowed such movements to be made for husbandry purposes. Some restrictions remain in place where sheep moved onto premises between 13 and 23 February.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to lift restrictions on the movement of animals at Ley Farm, Diptford, Totnes; and if he will make a statement. [158454]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]: We understand that Diptford is outside the infected area and therefore subject only to the general restrictions applying to the GB controlled area. Movements from the controlled area to slaughter continue to be allowed. Details are on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Vale of York on 27 March 2001 relating to(a) a ban on pigswill (uin156279) (b) provision of rare breeds during the foot and mouth crisis (uin156277) (c) discussions with European Commissioners about animal health (uin156278) (d) exclusion zones (uin156280). [158480]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 April 2001]I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to her on 5 April 2001,Official Report, columns 286–87W, 9 April 2001, Official Report, columns 476–77W, 30 April 2001, Official Report, column 493W, and 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 122W.

  Offal Imports
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which countries raw offal is imported; what checks are made to ensure that it is free from contamination and infection; and for what purposes such imports are allowed. [154991]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 22 March 2001]: EU rules permit imports of raw offal for direct sale to the consumer or for the manufacture of meat-based products for both human and animal consumption, from the following third countries:

  Argentina

  Australia

  Bulgaria

  Canada

  Croatia

  Chile

  Czech Republic

  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

  487W

  Greenland

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Mexico

  New Zealand

  Paraguay

  Poland

  Romania

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  United States of America

  Uruguay

  Switzerland

  Yugoslavia.

  Imported offal, like imported meat, must have been produced to EU standards and must be accompanied by appropriate animal and public health certification. Among other things, this health certification confirms that the meat is derived from animals which have been subjected to ante-mortem inspection during 24 hours prior to slaughter. On arrival in the UK, meat imported from third countries must enter at designated Border Inspection Posts (BIPs), where it is subject to veterinary inspection.

  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, which may include analysis for contaminants. These checks are to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and that the products have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport. They are carried out by Official Veterinary Surgeons employed by the local authority in which the BIP is located.

  Community legislation allows the importation of raw offal from FMD control areas in Argentina under special channelling procedures. These procedures require that the material be sent from the port of entry in sealed transport direct to an establishment that has been specifically approved by the competent authority of the member state of destination. It must be accompanied by relevant public and animal and public health certification. The material may be used only for the manufacture of fully cooked meat products. Domestic legislation in England and Wales currently prohibits the import of meat including offal 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.

  Animal Feedstuffs (Import Prohibition)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls operate on imports from(a) the EU and (b) elsewhere on materials likely to be used in animal feedstuffs; what provisions allow prohibition of imports capable of carrying viruses which are a threat to human, animal and plant health; what provisions exist within the rules of the World Trade Organisation permitting such national prohibition; and which persons from (i) the European Commission and (ii) Her Majesty's Government represent the United Kingdom interests at the World Trade Organisation in these matters. [154951]
  488W
  Ms Quin
  EU law governs Community production of materials likely to be used in animal feedstuffs and sets down the import conditions, which must be met by third countries approved to export such products into the Community. EU law also provides for safeguard measures to be applied to imports of animal products and plants when there is a risk to human, animal or plant health. Under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules animal health requirements for trade are expected to be based on the international standards laid down by the Office International des Epizooties. Any provisions in excess of these rules would need to be supported by a risk assessment in relation to animal or public health. Directorate General SANCO of the European Commission, who are based in Brussels, represent all EU member states, including Her Majesty's Government, in WTO fora.

  Promotional Campaigns
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the television, newspaper and radio advertising and other promotional campaigns conducted by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its departmental public bodies, in each of the past five years, showing for each the expenditure incurred by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153414]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: Our records show the following expenditure; figures for advertising do not include poster (except for Foot and Mouth 2001), wallet or ticket advertising. The cost for direct mailing includes the dispatch of forms and explanatory material to farmers for MAFF administered schemes. Agency and non-departmental government bodies are not included as these costs are not held centrally and recovery of the data would be at a disproportionate cost.

  £

  Public opinion research

  Television, radio and newspaper advertising

  Direct mail

  1996–97

  78,000

  109,000

  1,454,000

  1997–98

  257,000

  248,000

  1,254,000

  1998–99

  164,000

  834,000

  943,000

  1999–2000

  386,740

  614,104

  1,026,000

  2000–011

  83,000

  445,992

  1,288,589

  1To date

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 2 April and 3 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Anjali Sharma. [160970]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I replied to the letter from my right hon. Friend on 8 May.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to answer the letters to him dated 12 March and 19 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Blacklock. [160952]
  489W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  I replied to the letter from my right hon. Friend on 3 May.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated 26 March and transferred to him by the Home Office, with regard to the Dahem family. [161031]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no record of my right hon. Friend's letter being transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from the Home Office.
  I will write shortly to my right hon. Friend about the issues he has raised in his correspondence.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the correspondence and representations concerning Ms Chappell, a constituent. [154060]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  My noble Friend Baroness Hayman replied to the hon. Member on 8 May.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 March 2001,Official Report, column 852, when he will write to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe. [157635]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 April 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Minister wrote to the right hon. and learned Member on this issue on 9 April 2001.

  Bush Meat
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from whom he has received representations on the importation of bush meat in personal luggage in the last three years; and what response he has made. [153358]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  MAFF has received representations from both the general public and trade sources from time to time over the last three years on the importation of meat. In some cases this referred to "wild game" meat which we take to include bush meat although there is no working definition of the latter term. Where we were asked for advice, we provided information about the UK's import requirements for all kinds of meat. Where we have been advised of the possibility of illegal imports of meat, the relevant enforcement authorities have been advised and the appropriate action taken. Where illegal meat has been identified it is seized and destroyed.

  Anthrax (South Africa)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Her Majesty's Government have been informed by the South African Government of the recent outbreak of anthrax in South Africa as required under the International Animal Health Code. [153370]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Yes.

  Meat and Dairy Imports
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries from which meat and dairy products cannot be legally imported into the United Kingdom and the reasons in each case. [154430]
  490W
  Ms Quin
  All meat and dairy products imported into the UK, whether from other EU member states or third countries, must have been produced in accordance with Community legislation, which lays down animal and public health conditions. Imports are accepted only from third countries and establishments, which meet those requirements and are approved to export into the Community. The list of countries and establishments allowed importing into the community and the products concerned are available on the Commission's website at the following address: http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/ sanco/vets/info/data/listes/table0.html

  These lists are quite long and are subject to change by the European Commission. Countries may also be listed but have no approved establishments in which case they cannot export into the Community.

  Ensuring that member states comply with the obligations in properly implementing and applying the rules is the responsibility of the European Commission, whose Food and Veterinary Office carries out regular programmes of inspection visits to all member states. Responsibility for ensuring that third countries meet these four requirements lies with the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission. The UK will prohibit the importation of animal products that do not meet Community standards.

  Meat and Livestock Imports
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what the(a) volume and (b) value was of seizures of illegal meat and livestock imports into Britain in each of the last 10 years; [157035]

  (2) how many prosecutions there were for illegal meat and livestock imports to Britain in each of the last 10 years; what the total value of fines was; and how many convictions there were, for each of these years. [157034]

  Ms Quin
  This information is not held centrally.

  Meat Inspection
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place a copy in the Library of advice he has issued to port health authorities about their actions in respect of inspection of goods possibly containing smuggled meat products. [156970]

  Ms Quin
  The responsibility for the day-to-day enforcement of the relevant legislation, the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 falls to the local authority. This responsibility extends to carrying out routine inspections of manifests and other sources of information in an effort to identify all animal products and ensure they are checked. On 5 April 2001 the Food Standards Agency in consultation with MAFF, issued guidance to Heads of Environmental Health Services and Chief Port Health Officers, copies of which I am placing in the Library.

  Livestock Industry
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the date of each EU meeting he has attended at which the future of the British livestock industry was discussed; what EU(a) draft and (b) other (i) plans, (ii) proposals and (iii) discussion

  491W
  papers relating to (1) the future of the British livestock industry and (2) an arable-only option for English farming he has been informed of; and if he will make a statement. [157047]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Between July 1998 and April 2001, the Minister and/or I attended 17 meetings of the EU Agriculture Council at which matters affecting he British livestock industry were discussed. In addition, the Minister has attended six informal meetings of the Agriculture Council and I have attended one. These are a forum for discussion on the future direction of EU agri-food policy, based on a Presidency paper. The dates of these meetings, both formal and informal, are set out at Annex A. The outcome of each Council is formally reported to the House.

  The most significant set of proposals to date has been the Agenda 2000 proposals on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. First discussed at the Agriculture Council in March 1998, these were refined and finalised in March 1999. The package included reductions to the

  Annex A: Meetings attended by Minister at which matters affecting British lives ock industry were discussed

  Date of meeting

  Forum

  20–22 September 1998

  Informal Agriculture Council—Austrian Presidency paper: Farming in harmony with nature, agricultural perspectives for rural areas

  28 September 1998

  Agriculture Council

  19–20 October 1998

  Agriculture Council

  23–24 November 1998

  Agriculture Council

  14–15 December 1998

  Agriculture Council

  18–19 January 1999

  Agriculture Council

  22–23 February 1999

  Agriculture Council

  4–5 and 9–11 March 1999

  Agriculture Council

  31 May-1 June 1999

  Informal Agriculture Council—German Presidency paper: Sustainable rural development agricultural structure policy for rural areas

  19 July 1999

  Agriculture Council

  13–14 September 1999

  Informal Agriculture Council—Finnish Presidency Paper: Agriculture and the new WTO round of negotiations

  15–16 November 1999

  Agriculture Council

  14–15 December 1999

  Agriculture Council

  24 January 2000

  Agriculture Council

  20–21 March 2000

  Agriculture Council

  17–18 April 2000

  Agriculture Council

  29–30 May 2000

  Informal Agriculture Council—Portuguese Presidency Paper:Quality in diversity:a challenge for EU agriculture

  19 June 2000

  Agriculture Council

  17 July 2000

  Agriculture Council

  21 November 2000

  Agriculture Council

  4 December 2000

  Agriculture Council

  19–20 December 2000

  Agriculture Council

  29 January 2001

  Agriculture Council

  26–27 February 2001

  Agriculture Council

  19–20 March 2001

  Agriculture Council

  24–25 April 2001

  Agriculture Council

  Lancashire Meat Trade
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Fisheries and Food what estimate he has value to the Lancashire meat trade of movement to slaughter scheme. [157991]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 10 May 2001]: We have been able to allow movement to slaughter under licence so that the risk of the spread of foot and mouth disease is reduced as far as possible. This has enabled the meat trade to resume operations but no estimate of the value of this to the Lancashire meat trade has been made.
  492W
  level of market support to the arable, beef and dairy regimes, and the establishment of a single, integrated legal framework for farm-related rural development and agri-environment measures (the Rural Development Regulation).

  Other proposals likely to impact on the livestock industry are:
  Commission proposal (April 2000) to amend Common Organisation of Market in pigmeat to permit member states to set producer-financed funds to help stabilise incomes;
  Commission proposal (December 2000) to introduce a three-year pilot "Small Farmers' Scheme" simplifying the subsidy system for farmers receiving CAP payments under specified schemes of less than 1,000 euros per year, and
  Commission seven-point plan (January 2001) to tackle the difficulties faced by the beef regime in the light of BSE.

  All proposals for EU legislation are subject to ministerial and parliamentary scrutiny before they are adopted.

  The Government are not aware of any proposals for an arable-only future for the British farming industry.

  Veterinary Medicine
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to fund schemes mature students to study veterinary medicine. [160713]

  Ms Quin
  There are no plans to make funds available for schemes to assist mature students in the study of veterinary medicine.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what hourly payment rate has been agreed for veterinary surgeons engaged to deal with the foot and mouth problem; how many hours on average each vet has worked; how many vets have been detailed
  493W
  to work specifically on foot and mouth since the outbreak began; and which budget is being used to pay the additional vets' charges [160678]

  Ms Quin
  The temporary veterinary inspectors appointed to assist with foot and mouth disease work are paid a flat rate of £250 per day. The total number of veterinary surgeons who have been engaged by MAFF to deal with foot and mouth disease since the outbreak began is 1971. The average number of hours spent by vets specifically employed on foot and mouth is not available centrally.

  Food Bills
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much a typical family would save in reduced food bills if CAP price supports were removed and prices fell to existing world prices, calculated on the same basis as for estimated savings from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP; and if he will make a statement. [160834]

  Ms Quin
  Published Ministry estimates of total consumer savings from the Agenda 2000 reforms measure the benefits for the year 2008, when the reforms will be fully implemented, against the forecast position in that year had no reform taken place. No estimate has been produced on a comparable basis of the savings that consumers would make in 2008 if all price supports for all commodities were removed.

  Departmental Policies (Glasgow, Pollok)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Glasgow, Pollok constituency, the effect on Glasgow, Pollok of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [160826]

  Ms Quin
  MAFF does not hold statistical information on a constituency basis relating to the Department's policies. As many of the Department's policies flow from measures agreed within the framework of the EU common agricultural policy, statistical data are normally available on a UK or Scotland basis.

  Farmers in the UK receive approximately £3 billion per year in direct CAP payments. This does not include the significant additional costs to consumers as a result of CAP price supports which keep EU prices above prevailing world prices.

  Consumers in Glasgow, Pollok will benefit from the Agenda 2000 reforms of the CAP in the form of reduced food bills, with the average saving for a typical family rising to £65 a year by 2010.

  The Government are committed to securing a more economically rational CAP. This will benefit both consumers and taxpayers in Glasgow. Pollok. We aim to redirect public money from agricultural price support mechanisms to rural development measures of benefit to the wider rural community and visitors to the countryside.

  One of the most important outcomes of Agenda 2000 was the establishment of the rural development regulation. As agriculture is a devolved ma ter this is being implemented in Scotland by the Scottish Executive through the Scottish rural development programme
  494W
  (SRDP). Over the lifetime of the programme, around £685 million is being invested in agri-environment measures, forestry and the new less favoured areas support scheme. In addition, around £100 million will be spent in Scotland on measures including the processing and marketing scheme and the agricultural business development scheme.

  By supporting rural development, including diversification into tourist activities, and by conserving and enhancing the rural environment through support for "public" goods such as biodiversity and landscape appearance, such measures offer benefits to all who visit the countryside.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [160893]

  Ms Quin
  Three members of the Department's senior civil service complement have signed such voluntary agreements under the working time regulations. Of these, one has since expired and one other is no longer in force as the individual has left the Department.

  Illegally Imported Meat
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to improve surveillance of ports to intercept illegally imported meat; [160935]

  (2) what steps he is taking to tackle the smuggling of illegal meat through British ports; [160933]

  (3) if he will estimate the annual tonnage of illegal meat smuggled through British ports. [160906]

  Ms Quin
  As my right hon. Friend the Minister said in his statements of 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 enable consistent and effective controls across all the Community's borders. No assessment of the annual tonnage of illegal meat smuggled through British ports is available.

  Broiler Chickens
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has undertaken into welfare problems affecting broiler chickens; and if he will make a statement. [160898]

  Mr. Morley
  We recognise that current systems of broiler chicken production raise a number of animal welfare issues on which more scientific knowledge is needed. This Department therefore continues to fund an extensive research programme into broiler chicken welfare, including projects focusing on key issues such as leg health and stocking densities.
  495W
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to commission an independent survey of broiler lameness; how many unannounced visits were made by the state veterinary service to broiler units since he received the letter, dated 23 January, sent to him by the chairman of FAWC; and if he will make a statement. [160896]

  Mr. Morley
  We are currently considering, together with FAWC and the industry, the best way to take forward the issues they have identified on broiler chicken leg health, including the need for an independent survey. Completion of this work has been disrupted by activity on foot and mouth disease. The state veterinary service's programme of animal welfare farm inspections has been similarly disrupted.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulations govern breeding procedures for broiler chickens. [160897]
  Mr. Morley: In England, the welfare of broiler breeding chickens is regulated by the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000. Separate regulations apply in the devolved Administrations. Supplementary recommendations will appear in a new welfare code of recommendations for chickens and broiler breeders that is currently being finalised.

  Dartmoor National Park
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to reopen the Dartmoor national park to walkers and riders; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for its continued closure. [160901]

  Ms Quin
  The Ministry has issued advice to local authorities on the Foot and Mouth Disease (Amendment) (England) Order 2001 and the Foot and Mouth (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2001. These regulations allow local authorities to prohibit the movement of members of the public on to any land where there may be animals and on to any footpath or right of way within identified areas in their districts, for the purpose of preventing the spread of foot and mouth disease.

  The Dartmoor national park is within an infected area, as defined by my Department. Infected areas are revoked only when it is considered that there is no risk of further outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and surveillance has confirmed that the area is free of disease.

  We are working with the local authority and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to ensure that the Dartmoor national park is opened to the public as soon as it is safe to do so.

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets he has set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for 2001–02. [161115]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency the following performance targets for 2001–02.

  Efficiency

  To achieve procurement savings of £400,000.
  Set a baseline (first six months) and improve (second six months) the proportion of overheads against turnover.
  496W
  Service delivery
  To achieve 85 per cent. of ROAME R&D milestones.
  To deliver 92 per cent. of export tests to published turnaround times.
  Draw up a numerical transparent customer satisfaction system in agreement with customers.

  Service quality
  To achieve a satisfactory outcome of VLA's Independent Scientific Audit.
  Achieve ISO9000 certification for Biotechnology.
  Achieve UKAS accreditation for Laboratory testing at Lasswade.
  To achieve UKAS accreditation for Mycoplasma serology, culture and identification.

  Financial control
  To recover the full economic cost (before exceptional items and calculated in accordance with resource accounting principles) of its services.
  To achieve an overall income of at least £56.3 million from MAFF including the work won in open competition.

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets he has set the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 2001–02. [161117]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have set the Veterinary Medicines Directorate the following performance targets for 2001–02.

  Safety and Quality
  To provide high quality scientific assessment work.
  To provide high quality policy advice to Ministers.
  To comply with the timetables for entering Suspected Adverse Reactions (SAR) reports set out in the Plan and to report to the Veterinary Products Committee each quarter reviewing trends in SAR reports and identifying areas requiring evaluation.
  Enter human reports onto the database within two working days.
  Enter serious animal reports onto the database within two working days.
  Enter non-serious animal reports onto the database within 10 working days.
  To meet, in full, the requirements of the National Residues Surveillance Plans.

  Standards of Service
  To comply with the imetables for handling applications under the centralised, decentralised and UK procedures set out in the Plan.

  Centralised Procedures
  All assessments (including Maximum Residues Limits) to be submitted within timetables agreed with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.

  Decentralised Procedures
  All authorisations to be determined within the regulatory timetables.
  497W
  UK Procedures
  93 per cent. of new marketing authorisations to be determined or referred to the Veterinary Products Committee within 120 clock days; all to be determined within 210 clock days.

  Type 1 variations
  Average time to complete first assessment to be less than 25 clock days.
  Average time to sign off assessment to be less than 50 clock days.
  99 per cent. of applications to be signed off by 60 clock days.

  Type 2 variations
  Average time to complete first assessment to be less than 55 clock days.
  Average time to sign off assessment to be less than 110 clock days.
  99 per cent of applications to be signed off by 120 clock days.

  Old variations
  Average time to complete first assessment to be less than 70 clock days
  Average time to sign off assessment to be less than 140 clock days
  99 per cent of applications to be signed off by 150 clock days.

  Renewals
  Average time to complete first assessment to be less than 80 clock days.
  Average time to sign off assessment to be less than 165 clock days.
  99 per cent of applications to be signed off by 180 clock days.

  Efficiency
  To continue to collect data for 2001–02 with a view to establishing a three year rolling efficiency index. To establish a numerical baseline for timeliness of delivery from the results of the customer satisfaction surveys.

  Financial Control
  To recover from industry and Government the full economic cost taken as a whole of its main business activities of licensing and surveillance, policy work and residue monitoring without any cross subsidy between businesses.

  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets he has set the Pesticides Safety Directorate for 2001–02. [161116]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have set the Pesticides Safety Directorate the following performance targets for 2001–02.

  Service Quality
  To deliver the throughput of applications and processing times set out in the Plan.
  To deliver high quality policy advice to Ministers and positively respond to their policy objectives.
  To deliver high quality scientific work.
  To implement a quality scheme: the objective will be to provide a framework that enables an improvement in quality, efficiency and consistency (verified by customer satisfaction results).

  Efficiency
  To achieve efficiency savings of 2 per cent. in administration costs.

  Financial Control
  To recover from industry and Government the full economic cost (calculated according to resource principles) of its service.
  498W

  Table 1: New Substances and Reviews

  Application type

  Planned receipts

  Planned completions

  Processing time(weeks)

  New active substances

  Sift

  8

  8

  6

  Evaluation:

  full

  8

  7

  48

  resubmission

  4

  4

  48

  Post Annex 1 Approvals

  30

  30

  —

  Reviews—UK

  UK anticholinesterase review programme—full reviews

  —

  15

  —

  Other UK review activity

  3

  9

  —

  UK review regulatory notices

  —

  26

  —

  Reviews—EC

  EU rapporteur reviews

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  53

  99

  190%

  Note:

  The figures for New Substances and Reviews are based on work in hand and forecasts from Industry and the Commission

  Table 2: Technical Secretariat

  Application type

  Planned receipts

  Planned completions

  Processing time (weeks)

  Normal

  165

  180

  35

  Associated Fast-Normals

  55

  60

  35

  Departmental Normal

  5

  5

  45

  Departmental Experimental Approval

  2

  2

  45

  Department Off Label

  1

  1

  45

  Assessed Experimental Approval

  2

  2

  20

  Extrapolated Experimental Approval

  2

  2

  10

  Emergency Off Label

  25

  25

  10

  Non-emergency Off Label

  40

  40

  30

  Fast

  220

  220

  10

  Parallel imports

  50

  50

  10

  Administrative Fast

  650

  650

  4

  Administrative Experimental

  100

  100

  1

  Simplified own-use parallel

  10

  10

  2

  Mutual recognition

  3

  3

  20

  Total

  1,330

  1,350

  —

  Application type

  Planned receipts

  Planned completions

  Processing time (weeks)

  Total (Table 1 and 2)

  1,383

  1,449

  190%

  1Overall targets—90 per cent. of applications with a stated processing time must be completed within that time.

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets he has set the Central Science Laboratory for 2001–02. [161114]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have set the Central Science Laboratory the following performance targets for 2001–02.

  Financial control
  To recover the full economic costs of operation on a resource accounting basis, recognising the normal costs of operation.

  Efficiency
  To deliver the efficiency targets set out in the Business Plan.
  Achieve a ratio of 79:21 or better of direct fee-earning staff in relation to total overhead staff.
  Achieve a minimum of £73,000 income per fee earner.
  Achieve a minimum of £21,000 non-MAFF income per fee earner.
  499W
  Quality and service delivery
  To achieve a minimum of 85 per cent. of project milestones in MAFF commissioned projects.
  To achieve a mean score of 3.7 on a scale of 0 to 5 for the assessment of customer satisfaction using the revised methodology.
  To implement a new financial system by March 2002.
  To manage the Agency in an effective manner.

  Dispensing Review
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report of the independent review of dispensing by veterinary surgeons of prescription-only medicines. [161127]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I am grateful for the work of the team led by Sir John Marsh in producing a comprehensive report. I am pleased to announce that their Report has been published today and a copy placed in the Library of the House. The recommendations contained in the report will need to be considered carefully by the new Administration before a full response can be made.

  Throckmorton Burial Site
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if it is his policy to dispose of carcases from Devon at the Throckmorton airfield site; and if he will make a statement; [159270]

  (2) when he will provide a substantive reply to the questions from the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire, to which he has received holding answers, relating to aspects of the disposal of carcases at Throckmorton airfield. [160110]

  Ms Quin
  There are no plans to dispose of carcases from Devon at Throckmorton airfield.

  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him on 30 April 2001, Official Report, columns 496–99W, 1 May 2001, Official Report, columns 597–600W, 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 130; and 10 May 2001, Official Report, column 298.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Loyalist paramilitary groups are involved in preparing, commissioning and conducting attacks upon perceived Catholics, Nationalists and Republicans and their property; if he will list the geographical areas in which each group has centred its activity and indicate the paramilitary origin or predecessor organisation of each group; and what his estimate is of the number of active Loyalist paramilitary group affiliates. [159549]

  Mr. Ingram
  The indications are that such attacks are attributable to each of the main Loyalist paramilitary groupings, their associates or sympathisers. Unfortunately, these attacks have occurred throughout the Province but primarily occur within the major conurbations. It is not possible to be definite about the numbers attached to each grouping.
  500W
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders there were in Northern Ireland in (i) each week and (ii) each month from 1 January to 31 March; and if he will indicate for each week and month how many of those crimes were committed by (A)Republican, (B) Loyalist and (C) other groups. [159388]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tables provide the information requested.

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks

  (by week)

  Shootings

  Assaults

  1 January 2001–25 April 2001

  By Loyalists

  BY Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  1–7 January

  1

  1

  2

  3

  8–14 January

  3

  3

  1

  —

  15–21 January

  —

  1

  7

  4

  22–28 January

  4

  1

  1

  —

  29 January-4 February

  4

  2

  2

  —

  5–11 February

  —

  —

  1

  1

  12–18 February

  1

  2

  4

  3

  19–25 February

  1

  —

  2

  1

  26 February—4 March

  4

  2

  4

  1

  5–11 March

  2

  2

  5

  4

  12–18 March

  3

  3

  1

  2

  19–25 March

  4

  —

  —

  1

  26 March-1 April

  4

  2

  2

  2

  2–8 April

  4

  —

  2

  2

  9–15 April

  2

  3

  3

  —

  16–22 April

  4

  —

  —

  1

  23–25 April

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Total

  43

  22

  38

  25

  (by month)

  Shootings

  Assaults

  January 2001–25 April 2001

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  January

  12

  6

  12

  7

  February

  4

  5

  8

  5

  March

  15

  8

  12

  10

  April (to 25th)

  12

  3

  6

  3

  Total

  43

  22

  38

  25

  Deaths due to the security situation

  (by week)

  1 January 2001–25 April 2001

  Number

  1–7 January

  1

  8–14 January

  —

  15–21 January

  —

  22–28 January

  —

  29 January-4 February

  —

  5–11 February

  —

  12–18 February

  —

  19–25 February

  —

  26 February-4 March

  —

  5–11 March

  —

  12–18 March

  1

  19–25 March

  —

  26 March-1 April

  1

  2–8 April

  —

  9–15 April

  1

  16–22 April

  1

  23–25 April

  —

  Total

  5

  501W

  (by month)

  January 2001–25 April 2001

  Number

  January

  1

  February

  —

  March

  2

  April (to 25th)

  2

  Total

  5

  Note:

  2000–01 figures are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders there were in Northern Ireland in (i) each week and (ii) each month from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000; and if he will indicate for each week and month a how many of those crimes were committed by (A) Republican, (B) Loyalist and (C) other groups. [159387]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tables provide the information requested.

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks from January-December 2000

  (by week)

  Shootings

  Assaults

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  1–2 January

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3–9 January

  —

  —

  4

  —

  10–16 January

  2

  —

  1

  —

  17–23 January

  —

  —

  —

  —

  24–30 January

  —

  —

  3

  1

  31 January-6 February

  1

  —

  3

  1

  7–13 February

  1

  —

  —

  —

  14–20 February

  1

  —

  2

  1

  21–27 February

  1

  —

  —

  1

  28 February-5 March

  3

  —

  1

  —

  6–12 March

  2

  3

  2

  1

  13–19 March

  4

  2

  —

  1

  20–26 March

  —

  —

  3

  1

  27 March-2 April

  2

  2

  3

  1

  3–9 April

  —

  3

  1

  3

  10–16 April

  —

  2

  2

  —

  17–23 April

  —

  1

  —

  2

  24–30 April

  6

  —

  2

  2

  1–7 May

  5

  4

  2

  1

  8–14 May

  2

  —

  2

  4

  15–21 May

  2

  —

  2

  2

  22–28 May

  —

  1

  —

  1

  29 May-4 June

  —

  1

  2

  —

  5–11 June

  —

  —

  2

  1

  12–18 June

  3

  —

  4

  1

  19–25 June

  2

  2

  —

  2

  26 June-2 July

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3–9 July

  8

  1

  1

  2

  10–16 July

  2

  1

  2

  —

  17–23 July

  1

  —

  —

  1

  24–30 July

  1

  —

  1

  2

  31 July-6 August

  2

  —

  6

  —

  7–13 August

  1

  1

  1

  —

  14–20 August

  —

  1

  3

  —

  21–27 August

  —

  1

  1

  1

  28 August-3 September

  3

  3

  —

  2

  4–10 September

  3

  2

  4

  2

  11–17 September

  3

  —

  2

  1

  18–24 September

  —

  1

  —

  1

  25 September-1 October

  3

  2

  —

  2

  2–8 October

  4

  3

  —

  —

  9–15 October

  4

  —

  3

  1

  16–22 October

  —

  —

  1

  2

  23–29 October

  1

  1

  —

  —

  30 October-5 November

  —

  2

  —

  1

  6–12 November

  1

  1

  1

  —

  13–19 November

  2

  1

  —

  1

  502W

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks from January-December 2000 (by week)

  Shootings

  Assaults

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  20–26 November

  —

  —

  3

  2

  27 November-3 December

  —

  2

  2

  1

  4–10 December

  1

  1

  2

  1

  11–17 December

  3

  2

  —

  1

  18–24 December

  4

  1

  3

  2

  25–31 December

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total 2000

  86

  50

  78

  54

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks from January-December 2000(by month)

  Shootings

  Assaults

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  January

  3

  —

  9

  1

  February

  4

  —

  4

  3

  March

  11

  6

  8

  4

  April

  6

  9

  6

  7

  May

  9

  5

  6

  8

  June

  6

  3

  8

  4

  July

  13

  2

  4

  5

  August

  5

  6

  11

  3

  September

  8

  5

  6

  6

  October

  10

  5

  4

  3

  November

  3

  4

  5

  5

  December

  8

  5

  7

  5

  Total 2000

  86

  50

  78

  54

  Deaths due to the security situation from January-December 2000

  (by week)

  Date

  Number

  1–2 January

  —

  3–19 January

  —

  10–16 January

  1

  17–23 January

  —

  24–30 January

  —

  31 January-6 February

  —

  7–13 February

  —

  14–20 February

  2

  21–27 February

  —

  28 February-5 March

  —

  6–12 March

  —

  13–19 March

  —

  20–26 March

  —

  27 March-2 April

  —

  3–9 April

  —

  10–16 April

  —

  17–23 April

  —

  24–30 April

  —

  1–7 May

  —

  8–14 May

  —

  15–21 May

  —

  22–28 May

  1

  29 May-4 June

  1

  5–11 June

  —

  12–18 June

  —

  19–25 June

  —

  26 June-2 July

  —

  3–9 July

  —

  10–16 July

  1

  17–23 July

  —

  24–30 July

  —

  31 July-6 August

  —

  7–13 August

  —

  14–20 August

  —

  21–27 August

  3

  28 August-3 September

  —

  4–10 September

  —

  503W

  Deaths due to the security situation from January-December 2000

  (by week)

  Date

  Number

  11–17 September

  —

  18–24 September

  —

  25 September-1 October

  1

  2–8 October

  —

  9–15 October

  1

  16–22 October

  —

  23–29 October

  1

  30 October-5 November

  3

  6–12 November

  —

  13–19 November

  —

  20–26 November

  —

  27 November-3 December

  —

  4–10 December

  2

  11–17 December

  —

  18–24 December

  1

  25–31 December

  —

  Total 2000

  18

  Deaths due to the security situation from January-December 2000

  Month

  Number

  January

  1

  February

  2

  March

  —

  April

  —

  May

  2

  June

  —

  July

  1

  August

  3

  September

  1

  October

  4

  November

  1

  December

  3

  Total 2000

  18

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders there were in Northern Ireland in each week from 1 April to 30 April; and if he will indicate for each week and how many of those crimes were committed by (A) Republican, (B) Loyalist and (C) other groups. [159389]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tables provide the information requested.

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks from 1 April to 25 April 2001

  By Loyalist

  By Republican

  Shootings

  1 April

  —

  —

  2–8 April

  4

  —

  9–15 April

  2

  3

  16–22 April

  4

  —

  23–25 April

  2

  —

  Total 1 to 25 April

  12

  3

  Assaults

  1 April

  —

  —

  2–8 April

  2

  2

  9–15 April

  3

  —

  16–22 April

  —

  1

  23–25 April

  1

  —

  Total 1 to 25 April

  6

  3

  504W

  Deaths due to the security situation from 1 to 25 April 2001

  Date

  Number

  1 April —

  2–8

  2–8 April

  —

  9–15 April

  1

  16–22 April

  1

  23–25 April

  —

  Total 1 to 25 April

  2

  Note:

  2001 figures are Provisional and may be subject to minor amendment

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) punishment beatings, (b) punishment shootings and (c) murders there were in Northern Ireland in (i) each week and (ii) each month from 1 January to 28 February; and if he will indicate for each week and month how many of those crimes were committed by (A)Republican, (B) Loyalist and (C) other groups. [155913]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tables show the information requested from 1 January 2001 to the most recent date of 25 March.

  Security situation statistics—Deaths 2001

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By week

  —

  1–7 January

  1

  —

  8–14 January

  —

  —

  15–21 January

  —

  —

  22–28 January

  —

  —

  29 January-4 February

  —

  —

  5–11 February

  —

  —

  12–18 February

  —

  —

  19–25 February

  —

  —

  26 February-4 March

  —

  —

  5–11 March

  —

  —

  12–18 March

  1

  —

  19–25 March

  —

  —

  By month

  January

  1

  —

  February

  —

  —

  1–25 March

  1

  —

  Notes:

  1. Includes all deaths due to the security situation

  2. 2001 figures are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks 2001

  Assaults

  Shootings

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  1–7 January

  2

  3

  1

  1

  8–14 January

  1

  —

  3

  3

  15–21 January

  6

  5

  —

  1

  22–28 January

  1

  —

  4

  1

  29 January-4 February

  2

  —

  4

  2

  5–11 February

  1

  1

  —

  —

  12–18 February

  4

  3

  —

  2

  19–25 February

  3

  —

  1

  —

  26 February-4 March

  4

  —

  4

  2

  5–11 March

  4

  7

  2

  2

  12–18 March

  1

  2

  3

  3

  19–25 March

  1

  1

  4

  —

  505W

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks 2001

  Assaults

  Shootings

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By Loyalists

  By Republicans

  By month

  January

  11

  8

  12

  6

  February

  9

  4

  3

  5

  1–25 March

  10

  10

  11

  6

  Note:

  2001 figures are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment

  Date

  Visit

  10 August 2000

  Dublin—Meeting with officials from the Irish Department of Justice

  8 December 2000

  Dublin—Meeting with officials from the Irish Department of Justice

  30 September to 8 October 2000

  Washington, USA—Meetings with officials in the US Department of Justice, the State Department and the FBI; meeting with the Irish Ambassador and key officials at the British Embassy dealing with Northern Ireland; lunch with Congressional Staffers

  Boston, USA—Meetings with Irish American leaders, addressed a politics class at Northeastern University; meeting with Boston Police Commissioner

  New York, USA—Meetings with the Consul General of Ireland, the New York Bar Association, the New York City Comptroller and Irish American leaders

  Organised Crime
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the groups identified as meeting the 1999 NCIS definition of organised crime comprise(a) fewer than 10 members, (b) 10 to 25 members, (c) 25 to 100 members and (d) more than 100 members; how many groups in each size band have their origins or initial association in a local unit of (i) Republican, (ii) Loyalist and (iii) other paramilitary organisations; and how many groups in each size band are focused around criminal activity within a local or district territory. [158787]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information cannot be made available in the form requested. However, I can state that 78 groups involving some 400 individuals have been identified as meeting the 1999 NCIS definition of organised crime. Of these 78 groups, no one group exceeds 25 members. Just over half of the groups identified have current or historical links to Republican or Loyalist paramilitary organisations. The vast majority of the groups identified are focused around criminal activity within a local or district territory.

  Oversight Commissioner
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings have taken place, on what dates, between the Change Management Team and(a) the Oversight Commissioner and (b) his staff. [160321]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Commissioner has visited Northern Ireland on five occasions. I understand that on each occasion he has met members of the RUC Change Management Team. Several meetings have also taken place between the Change Management Team, the members of the Commissioner's Evaluation Team, and the Commissioner's Chief of Staff.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which officials have held meetings with(a) the Oversight Commissioner and (b) members of his staff; and on what dates. [160318]
  506W

  Official Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 14 July 2000, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [159795]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since 14 July 2000 the Permanent Secretary has made the following visits outside the United Kingdom on official business:

  Mr. Ingram
  The Commissioner has visited Northern Ireland on five occasions. On each occasion he has met officials. Several meetings have also taken place between officials and the members of the Commissioner's Evaluation Team. There have also been regular meetings between officials and the Commissioner's Chief of Staff since he took up his appointment in January 2001.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which police stations have been visited by(a) the Oversight Commissioner and (b) members of his staff; and on what dates. [160319]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Commissioner has visited Northern Ireland on five occasions. During his time in Northern Ireland he has visited the following police stations:

  Police headquarters—Brooklyn

  Police headquarters—Knocknagoney

  Ballymena RUC station

  Portrush RUC station

  Newtownards RUC station

  Mahon Road RUC station

  Crossmaglen RUC station

  Musgrave Street RUC station

  Grosvenor Road RUC station

  Strand Road RUC station

  Waterside RUC station

  Newry RUC station

  Omagh RUC station

  Bangor RUC station

  Larne RUC station

  Sprucefield RUC training establishment

  Garnerville RUC training establishment.

  On several occasions he was accompanied by his Chief of Staff and his Evaluation Team.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings have taken place, on what dates, between the Oversight Commissioner and the Chief Constable. [160320]
  507W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Commissioner has visited Northern Ireland on five occasions. I understand that on each occasion he has met the Chief Constable.

  Crime
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he proposes to take to halt the rising crime rate in the Province. [159867]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary, encouraged and supported by the Government, has taken a number of strategic and tactical steps to address the occurrence of crime across the Province.

  The recent restructuring of the RUC and the establishment of District Command Units has devolved greater autonomy to local commanders in the use of their resources to tackle 'volume crimes' such as burglary, assaults and criminal damage. They are supported in their efforts by the introduction of the National Intelligence Model throughout the Province. The on-going training and provision of police analysts to highlight problem crimes and problem areas will further assist the maximum effective use of resources through 'directed patrolling'. This information led approach is underpinned by the RUC's community policing model which will ensure that local officers and local partnerships work together in 'sectors' to more readily address local crimes and anti-social behaviour.

  At a strategic level the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its partner agencies, including the Government, are working within the Organised Crime Task Force in furtherance of the drive against organised criminal gangs. The Government remain committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies and other partners within the criminal justice system have the necessary legislative powers to be fully effective against criminals at all levels. The Criminal Justice Review has been completed and work is continuing on the Criminal Justice Bill and implementation plan.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of terrorist weapons since 1 May 2000. [159865]

  Mr. Ingram
  Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari have reported that they have completed a second inspection of several IRA dumps. On both occasions they reported the dumps held a substantial amount of military material, including explosives and weapons. They remain confident that these weapons and explosives cannot be used without them being aware of it.

  This together with the Decommissioning Commission's statement in March announcing its re-engagement with the IRA, represents further progress and an honouring of commitments given by the IRA at the beginning of May 2000.

  Charles Conlon
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the criminal convictions are of Charles Conlon, a prisoner in HMP Maghaberry; when his most recent conviction was; what sentence he is 508W
  serving; how many days he has served in solitary confinement; and if he will make a statement on the circumstances of his punishment. [159563]

  Mr. Ingram
  Charles Conlon's criminal record currently runs to 16 pages and spans a period of 22 years. It includes convictions for 12 counts of criminal damage, 18 counts of burglary, theft, five counts of riotous/ disorderly behaviour, 12 counts of common assault, 17 road traffic offences, 25 assaults on police, three counts of deception, 15 serious assaults, four robberies, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, eight counts of obstructing police and two incidents of arson. Charges in relation t0 an incident in which he bit a prison officer twice are currently being investigated by the police.

  His most recent conviction was on 16 January 2001 when he received two six-month sentences for assaulting two prison officers These sentences were to be served consecutively to a two and half year sentence, imposed on 14 October 1999, for threats to kill, assaults on police, perjury and assault His current earliest date of release (EDR) is 29 July 2001.

  Mr. Conlon has an unenviable record of poor behaviour during his present period of imprisonment. He has been charged and adjudicated upon for offences against prison discipline on 70 separate occasions. He has a propensity for, and history of, serious assaults on prison staff and other prisoners. He has been held in the Punishment and Segregation Unit (PSU) at HMP Maghaberry since 21 November 1999, under Rule 32 of The Prison and Young Offenders (NI) Rules 1995. This is to restrict his association for the maintenance of good order and discipline within the prison. Recent efforts to reintegrate Mr. Conlon into the ordinary prison population have been unsuccessful.

  Judgment on a Judicial Review hearing earlier this year to examine Mr. Conlon's conditions of imprisonment has been reserved.

  RUC Reserve
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland s hat the time scale is for the proposed disbandment of the full-time RUC Reserve. [159866]

  Mr. Ingram
  The process of phasing out the full-time Reserve will not begin before the first recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland complete their training early in 2002. The precise timing will depend on the prevailing security situation and policing requirements.

  RUC Officers (Psychiatric Illnesses)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many past and present members of the RUC have submitted claims against the Chief Constable for the effects of(a) post-traumatic stress disorder and (b) other psychiatric illnesses; how many claims have been settled to date; and at what cost. [159550]

  Mr. Ingram
  Up to 30 April 2001, there have been 625 claims against the Chief Constable for the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and two claims for other psychiatric illnesses. These claims are still being investigated.

  Offences against Children
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many convictions for offences against children aged under-18 years there were, broken down by sentence type in(a) 1999–2000 and (b)2000–01. [159848]

  Mr. Ingram
  This information is currently unavailable.

  Police Injuries
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers in Northern Ireland have been injured on duty in each of the last 24 months, indicating in each case if the injuries were(a) accidental and (b) the result of assault by (i) Republican, (ii) Loyalist, and (iii) other persons. [159470]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the number of police officers in the Royal Ulster Constabulary injured on duty over the period 1 April 1999 to 28 February 2001 (the latest date for which information is available). Information on whether injuries were accidental or the result of Republican, Loyalist or other assault is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. However, a breakdown has been provided on injuries as a result of the security situation.

  Number of RUC officers injured on duty—1 April 1999 to 28 February 2001

  Security situation

  Total

  1999

  April

  13

  159

  May

  59

  213

  June

  33

  221

  July

  36

  210

  August

  85

  244

  September

  25

  179

  October

  12

  189

  November

  21

  217

  December

  20

  246

  2000

  January

  16

  197

  February

  13

  178

  March

  23

  211

  April

  8

  192

  May

  19

  198

  June

  32

  224

  July

  198

  359

  August

  15

  146

  September

  36

  158

  October

  31

  155

  November

  27

  139

  December

  28

  90

  2001

  January

  19

  72

  February

  17

  36

  Total

  786

  4,233

  Mr. Neil Mulholland
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what capacity Mr. Neil Mulholland is employed by the Northern Ireland Office; when his employment began; and when his contract of employment is due to expire. [159921]
  510W
  Dr. Reid
  Mr. Neil Mulholland has been employed as a Senior Information Officer since 20 May 1996. As a permanent employee his normal retirement date would be at age 60.

  Strand Road RUC Station
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the identity of the organisation responsible for the(a) recent attack on the Strand Road RUC Station in Londonderry and (b) the death of Mr. C. O'Kane at Currynerin, Londonderry. [159471]

  Mr. Ingram
  In both cases Royal Ulster Constabulary investigations are on-going. There is no information or intelligence available to identify a specific organisation/s as being responsible and no organisation/s has claimed responsibility.

  Vehicle Theft
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cars have been stolen in each district policing area in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and how many vehicles were recovered within seven days and reported as having been stolen for joy-riding or similar purposes. [160289]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is only possible to provide the number of recorded offences of theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicles over the past three years. Due to a change in Home Office counting rules, figures prior to 1998 are not comparable. Information on recovery times and the reason for thefts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Notifiable offences of theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicles 1998–99 to 2000–01

  RUC Division

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  A

  2,018

  2,250

  2,785

  B

  1,798

  2,040

  2,074

  D

  1,800

  1.711

  1,839

  E

  823

  888

  936

  G

  531

  637

  665

  H

  485

  527

  485

  J

  471

  608

  547

  K

  251

  254

  243

  L

  312

  330

  294

  N

  472

  368

  343

  O

  379

  280

  353

  P

  375

  303

  242

  Total

  9,715

  10,196

  10,806

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been arrested for stealing cars in each Northern Ireland police district in each of the past five years; and how many have been(a) successfully prosecuted and (b) sentenced to a non-custodial sentence. [160290]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department from 1997 to date. [160052]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister 512W
  for the Cabinet Office on 1 May 2001. Official Report, column 607W.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160033]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since 3 May 1997, no more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time.

  Live Animal Transport
  Live Animal Transport
  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Central Science Laboratory
  Central Science Laboratory
  Millennium Dome: Sale
  Millennium Dome: Sale