Written Answers of 27 November 2001

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Fair Trade
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Solicitor-General what is the value of fairly traded(a) tea and (b) coffee used in her Department in each of the last five years. [17548]

  The Solicitor-General
  Nil.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Solicitor-General what fairly traded products, other than tea and coffee, have been purchased by her Department in each of the last five years; and what was their value. [17555]

  The Solicitor-General
  None. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently exploring the provision of fairly traded confectionery by its catering service provider.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  London Underground
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to(a) receive and (b) publish the Ernst & Young report on the value for money of the proposed PPP for London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [14483]

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to(a) order and (b) publish an independent review of the value for money of the proposed public private partnership of the London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [14515]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 23 November 2001,Official Report, column 493W. Ernst & Young are due to deliver their conclusions before decisions are taken on the value for money of final bids for the Government's modernisation plans for the London Underground. The Secretary of State is still considering the timing of publication.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 7 November 2001,Official Report, column 289W, if he will place in the Library the PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Ernst & Young studies and if he will make a statement. [16594]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) on 12 November 2001,Official Report, column 503W, and to the answer given today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Coleman) (PQ 14515) at column 745W.

  New Deal for Communities
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to commence the funding mechanism that will replace the new deal for communities programme; and if he will make a statement. [16049]

  Ms Keeble
  There will be no third round of NDC but the existing 39 partnerships will continue piloting many of the ideas in the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. The Government are committed to learning as much as possible from them over the next 10 years and spreading best practice.

  Real delivery in turning round deprived areas requires high-quality public services in all neighbourhoods, rather than specific programmes shoring up poor public services in only a few areas. The main focus of Neighbourhood Renewal is to reshape the way mainstream resources are used and the lessons learned from NDC will help identify ways to achieve this.

  Railtrack
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date he instructed parliamentary drafters to draft(a) the Railway Administration Order Rules 2001 and (b) legislation to give him powers to direct the Rail Regulator. [15624]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: Details of internal communications are exempt from disclosure under section 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the(a) board of (b) financial backers of and (c) advisers to the proposed not-for-profit company he wishes to take over the assets and liabilities of Railtrack plc. [16369]

  Mr. Spellar
  A bid team is being established to propose a company limited by guarantee which will put a bid to the Administrator to have transferred to it Railtrack plc's railway assets and its role as Network Operator. Information on the company's board, financial backers and advisers will be announced at the appropriate time.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has made a revised estimate of the total cost of the rail element of the 10-year transport plan since the administration of Railtrack; and if he will make a statement on alterations to previous forecasts, broken down by the(a) private and (b) public elements of the plan. [17743]

  Mr. Spellar
  The level of rail funding provided for the 10-year plan for transport has not changed as a result of the Railtrack administration.

  Street Lighting
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress he has made in developing(a) comprehensive inventories, (b) risk management strategies and (c) management systems to fund street lighting. [16080]
  747W
  Mr. Jamieson
  A working group representing DTLR and representatives from local government and industry was set up in September to take forward these issues. The need for a comprehensive inventory has been recognised as an important step and proposals in draft form are being produced in a form which could be readily adopted by local authorities.

  Research into a street lighting risk management strategy is being considered. This will be dependent on the collection of accurate information on street lighting stock and condition which is one of the aims of the street lighting inventory.

  When inventories are in place showing sufficient information on street lighting stock at a local and national level, DTLR will consider ways in which this information could be used to allocate funding to highway authorities that would allow them to deal with their street lighting backlog.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to deal with street lighting dereliction; and if he will make a statement. [16081]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government are committed in the 10-year plan for transport to tackling the local road maintenance backlog, including the backlog for street lighting. Over £30 billion is being provided for local road maintenance over the next 10 years, and extra £9 billion above the funding levels in the previous 10 years.

  Homeless Families
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the average cost in the last 12 months of housing a homeless family in(a) bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation and (b) private leasing of unsold properties from property developers. [16096]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 19 November 2001]: Information reported to the Department by local authorities about expenditure on accommodation provided under homelessness legislation does not identify average unit costs. Available information derived from the report "Homelessness Statistics 1999–2000 Actuals", published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is as follows:

  Average weekly charges per unit 1

  £

  England

  Wales

  Bed and breakfast

  276.92

  246.54

  Hostels2

  90.42

  76.90

  1 Based on gross charges before deduction of any rent rebate. The figures for bed and breakfast accommodation represent an average for the year 1999–2000, while those for hostels reflect charges in the last rent week of March 2000.

  2 Includes any units in privately-owned hostels (e.g. owned by charities or voluntary organisations) used by local authorities to house homeless families.

  Average rental costs for properties leased from the private sector are not collected centrally.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the methodology changes made since 1997 to the formulae for calculating the standard lending assessment and aggregate external finance figures for(a) Devon county council and (b) east Devon district council; and if he will make an assessment of the net financial effect of these changes. [17272]

  Dr. Whitehead
  There were 15 changes in the method of determining Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) for the 1998–99 Local Government Finance Settlement; and 20 changes for the 1999–2000 Local Government Finance Settlement.

  In 1999–2000 the Government introduced a new damping grant, Central Support Protection Grant (CSPG), to ensure that no authority received less grant than the year before, and that authorities which had education and personal social services responsibilities received at least 1.5 per cent. more than the year before.

  The July 1998 Local Government White Paper announced a three-year review of Revenue Grant Distribution. It said that the Government did not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of SSAs except where there are changes in the functions of councils, or the funding of particular services.

  In 2000–01 there were therefore only limited adjustments to SSAs to accommodate the establishment of the Greater London Authority and related changes, most notably those arising from the alterations to the boundary of the Metropolitan Police District and the Essex Hertfordshire and Surrey police areas. CSPG was retained in 2000–01.

  In 2001–02 there was only one change in the method of determining SSAs to reflect the transfer of funding for nursery education for four-year-olds. CSPG was replaced for those authorities with education and personal social services responsibilities by floors and ceilings, which guaranteed that no authority would receive less than a 3.2 per cent. increase and that no authority could get more than a 6.5 per cent. increase.

  Changes in the method of determining SSAs are contained in circular letters to local authorities, dated 2 December 1997, 2 December 1998, 25 November 1999 and 27 November 2000, copies of which are in the Library. For convenience, copies of the relevant extracts have been placed in the Library.

  The following table shows the net percentage change in SSAs against adjusted SSAs for the previous year for Devon and east Devon over the period, together with the percentage change due to changes in methodology. It is inappropriate to compare actual SSA between years because of changes to the services financed by grants allocated using SSAs. Adjusted SSAs enable a like-for-like comparison between years.
  749W

  Percentage

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Devon

  Percentage change against adjusted SSAs

  3.2

  5.7

  5.0

  5.0

  Of which: percentage change due to methodology

  -0.7

  -0.6

  0.0

  0.0

  East Devon

  Percentage change against adjusted SSAs

  -1.0

  4.3

  2.9

  5.0

  Of which: percentage change due to methodology

  -0.8

  -0.6

  0.0

  0.0

  Note:

  It is not possible to perform a similar analysis for aggregate external finance.

  Jim Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 2001,Official Report, column 914W, on the local government finance settlement, what plans he has made regarding the announcement of the provisional local government finance settlement. [19269]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We now expect to make an announcement to the House on. Tuesday 4 December, subject to the progress of parliamentary business.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer, 15 November 2001,Official Report, column 832W, on homelessness, if he will list by (a) bed and breakfast accommodation and (b) temporary local authority accommodation where in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2000 members of households identified as vulnerable due to old age resided. [17575]

  Ms Keeble
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Automatic Train Protection
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the automatic train protection equipment built in to Pendolino trains will be fully operable following the cancellation of phase II of the west coast mainline upgrade.. [17373]

  Mr. Spellar
  Discussions on the options for taking forward the west coast main line upgrade are still under way between the Government and stakeholders. At this stage we cannot predict the outcome of those discussions. The protection system for the Pendolino trains will be subject to an acceptance procedure under the aegis of Railway Safety, which will ensure that it meets the requirements of HSE.

  The HSE is considering with the Government and industry the implementation of the recommendation of the Joint Inquiry into Train Protection Systems that the European Train Control System (ETCS) should be installed on principal routes of the network.

  Departmental Intervention
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made with regard to possible interventions by(a) his Department, (b) Department of Health and (c) the Department of Education and Skills into the running of
  750W
  services by (i) Walsall MBC, (ii) Hillingdon LBC, (iii) Derby City Council, (iv) Malvern Hills DC and (v) Waltham Forest LBC. [17733]

  Mr. Byers
  My policy is to take intervention action based on clear evidence of a local authority's failure to comply with the best value requirements in Part I of the Local Government Act 1999. Such evidence would usually be identified in a best value inspection conducted by the Audit Commission and I would expect the Commission to make recommendations to me about the use of intervention powers. I have received no recommendations from the Audit Commission regarding any of these authorities.

  Underground Environment
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the formulas(a) stated for the calculation of the state of the Underground environment as follows:

  what each of the letters stand for; where it is a value, how that value is calculated; and what methods were used in the formulas' production. [17123]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 22 November 2001]: (a) The formula the hon. Member refers to is a weighted average of scores for different aspects of the passenger environment. The PPP contracts refer to this environment, which is an important part of the infrastructure companies' performance, as Ambience.

  The letters in the formula represent:
  A—is the total ambience score, which is calculated each quarter and used to adjust the payments London Underground makes to the infrastructure companies. Total Ambience covers both trains and stations on all lines for which an infrastructure company is responsible.

  751W
  QASASjs—is the quarterly average survey score for a particular aspect of Ambience, such as the level of litter or graffiti, at a particular station.
  QATASjL—is the quarterly survey score for similar aspects of Ambience on trains on a particular line.
  QATASkL—is the quarterly score for specific aspects of Ambience on trains that are measured according to engineering techniques rather than surveys, for example smoothness of ride and on-train noise.
  Wsjs.WTjL,WTkL—are the weights applied by London Underground to these various scores in order to calculate the weighted average.

  In each case the letter used in the formula represent values. The scores are calculated primarily from periodic surveys undertaken by mystery shoppers, a technique for measuring Ambience that London Underground has used for a number of years and which has been adapted for the PPP contracts. Where appropriate, some scores are calculated from engineering tests. The weights are fixed values, set out in the contracts, which have been derived from London Underground's customer research.

  (b) The formula referred to is a weighted average of the Ambience scores for trains only. Under the PPP contracts, the infrastructure companies are measured according to the level of Ambience on trains and stations separately, as well as according to the total level of Ambience on the lines for which they are responsible.

  The letters in the formula represent:
  TMS—is the train Ambience score, which is calculated each quarter.
  QATASj—is the quarterly average survey score for a particular aspect of Ambience, such as the level of litter or graffiti, on trains.
  QATASk—is the quarterly score for specific aspects of Ambience on trains that are measured according to engineering techniques rather than surveys, for example smoothness of ride and on-train noise.
  WTj,WTk—are the weights applied by London Underground to these various scores in order to calculate the weighted average.

  In each case the letters used in the formula represent values. The scores are calculated primarily from periodic surveys undertaken by mystery shoppers, a technique for measuring Ambience that London Underground has used for a number of years and which has been adapted for the PPP contracts. Where appropriate, some scores are calculated from engineering tests. The weights are fixed values, set out in the contracts, which have been derived from London Underground's customer research.

  Housing (London Boroughs)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) private rented units, (b) social rented units and (c) owner-occupied units there were in each London borough in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995 and (iii) 2000. [17687]

  Ms Keeble
  A breakdown of owner-occupied units on a borough by borough basis is not currently available for the years in question. However, the Survey of English 752W
  Housing (SEH) gives a breakdown of social rented, private rented and owner-occupied units at a regional level as follows:
  As at 31 March 2000, London had:

  1,806,000—owner-occupied dwellings

  472,000—private rented dwellings

  779,000—social rented dwellings

  3,057,000—total dwellings

  Source:
  Housing Statistics 2000 publication

  Local Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those local bodies which were set up under legislation which is the responsibility of his Department and its predecessors since May 1997. [17611]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Greater London Authority Act 1999 created the Greater London Authority and its five functional bodies: the London Development Agency, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the Metropolitan Police Authority, Transport for London and the London Transport Users' Committee. As far as I am aware, there are no other bodies at local level, created under primary legislation which has been introduced since 1997 and is the responsibility of my Department.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will list those public bodies which are the responsibility of his Department and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000; [17610]

  (2) if he will list those public bodies to which his Department appoints members and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000. [17609]

  Dr. Whitehead
  'Public Bodies 2000' sets out information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), certain public corporations (including nationalised industries) and NHS bodies. There are four types of NDPB: executive NDPBs; advisory NDPBs; tribunal NDPBs; and boards of visitors to penal establishments. The next edition will be published around the end of the year. Information about task forces, annual reviews and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by Cabinet Office. Copies of Public Bodies 2000 are in the Library of the House and this publication may be accessed via Cabinet Office's website: http://www.official-documents.co.uk/ document/caboff/pb00/pb00.htm.

  Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have also been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on Cabinet Office's website.

  Since publication of Public Bodies 2000 the Department has created two further executive NDPBs, the Standards Board for England and the Strategic Rail Authority.
  753W
  In addition Ministers make appointments to the following bodies for which the Department is also responsible:

  Arson Control Forum

  Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council

  Fire Service Examinations Board

  Fire Service Research and Training Trust

  Inner Cities Religious Council

  Mersey Conservancy (Acting Conservator for the River Mersey)

  National Cycling Strategy Board for England.

  The Secretary of State appoints the Chair of the national Rail Passengers' Council and seven of the regional Rail Passengers' Committees.

  The Secretary of State make appointments to the following Trust Ports:

  Poole (Chair only)

  Dover

  Harwich

  London

  Milford Haven

  Shoreham

  Tyne.

  The Department has responsibility for the School Travel Advisory Group.

  Fair Trade
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the value of fairly traded(a) tea and (b) coffee used in his Department in each of the last five years. [17564]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Fair traded tea and coffee is available through the staff restaurant and for internal meetings. Information on the value of these products is not available due to disproportionate costs.

  Smoke Alarms
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 43W, what smoke alarm installation work he encourages; and if he will make a statement. [17879]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We encourage the fire service to provide and install smoke alarms to householders as part of their general community fire safety work. Brigades focus their efforts mainly on those households deemed to be at high risk from fire. The implementation of such work is down to individual brigades to determine, using local data and statistics to highlight where within their brigade area fires are most likely to occur.

  Supporting People Strategy
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money is being given to local authorities to fund the Supporting People Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [17955]
  754W
  Ms Keeble
  The Government have allocated £40 million to local authorities to fund the implementation of the Supporting People Programme in 2002–03. This is in addition to the £15.2 million allocated to local authorities in 2001–02.

  East Coast Main Line
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans exist for special purpose vehicles to be created to undertake works in connection with the East Coast Main Line; and if he will place the plans in the Library. [17789]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 2 April 2001, Official Report, column 8W.

  Terminal 5
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his statement of 20 November 2001, on Terminal 5, what the first date would be on which(a) a new regime for night flight quotas and (b) other arrangements to reduce noise nuisance from night flights would come into practice following completion of the consultation exercise. [17793]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Any changes would be introduced after appropriate consideration but before the opening of Terminal 5

  Children's Social Services (Seaside Authorities)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the ability of the children's social services SSA to meet the demands found in seaside resort unitary authority areas; and if he will make a statement. [17962]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The overall level of formula grant that Government make available to local government, including that for social services, is decided as part of our spending review process. Decisions are based on an assessment at the national level of pressures on services, the scope for greater cost-effectiveness, and what is affordable. We have not made an assessment specific to seaside resort authorities. The SSA formulae are the means by which we allocate this total level of grant between authorities. The grant distribution formulae are currently being reviewed in order to develop a system that is more transparent and fairer to all authorities. To date, the review has not made an assessment of the fairness of the current children's social services SSA formula as it relates specifically to seaside resort authorities. As part of the review, the Department of Health are commissioning research on the children's formula. Such an assessment would be difficult to make until further progress has been made.

  Timber
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he provides for local authorities regarding their
  755W
  procurement of timber and timber products which have been independently certified as originating from well-managed forests. [18009]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Local authorities are independent and autonomous and responsible within the law for making their own decisions on procurement matters. It is for them to decide whether or not to procure timber and timber products which have been independently certified as originating from well-managed forests. In doing so they will need to have regard to the need to achieve value for money.

  Central Government Departments were formally reminded of the Government's policy to procure timber and timber related products from sustainable and legal sources in a note dated 2 January 2001 issued jointly by HM Treasury and the then Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Central Government have not given advice on this subject directly to other parts of the public sector but the Government's advice is widely available and can be adapted or adopted by other organisations.

  Parish and Town Councils
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average level of precept was for(a) parish and town councils, (b) parish councils and (c) town councils in England in each of the last five years. [18063]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The only information on parish and town council precepts collected by the Department is the total amount received by each English billing authority on behalf of parish and town councils in its area. Separate amounts for parish and town councils are not therefore available, nor are precise figures for the number of parish or town councils in England in any particular year. Total precepts for each year from 1997–98 to 2001–02 inclusive are given in the following table:

  Financial year

  Parish and town council precepts, England total (£ million)

  Percentage increase over previous year

  1997–98

  144

  8.3

  1998–99

  154

  6.9

  1999–2000

  165

  7.1

  2000–01

  181

  9.7

  2001–02

  193

  6.6

  The Department estimates that there are currently about 8,700 parish or town councils in England, so the average precept in 2001–02 is about £22,000, with precepts for individual councils ranging from zero to several hundred thousand pounds.

  Voting Age
  Lembit öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he plans to grant 16-year-olds the vote; and if he will make a statement. [18017]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We have no plans to propose legislation to lower the voting age. We would, however, welcome a public debate on the issue. It is also open to the Electoral Commission to consider it and make recommendations for future policy.

  Aviation Industry
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assistance he is giving to(a) airports, (b) airlines and (c) other service providers in respect of insurance premiums to cover against acts of war or terrorism. [18453]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government have made available third-party war risk insurance to UK airports, airlines and other service providers in accordance with Community rules and guidance on state aid. In the case of airlines, premiums were waived initially but are now being applied in accordance with guidelines issued by the European Commission on 23 October 2001. Airports and ground service providers have been charged premiums since the inception of assistance on 23 September 2001.

  Challenge for Home Zones
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the successful bids under the Government Challenge for Home Zones. [18185]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: We hope to announce the winners before Christmas.

  A556
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) road fatalities and (b) road accidents there were on the A556 in each of the last 10 years. [18448]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The numbers of personal injury road accidents and fatalities on the A556 were as shown.

  Year

  Road accident fatalities

  Personal injury accidents

  1991

  1

  96

  1992

  3

  97

  1993

  2

  99

  1994

  7

  100

  1995

  2

  86

  1996

  4

  78

  1997

  3

  101

  1998

  5

  108

  1999

  1

  76

  2000

  1

  46

  Detling Beacon
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the air corridor either side of Detling Beacon in Kent has been altered since 11 September. [18470]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that there has been no alteration to the airspace route structure either side of the Detling Beacon since 11 September.

  Rents
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what he estimates to be the maximum capped rent payable in 2002–03 at current prices for tenants in(a) four bed, (b) three bed, (c) two bed, (d) one bed and (e) bedsit properties. [18660]
  757W
  Ms Keeble
  The maximum capped rent payable by tenants of councils and housing associations in 2002–03 at current prices will be(a) £100 a week, (b) £95 a week, (c) £90 a week, (d) £85 a week and (e) £85 a week.

  Parliamentary Ombudsman
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many formal notices his Department has received in the last year from the Parliamentary Ombudsman expressing an intention to carry out an investigation; and in respect of each notice how long it took to respond. [18767]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The number of cases received since last November by DETR or (after 11 June 2001) DTLR is as follows.

  Number/date received from PCA

  Due date to PCA

  Date replied

  Number of working days taken

  1. 13 November 2000

  27 December 2000

  4 January 2001

  36

  2. 16 February 2001

  12 March 2001

  13 March 2001

  18

  3. 21 February 2001

  14 March 2001

  15 March 2001

  17

  4. 8 June 2001

  20 July 2001

  24 July 2001

  33

  5. 21 June 2001

  11 July 2001

  9 July 2001

  13

  6. 11 September 2001

  2 October 2001

  26 September 2001

  12

  7. 17 September 2001

  15 October 2001

  15 October 2001

  21

  8. 18 September 2001

  9 October 2001

  3 October 2001

  12

  9. 24 September 2001

  2 November 2001

  5 November 2001

  31

  10. 19 October 2001

  29 November 2001

  1—

  2—

  11. 22 October 2001

  19 November 2001

  16 November 2001

  20

  12. 15 November 2001

  20 December 2001

  1—

  2—

  1 Outstanding

  2 Deadline not reached

  Motorway Speed Limits
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to impose 50mph speed limits on motorways; and if he will make a statement. [17649]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are no plans to introduce 50mph speed limits on motorways.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on reducing speed limits on motorways in order to increase traffic flows. [17651]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Highways Agency is currently trialling variable speed limits on sections of the M25. The Controlled Motorway Project automatically adjusts the speed limit to reflect prevailing conditions, and is enforced with speed cameras.

  Independent monitoring and assessment of the scheme by TRL during the first year of operation confirmed its success. The monitoring indicated that traffic flow had improved, with drivers reporting more "comfortable", less aggressive driving conditions, with fewer very short, dangerous spaces between vehicles and fewer long (inefficient) spaces and more even use of the carriageway. There were also indications of improved road safety, and shorter and more reliable journey times.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what factors underlay the decision to introduce variable speed limits on motorways. [17650]
  758W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Research into traffic congestion and traffic flow improvement found that road capacity was not being maximised.

  Effective speed control has the capability of increasing the capacity of the existing motorway network without the need for an extensive road building programme and evens out speed distribution increasing capacity.

  Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the costs to British business of the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive. [17424]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 8 November 2001,Official Report, column 337W.

  Press Interviews
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the press interviews he gave between 5 and 12 October. [18776]

  Mr. Byers
  As is already a matter of public record, I gave a number of press interviews in the period between 5 and 12 October.

  RenewCo
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the decisions outstanding on the establishment of RenewCo as at 1 October. [18760]

  Mr. Byers
  As at 1 October the Government awaited the decision of the Office for National Statistics on whether the RenewCo proposal would be classified as Government borrowing.

  In addition, I wished to consider the RenewCo proposal in the light of Railtrack's request for further Government support under its "Rainbow" proposal.

  Housing (Radon Emissions)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what financial provision his Department gives local authorities and housing associations to undertake remedial work on housing stock to protect against radon emissions. [18355]

  Ms Keeble
  Local housing authorities may provide discretionary Private Sector Renewal Grants to assist homeowners with radon remedial works to their properties where the annual average concentration of the gas exceeds the action level.

  The cost of such works to existing registered social landlord (RSL) dwellings contaminated by radon is eligible for Social Housing Grant, funded through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme. The funding is subject to the RSL obtaining a survey report from the National Radiological Protection Board indicating that the remedial works are necessary.

  Mushrooms
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in how many instances trading standards officers have discovered
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  since December 2000 Dutch mushrooms being sold in United Kingdom supermarkets as British mushrooms; what steps are taken to authenticate the source of mushrooms sold as British; and if he will make a statement. [16392]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available. It is not obligatory for the country of origin of mushrooms to be declared, although general food labelling rules require this information to be given if its omission would be misleading. Consideration is being given to the inclusion of mushrooms in EC Horticultural Marketing Standards which do require the country of origin to be given.

DEFENCE

  HMS Renown
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reached a decision on the proposals to dismantle HMS Renown; and if he will make a statement. [18933]

  Dr. Moonie
  In my answer on 11 May 2000,Official Report, column 447W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, West (Rachel Squire), I announced that we would be investigating the options for the land storage of decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines. I also informed the House that we had separately received an unsolicited commercial proposal from Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd. (BRDL), the owners of Rosyth Royal Dockyard, to dismantle the reactor compartment of the decommissioned nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Renown, and store the components. At that time we had agreed that planning and feasibility work could proceed, but I assured the House that the proposals would not be implemented until Ministers and the relevant regulatory authorities were entirely satisfied and that I would make a further statement.

  Since May 2000, much valuable work has been undertaken by BRDL to demonstrate the feasibility of their proposals. While I am satisfied on the matter of feasibility, it is clear that the necessary regulatory approvals to commence dismantling Renown will not be in place until next year. Even if the approvals are granted, and that is a matter for the independent regulators, it would be many months before the work to dismantle Renown could be completed. We have already begun the process of inviting industry proposals on the best solution for the land storage of decommissioned nuclear submarines generally and it would therefore he too late for the knowledge gained from dismantling Renown to inform this process. As a result, I have decided that there would be no advantage in proceeding with the dismantling of Renown ahead of the other decommissioned submarines stored at Devonport and Rosyth.

  Renown will continue to be stored afloat at Rosyth until such time as the final decisions on land storage are implemented. These decisions are unlikely to be taken for some two to three years and will be subject to full and open consultation.

  Plastic Baton Rounds (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to bring guidelines covering the use of plastic baton rounds in Northern Ireland into line with the regime governing use of these weapons by the police; what remedies are available for those who wish to complain about any aspect of army use of baton rounds; and if he will place the operational guidelines in the Library. [17752]

  Mr. Ingram
  Differences between the guidelines for the police and the Army on the use of baton rounds stem entirely from the differences in their respective operational structures and practices. In the case of the Army the guidelines have worldwide applicability. There are therefore no plans to bring the guidelines exactly into line with the regime governing the use of those weapons by the police.

  If a member of the public had cause to complain about the Army firing a baton round, for example if they were injured, it should be reported to the police so that they can conduct an investigation. They would receive the full co-operation of the Army and would be able to confiscate any items (ie a baton gun) that they deemed necessary for them to conduct their inquiries effectively. If a member of the public wishes to complain on other aspects of the use of baton rounds by the Army then they can write to headquarters Northern Ireland.

  I am unable to place a copy of the guidelines in the Library of the House as it is a classified document.

  September 11
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to consult the public on work to meet the additional challenges posed by asymmetric threats following 11 September; and if he will make a statement. [17448]

  Mr. Hoon
  As I informed the House on 4 October, it is my intention to conduct the work on the new chapter to the Strategic Defence Review in an open and inclusive manner. As part of this, I welcome views and contributions from the public at any time. I expect to publish discussion material early in the new year outlining the areas we are examining, reflecting emerging thinking and seeking views.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal protection is available for individuals detained by Her Majesty's armed forces engaged in duties in or around Afghanistan; what facilities are available to house prisoners captured in the course of the conflict; and what codes of conduct govern their interrogation. [17753]

  Mr. Hoon
  The treatment of prisoners of war is governed by national and international law, which also prescribes how they are interrogated. The international coalition currently has no facilities to house prisoners captured in the course of the conflict, although this will he kept under review as circumstances change.

  Royal Marines
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers in the Royal Marines have been discharged for drug offences in each of the last four years. [17346]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: A total of 17 Royal Marines have been administratively discharged in the last four years through illegal drug use as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1997

  2

  1998

  2

  1999

  5

  2000

  8

  Fair Trade
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value is of fairly traded(a) tea and (b) coffee used in his Department in each of the last five years. [18160]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Depleted Uranium
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many depleted uranium shells have been used in the Afghan conflict. [17486]

  Mr. Ingram
  None.

  Service Vacancies
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vacancies there are at present in the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force; and if he will make a statement. [18751]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 26 October 2001,Official Report, column 403W.

  "Survive to Fight"
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the new edition of "Survive to Fight" will be(a) published and (b) distributed throughout the armed forces; [17704]

  (2) if he will make a statement setting out the budgetary arrangements for paying for the new edition of "Survive to Fight". [17706]

  Mr. Ingram
  The new edition of the publication "Survive to Fight" (Joint Services Publication 410) is currently in the final stages of editing. Barring technical problems, it is anticipated that the issue programme of this publication will commence in early 2002. The publication is currently funded from the adjutant-general's top level budget.

  Local Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those local bodies which were set up under legislation which is the responsibility of his Department since May 1997. [17581]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has not set up any local bodies since May 1997.

  Territorial Army (Civil Defence)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the role of the Territorial Army in civil defence since 11 September. [17874]

  Dr. Moonie
  As part of the work announced in March 2001, under the Strategy for the Army (a version of which was placed in the Library) we were already looking at ways of increasing the contribution the Territorial Army makes to our Defence Plans. Following the attacks on 11 September, work is being undertaken to ensure that we have the right capabilities in place to deal with international terrorism. The range of options being considered includes the role of the TA in providing assistance to the civil community in an emergency.

  Recruitment
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many have been recruited through Operation London Soldier. [18064]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the month of October, the number of inquirers at London area recruiting offices has shown an increase of some 25 per cent. over the same period last year. This is a direct result of Operation London Soldier. As yet, it is too early to know what proportion of these additional inquiries are converting into actual enlistments.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK ships or aircraft have been(a) refused entry and (b) had additional operational restriction placed on them by the Spanish Government in the last five years with respect to access to (i) ports and (ii) airports after visiting Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [17979]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: We have no record of any such instances involving military ships or aircraft.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what deployments outside Gibraltar have been made in the past five years by the Royal Regiment of Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [17978]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: In the past five years, units of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment of between platoon and company size have deployed to the UK nine times, Kenya once, Canada once, Cyprus once and Morocco twice, all for training purposes. Individual career development training is also conducted in the UK.

  Many individuals from the Regiment have also deployed in support of operational deployments in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.
  763W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the visits to HM Base Gibraltar over the past two years by NATO forces; and if he will make a statement. [17974]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: In addition to the many UK military visits to Gibraltar, ships and aircraft from other NATO nations visit on a regular basis for training, logistic support and stand-off. Since November 1999, a total of 40 non-UK warships and 59 non-UK military aircraft have visited or operated from Gibraltar. Land forces from non-UK NATO nations also make use of Gibraltar for training purposes.

  The only visit to Gibraltar actually under the NATO flag over the past two years was a joint UK/Canadian detachment of Maritime Patrol Aircraft, which operated out of Gibraltar in support of NATO exercise Linked Seas in May 2000.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many citizens of(a) Spain and (b) Gibraltar applied to join HM armed forces over the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [17977]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: Details are not available for the five year period requested. Since 1998 two citizens of Gibraltar have applied to join the armed forces. In that time there have been some inquiries from Spanish citizens about UK armed forces employment but these people were ineligible because they did not qualify under our nationality entry rules. A number of British citizens have made inquiries and applied to join the armed forces while living in Spain or Gibraltar but records of this are held separately from the recruitment of British citizens living in the United Kingdom.

  RAF Halton
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department gave instructions to their agents to submit a planning application to Aylesbury Vale district council in respect of the Princess Mary Hospital site, RAF Halton. [17645]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: Instructions were given to the agents in December 2000.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department has submitted two identical planning applications to Aylesbury Vale district council in respect of the Princess Mary Hospital site, RAF Halton. [17643]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: This is known as a 'twin track' application, a practice widely used in the planning system, and one which Defence Estates uses to avoid delays in dealing with planning applications. Such a twin track approach allows one application to be appealed if the eight-week determination period has elapsed without a decision (in this case 16 weeks due to the Environmental Impact Regulations). The remaining application can be subject to further negotiations and if considered satisfactory, the outstanding appeal can then be withdrawn.

  Defence Procurement
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence contracts made between 1997 and 2001 are expected to over-run in(a) cost and (b) time. [17242]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of cost-plus contracts. [17243]

  Dr. Moonie
  Cost-plus contracts are the contracting method of last resort. They now account for less than 1 per cent. of the Ministry of Defence's business (both by value and number). Within a stated limit of liability the contractor is paid all costs reasonably and properly incurred, together with a sum for profit, calculated by applying either a percentage profit or a fixed fee to the costs so incurred. The rate of profit applied to cost-plus work is calculated by reference to the Government Profit Formula which includes a "Non Risk" rate, which is set below that used for prices agreed before work commences; thus the MOD recognises the reduced risk to the contractor.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) partnering, (b) smart acquisition, (c) post-costing and (d) should-cost-data in UK defence procurement. [17244]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of defence procurement deals were put to competition in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [17245]

  Dr. Moonie
  Obtaining the greatest advantage from competitive leverage at prime and sub-contract level remains our primary tool in defence procurement. Over the last three financial years, the percentage of Ministry of Defence contracts (including amendments), by value, placed by competition was as follows:

  Financial year

  Percentage

  1998–99

  68

  1999–2000

  71

  2000–01

  65

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the responsibilities of the integrated project teams in procurement; and if he will make a statement. [17246]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Integrated Project Team (1PT) was born out of Smart Procurement's objective to deliver projects within the performance, time and cost parameters approved at the time that major investment decisions are taken. The IPT is responsible for managing the project from concept to disposal.

  This means that the TT is responsible for translating the equipment capability customer's requirements into an output-based statement of what a system or equipment must do to meet these requirements. The IPT devises and

  765W
  costs equipment solutions, and produces the material required to support the customer's main gate approval, and manages the development, manufacture, in-service support and eventual disposal of the equipment.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of contracts(a) had an agreed fixed price at the start and (b) arrived to cost and on schedule in the last 12 months. [17247]

  Dr. Moonie
  The latest available data relate to the 12 month period from October 2000 to September 2001. During this period, over 99 per cent. of contracts by number had agreed prices at the outset.

  Information on the percentage of contracts that arrived to cost and on schedule is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Cluster Bombs
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of cluster bombs are used by the British Army; and what stockpiles of each are held. [18352]

  Mr. Ingram
  Although the Army does not use cluster bombs, BL755, IBL755 and RBL755 cluster bombs are used by the RAF.

  I am withholding information on the stockpiles of these weapons in accordance with Exemption l (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information.

  Veterans' Affairs
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2001,Official Report, column 630W, if he will list the representatives of the veterans community who attended his task force meeting on 6 November. [16141]

  Dr. Moonie
  The veterans community was represented at the Task Force meeting on 6 November by Major General (Retired) Nigel Richards CB, OBE, Chair of the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO) and by Brigadier (Retired) Ian Townsend, General Secretary of The Royal British Legion (TRBL).

  A400M
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the preferred and (b) the minimum length of runway for the A400M; and what discussions he has had with his (i) German and (ii) French counterparts about their preferred length of runway for the A400M. [17379]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are not planning on the basis of 'preferred' or 'minimum' runway lengths. The requirement is to support operations at the aircraft's Maximum All Up Weight. Our preliminary assessment is that this will mean a runway length of around 8,000 feet. However, runway length requirements for A400M operations will not be confirmed until the aircraft's Performance and Flying Qualities test programme is completed, on current plans, in 2008. The Secretary of State for Defence has not discussed the issue of A400M runway lengths with his French and German counterparts.

  Defence Exports (Employment)
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs are dependent on defence exports in(a) the regions of England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [17361]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are currently reviewing our methodology on the estimation of employment figures dependent on UK defence expenditure and exports. Therefore, "UK Defence Statistics 2001" does not contain any new figures for employment. The Defence Analytical Services Agency expects to publish relevant employment estimates in the first part of 2002. I will write to my hon. Friend in due course and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ballistics Protection
  Mr. Swayne:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's budget for developing techniques for ballistics protection. [17702]

  Dr. Moonie
  Funding for research into ballistic protection for personnel in the current financial year is approximately £2 million.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was spent by his Department on developing techniques for ballistics protection in each of the last 10 years. [17703]

  Dr. Moonie
  Figures covering the last 10 years are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The amount spent on developing ballistic protection over the past three years for which figures are available is:

  Year

  Amount spent (£ million)

  1998–99

  3.0

  1999–2000

  2.9

  2000–01

  3.2

  These figures include the costs of developing ballistic protection work within the Corporate Research Programme undertaken by Dstl at Porton Down and other developmental work by the Defence Clothing and Textiles Integrated Project Team, now part of the Defence Logistics Organisation.

  Military Exports
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his Department's report into financial support for military exports will be published. [18605]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Aircraft Procurement
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his future procurement objectives in relation to(a) fixed wing aircraft and (b) helicopters. [18758]
  767W
  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 29 October 2001,Official Report, columns 513–14W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann).

  Defence Equipment Demonstrations
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the cost to his Department of providing armed service personnel support to defence equipment demonstrations in the financial years(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; [18606]

  (2) what were the net operating costs of DESO and related support functions in financial years (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [18607]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 17 July 2001,Official Report, column 144W.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parades Commission
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give further details of the proposed review of the Parades Commission. [18974]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government have appointed Sir George Quigley to undertake the review of the Parades Commission, which forms part of the measures proposed on 1 August following the Weston Park talks.

  The review has the following terms of reference:
  "To review the operation of the Parades Commission, since it took its current form in February 1998, and the legislation under which it was established and to consider whether there are any changes which could promote further public confidence on all sides, respect for the rights of all and the peaceful resolution of disputes on parades."

  The review is to report to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Any recommendations for legislative change would not be implemented until after summer 2002.

  Terrorist Prosecutions
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what process suspected terrorists who are wanted for alleged crimes are having prosecutions against them stopped; and if he will list their names, giving in each case the details of the charges that are being dropped and the known paramilitary affiliations. [12932]

  Jane Kennedy
  Where decisions as to prosecution arise, the prosecuting authorities, who act independently of Government, reach decisions in accordance with the Test for Prosecution.

  In the light of the proposal emerging from the Weston Park talks, the Government have agreed to provide new arrangements to facilitate the return to Northern Ireland of persons who may otherwise be liable to possible prosecution in respect of certain qualifying offences. We are currently considering the mechanism for delivering this.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Conflict Diamonds
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to address the issue of(a) conflict diamonds and (b) exploitation of other minerals from conflict zones. [18191]

  Clare Short
  (a) DFID is working with other Government Departments to support the Kimberley Process, in order to build support for an international certification scheme for rough diamonds.

  Together with the Government of Sierra Leone, DFID has commissioned a study to investigate different approaches for the management of diamond producing areas in Sierra Leone. This focuses on how the Government can re-establish control of the diamond areas and industry, establish and maintain a secure environment and effectively manage the industry.

  DFID together with other agencies is supporting the work of Partnership Africa Canada, which aims to build the capacity of Civil Society Organisations to monitor the use of revenues from the trade in diamonds in Africa.

  (b) DFID is currently preparing a joint strategy with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence to address the Economic Causes of Conflict, including the exploitation of mineral resources from conflict areas.

  DFID has commissioned research on the exploitation of minerals from conflict zones, to find practical ways of addressing this issue, including research on the impact of oil in Sudan.

  HMG are also providing support and information to a UN Experts Panel, looking into links between specific conflicts and the exploitation of economic resources.

  Zimbabwe
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding their involvement in mineral exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [18186]

  Clare Short
  No representations have been made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning resource exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We welcome the report from the UN Panel investigating the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in DRC, which was presented to the international community last week. We are reading the recommendations contained in the report with interest, and are presently considering what action to take to respond.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding their policy on allowing aid agencies to distribute emergency food supplies to those affected by the famine. [18190]

  Clare Short
  We have been closely involved in the development of a humanitarian assistance plan by the United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe which assigns a key role to United Nations agencies
  769W
  and non-governmental organisations in ensuring that assistance is properly targeted. This plan is being discussed by UNDP with the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of all potential providers of funds.

  Afghanistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans the Government have to provide long-term support to de-mining operations in Afghanistan. [18193]

  Clare Short
  I announced an allocation of £2 million for immediate humanitarian mine action assistance to Afghanistan on 15 November. Our assistance will be channelled through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) with whom we will discuss appropriate requirements.

  Agricultural Export Subsidies
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of agricultural export subsidies of(a) the EU and (b) other countries in the developed world on the economies of the countries which her Department is committed to help; and what plans she has to phase out the subsidies. [17921]

  Clare Short
  Many developing countries suffer from subsidised food being dumped on their markets. Due to the complexity of subsidies and the widespread use of subsidies in industrialised nations, it is difficult to determine exactly which developing countries are being harmed by dumped subsidised food and to what extent. However, the EU is one of the principal users of subsidies. In response to this, my department is working with DEFRA to push for fundamental reform of the CAP.

  Tariff/Quota-Free Exports
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to act to make developed countries' exports for the developed world(a) tariff and (b) quota free. [17919]

  Clare Short
  The UK supported the European Commission's 'Everything But Arms' initiative that was implemented in March this year providing immediate duty-and quota-free access to the EU for most products from the least developed countries. The European Commission has been calling for other developed countries to follow his lead, and objective that all WTO Members signed up to at the Ministerial meeting in Doha earlier this month.

  We have to ensure a reform of the European Union's generalised system of preferences that is as generous as possible to developing countries.

  The agreement at Doha to launch a new round of trade negotiations put the interests of developing countries at its core. This should be a development round, which includes serious improvements in market access for developing countries.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on 770W
  the UN Addendum report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the involvement of Uganda and Rwanda. [18187]

  Clare Short
  We welcome the publication of the revised report last week. We are studying it in detail. We shall raise any specific allegations with the Governments concerned and press them to take action to investigate substantiated allegations against groups and individuals.

  Angola
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the Government will increase financial assistance to humanitarian projects to provide basic health care assistance and clean water to internally displaced persons living in Angola. [18192]

  Clare Short
  We recognise that the situation of many people in Angola is very bad. Since 1999, my Department has provided more than £8.5 million in humanitarian assistance. The absence of peace and a lack of Government commitment to pro-poor policies cause continuing suffering.

  Street Children
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial help is being given by her Department to organisations who work with street children. [17885]

  Clare Short
  We are currently providing financial support of nearly £2 million to a number of organisations, such as CHILDHOPE, Concern Worldwide, GOAL, Save the Children and World Vision who are working directly with street children. We also support many more organisations working to tackle the poverty, deprivation and social exclusion which force children to live on the street.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Ageism
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action her Department has taken to tackle discrimination against older people. [14954]

  John Healey
  The Department for Education and Skills is committed to tackling age discrimination against older people. Our commitment is demonstrated through raising awareness of age issues throughout the Department and eliminating age discrimination against older people. Age is a key element of the Equal Opportunities Strategy and Policy.

  We have recently upgraded our membership with the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) to a 'core member', and have provided access to the EFA website through our intranet. In addition we continuously improve our systems to analyse management information relating to age, which includes information on internal vacancy filling and promotion competitions.

  The Department promotes age diversity and tackles age discrimination when translating its commitment to equality of opportunity into effective strategies and

  771W
  actions. We supported the Better Government for Older People Programme and contributed to the Performance and Innovation Unit report on Active Aging, "Winning the Generation Game".

  Buckingham
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to visit the Buckingham constituency to meet teachers. [16898]

  Mr. Timms
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly visits schools and values the opportunity to meet teachers and to hear their ideas and their concerns. At present she has no plans to visit the Buckingham constituency.

  New Schools
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision has been made in

  New pupil places receiving central Government capital support in south east England 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  Total new pupil places 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  Total funding for new pupil places 1999–2000 to 2001–02 (£000)

  Total capital funding 1999–2000 to 2001–02 (£000)1

  London

  Barking and Dagenham

  464

  4,449

  14,112

  Barnet

  —

  —

  21,535

  Bexley

  1,222

  8,688

  23,365

  Brent

  638

  4,080

  49,815

  Bromley

  —

  —

  19,751

  Camden

  147

  1,095

  12,639

  City of London

  —

  —

  186

  Croydon

  619

  3,941

  25,192

  Ealing

  366

  2,546

  25,216

  Enfield

  810

  5,588

  24,248

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  20,683

  Hackney

  637

  5,001

  16,654

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  10,401

  Haringey

  1,911

  11,997

  87,313

  Harrow

  —

  —

  14,334

  Havering

  450

  3,303

  16,078

  Hillingdon

  959

  6,644

  24,187

  Hounslow

  —

  —

  15,733

  Islington

  —

  —

  13,073

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  5,455

  Kingston upon Thames

  —

  —

  14,919

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  26,674

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  21,153

  Merton

  —

  —

  40,095

  Newham

  1,246

  6,536

  64,151

  Redbridge

  1,228

  8,463

  43,721

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  —

  —

  27,341

  Southwark

  100

  785

  16,262

  Sutton

  1,147

  7,975

  21,088

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  87,521

  Waltham Forest

  337

  2,056

  39,278

  Wandsworth

  271

  1,480

  16,836

  Westminster

  —

  —

  9,684

  South East

  Bracknell Forest

  —

  —

  6,720

  Brighton and Hove

  606

  4,080

  30,124

  Buckinghamshire

  1,502

  9,683

  45,933

  East Sussex

  1,614

  10,492

  62,353

  Hampshire

  3,680

  22,244

  94,650

  Isle of Wight

  1,698

  9,851

  17,995

  Kent

  8,298

  50,273

  128,487

  Medway Towns

  2,463

  15,524

  29,289

  Milton Keynes

  2,109

  13,941

  30,264

  Oxfordshire

  2,987

  18,139

  59,705

  772W
  budgetary planning for new schools in areas of new housing development in south east England in the last three years. [17117]

  John Healey
  The table shows those local education authorities in south east England, including London, which have benefited from central Government support for new pupil places in the three years from 1999–2000 to 2001–02. This support reflects the need for additional school places in areas of population growth where there is no more capacity in all schools in the surrounding area. It is shown in the context of the total capital support allocated to those authorities in the same period.

  Information on whether this capital support is used to build new schools in areas of new housing development, or to expand existing schools, is not kept centrally. Local authorities may supplement the centrally provided support from their own resources, particularly where there is new housing development which can generate developer contributions to building new schools. This information will be held by local authorities.
  773W

  New pupil places receiving central Government capital support in south east England 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  Total new pupil places 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  Total funding for new pupil places 1999–2000 to 2001–02 (£000)

  Total capital funding 1999–2000 to 2001–02 (£000) 1

  Portsmouth

  135

  837

  17,009

  Reading

  506

  3,400

  11,995

  Slough

  82

  685

  8,428

  Southampton

  553

  3,479

  44,869

  Surrey

  2,907

  19,633

  73,452

  West Berkshire (Newbury)

  779

  5,116

  17,319

  West Sussex

  1,082

  6,909

  48,004

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  46

  340

  9,160

  Wokingham

  1,109

  7,321

  18,249

  Total

  44,708

  286,574

  1,622,698

  1 In addition to the allocations made specifically for new pupil places, some other schools capital programmes, such as PFI, may also be used for this purpose.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) new and (b) replacement (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools were built in (A) 1997, (B) 1998, (C) 1999 and (D) 2000. [17473]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: We do not hold information about the number of new and replacement schools that have been built.

  We have, however, made significant amounts of funding available to expand, replace and repair school accommodation. Details of the level of central Government support for capital investment made available for schools since 1997 follow:

  Central Government support for capital investment in schools 1996–97 to 2003–04

  Year

  £ billion

  1996–97

  0.7

  1997–98

  0.8

  1998–99

  1.0

  1999–2000

  1.4

  2000–01

  2.1

  2001–02

  2.2

  2002–03

  2.8

  2003–04

  3.5

  Classroom Assistants
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations she has received from Ofsted about the use of classroom assistants. [17134]

  Mr. Timms
  None, but the increasing use of teaching assistants means that they are mentioned in many Ofsted reports, whether thematically or in relation to individual schools.

  PPP/PFI
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) local education authorities and (b) individual schools and colleges have applied for PPP/PFI funding in the past three years. [17135]

  John Healey
  There have been two application rounds since November 1998. In the first round, the Department received a total of 66 applications from 60 local education authorities (with six authorities applying for funding for 774W
  two separate projects). In the second round, a further 46 applications were received from 46 local education authorities, 23 of which had also applied in the first round.

  Local authorities receive the benefit of PH Credits through Revenue Support Grant. All applications to the Department are therefore submitted by local authorities, even if they relate to individual schools.

  Further education colleges can apply to the Learning and Skills Council for a contribution to the cost of capital projects, including PPP/PFI projects. Higher education colleges do not need to apply for specific PPP/PFI funding because they have discretion over the use of their total resources.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of capital spending on education will come from PPP/PFI sources(a) in 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) estimated for the next five years. [17136]

  John Healey
  The table shows the proportion of central Government investment in school buildings from PPP/PFI sources for 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04. For 2004–05 and beyond, the amount of schools capital that will be available, and the proportion of PPP/PFI funding within it, will depend on the outcome of the Spending Review in 2002.

  Total schools capital available (£ million)

  PFI/PPP funding (£ million)

  PFI/PPP funding as percentage of total

  2001–02

  2,200

  467

  21.2

  2002–03

  2,800

  750

  26.8

  2003–04

  3,500

  850

  24.3

  Note:

  For 2001–02, £467 million of PFI/PPP funding is made up of £450 million of PFI credits and £17 million of PPP funding from the New Deal for Schools programme. We are not providing specific PPP funding from schools capital in 2002–03 or 2003–04, but it is open to local education authorities and others to use the capital funding we allocate to them for PPP projects.

  Polling Stations
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the schools in each local education area which were(a) closed and (b) partly closed for use as polling stations on 7 June. [17171]
  775W
  Mr. Timms
  The Department does not collect this information.

  Special Measures
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools have been placed in special measures in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by local education authority. [17178]

  Mr. Timms
  The table indicates the numbers of schools placed in special measures in the last three academic years 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

  LEA

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  London

  Inner London

  Camden

  0

  0

  1

  Greenwich

  0

  2

  1

  Hackney

  1

  1

  1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0

  1

  0

  Islington

  1

  4

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  0

  0

  Lambeth

  0

  2

  0

  Lewisham

  1

  5

  0

  London, City of

  0

  0

  0

  Southwark

  2

  2

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  5

  3

  0

  Wandsworth

  0

  0

  1

  Westminster

  0

  0

  0

  Outer London

  Barking and Dagenham

  1

  1

  0

  Barnet

  2

  1

  1

  Bexley

  0

  1

  1

  Brent

  1

  3

  0

  Bromley

  1

  1

  0

  Croydon

  0

  0

  0

  Ealing

  0

  3

  2

  Enfield

  1

  1

  2

  Haringey

  1

  0

  1

  Havering

  0

  0

  0

  Harrow

  0

  1

  0

  Hillingdon

  2

  1

  1

  Hounslow

  0

  0

  2

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  1

  0

  Merton

  0

  0

  0

  Newham

  3

  3

  0

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  0

  0

  Sutton

  0

  0

  1

  Waltham Forest

  2

  3

  1

  East of England

  Bedfordshire

  0

  2

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  3

  0

  2

  Essex

  9

  11

  5

  Hertfordshire

  1

  3

  4

  Luton

  2

  1

  1

  Norfolk

  5

  7

  2

  Peterborough

  0

  1

  2

  Southend

  1

  0

  1

  Suffolk

  3

  1

  1

  Thurrock

  0

  3

  0

  South East

  Bracknell Forest

  0

  0

  0

  Brighton and Hove

  2

  2

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  6

  2

  East Sussex

  1

  2

  0

  Hampshire

  3

  6

  0

  Isle of Wight

  0

  1

  0

  776W

  LEA

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Kent

  6

  4

  7

  Medway

  1

  2

  1

  Milton Keynes

  0

  0

  1

  Oxfordshire

  2

  4

  2

  Portsmouth

  3

  0

  0

  Reading

  1

  3

  0

  Southampton

  1

  1

  0

  Surrey

  1

  3

  3

  West Berkshire

  0

  1

  0

  West Sussex

  3

  1

  1

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1

  0

  0

  Wokingham

  0

  0

  1

  South West

  Bath and North East Somerset

  0

  1

  0

  Bournemouth

  0

  1

  0

  Bristol

  2

  2

  2

  Cornwall

  1

  1

  2

  Devon

  3

  2

  1

  Dorset

  1

  2

  0

  Gloucestershire

  3

  4

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  1

  North Somerset

  1

  1

  1

  Plymouth

  0

  0

  0

  Poole

  0

  1

  0

  Somerset

  1

  1

  0

  South Gloucestershire

  2

  1

  0

  Swindon

  1

  3

  1

  Torbay

  1

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  3

  2

  3

  East Midlands

  Derby City

  0

  1

  0

  Derbyshire

  4

  4

  2

  Leicester City

  5

  1

  1

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  3

  Lincolnshire

  3

  5

  2

  Northamptonshire

  3

  5

  0

  North East Lincolnshire

  1

  0

  0

  North Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  Nottingham City

  2

  3

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  4

  2

  1

  Rutland

  0

  0

  1

  North East

  Darlington

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  1

  Gateshead

  1

  1

  0

  Hartlepool

  0

  0

  0

  Middlesbrough

  0

  0

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0

  1

  0

  North Tyneside

  0

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  Redcar and Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  South Tyneside

  1

  1

  1

  Stockton-on-Tees

  1

  1

  0

  Sunderland

  1

  0

  9

  North West

  Blackburn with Darwen

  3

  1

  0

  Blackpool

  0

  2

  0

  Bolton

  1

  2

  1

  Bury

  0

  1

  1

  Cheshire

  0

  2

  2

  Cumbria

  3

  0

  2

  Halton

  0

  0

  0

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  4

  4

  2

  Liverpool

  3

  1

  1

  Manchester

  3

  6

  2

  Oldham

  0

  1

  1

  Rochdale

  2

  1

  0

  Salford

  0

  1

  1

  Sefton

  0

  1

  0

  777W

  LEA

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  St. Helens

  2

  0

  0

  Stockport

  0

  1

  0

  Tameside

  1

  2

  0

  Trafford

  0

  1

  0

  Warrington

  2

  1

  1

  Wigan

  1

  2

  0

  Wirral

  1

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  8

  2

  1

  Coventry

  2

  1

  0

  Dudley

  2

  1

  0

  Herefordshire

  1

  1

  0

  Sandwell

  2

  3

  1

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  1

  4

  2

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1

  2

  1

  Telford and Wrekin

  1

  0

  0

  Walsall

  5

  3

  1

  Warwickshire

  4

  4

  0

  Wolverhampton

  2

  3

  3

  Worcestershire

  1

  4

  3

  Yorks and Humber

  Barnsley

  2

  0

  0

  Bradford

  0

  0

  0

  Calderdale

  2

  1

  1

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  0

  East Riding

  3

  2

  0

  Kingston upon Hull

  0

  2

  3

  Kirklees

  1

  2

  1

  Leeds

  3

  2

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  1

  0

  Rotherham

  0

  1

  0

  Sheffield

  4

  4

  1

  Wakefield

  3

  1

  2

  York

  0

  0

  0

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of schools placed in special measures have been closed by the local education authority in each of the last three years. [17179]

  Mr. Timms
  In 1998–99 38 schools in special measures were closed, representing 8 per cent. of the total number of schools in special measures at the end of that year. In 1999–2000 the equivalent figures were 40 and 9 per cent., and in 2000–01 16 and 5 per cent.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what guidance she gives to local education authorities about consultation on closure before(a) an action plan to help a school in special measures is drawn up and (b) the local education authority's plan of support is known; [17181]

  (2) what role the local education authority plays in helping schools out of special measures; [17180]

  (3) what guidance she gives to local education authorities on the amount of time an action plan for recovery for a school in special measures should be accessed before closure of a school is considered; [17182]

  (4) if she recommends closure of a school in special measures before an inspection of progress on an action plan is made: [17196]
  778W
  (5) what guidance she gives to local education authorities on the control of school budgets for schools in special measures; and if control of the budget is automatically vested in the local education authority. [17187]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government are committed to continuing to reduce the number of schools found to require special measures year-on-year, and to ensuring that no school is allowed to remain in special measures for longer than two years.

  Where a school is found to require special measures, the Department writes to the governing body and the local education authority, and where appropriate the relevant Diocesan authority, to offer guidance on the action required. The governing body, in consultation with the LEA, must draw up an action plan to address the key issues identified.

  The LEA must also submit its own commentary and statement of action, which should include an assessment of the scope for the school to be closed. If an LEA concludes that the school should be closed, it must consult on the proposal in the normal way.

  Under Section 19 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may at any time direct an LEA that a school subject to special measures should be closed. The Secretary of State must consult the LEA and the governing body, and if appropriate the Diocese, before giving such a direction. It may do so at any stage of the process.

  Under Section 17 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, LEAs may suspend a governing body's right to a delegated budget where the school is found to require special measures.

  The Department's Circular 6/99, "Schools Causing Concern", offers schools, LEAs and Diocesan authorities guidance on all these issues. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what is the minimum(a) number of lessons, (b) number of teachers and (c) percentage of lessons to be deemed unsatisfactory for a school to be placed in special measures. [17183]

  Mr. Timms
  A school requires special measures when it is judged to be failing or likely to fail to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education. The criteria used in reaching this decision are a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools. I have therefore asked Mike Tomlinson to write to the hon. Gentleman, and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the average score in(a) England and (b) Essex County Council was for Key Stage 2 in (i) mathematics, (ii) science and (iii) English in the last three years for which figures are available; [17186]

  (2) what the average score is for a school placed in special measures for key stage 2 in (a) mathematics, (b) science and (c) English in the last three years for which figures are available. [17184]

  Mr. Timms
  Information on average scores at Key Stage 2 will not be available until the publication of the primary school performance tables next month. I shall
  779W
  write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested as soon as possible thereafter. However, we do not collate this information separately for schools placed in special measures.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average length of time a school stays in special measures is. [17185]

  Mr. Timms
  The average length of time for schools in special measures is 21 months.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what guidance she issues to local education authorities on the retention of staff while a school is in special measures; [17189]

  (2) what powers local education authorities have for the control of personnel issues where a school is placed in special measures. [17188]

  Headcount of pupils in schools 1 in England

  January

  2001

  2000

  1999

  1998

  1997

  Aged under 2

  3,883

  3,295

  2,832

  2,433

  2,353

  2 years old

  50,520

  52,355

  49,417

  46,420

  45,605

  3 years old

  326,828

  324,541

  326,164

  327,582

  316,008

  4 years old

  593,262

  600,166

  615,016

  614,141

  626,985

  5 years old

  613,863

  628,723

  628,864

  652,330

  656,607

  6 years old

  629,072

  629,471

  652,865

  657,275

  650,485

  7 years old

  630,628

  653,860

  658,063

  650,305

  640,571

  8 years old

  654,553

  658,754

  651,415

  641,342

  649,377

  9 years old

  659,642

  652,153

  642,157

  649,990

  630,204

  10 years old

  653,452

  643,546

  650,710

  630,884

  616,153

  11 years old

  643,368

  650,688

  630,812

  616,283

  613,457

  12 years old

  651,947

  631,726

  617,418

  613,980

  591,230

  13 years old

  632,577

  618,386

  614,612

  591,595

  592,799

  14 years old

  618,397

  614,564

  591,640

  592,154

  587,290

  15 years old

  605,344

  581,902

  581,256

  575,766

  587,114

  16 years old

  212,121

  211,535

  207,127

  210,403

  210,035

  17 years old

  172,282

  167,541

  167,622

  166,169

  158,458

  18 years old

  19,254

  19,573

  19,492

  18,593

  17,272

  19 years old

  3,126

  3,036

  2,994

  2,937

  2,961

  Total all ages

  8,374,119

  8,345,815

  8,310,476

  8,260,582

  8,194,964

  1 Includes maintained and independent schools

  School Grants (Shropshire)
  Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what are the total grants made by her Department in 2001–02 to date to schools administered by(a) Telford and Wrekin council and (b) Shropshire county council. [17434]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 15 November 2001,Official Report, columns 861–62W.

  Bullying
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she plans to introduce to combat bullying in post-16 education. [17443]

  Mr. Timms
  Schools are required by law to have anti-bullying policies covering all their pupils, and in December 2000 we launched a new anti-bullying pack for schools entitled "Bullying: don't suffer in silence" with an accompanying video aimed at pupils.
  780W
  Mr. Timms
  The Department's Circular 6/99 "Schools Causing Concern", which advises local education authorities on dealing with schools in special measures, does not specifically cover staff retention. However, the circular does make clear that, where an LEA withdraws a school's delegated budget because it is subject to special measures, it automatically takes over responsibility for most personnel issues, including the appointment and dismissal of staff.

  School Children (Statistics)
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children there were in each school year in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [17385]

  Mr. Timms
  Information on the number of pupils in each year group is not collected centrally. Information on the age of pupils in schools is shown in the table.

  The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for the remaining post-16 learning other than in higher education. I have therefore asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  Following the tragic events of 11 September and subsequently we have placed some new guidance for all educational establishments on our departmental website. This reminds establishments to be vigilant for any name calling, racial abuse or bullying and deal with any incidents promptly and sensitively. A copy of the guidance has been sent to the LSC.

  A-levels
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information she has collated on the length of time it is taking to re-mark A-levels on appeal; and if she will make a statement. [17913]
  781W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information on the length of time it is taking to re-mark A-levels on appeal for 2001 is not yet available because the 'Enquiry about Results' and appeals process is incomplete. The information will be published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) at the end of March 2002.

  School Exclusions
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what advice she gives to local authorities on acceptable time limits for pupils to spend out of school following permanent exclusion for(a) primary and (b) secondary schools; what information she has by local authority on (i) numbers and (ii) length of exclusion in the latest year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [17914]

  Mr. Timms
  The advice given to local education authorities is that ideally many permanently excluded pupils should rejoin a mainstream or special school within days or weeks, or exclusion. Rapid re-integration is particularly important for excluded primary pupils and I expect that most of them would be re-integrated within one term. Conversely, for pupils approaching the end of compulsory schooling, a return to school may he unrealistic.

  Reintegration Panels are responsible for co-ordinating services for excluded pupils. They must draw up an individual re-integration plan for each excluded child. This plan should be in place within a month of the governors upholding the exclusion and it is reviewed on a monthly basis. It should include a target date for return to school, once the school to which the child will return has been identified.

  The latest figures available on permanent exclusions in England for 1999–2000 were published in a Statistical First Release on 19 July. A break down by local authority is available on the Department's website at www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics/DB/SFR/s0275/index.html Department does not collect data on the length of time between a pupil's permanent exclusion and their subsequent return to full time education.

  Drugs (Disciplinary Guidance)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to issue revised guidance to schools and local education authorities regarding disciplinary arrangements for pupils found(a) in possession of, (b) dealing in and (c) under the influence of illegal drugs. [18364]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We plan to issue revised guidance on the use of exclusion by schools early in the new year. The guidance will restate the right of head teachers to exclude permanently when necessary students involved in drug misuse and other drug related incidents.

  Key Stage Test Results
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects her Department's inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the release of the 2001 Key Stage results to conclude; and if she will publish the report. [18526]
  782W
  Mr. Timms
  I expect the inquiry to make a preliminary report before Christmas. A statement will be made as soon as possible thereafter. The National Statistician will comment more generally on the operation of statistical release practices across Government in his National Statistics Annual Report 2001/02 next summer.

  Local Education Authority Performance
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what options her Department can take in respect of a local education authority which does not address problems highlighted by Ofsted to her satisfaction. [17956]

  Mr. Timms
  Where she judges that an LEA is failing or lacks the capacity to take the necessary measures to improve its performance, the Secretary of State has a range of options depending on the nature of the failings identified and on local circumstances. To date, these have included full or partial outsourcing of LEA services, private sector management delivery and non-outsourcing solutions, usually based on the re-structuring of internal strategic management, partnerships with other LEAs and/or structured arrangements for involving elected members, local stakeholders and independent expertise, as in partnership boards.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department has been approached by Torbay Unitary Authority for support following the Ofsted report into the performance of Torbay Local Education Authority; and if she will make a statement. [17958]

  Mr. Timms
  My Department has not been approached by Torbay Unitary Authority since the publication of the Ofsted report on the LEA. The Authority is preparing its Post-Inspection Action Plan, which will be submitted to my Department by 15 January 2002.

  Online Centres (Norfolk)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who the applicants were for Phase 3 Capital Modernisation Fund funding to establish United Kingdom online centres in the North Norfolk constituency; and for what reasons these applicants were unsuccessful. [18174]

  John Healey
  Government Office East received two applications. These were from separate areas of the Norfolk Library and Information Service. In consultation with the applicants, the two applications were trimmed to one without cutting any proposed provision, and the combined application was successful in securing phase 3 Capital Modernisation funding. There were no unsuccessful applications from North Norfolk in phase 3.

  Expenditure Per Pupil
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if data showing the expenditure per pupil in individual schools(a) are and (b) could practicably be made available centrally to her Department. [18265]
  783W
  Mr. Timms
  Data are submitted, on an annual basis by Local Education Authorities, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in the form of financial statements under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

  Teacher Vacancies
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there are at each(a) primary and (b) secondary school in the Tatton constituency. [18443]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not collected centrally.

  In the Cheshire local authority area in January 2001 there were 12 full-time teacher vacancies in nursery and primary schools, or 0.5 per cent. of teachers in post. In secondary schools there were 11 full-time teacher vacancies, or 0.4 per cent. of teachers in post.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received from(a) Pitman Training and (b) the Association of Computer Trainers on solutions to the problems concerning individual learning accounts. [18296]

  John Healey
  We have received papers from Pitman Training and from Internet Exchange acting on behalf of the Association of Computer Trainers. Officials have already met Internet Exchange and plan to meet Pitman Training shortly. The papers and meeting were extremely helpful and the issues raised will be taken into account as we continue to develop future plans which build on the successful elements of the ILA programme.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Stop Now Orders
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what(a) training and (b) additional resources have been given to bodies, other than trading standards departments, towards the (i) legal and (ii) administrative requirements of the Stop Now Order Regulations; and if she will make a statement; [16578]

  (2) pursuant to her answer of 9 November 2001, Official Report, column 442W, on Stop Now Orders, how much money has been transferred to cover the additional costs associated with the implementation of the Stop Now Order Regulations; from which bodies the money has been transferred; which bodies are receiving this money; and if she will make a statement; [16576]

  (3) pursuant to her answer of 9 November 2001, Official Report, column 442W, on Stop Now Orders, how many trading standards departments have received training in the legal and administrative requirements of the Regulations; whether more seminars are planned; and if she will make a statement. [16577]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As I said in my answer of 9 November 2001,Official Report, column 442W, DTI has agreed with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, a transfer of resources to local authorities in England to cover the additional costs
  784W
  associated with the enforcement by county councils, metropolitan districts, unitary authorities and London boroughs of the Stop Now Orders Regulations. Subject to Parliamentary approval, additional provision is being made to the general grant in 2002–03 and beyond.

  The National Assembly for Wales has agreed with DTI a transfer of resources to local authorities in Wales to cover the additional costs associated with the enforcement of the Regulations by county councils and unitary authorities. Additional provision for this new provision will be added to the general revenue settlement in 2002–03 and beyond. It will be distributed through the Consumer Protection Standard Spending Assessment. The Assembly's provisional settlement was announced on 15 November and the final settlement will be announced on 8 January 2002 and debated on 24 January.

  DTI has also agreed with the Scottish Executive that they will receive formula consequentials for this transfer. These will be included within Scottish local authorities' revenue grant allocations.

  Figures provided by the Trading Standards Institute indicate that over 90 per cent. of trading standards departments (182) attended the six seminars that the Institute organised for the DTI on the legal and administrative requirements of the Stop Now Orders Regulations. We are considering with the Office of Fair Trading, LACOTS and TSI what further training or other support might help. The OFT organised a conference on 16 November to educate other regulators. We do not foresee any transfer of resources to these regulators.

  Airlines (Competition)
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what research her Department has undertaken to evaluate the effect the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines would have on competition in the north Atlantic market place; and if she will publish the conclusions of such research; [17282]

  (2) what her policy is on the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines. [17281]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Analysis of the effects of the proposed alliance on competition is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading, who, as the UK's independent competition authority, has the final decision making powers in such cases.

  Publication of such analysis is also a matter for the Director General.

  Responsibility for deciding on the competition issues raised by the proposed alliance also lies with the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Electricity Generation
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on current station lifetime plans, what her Department's projections are for the percentage contribution nuclear power will make to electricity generation in(a) 2005, (b) 2010, (c) 2015 and (d) 2020. [17369]

  Mr. Wilson
  The DTI published, in Energy Paper 68 (EP68), energy demand projections for the period 2000 to 2020 in November 2000. Figures in Annex D of EP68
  785W
  show the projected amounts of electricity generation for a range of generating plant. Generation from nuclear plants is projected to be 86TWh in 2005, 66TWh in 2010, 40TWh in 2015 and 27TWh in 2020. These levels of nuclear generation represent approximately 24 per cent., 17 per cent., 10 per cent. and 7 per cent. of the total projected generation by the major power producers respectively.

  Plant lifetimes are a matter for the operators but the projections were based on lifetime assumptions believed to be in broad agreement with those of the nuclear generators at the time of publication. There have been some recent indications from the industry that nuclear output in 2010 may be a little lower than previously projected. Small reductions in output would not endanger the UK's ability to meet its Kyoto targets.

  Energy Paper 68 is available in the Libraries of the House.

  CFCs (EC Regulation)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assistance is being offered by her Department to retailers to allow them to continue to take back used fridges and freezers as part of their home delivery service, once the EC Regulation 2037/2000 has been implemented; [17897]

  (2) what representations her Department has received from (a) retailers, (b) local authorities and (c) environmental groups regarding EC Regulation 2037/2000; [17899]

  (3) what guidance she has given on the safe disposal of goods containing CFCs as required by EC Regulation 2037/2000; [17898]

  (4) what measures her Department is taking to ensure that the UK conforms to EC Regulation 2037/2000. [17896]

  Mr. Wilson
  EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances which deplete the ozone layer is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  Officials in my Department have been working closely with officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to encourage retailers either to continue their take-back service or, in the case of retailers that have withdrawn their service, to consider ways in which it might be restarted. Proposals are being developed by DEFRA in consultation with retailers, local authorities and other stakeholders that might help to facilitate this.

  The Department has received a number of representations from retailers, local authorities and environmental groups concerning EC Regulation 2037/2000, and has taken steps to keep in regular contact with both retailers and local authorities, in particular through stakeholder meetings held by officials in DEFRA.

  Officials in DEFRA have written to all local authorities and other interested parties informing them of the new requirements. Draft guidance on standards for facilities to extract ozone depleting substances from foam in refrigeration equipment and on standards for storage of
  786W
  waste refrigeration equipment has already been circulated to stakeholders for consultation and final versions will be issued shortly.

  Officials in the Department have been working closely with officials in DEFRA to help make stakeholders aware of the new requirements.

  Motor Vehicles
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of the EU block exemption of the selective and exclusive distribuiton of motor vehicles. [18467]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government await with interest the European Commission's proposals concerning the block exemption. We are pressing the Commission for radical pro-consumer change.

  Gas and Electricity Consumer Council
  David Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council provide more staff at the Energywatch office in Birmingham to deal with calls and inquiries. [18663]

  Mr. Wilson
  It is for Energywatch to determine, within the budget agreed with the Department, the staffing levels required for it to carry out its duties under the Utilities Act 2000 and the particular activities identified in its Forward Work Programme. Energywatch is aware of the importance of responding in a timely and efficient manner to inquiries and complaints and is working to improve its response times further. Over the next coming months, a one-stop lo-call telephone number for all gas and electricity consumers, and a more sophisticated call management system that will reduce the time it takes consumers to reach a consumer adviser will be installed at Energywatch's Birmingham and other regional offices, which will be fully operational by May 2002.

  Galileo Project
  Syd Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the European Commission's estimate of the number of jobs that would be created directly and indirectly by the Galileo Project; and what measures her Department is taking through(a) providing development and validation funding and (b) other measures, to ensure the UK maximises its ability to benefit from jobs created; and if she will make a statement. [18524]

  Ms Hewitt
  At the end of last year, the European Commission provided a Cost Benefit Analysis for Galileo which predicted the growth in employment resources for Europe as a whole at around 3,800 jobs a year for the four to five year development phase, rising to 19,000 a year over the two-year deployment phase. On the basis of these figures the UK could be expected to attract 15 to 20 per cent. of these jobs. Some of these may, however, displace existing jobs.

  My Department is working closely with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and others within Whitehall to examine the economic case for providing further funding to the Galileo project, if it goes ahead.

  Liabilities Management Agency
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the objectives of the proposed Liabilities Management Agency. [17423]

  Mr. Wilson
  Arrangements for managing public sector civil nuclear liabilities have been considered as part of the quinquennial review of the UK Atomic Energy Authority and of related work on the future of BNFL. One of the options put forward by the review team is the establishment of a Liabilities Management Authority to bring sharper focus and stronger strategic direction to nuclear clean up.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, will be making a statement to the House shortly on how the Government intend to proceed.

  European Energy Market
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to encourage competition in the energy market in Europe. [17426]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government support the proposals published earlier this year by the Commission to complete the internal energy market by 2005. These measures would provide the mechanisms and regulatory structures needed for a functioning single market in electricity and gas.

  The proposals are currently being negotiated in the Energy Council, where we are seeking their early adoption.

  Pyrolysis and Gasification
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the location of the pilot plants using(a) pyrolysis and (b) gasification. [17425]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Department is supporting with Border Biofuels a project to build, test and run by July 2003 a fully integrated combined heat and power facility, including a pyrolysis plant capable of processing a minimum of 25 tonnes per day. The total project cost is £4.65 million, with my Department's contribution being £1.16 million. The location of the proposed demonstration site is under consideration.

  So far, the leading gasification pilot plant has been the Arable Biomass Renewable Energy (ARBRE) project at Eggborough, Yorkshire, which is currently in the final stages of commissioning. The project has been developed by First Renewables Limited (FRL) with support from the European Commission THERMIE programme and from NFFO. ARBRE will consume about 43,000 tonnes of wood fuel per year supplied from forestry residues and short-rotation coppice, and will generate 10 megawatts of electricity per year, of which 8 megawatts will be transported to the grid.

  Research is concentrating on scaling-up and developing the technology deployed in ARBRE. The Department has recently approved a project with ALSTOM Energy Limited, First Renewables Limited and Cambridge University which will involve setting up a plant about four times as big as ARBRE. The total cost of this project will be £7.3 million, with the Department contributing £2.9 million. Possible sites are being investigated.
  788W
  Small-scale biomass gasification projects are being taken forward in Swansea and in Newton-le-Willows near Warrington. There are also two small-scale gasification demonstrator facilities in Northern Ireland that are already in operation. These are at Brook Hall Estate, County Londonderry and the Blackwater Valley Museum, County Armagh.

  Spacecraft
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on(a) the location and movement of satellites and (b) the movement of spacecraft; and if she will make a statement. [17431]

  Ms Hewitt
  The launching and operation of satellites by United Kingdom nationals is governed by the Outer Space Act 1986 which introduced a licensing regime for the activities of launching and operating a space object and for any activity in outer space. UK nationals wishing to carry out such launch and movement activities must apply to my Department for a licence. I have discretion as to whether to grant a licence and on the conditions to which a licence should be made subject, but before granting a licence I must be satisfied that the activities (i) will not jeopardise public health or the safety of persons or property, (ii) will be consistent with the international obligations of the UK, and (iii) will not impair national security. Satellites are also subject to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) regulations and procedures in respect of the orbital locations and frequencies used.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with other Departments and Government bodies to encourage them to increase their use of renewable energy. [18350]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I regularly communicate with the Minister for the Environment and other Green Ministers on matters including the promotion of renewable energy in departments and other public bodies.

  The Green Ministers have set a target for 31 March 2003 for at least 5 per cent. of Government Departments' electricity to come from renewable sources that are exempt from the climate change levy, or from self-generation, and for 31 March 2008 for at least 10 per cent. to be obtained from such sources, provided that this does not entail excessive cost. The target will be reviewed by 31 March 2003.

  Earlier in the year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry wrote to her Green Ministerial colleagues calling for Departments to give active consideration to the use of solar-photovoltaic (PV) panels on Government buildings in support of a major market stimulation programme and to provide a highly visible demonstration of the Government's commitment to renewable energy.

  All facilities managers for the Government Estate have been issued with guidance on the use of PV, and Government buildings are eligible to apply for funding under the DTI's Large-Scale Buildings Integrated PV programme.

  Electrical Goods
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on how many power stations would not need to be used if everyone stopped leaving their televisions and computers on standby; and what plans there are for a European Union directive that would reduce the power consumption of electrical goods while in standby mode. [16747]

  Mr. Wilson
  Estimates from DEFRA' s Market Transformation Programme suggest that in 2000 electricity consumed in standby mode by televisions was 980 GWh, domestic PCs consumed 670 GWh, while office PCs consumed 1,300 GWh. On the basis of these estimates, total electricity consumption by these appliances equate to just under 1 per cent. of all electricity consumed in the UK in 2000. This is roughly equivalent to the output of one mid-range CCGT power station. However, since many of these appliances would not be in standby at peak times there is still a need for this power station.

  While I am not aware of any plans for a directive governing the power consumption of electronic equipment in standby mode, there are already a number of voluntary agreements in place which seek to establish minimum standards for the power consumption of electronic equipment in standby mode. These include voluntary agreements with industry in respect of TVs, VCRs, digital TV services and external power supplies.

  In addition, the recent EU/US agreement will extend into Europe the use of voluntary energy labelling of office equipment via the US EPA's Energy Star scheme which requires minimum standards for computers and other office equipment in standby mode before the label can be used.

  The European Commission will also shortly be making proposals for a Framework Directive for Minimum Energy Efficiency Requirements for End-Use Equipment which may cover this area too.

  Public Service Orders
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to extend the provision of public service orders. [18724]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Any application for the imposition of a public service obligation will be considered by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions against the criteria set out in European Regulation 2408/92.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria have to be met in order for a route to be granted a public service order. [18729]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The use of public service obligations is governed by European Council Regulation 2408/92 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes. This empowers members states to impose a PSO in respect of scheduled air services on a route serving a peripheral or development region or on a thin route to any regional airport, where such a route is considered vital for the economic development of the region in which the airport is located and where an adequate standard of service would not be provided by carriers having regard
  790W
  solely to their commercial interest. Standard of service covers continuity, regularity, capacity and pricing. In assessing adequacy, member states are expected to have regard to the public interest and to the availability of other forms of transport and whether these offer a reasonable alternative to flying.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many publications were issued by her Department in each of the last four years. [11822]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In 1997–98 the Scottish Office issued 92 publications, in 1998/99 it issued 121 publications and in the period 1 April 199 to 30 June 1999 it issued 13 publications.

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since then the Department has issued seven publications.

  Consultation Documents
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultation documents were issued by her Department from(a) 15 October to 14 January, (b) 15 January to 14 April, (c) 15 April to 14 July and (d) 15 July to 14 October in each year from 1996. [12877]

  Mrs. Liddell
  From 1996 the Scottish Office issued the following number of consultation documents for the periods 15 October to 14 January, 15 January to 14 April, 15 April to 14 July and 15 July to 14 October:

  Scottish Office Consultation Documents

  Issued:

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  15 October—14 January1

  23

  18

  31

  —

  15 January—14 April

  29

  11

  33

  27

  15 April—14 July

  26

  16

  27

  12

  15 July—14 October

  28

  20

  20

  —

  1 Of following year

  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The Department since that date has issued no consultation documents. The Scotland Office is a small Government Department with minimal programme expenditure and no responsibility for service delivery functions.

  Scottish Borders Council
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the ability of Scottish Borders Council to carry out its statutory functions in relation to reserved matters. [17388]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Most of the statutory functions of the Scottish Borders Council relate to devolved matters. To the best of my knowledge, reserved matters have been dealt with appropriately by the Council.

  Nuclear Installations
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations she has made to the Nuclear Inspectorate relating to security at nuclear installations in Scotland following the events of 11 September; [16781]

  (2) what representations she has made to the Energy Review Group relating to security at nuclear power stations in Scotland following the events of 11 September; [16780]

  (3) what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive on the security of (a) nuclear power stations and (b) nuclear installations in Scotland folllowing the events of 11 September. [16777]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 22 November 2001]: Security at nuclear installations is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS). The OCNS works closely with the Health and Safety Executive—the safety regulator for the industry—and which provides advice on the safety implications of events including external hazards, at nuclear installations. Security and safety precautions at nuclear sites are kept under constant review. Both regulators are reviewing all relevant precautions in the light of the recent terrorist attacks in the USA. It is not Government policy to disclose details of security measures taken at civil nuclear sites.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sports Clubs
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what European Union funding schemes are available to sports clubs in the United Kingdom for(a) capital and (b) training projects. [17466]

  Mr. Caborn
  All European Union funding is channelled towards precise objectives and priorities under the various common policies, which, in turn, are based on provisions of the EU Treaties. The European Union does not have a legal base for sport in its Treaties. As such, there are no funding programmes designated specifically to sport.

  However, sports clubs in the United Kingdom may be eligible for funding under other European Union programmes which integrate sport into such actions as regional development or training and education. These programmes include:
  Structural Funds/Regional Development Programmes—such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) may be relevant to sports organisations where their activities include vocational training opportunities and/or are part of the economic development of deprived areas. Many of these funding programmes are restricted to specific regions and it is usually national or regional authorities specified in each programme that are fully responsible for the choice of projects. These programmes tend to focus on the development of small and medium enterprises to encourage job creation and social inclusion and require applicants to identify the specific economic and local benefits their scheme will achieve.
  Vocational Training/Education for young people/Youth Programmes—initiatives such as Leonardo and Socrates support vocational training and cultural exchange programmes for young people. There is a clear emphasis on any Europe-wide dimension to the activities.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many playing fields were disposed of in each of the last five years. [17463]

  Mr. Caborn
  Information on the number of playing fields disposed of for the last five years is not collected. Sport England does, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in their role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data are finalised, in the new year.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has published figures on applications by state schools to dispose of or change the use of school playing fields since October 1998 when the Amendment to Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act was brought in to halt the previous administration's policy of forcing schools to sell off playing fields. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for School Standards gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1292W.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) school and (b) community playing fields have been sold for development in East Devon in each of the last five years. [18283]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has not approved any applications made by schools under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to sell school sports pitches sized areas or larger in the constituency of East Devon.

  Information on the number of local authority owned playing fields available to the local community and disposed of in the last five years is not collected. Sport England does, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in their role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed national statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data is finalised, in the new year.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) community and (b) school playing fields have been sold for development in the Buckingham constituency in each of the last five years. [17843]

  Mr. Caborn
  Information on the number of local authority owned playing fields available to the local community and disposed of in the last five years is not collected. Sport England does, however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in their role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed national statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data is finalised, in the new year.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has not approved any applications made by schools under Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to sell school sports pitches in the constituency of Buckingham.

  Sports Projects
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her latest estimate is of the funds available annually through the Sports Lottery Fund for community sports projects. [17465]

  Mr. Caborn
  Sports England's income from the National Lottery for 2000–01 was £225.5 million while the forecast for 2001–02 is £214,233. As Sports England's lottery strategy makes clear, at least two thirds of funding will be invested in community facilities or activities.

  Museum Attendance (South Tyneside)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the level of museum attendance in South Tyneside was in(a) 2000 and (b) 2001; and what is the projected figure for 2002. [17407]

  Mr. Caborn
  I am advised by Tyne and Wear Museums and South Tyneside district council that visitor attendance at the South Tyneside museums is as follows:

  2000

  20011

  20022

  Arbeia Roman Fort

  76,613

  98,605

  100,000

  South Shields Museum/Art Gallery

  261,924

  217,432

  145,000

  Bede's World

  44,360

  38,000

  50,000

  Customs House (Art Gallery only)

  9,000

  10,000

  12,000

  Total

  391,897

  364,337

  307,000

  1 2001 figures are year to date plus estimate to the end of December

  2 Projected

  Gambling Review
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many responses the Government have received to Recommendation 43 of the gambling review report; of these, how many(a) supported, (b) opposed and (c) were neutral. [18072]

  Mr. Caborn
  Seventy submissions commented specifically on this recommendation. Sixteen expressed varying degrees of support; and 54 varying degrees of opposition.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment the Government have made of the compatability of Recommendation 43 of the Gambling Review report with the Human Rights Act 1998; [18083]

  (2) what estimates the Government have made of the impact on employment if all local authorities used their powers under Recommendation 43 of the Gambling Review report to ban all types of gambling in their locality; [18074]

  (3) what estimate the Government have made of the impact on levels of illegal gambling activity of local authorities using their powers under recommendation 43 of the Gambling Review report to ban all types of gambling in their locality. [17960]

  Mr. Caborn
  We have not yet completed our assessment of the impact of this recommendation.

  Voluntary Athletics Officials
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has for providing further support for voluntary athletics officials; and if she will make a statement. [17942]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government fully recognises the contribution of volunteers to the running of sport and the need to continue to invest in their training, recruitment and support. The Government's Plan for Sport provides that Sport England should be the national advocate of volunteering in sport in England and to provide support to national governing bodies of sport in the development and implementation of volunteering strategies. Key to these strategies will be the appointment by governing bodies of National Volunteer Managers to implement the strategies and Volunteer Co-ordinators at Regional and county level to provide support and raise the profile of volunteering.

  A further recognition of the importance which the Government attach to volunteers in sport, particularly in ensuring that they are well trained, is the introduction of a £7 million training programme which the Department is currently developing. The programme will aim to build on existing schemes such as the Community Sports Leader and the Junior Sports Leader Awards run by the British Sports Trust and the Youth Sports Trust's Millennium Volunteers programme to provide training for up to 50,000 volunteers, of whom around 8,000 would be older people, to be coaches, administrators, officials, leaders and mentors. The programme will run for two years beginning in April 2002.

  Resorts Task Force Group
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how often the resorts task force group has met since its creation; [17870]

  (2) what work has been undertaken by the Resorts Task Force Group; and if she will make a statement. [17869]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Resorts Task Force was set up by the English Tourism Council (ETC) in response to the Government's tourism strategy "Tomorrow's Tourism", published in 1999, which highlighted the regeneration of our traditional resorts as one of its 15 key action points. The Task Force's remit was to suggest ways in which resorts could be repackaged for tourism purposes and to highlight examples of best practice in successful resort regeneration for tourism.

  The group met five times and in the light of its advice the English Tourism Council's published its Sea Changes report in February 2001. The Government have welcomed the report and this Department has asked the ETC to consider how it can best be implemented and to what timescale. To that end, the ETC is working closely with the British Resorts Association and relevant tourism officers.

  Tourism
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect on tourism in the Buckingham constituency of
  795W
  (a) the foot and mouth disease outbreak and (b) the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September; and if she will make a statement. [17844]

  Mr. Caborn
  Our best estimate at this stage is that the revenue loss to the English tourism industry for March to October is likely to be around £3.3 billion in "value added" terms. We have not attempted to apportion an overall estimate to individual regions, such as the Buckingham constituency, or individual tourism destinations since the available data does not enable this to be done with a sufficient degree of reliability.

  It is too early to predict with any accuracy what the effects of the terrorist attacks in the US are likely to be on UK tourism. Early indications are that there was a small drop in incoming tourists in September, but on the other hand a survey by the English Tourism Council found that nearly one million Britons have changed their plans from holidaying abroad to taking a trip in this country. Reports also suggest that the main impact of the drop in overseas tourists has been felt in London rather than in the regions.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made as to the effect on tourism in Arundel and South Downs of(a) the foot and mouth disease outbreak and (b) the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September; and if she will make a statement. [18327]

  Dr. Howells
  Our best estimate at this stage is that the revenue loss to the English tourism industry for March to October is likely to be around £3.3 billion in "value added" terms. We have not attempted to apportion an overall estimate to individual regions, such as Arundel and South Downs, or individual tourism destinations since the available data do not enable this to be done with a sufficient degree of reliability.

  It is too early to predict with any accuracy what the effects of the terrorist attacks in the US are likely to be on UK tourism. Early indications are that there was a small drop in incoming tourists in September, but on the other hand a survey by the English Tourism Council found that nearly one million Britons have changed their plans from holidaying abroad to taking a trip in this country. Reports also suggest that the main impact of the drop in overseas tourists has been felt in London rather than in the regions.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the level of Government grant-in-aid was to the(a) English Tourism Council, (b) Welsh Tourist Board, (c) Scottish Tourist Board and (d) Northern Ireland Tourist Board per head of population in 2000–01. [18415]

  Dr. Howells
  Grant-in-aid available to each national tourist board in 2000–01 was as follows:

  GIA (£ million)

  Population (million)

  GIA per head (£)

  English Tourism Council

  11.0

  49.6

  0.22

  Visit Scotland

  25.9

  5.1

  5.08

  Wales Tourist Board

  15.4

  2.9

  5.31

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  13.9

  1.7

  8.18

  Sport England
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the Quinquennial Review of Sport England; and if she will make a statement. [18484]

  Mr. Caborn
  DCMS is currently engaged in the second stage of the quinquennial review of Sport England, in which we are looking at its strategic management function, its regional role, and the way in which it carries out partnership working and forges alliances. I expect the review to be completed early in the New Year, at which point I will discuss its findings with the new Chief Executive of Sport England and with Sport England's Council members, with a view to implementing the recommendations as promptly as possible.

  Lottery Funds
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) at the end of each financial year from establishment of the fund to the latest date for which figures are available, how much lottery money was held and not committed to projects by(a) the new opportunities fund, (b) the heritage lottery fund, (c) the Millennium Commission, (d) UK Sport, (e) Sport England, (f) the Community Fund, (g) the Arts Council of England and (h) the Film Council; [18167]

  (2) what level of funds unallocated to good causes has been held by each of the lottery fund distributors in each of the past five years; what percentage of their total balance this represented in each year; and if she will make a statement; [17946]

  (3) if she will list the amount of lottery money held and uncommitted that has been carried forward at the end of each financial year, from establishment of the fund to the latest date for which figures are available by (a) the New opportunities fund, (b) the heritage lottery fund, (c) the Millennium Commission, (d) UK Sport, (e) Sport England, (f) the Community Fund, (g) the Arts Council of England and (h) the Film Council. [18169]

  Mr. Caborn
  This information is not readily available and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the statistics have been collated, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the average period was between a project being approved for lottery funding and first payment being made to the project, for each of the Lottery distribution bodies in the last 12 months, and if she will make a statement; [18245]

  (2) what recent representations she has received concerning delays between the approval of projects by lottery distributors and the eventual transfer of funds; and if she will make a statement; [18246]

  (3) what the average level of allocated, but unspent, funds has been for each of the lottery fund distributors at the end of the financial year in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement; [18247]

  (4) pursuant to her answer of 19 November 2001, Official Report, column 21W, on the National Lottery, how much money which is not committed to specific projects has been held by the National Lottery

  797W
  Distribution Fund at the end of each financial year since the National Lottery's inception; what proportion of the NLDF's total balance at the end of each year this sum constituted; and if she will make a statement. [18244]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: This information is not readily available. I will however, write to the hon. Member as soon as the statistics have been collated, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Afghanistan
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's intentions for encouraging the involvement of the female population in a post-Taliban Government in Afghanistan. [15436]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  One of the most appalling features of the Taliban regime was their treatment of women.

  We are working closely with the UN and a wide range of other interested parties to help the Afghan people establish a broadly based Government representative of all Afghans, including women. Afghan women are participating in the talks on the future of Afghanistan that begin in Bonn today.

  It is also worth noting the very real improvements in the condition of women in those parts of Afghanistan that are no longer controlled by the Taliban.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with United Nations special envoy to Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi. [15438]

  Mr. Straw
  I have held a number of meetings with Lakhdar Brahimi and saw his deputy, Francesc Vendrell, in Islamabad on 22 November, in each case to discuss the process of building a broad-based, multi-ethnic future for Afghanistan. I am sure the whole House will join me in paying tribute to Ambassador Brahimi's efforts, which have led to the meeting of Afghan groups taking place in Bonn today, and in hoping for a successful outcome.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for Government in Afghanistan. [15441]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The international community set out its vision for Afghanistan's future in UN Security Council Resolution 1378, adopted on 14 November. This Resolution sets out the UN's central role in the political process and establishing the essential conditions for stability, peace and security in Afghanistan.

  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments in Afghanistan. [15444]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Taliban is being defeated across Afghanistan. Its rule has collapsed in all but two provinces. But we should remember our primary goals are 798W
  to bring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda to account and to end international terrorism—the defeat of the Taliban is a step towards that.

  The humanitarian situation is improving. An average of over 2,000 tonnes of food per day had been despatched since 4 November. This is four times the amount in October.

  We welcome the efforts of Lakhdar Brahimi and the UN in convening today's meeting of Afghan factions in Bonn. We hope that the talks will mark the first step towards establishing the broadly based Government so vital to rebuilding the country.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the UN in the future Government of Afghanistan. [15449]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I welcome the new UN Security Council Resolution 1378 (2001), adopted unanimously on 14 November, which sets out the international community's vision for the future of Afghanistan. The resolution outlines the principles that should govern the formation of a new Administration and affirms that the UN should play a central role in supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to establish their new Government.

  We also welcome the UN Secretary-General's nomination of the Administrator of UNDP, Mark Malloch Brown, to lead the early recovery effort in Afghanistan. We will continue to work closely with the UK on rebuilding Afghanistan.

  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's intention to support a post-Taliban Government in Afghanistan. [15458]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The UK fully supports UNSCR 1378 (2001) which expresses its strong support for the efforts of the Afghan people to establish a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a government, both of which:should be broadly based, multi-ethnic and fully representative of all the Afghan people and committed to peace with Afghanistan's neighbours,
  should respect the human rights of all Afghan people, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion,
  should respect Afghanistan's international obligations, including by co-operating fully in international efforts to combat terrorism and illicit drug trafficking within and from Afghanistan,
  and should facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance and the orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons, when the situation permits.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received from Afghan women about their role in the future Government of Afghanistan. [15430]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  While we have received no specific representations from Afghani women, we are working closely with the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, and a wide range of other interested Governments and parties to help the Afghan people establish a broad-based government representative of all Afghans, including women.
  799W
  However, the form of that government and the process leading to its establishment must be up to the Afghan people themselves, with the support of the international community. As part of this process UN Security Council Resolution number 1378, unanimously adopted on 14 November, sets out a blueprint for such a government.

  Middle East
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Muslim regimes in the middle east about their response to terrorism. [15437]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had recent discussions about the international community's response to terrorism with his counterparts from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia and, most recently, a visit to Iran Pakistan and Bahrain on 22–23 November. Governments in the middle east, like to rest of international community, have condemned the 11 September attacks and made very clear their determination to combat terrorism.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions to take forward negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. [15442]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Roger Casale), at column 827.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to ensure greater peace and stability in the middle east. [15445]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Roger Casale), at column 827.

  Greece
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to meet the Foreign Minister of Greece to discuss bilateral relations. [15439]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Both the Foreign Secretary and I frequently meet the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs. The last full bilateral being on 4 October 2001.

  Euro
  Rosemary McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how widely he circulated the leaflet published by his Department giving information to British travellers on the introduction of euro coins and notes from 1 January 2002. [15440]

  Peter Hain
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has distributed the leaflet on euro notes and coins widely, including to: airports, Eurostar, Stena P&O, the travel agency Trailfinders, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Members of Parliament in the UK and British MEPs, European Resource Centres, European Public Information Centres, Euro Regional Fora, British embassies in the European Union and EU embassies in London.
  800W
  In addition, a number of leaflets have been sent directly to members of the public at their request. The leaflet is also available to download from the FCO and BAA websites.

  World Cup
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of Japan and Korea about the organisation and security of the FIFA world cup in 2002. [15443]

  Mr. MacShane
  Our representatives in Korea and Japan have been in close contact with the organising committees, stadia authorities, police and security authorities to provide advice and assistance. The Foreign Office has invited representatives to the UK to experience matches in the UK and look at how we handle security here. We have also held seminars in host countries on stadium security, crowd control and dealing with trouble-makers.

  The Foreign Office has facilitated contacts between the Home Office, police and other relevant agencies and their Japanese and Korean counterparts.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards Zimbabwe. [15446]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to honour the commitments they made in Abuja on 6 September; to end violence and intimidation; to permit freedom of expression; to restore the rule of law to land reform. With the Commonwealth, Southern African Development Community and EU partners, we share the same ultimate objective: a stable, prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Secretary General of the Commonwealth to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. [15447]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Commonwealth Secretary General in Abuja on 6 September. My noble Friend, Baroness Amos, accompanied the Commonwealth Secretary General to Zimbabwe during the Commonwealth Committee visit on 25–27 October.

  EU Enlargement
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards the enlargement of the EU. [15448]

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards the enlargement of the EU. [15461]

  Peter Hain
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake), at column 828.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Iraq about(a) bombing and (b) sanctions. [15451]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  None.

  EU Subsidiarity
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in returning sovereignty to member states of the EU since the introduction of the subsidiarity provisions. [15452]

  Peter Hain
  Subsidiarity is not about returning powers to the member states. It is the principle which ensures that where the EC Treaty allows for action at both community and member state level, the most appropriate level is chosen each time action is required. Article 5 TEC and the Subsidiarity Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty spell out how the principle is to be applied in practice.

  Terrorism
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about international diplomatic efforts against terrorism. [15454]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The response of the international community to the appalling events of 11 September has been united and determined. The UN response has been swift.

  Immediately following the attacks, the UN Security Council in Resolution 1368 said that it would hold accountable those indirectly and directly responsible; UNSCR 1373 followed this and obliged all countries to target terrorist finances and deny terrorist organisations a safe haven.

  Following 11 September, the EU have prepared an action plan enhancing police and judicial co-operation, cutting funding of terrorists and improving air security. The G8 are working on a G8 Counter Terrorism Action Plan which will provide a solid basis for future counter-terrorism efforts.

  Rough Diamonds
  Mr. Lammy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Kimberley process and the implementation of an effective global certification scheme for rough diamonds. [15455]

  Peter Hain
  The Kimberley process is meeting in Botswana. On the final day of the meeting (29 November) Ministers and senior officials will, I hope, agree that the detailed proposals for a global certification scheme for rough diamonds, which have been developed over the last nine months by the process, are ready to be presented for endorsement by the UN General Assembly early next year.

  Russia
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to foster good relations with Russia. [15456]

  Peter Hain
  Encouraging Russia's transformation into a reliable and predictable economic and political partner is a key UK foreign policy priority. Recent efforts to develop our relations have included visits to Moscow by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is in regular contact with President Putin.

  We strongly welcome Russia's support for the fight against international terrorism. We believe we have an opportunity to reassess relations with Russia and to find new ways of working together. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has written to Lord Robertson and NATO leaders with ideas for a new partnership between Russia and NATO. We are also considering how to develop EU-Russia links.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and. Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the Spanish Government over Gibraltar. [15457]

  Peter Hain
  The Government resumed talks with Spain under the Brussels Process in July. In accordance with the terms of the Brussels Communiqué issued in November 1984, the talks are aimed at overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar and at promoting co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis on economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, military and environmental matters. The Communiqué also establishes that issues of sovereignty will be discussed under the process.

  A further round of talks was held in Barcelona on 20 November. A joint statement was issued copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart concerning the sovereignty of Gibraltar. [15450]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier in the House today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton).

  Nigeria
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Nigeria. [15459]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The bilateral relationship with Nigeria is excellent. We are supporting the reform programme of President Obasanjo. We have encouraged high-level exchanges under UK/bilateral forum and we offered practical support through development assistance. We welcome Nigeria's active role in regional and international matters, including its helpful role on Zimbabwe.

  China
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of China's commitment to the global campaign against terrorism. [15460]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We welcome China's support for the international fight against terrorism. China is an important partner in this. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed this with Vice President Hu Jintao on 29 October during his visit to the UK.

  Balkans
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's recent actions in the regeneration of the Balkans. [15462]

  Mr. MacShane
  The United Kingdom has played a leading role in promoting political stability in the Balkans, which is key to regeneration. In support of this, we have made major military and civilian commitments to Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia, and have provided significant development assistance to these and other Balkan countries.

  Israeli Exports
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has been made of Israel's responses to post-verification requests by the EU in respect of imports suspected to originate outside the internationally recognized borders of Israel. [15892]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 19 November 2001]: The EU has concluded, from the responses to member state's post-verification requests and from continuing discussions with Israel, that there remains a requirement to address the issues underlying the rules of origin dispute. The EU returned to this issues at the 20 November association council, noting that it wanted to continue efforts to resolve the question with Israel.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Israeli authorities have responded fully to EU post-verification requests for certificates of origins for goods alleged to be from illegal settlements; and if he will detail those responses. [15891]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 19 November 2001]: Such requests are made by members states' Customs authorities in respect of individual cases of imports from a third country. Since April 2001 the UK has received 13 responses from Israel to requests for verification that the goods in question qualified for preferential treatment under the terms of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. In all but one of the cases Israel responded that the goods were originating products under the terms of the Agreement and thus qualified in Israel's view for preferential treatment. In the other case, the Israeli authorities were unable to validate the exporter's claim that the goods in question qualified for preferential treatment. The EU has made it clear, most recently at the 20 November association council, that it wants to pursue discussions with Israel to resolve this issue.
  804W
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms are available to the EU to review the operation of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [15889]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 19 November 2001]: The EU-Israel Association Agreement provides for regular review by the Ministerial-level Association Council, to which either party may refer disputes over its application or interpretation. Below the level of the Council the Association Committee operates at official level and has power, under the terms of the Agreement, to take decisions relating to its management.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what deadlines the EU has placed for full responses by the Israeli authorities to EU post-verification requests for certificates of origin for goods alleged to be from illegal settlements; what the deadlines are; and what actions are available to the EU in the event of full responses not being received. [18655]

  Peter Hain
  Requests for verification of goods are made by member states' Customs authorities in respect of individual cases of imports from a third country. According to the terms of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the country requesting the verification should be informed of the results within a maximum period of 10 months. In the event of full responses not being received., further information may be requested, and if this does not satisfactorily resolve the issues, it may be referred to the Association Council under the terms of the Agreement.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were considered by EU foreign Ministers at the 19 November General Affairs Council to stop the import into the EU under preference of goods labelled as made in Israel but which originate in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories; what decisions were taken; and what the reasons for these decisions were. [18654]

  Peter Hain
  The 19 November General Affairs Council agreed that the EU should make it clear to Israel at the 20 November EU-Israel Association Council that it attached great importance to correct application of the Association Agreement and that it would do its best to find a sustainable solution to the rules of origin issue. It noted that, if the Association Council process was not able to find a solution, the EU would have to review its position, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement. The two sides have agreed to pursue discussions on this issue.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the results of the EU-Israeli Association Council held on 20 November in respect of the implementation of the EU Association Agreement. [18523]

  Peter Hain
  The EU side noted that work in many areas of the Association Agreement is proceeding satisfactorily. It underlined its commitment to resolve the rules of origin issue, noting that efforts so far had not succeeded. The EU further noted that, if the Council was unable to find a solution, the EU would have to review its position, in accordance with the provisions of the Association Agreement. Discussions with Israel will continue on this issue.
  805W
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he had made an assessment by the time of the EU-Israel Association Council of 20 November of Israel's responses to post verification requests by the EU in respect of imports suspected to originate outside the internationally recognised borders of Israel; and if he will give details of that assessment. [18657]

  Peter Hain
  The UK concluded that there remains a requirement to address the issues underlying the rules of origin question. This took into account the responses to the post-verification requests and continuing EU expert-level discussions with Israel. The EU has agreed to continue efforts to resolve the issue, as discussed with Israel at the 20 November Association Council.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Israeli authorities responded fully to EU post-verification requests for certificates of origin for goods alleged to be from Israeli settlements by the time of the EU-Israel Association Council on 20 November; if he will give details of the responses received; and on what date they were received. [18656]

  Peter Hain
  Such requests are made by member states' Customs authorities in respect of individual cases of imports from a third country. Since April 2001 the UK has received thirteen responses from Israel to requests for verification that the goods in question qualified for preferential treatment under the terms of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. In all but one of the cases Israel provided a standard response that the goods were originating products under the terms of the Agreement and thus qualified in Israel's view for preferential treatment. In the other case the Israeli authorities were unable to validate the exporter's claim that the goods in question qualified for preferential treatment. Of the twelve responses which verified the origin of the goods, one was received on 4 April; three on 22 April; one on 24 April; three on 24 May; one on 5 June; one on 12 June; one on 15 August and one on 14 September. The other response was received on 5 June.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to formulate a co-ordinated strategy to ensure compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention; and if he will make a statement. [16689]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Chemical Weapons Convention contains comprehensive compliance measures. These include the requirement to declare activities with scheduled chemicals, and of past chemical weapons production facilities and stockpiles; consultations; routine inspections of industrial and military facilities; and challenge inspections for alleged breaches of the Convention. The UK supports the implementation of these measures in the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and on a bilateral basis. The UK reviews declarations by other State Parties and, where appropriate, has bilateral consultations to clarify possible ambiguities and omissions with the country concerned in order to ensure full transparency. The UK also undertakes practice 806W
  challenge inspections, and provides training and technical assistance to the OPCW. We continue to press for the universal adoption of the Convention.

  Drugs Trade
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the international effort to reduce the drugs trade in Colombia and Bolivia. [16892]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Colombia remains the world's principal source of cocaine. The international community and the Government of Colombia are committed to tackling the drugs trade and reducing the violence and instability with which it is linked. We support the Colombian Government's aim of reducing the cultivation, processing and distribution of drugs by 50 per cent. over the next six years. The UK has also been at the forefront of international efforts to support the peace process in Colombia.

  We welcome the considerable progress being made in tackling the drugs trade in Bolivia. The United Nations International Drug Control Programme estimates that illicit coca cultivation in Bolivia has been reduced from 48,600 hectares in 1995 to 14,800 hectares in 2000. This reduction is due to the Bolivian Government's own efforts and international support.

  Mongolia
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage exchange of young professionals and students between the United Kingdom and Mongolia. [17460]

  Mr. MacShane
  The British Government have been running a successful programme of scholarships in Mongolia for a number of years. Since 1993, the Embassy administered-scheme has sent 44 Mongolians to the UK. Four places were awarded for the academic year 2001–02 at a cost of £105,000. We also co-fund six scholarships per annum with the Soros Foundation for Open Society and the Universities of Manchester and Essex.

  We have provided funding for Raleigh International's three year programme of expeditions to Mongolia, which gave over 300 UK students the opportunity to work together with young Mongolians on a variety of projects. This ended in summer 2001.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department is providing for English language teaching in Mongolia. [17459]

  Mr. MacShane
  My Department has focused its English language teaching efforts on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since we judge that greater competence there has a valuable multiplier effect in enabling Mongolia to interact with the international community more effectively in a wide range of areas. We are supporting programmes in English for special purposes; communication and presentation skills; and interpreting skills.
  807W
  We also provide support through our embassy for 10 Department for International Development-funded VSO volunteers working on English language teaching for secondary school teachers.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the United States following the passage of the International Criminal Court Act 2001; what UN state parties have now ratified the International Criminal Court Convention; and which members of the Council of Europe have not ratified it. [17769]

  Peter Hain
  Since the passage of the International Criminal Court Act on 11 May 2001, the United Kingdom has continued regularly to use our wide bilateral contacts with the United States to explain that we believe US reservations about the ICC are unfounded, and to encourage the US to ratify the Rome Statute. In addition we have participated in European Union action to the same end. The presidency of the European Union wrote to the Secretary of State Powell on 30 October 2001, drawing his attention to the EU Common Position of full support for the early entry into the force of the ICC Statute. The letter expresses the hope that the US will change its mind on the ICC and will not, in the meantime, obstruct those states which support the court and wish to seek to accede to it.

  The following 46 UN member states have, as at 22 November 2001, ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC): Senegal,

  Scottish Ministers attendance at Council 1 July 1999— September 2001

  Year/date

  Council

  Minister

  1999

  24–25 September

  Informal meeting of Ministers of Education (Finland)

  Sam Galbraith

  26 October

  Fisheries Council (Luxembourg)

  John Home Robertson

  22 November

  Fisheries Council (Brussels)

  John Home Robertson

  13 December

  Environment Council (Brussels)

  Sarah Boyack

  14 December

  Agriculture Council (Brussels)

  Ross Finnie

  16 December

  Fisheries Council (Brussels)

  John Home Robertson

  2000

  17–18 March

  Informal Council for Ministers of Lifelong Learning (Portugal)

  Nicol Stephen

  20 March

  Agriculture Council (Brussels)

  Ross Finnie

  8 June

  Education Council (Luxembourg)

  Nicol Stephen

  16 June

  Fisheries Council (Luxembourg)

  John Home Robertson

  22 June

  Environment Council (Brussels)

  Sarah Boyack

  17 November

  Fisheries Council (Brussels)

  Rhona Brankin

  20 November

  Agriculture Council (Brussels)

  Ross Finnie

  30 November

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Brussels)

  Jim Wallace

  14–15 December

  Fisheries Council (Brussels)

  Rhona Brankin

  2001

  12 February

  Education and Youth Council (Brussels)

  Nicol Stephen

  26 February

  Agriculture Council (Brussels)

  Ross Finnie

  8 March

  Environment Council (Brussels)

  Sam Galbraith

  24 April

  Agriculture Council (Luxembourg)

  Ross Finnie

  25 April

  Fisheries Council (Luxembourg)

  Rhona Brankin

  4 June

  Health Council (Luxembourg)

  Susan Deacon

  18 June

  Fisheries Council (Luxembourg)

  Rhona Brankin

  28 June

  Transport Council (Luxembourg)

  Sarah Boyack

  13 July

  Informal Council on Regional Policy (Namur)

  Angus MacKay

  808W
  Trinidad and Tobago, San Marino, Italy, Fiji, Ghana, Norway, Belize, Tajikistan, Iceland, Venezuela, France, Belgium, Canada, Mali, Lesotho, New Zealand, Botswana, Luxembourg, Sierra Leone, Gabon, Spain, South Africa, Marshall Islands, Germany, Austria, Finland, Argentina, Dominica, Andorra, Paraguay, Croatia, Costa Rica, Antigua and Barbuda, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Nigeria, Liechtenstein, Central African Republic, United Kingdom (on 4 October 2001), Switzerland, Peru, Nauru and Poland.

  The following 23 member states of the Council of Europe have not ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine. The following three applicant member states have not ratified: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Monaco.

  Scottish Executive
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2001,Official Report, column 117W, on the Scottish Executive, at which Council of Ministers' meetings since May 1999 Scottish Executive Ministers have (a) been present and (b) spoken to the Ministers in formal session. [18182]

  Peter Hain
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: The answer to (a) is given in the table.

  Scottish Ministers speak at Council meetings whenever appropriate.

  Kosovo
  Jim Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the level is of the UK's civilian policing commitment to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo. [19090]

  Peter Hain
  The UK currently contributes 140 civilian police officers, mainly on secondment from the Police Service for Northern Ireland and the Ministry of Defence Police, to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) international civilian police force. These officers are engaged in both operational duties to maintain civil law and order in Kosovo, and in duties related to the work of UNMIK's Criminal Investigation Unit in Pristina. UNMIK police officers, including those seconded from the UK, played a key role in ensuring that the Kosovo elections on 17 November were conducted peacefully.

  On 6 December the UK will deploy 18 recently retired British police officers to Kosovo. The secondment of recently retired British police officers is a new initiative and will increase our commitment in Kosovo to 158 officers. This figure excludes Mr. Chris Albiston, the Police Commissioner in Kosovo, who is a serving Assistant Chief Constable on secondment from the Police Service for Northern Ireland. If this initial deployment of retired police officers proves successful there might be scope for the deployment of increased numbers of retired policemen to peacekeeping duties with the UN in Kosovo and elsewhere.

  MI6
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what circumstances MI6 may decide that major decisions it takes need not be communicated to him; and what mechanism exists to ensure such decisions are in the public interest. [18536]

  Mr. Straw
  The Intelligence Services Act 1994 requires the explicit authority of the Secretary of State in respect of a wide range of major operations of the Secret Intelligence Service. There are therefore no circumstances in which major decisions by the Secret Intelligence Service would not be submitted to me or one of my Cabinet colleagues for approval, or of which I or they are not otherwise informed.

  Lorry Drivers (France)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) assessment he has made of and (b) representations he has received in relation to incidences of physical attacks on British lorry drivers at French ports. [17648]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have had no recent reports of physical attacks on British lorry drivers at French ports.

  If incidents do occur we will take them up with the French authorities.

  Czech Republic
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Czech 810W
  Republic concerning the reasons behind the number of applications in the UK for asylum by Czech nationals; and if he will make a statement. [17417]

  Peter Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had numerous contacts with our Czech counterparts in recent months. I issued a joint statement on 7 August with the Czech Foreign Minister expressing the commitment of both Governments to the highest standard of human rights for all our citizens and our shared concern that substantial numbers of Czech citizens continue to make unfounded asylum applications in the UK. The text of the statement is available on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/news/newstext.asp?5215.

  While there can be no justification for citizens of a NATO ally and strong EU applicant to seek protection in the UK, the two Governments recognise that the position of the Roma minority is a problem in the Czech Republic. The UK fully supports the efforts of the Czech Government to address this problem.

  Bulgaria
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with Bulgaria's EU accession negotiations. [17838]

  Peter Hain
  Bulgaria has opened 23, and closed 12, of the 31 chapters of the EU acquis under negotiation. The European Commission judged, in its progress report published on November 13, that Bulgaria had made some good progress on alignment with the acquis in key areas. But work was still needed on administrative and judicial reform, and in combating corruption. The UK will continue to provide advice and support to Bulgaria in meeting the accession criteria in these and other areas.

PRIME MINISTER

  Energy Policy
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what plans he has(a) to publish and (b) otherwise to distribute the PIU report on energy policy when he receives it; [17937]

  (2) when she expects the Performance and Innovation Unit report on energy policy to be completed; and if Ministers will see the report before it is published. [17935]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 12 November 2001,Official Report, column 546W.

  Campaign Against Terrorism
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he has made for ministerial oversight of the campaign against terrorism. [18975]

  The Prime Minister
  I have established a Sub-Committee of the Defence and Overseas Policy Committee to oversee the Government's role in the international coalition against international terrorism.
  811W
  Its membership and terms of reference are as follows:

  Sub-Committee on International Terrorism

  Composition:

  Prime Minister

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Secretary of State for Defence

  The Chief of the Defence Staff, the Attorney-General and the heads of the Intelligence Agencies also attend when required.

  Terms of Reference
  "To keep under review the Government's policy on international terrorism, in particular the political, military and humanitarian response to the attacks in the United States on 11 September and preventive security measures in the United Kingdom and overseas".

  In addition, as part of this Sub-Committee, I have established a ministerial group, chaired by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to keep under review policy on protective security.

  Its membership and terms of reference are as follows:

  Ministerial Group on Protective and Preventive Security

  Composition:

  Secretary of State for the Home Department (in the Chair)

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

  Secretary of State for Health

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Chief Secretary to the Treasury

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Minister of State, Home Office

  The President of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the heads of the Intelligence Agencies will attend as required.

  Terms of Reference:
  "To keep under review the Government's policy on preventive and precautionary security measures to counter the threat of terrorism in the United Kingdom and to British interests overseas; and to report to the Sub-Committee on International Terrorism as appropriate".

  Honours System
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister what action has been taken to reform the UK honours system since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [18254]

  The Prime Minister
  Since 1997, the honours lists have recognised in particular the achievements of people in the key public sectors including education, health, law and order, and in voluntary service, nationally and in the community.

  Workforce Development
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Prime Minister when the performance and innovation unit's report on Workforce Development will be published. [18382]
  812W
  The Prime Minister
  The performance and innovation unit's report "In Demand Adult Skills in the 21st Century" is published today as a report to the Government.

  Copies have been placed in the House Library. Additional copies and further information can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Poverty
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent assessment he has made of the extent of poverty amongst the clergy. [16896]

  Mr. Bell
  Responsibilities for clergy stipends have been transferred to the Ministry Division of the Archbishops' Council, which set up a review group to look at clergy stipends in 1999. As part of its work, the group conducted a survey of all clergy on the central payroll in 2000 in order to find out how clergy were managing financially. A copy of the survey results will be placed in the Library. The survey showed that one third of those households where the clergy stipend was the sole source of income either struggled to pay their bills or to provide extra things such as holidays.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Early-day Motions
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what his latest estimate is of the cost of(a) printing and (b) administering early-day motions. [17642]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: For the latest estimate of the cost of printing early-day motions I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Teignbridge (Richard Younger-Ross) on 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 91W. The cost of administering early-day motions, including such tasks as editorial preparation and control and electronic publication, is not separately identifiable.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target for the long run rate of growth of crime. [17310]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no Public Service Agreement (PSA) target on the long run rate of growth in crime as such. The PSA targets for crime set by Spending Review 2000 and progress on them are:To reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent. by 2004. Recorded vehicle crime fell by nine per cent. in the 12 months to March 2001.

  813W
  To reduce burglary by 25 per cent., no local authority having a domestic burglary rate more than three times the national average by 2005. Recorded Domestic Burglary fell by nine per cent. in the 12 months to March 2001.
  To reduce robbery in our principal cities by 14 per cent. by 2005—while recorded robbery rose by 13 per cent. in the 12 months to March 2001, these rates of increase were much slower than those recorded in the previous 12 months. The British Crime Survey, a more accurate measure of crime, shows that violent crime is actually falling overall (down 19 per cent. between 1999–2000).

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for drug action teams to name comprehensive programmes involving lifeskills in schools, the youth service, further education and the community. [17151]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Home Department does not have a public service agreement (PSA) target for drug action teams to name comprehensive programmes involving lifeskills in schools, the youth service, further education and the community. The PSA relating to young people is to reduce the proportion of people under the age of 25 reporting the use of Class A drugs by 25 per cent. by 2005 and 50 per cent. by 2008.

  However, the Government do believe that drug, alcohol and tobacco education is best delivered within a framework of personal, social and health education (PSHE). Good personal social and health education and citizenship education, when well delivered in schools, provides a vital foundation for the personal development of young people and prepares them for adult life. It can help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active and responsible citizens. Currently 93 per cent. of secondary schools and 75 per cent. of primaries now have a drug education policy compared with 86 per cent. of secondary schools and 61 per cent. of primaries in 1997. The target for 2002 is for all secondary schools and 80 per cent. of primaries to have effective programmes in place.

  The role of Drug Action Teams (DATs) in this process is measured via the Young Peoples Substance Misuse Plans. These plans will help to integrate drug service provision with other existing children's services. The first of these plans will be submitted in March 2002. By 2004, in every DAT area there will be substance misuse education and information for all young people and their families; advice and support targeted at vulnerable groups; early identification of need; and tailored support to all who need it.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the public service agreement target of a reduction of 3 per cent. in the proportion of arrestees testing positive for(a) heroin, (b) cocaine and (c) crack. [17050]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We are in the process of reviewing progress against all drugs strategy targets.

  The 2002 drugs strategy target, as set out in the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's Second National Plan, to achieve a reduction in the proportion of arrestees
  814W
  testing positive for Class A drugs, was taken forward in the Spending Review 2000 Service Delivery Agreement commitment to
  "achieve a reduction of three percentage points in the proportion of arrestees testing positive for heroin and/or cocaine and/or crack from the 1999–2000 half baseline".

  The target is not to achieve separate reductions for individual drugs. It is one of several measures contributing towards delivery of the public service agreement target to reduce levels of repeat offending among drug misusing offenders by 25 per cent. by 2005 and by 50 per cent. by 2008.

  The New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme provides estimates of the proportion of arrestees testing positive for each of a number of illicit drugs, including opiates/heroin and cocaine/crack. On the basis of data collected in eight sites in 1999–2000, we estimate that, 29 per cent. of arrestees testing positive for these drugs should be reduced to 26 per cent. by 2001–02, when the same eight sites are revisited. Data for 2001–02, are currently being collected. The findings will be available in the autumn of 2002.
  Source:
  Bennett, T, Holloway, K and Williams, T (2001) "Drug Use and Offending: summary results from the first year of the NEW-ADAM Research Programme", Research Findings 148.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for the seizure of class A drugs. [17060]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The targets set to achieve the public service agreement to increase the proportion of class A drugs targeted on the United Kingdom which is seized are 4.5 metric tonnes of heroin and 7.0 metric tonnes of cocaine by March 2002. From April 2000 to the end of September 2001, one tonne of heroin and 2.3 tonnes of cocaine had been seized.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the Public Service Agreement target for increasing the amount of assets(a) identified from drug traffickers and (b) secured. [17074]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The public service agreement target was to increase the amount of assets identified from drug traffickers and secured by one third over a three year period. The target is measured in terms of receipts from the enforcement of confiscation orders in drug trafficking cases. The baseline was receipts of £9.5 million during the 1997–98 financial year. The milestone objectives that were set were receipts of £10.4 million in year one (1998–99), £11.5 million in year two (1999–2000) and £12.6 million in year three (2000–01).

  The outcomes for years one and two were £10.5 million in 1998–99 and £9.3 million for 1999–2000. The outcome for 2000–01 is not yet available.

  The Government have set a target of doubling amounts recovered from drug traffickers and other serious criminals by 2004. The baseline for this is receipts from confiscation and cash forfeiture orders of £29.4 million that were secured in 1999–2000. The Government's objective is to increase this to receipts of £60 million in

  815W
  the financial year 2004–05. This is to be achieved through the Asset Recovery Strategy, which I shall be publishing shortly, and the Proceeds of Crime Bill.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for the rate of positive results from mandatory random drug tests. [17066]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The percentage of prisoners testing positive for random mandatory drug testing has reduced year by year from 18.3 per cent. in 1998–99, to reach 12.4 per cent. in 2000–01. The figure for the financial year 2001–02 to date is 11.6 per cent.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on progress towards the 2002 target for the number of(a) face-to-face arrest referral schemes and (b) arrestees referred to and entering treatment programmes; [17054]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target on the operation by police services of face-to-face referral schemes covering all custody suites. [17051]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The 2002 drugs strategy target, as set out in the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's First and Second National Plans, that all police services operate face-to-face arrest referral schemes covering all custody suites, was taken forward in the Spending Review 2000 Service Delivery Agreement commitment to make proactive arrest referral schemes available for all custody suites by 31 March 2002. This is one of several measures contributing towards delivery of the public service agreement (PSA) target to reduce levels of repeat offending among drug misusing offenders by 25 per cent. by 2005 and by 50 per cent. by 2008. As at the end of March 2001, 41 police forces were operating arrest referral schemes, with 330 arrest referral workers covering 86 per cent. of custody suites across England and Wales. The recently published Home Office Arrest Referral Statistical Update for the period October 2000 to March 2001 shows that arrest referral workers held 21,329 interviews in that period involving 19,190 individuals, 56 per cent. of whom were referred to a specialist treatment service. Of those referred to drug treatment, preliminary analyses based upon a sample of regions, suggest 15–25 per cent. make a treatment demand. This figure is provisional and subject to further validation.

  We are currently reviewing progress against all the drugs strategy targets as part of the work for the 2002 Spending Review.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the public service agreement target for the number of offenders dealt with for supply offences in respect of Class A drugs. [17049]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The number of persons dealt with in Great Britain for supply offences (possession with intent to supply unlawfully, unlawful supply, and import/export) involving Class A drugs rose from 8,101 in 1998 to 9,517 in 1999. This represents an increase of 17.5 per cent., against a target set of 10 per cent. Data are not yet available for 2000.
  816W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for increasing ethnic minority representation in the Home Office and its services. [16927]

  Angela Eagle
  In July 1999 the Home Secretary set recruitment targets for the Home Office and its agencies (Police, Prison, Probation and Fire services1). Most of the targets have to be met by 2009. All service areas showed progress from April 2000 to March 2001. The percentage of minority ethnic staff in the core Home Office and Immigration and Nationality Directorate in London and Croydon has risen from 24 per cent. in 2000 to 28.2 per cent. this year, against a target of 25 per cent. set for 2009. The Police, Prison and Fire services are all working towards a target of 7 per cent. minority ethnic staff by 2009. So far they have progressed as follows: (2000 figures in brackets): Police 3.1 per cent. (3 per cent.), Prison 3.7 per cent. (3.2 per cent.), Fire 1.6 per cent. (1.6 per cent.). The Probation Service has increased the percentage of minority ethnic staff in the organisation from 9.3 per cent. to 9.8 per cent. since 2000. Its target for 2009 is 8.3 per cent.

  The Home Office and its services are working to achieve equal retention rates for white and minority ethnic staff. There is still work to be done, however and some key initiatives are being developed, for example exit interviews, support networks for minority ethnic staff and comprehensive diversity awareness training for management and staff.

  The Home Secretary's progression targets are expressed in different ways for the different services. Essentially they require that, by 2009, the percentage of minority ethnic staff in each grade is the same as for white staff. For example, the percentage of Senior Probation Officers who are from minority ethnic groups rose from 5.6 per cent. to 8.0 per cent. last year. The first minority ethnic Chief Officer in the Probation Service was appointed.

  The second annual report on targets was published on 14 November and is available in the Library.
  1 The Fire Service is no longer under the remit of the Home Office following the post General Election machinery of Government changes. Responsibility now rests with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for the reduction of sexual offences. [16913]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  There is no specific public service agreement to reduce sexual offences, but police figures show that the number of recorded sexual offences fell by 1.3 per cent. to 37,000 in 2000–01.

  The Government have made it clear that they are committed to the reduction of all violent crime, including sexual offences, as a high priority. We have taken action to strengthen legislation for the protection of the vulnerable, in particular children, against sex offenders and to provide better management of sex offenders in the community and better information to the public on this. We have also conducted major reviews of sex offences

  817W
  and the registration requirements in the Sex Offenders Act 1997 with a view to further strengthening of the legislation.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for reducing the conviction rate of children and young people; [17070]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for reducing offending by juveniles. [17048]

  Mr. Denham
  The relevant public service agreement target is to reduce the rate of reconviction of all young offenders by 5 per cent. against the predicted rate by 2004. The first rates are expected in spring 2002. They will cover juveniles reprimanded, warned or convicted in July 2000, shortly after most of the new youth justice interventions had been brought into operation across England and Wales.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress towards the public service agreement target for the support of police trials for drug recognition training and field impairment testing in respect of drug driving. [17052]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Successful trials of drug recognition techniques and field impairment testing were undertaken in 1999, following which a police training

  Black/Asian officer strength by rank (as at 31 March 2001)

  Number

  ACPO rank

  Superintendents

  Chief Inspectors

  Inspectors

  Sergeants

  Constables

  Police force

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  16

  6

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  17

  11

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  9

  5

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  City of London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  7

  4

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  11

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  2

  4

  7

  18

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  2

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  5

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  1

  8

  3

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  6

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  7

  7

  56

  51

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  1

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  11

  16

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  5

  10

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  3

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  8

  17

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  4

  10

  23

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  8

  24

  34

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  3

  3

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  35

  9

  Metropolitan police

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  7

  6

  46

  23

  382

  186

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  2

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  16

  4

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  7

  7

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  —

  18

  32

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  16

  8

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  4

  5

  26

  34

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  15

  6

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  5

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  11

  9

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  7

  2

  818W
  programme was launched last year. We understand from the Association of Chief Police Officers that 32 forces have now trained officers in these techniques.

  While there is no specific target in respect of drug recognition techniques and field impairment testing, the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions supports developments in this area through continuing research to monitor the use of these techniques.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for reducing the level of disorder. [17053]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government have introduced a range of measures to help tackle the problems of disorder and anti-social behaviour, such as the Anti-Social Behaviour Order, and we are encouraged by the increasing use of these by the police and local authorities. A public service agreement target for the reduction of disorder and anti-social behaviour will be set in April.

  Police Officers (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of police officers in each authority are(a) black and (b) Asian, broken down by grade. [17207]

  Mr. Denham
  From information obtained from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, the tables show the number and percentage of black and Asian police officers by rank and force as at 31 March 2001.
  819W

  Black/Asian officer strength by rank (as at 31 March 2001)

  Number

  ACPO rank

  Superintendents

  Chief Inspectors

  Inspectors

  Sergeants

  Constables

  Police force

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5

  4

  32

  28

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  4

  2

  14

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  6

  7

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  3

  22

  18

  123

  155

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  4

  5

  9

  47

  61

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  3

  3

  Black/Asian officer strength by rank (as at 31 March 2001)

  Percentage

  ACPO rank

  Superintendents

  Chief Inspectors

  Inspectors

  Sergeants

  Constables

  Police force

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Black

  Asian

  Avon and Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.7

  0.2

  0.7

  0.3

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  7.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.1

  2.1

  2.1

  1.4

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.4

  —

  0.9

  0.5

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  0.1

  0.1

  City of London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.1

  —

  —

  1.0

  1.3

  0.8

  Cleveland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.3

  —

  0.5

  0.1

  1.0

  Cumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.0

  —

  0.6

  —

  0.1

  Derbyshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4.2

  —

  4.6

  0.7

  1.4

  0.5

  1.3

  Devon and Cornwall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.2

  0.1

  Dorset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.5

  —

  0.1

  —

  Durham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  0.4

  Dyfed-Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  0.4

  Essex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.2

  —

  0.7

  0.7

  0.5

  0.2

  0.4

  0.1

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  0.7

  Greater Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.5

  0.7

  0.7

  1.0

  0.9

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.5

  —

  0.4

  0.1

  Hampshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.2

  0.4

  0.4

  0.6

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.3

  —

  —

  1.9

  0.7

  0.4

  0.3

  0.7

  Humberside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.4

  —

  0.1

  0.2

  Kent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.7

  0.4

  —

  0.3

  0.6

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.2

  0.8

  0.4

  0.9

  Leicestershire

  —

  —

  5.9

  —

  5.0

  —

  1.1

  1.1

  0.4

  3.0

  1.5

  2.1

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.1

  0.5

  0.3

  0.3

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.2

  —

  1.1

  0.3

  Metropolitan police

  —

  —

  1.0

  —

  0.6

  —

  0.6

  0.5

  1.1

  0.6

  2.0

  1.0

  Norfolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.4

  0.2

  Northamptonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.1

  —

  —

  1.9

  0.6

  1.2

  1.7

  0.4

  Northumbria

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.7

  0.2

  0.2

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.8

  0.1

  —

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7.1

  —

  —

  —

  0.5

  0.1

  0.2

  Nottinghamshire

  —

  —

  —

  10.0

  3.9

  —

  0.8

  0.8

  0.6

  —

  1.0

  1.8

  South Wales

  —

  —

  —

  3.4

  —

  —

  —

  1.2

  —

  0.2

  0.7

  0.3

  South Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.2

  —

  0.8

  1.0

  1.1

  1.4

  Staffordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.9

  0.3

  0.9

  0.4

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.9

  0.6

  Surrey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.6

  0.6

  0.7

  0.6

  Sussex

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.6

  0.6

  —

  0.0

  0.2

  0.3

  0.1

  Thames Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.5

  0.9

  0.7

  1.1

  1.0

  Warwickshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.1

  —

  2.3

  —

  3.2

  0.3

  1.9

  West Mercia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  1.0

  0.4

  0.5

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1.3

  1.0

  2.2

  1.8

  2.1

  2.6

  West Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  1.8

  —

  —

  —

  1.7

  0.8

  1.4

  1.2

  1.6

  Wiltshire

  —

  —

  7.1

  —

  —

  —

  1.8

  —

  0.6

  —

  0.4

  0.4

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the cost to public funds of implementing the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in(a) 2000–01 and 2001–02. [16910]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no central record of the cost to public funds of implementing the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The bulk of costs, for example training those involved in convert investigative activity to ensure that their activities are compliant with part 2 falls on a variety of budgets in a number of 820W
  authorities. There is nothing to suggest that the overall costs of implementing parts 1 and parts 3 will exceed the estimates provided in the regulatory impact assessments.

  Drugs Services
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the performance of the agencies involved in getting money allocated for drugs services to front-line services, with particular reference to drug action teams. [16833]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Drug Action Teams (DATs) are key to the local delivery of the National Drugs Strategy. Agencies involved allocating money to front-line drugs
  821W
  services are all represented on the DAT at senior level: education, health, social services, police, prisons and probation.

  As part of their performance assessment, DATs provide annual returns on their work over the previous year and their plans for the forthcoming 12 months. The most significant areas of expenditure fall on young people and treatment services, for which DATs provide strategic direction and take necessary spending decisions.

  Our assessment of young people's drugs services indicate that between two thirds and three quarters of young people identified as needing support currently receive that support, but there is concern that many young people are not identified early enough. We have approved a regional programme of work which will highlight and disseminate good practice in the planning and commissioning of young people's drug services.

  In respect of treatment, our assessment of treatment plans and information on future treatment capacity needs and waiting lists, all indicate that there is wide regional variation between access to services and the quality of treatment.

  DATs are now being asked to deliver detailed plans for treatment services by January 2002. The National Treatment Agency (NTA), with Drugs Prevention Advisory Service and national health service partners, will assess allocations of money; the extent to which decisions are based on sound needs assessments; and the quality of services provided. Details of this process are being developed by the NTA.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budgeted amount is for the pooled drug treatment plan allocation for England in the current financial year. [16832]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The budgeted amount for the pooled drug treatment plan allocation for England in the current financial year is £140 million.

  Blasphemy Law
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his intention to abolish the law against blasphemy. [17030]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no immediate plans to abolish the law against blasphemy.

  Religious Hatred and Blasphemy
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent consultations his Department has had with religious leaders in respect of(a) proposals to outlaw the generation of religious hatred and (b) plans to abolish the law on blasphemy. [17031]

  Angela Eagle
  I have not formally consulted leaders of different faiths in regard to proposals to expand the law on incitement to racial hatred to cover religious hatred.

  Internet Access (Children)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he issues on the means by which a child's age may be proven when using the internet. [16861]
  822W
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government have not issued such guidance. Proof of age, like proof of identity, can be achieved by using authentication services, such as certified digital signatures. However, the market in these products is not developing quickly and the Government are committed to identifying and removing barriers to the widespread take-up of authentication services by individuals and businesses users.

  In the meantime the Government encourage parental supervision of children's use of the Internet combined with the use of filtering software to prevent children from being exposed to inappropriate internet content. To emphasise this the Government will launch a public awareness campaign on internet safety next month.

  Sodexho
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the decision to award a contract to Sodexho to run two private female prisons. [16800]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 22 November 2001]: No contracts for private prisons have been awarded to Sodexho. On 5 November, the Prison Service announced that UKDS, which is wholly owned by Sodexho Alliance, had been selected as the preferred bidder for a new prison for 450 females to be built as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) at Ashford, Middlesex and due to open in July 2003. UKDS was also announced as joint preferred bidder, with Premier Custodial Group, for a new prison for 480 males and 360 females to be built as a PPP at Peterborough and due to open in April 2004. A decision on the single preferred bidder for Peterborough is anticipated in early December. The award of preferred bidder is taken on the basis of best value for money.

  Sentencing Advisory Panel
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the cost to public funds in 2001–02 of the Sentencing Advisory Panel. [17321]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The cost to public funds of the Sentencing Advisory Panel from 1 April to 31 October 2001 was £103,624. The budget for the remainder of the financial year is £239,736, making a possible total of £343,000 in 2001–02. We cannot, however, predict at this stage what the actual cost will be.

  Referral Order Panels
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the cost to public funds of the pilots for referral order panels. [17322]

  Mr. Denham
  £1.2 million was spent on the referral order pilots in 2000–01. We expect that a similar amount will be spent in 2001–02.

  Communities Against Drugs
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the allocation of funding for Communities Against Drugs is for each of the three years from 2000–01. [17904]
  823W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: The Communities Against Drugs programme is a three-year programme which commenced in 2001–02. The funding allocated to the programme up until 2003–04 is given in the table.

  £ million

  2001–02

  50

  2002–03

  70

  2003–04

  100

  Total

  220

  Aggravated Possession (Drugs)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards the creation of a new offence of aggravated possession of prohibited drugs. [18365]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government have no plans to create such a new offence. Aggravating factors inform the decision by the police on how to proceed with an offence, and will also properly be considered by the courts when sentencing. Aggravated possession is already recognised to some extent by the separate offence of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug.

  Community Development Foundation
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome is of Stage 1 of the quinquennial review of the Community Development Foundation. [19089]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The first part of the latest review has now finished and I have carefully considered the recommendations in line with the terms of guidance for reviewing non-departmental public bodies (NDPB), included in the Government's Modernising Government White Paper.

  Compass Partnership, a firm of independent consultants, conducted the review and after focusing on the context within which the Community Development Foundation (CDF) works, reviewed its management arrangements, surveyed a sample of its external stakeholders and considered the alternative options for CDF. They also considered whether there was a need for the particular functions carried out by CDF as an NDPB to continue. The consultants have recommended that CDF should remain an NDPB, although with a broader remit which reflects the Government's agenda of community involvement, civil renewal and community development, including a number of reforms as to its way of working.

  I am pleased to announce that I have broadly accepted the conclusions of stage 1 of the review, and I have given approval for the second stage of the review to commence. This stage will offer an opportunity to consider in more detail what changes to CDF's relationship with Government and the voluntary and community sector are necessary to achieve the expected outcomes.

  A copy of the full report of stage 1 of the review will be placed in the Library.
  824W
  The senior official responsible for the review is the Director of the Government's Active Community Unit based in the Home Office.

  Asylum Seekers
  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how NASS(a) monitors and (b) inspects the accommodation into which they place (i) asylum seekers and (ii) refugees; and if he will place the latest inspection report in the Library. [17716]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) provides accommodation for asylum seekers. It is not responsible for providing accommodation to those who have been accepted as refugees. The NASS Housing Management Team conducts random inspections of properties throughout the country on a weekly basis. These inspections assess the quality of accommodation provided and highlight any maintenance issues requiring remedial action. The Contractor is required to take action within specified timescales and follow up inspections are undertaken to ensure that repairs have been completed satisfactorily.

  The NASS Housing Management Team has close liaison with contract managers who undertake similar tasks, as well as ensuring that contractual obligations are met.

  Apart from inspections conducted by its own staff NASS also commissions inspections of accommodation by third party consultants.

  I am unable to provide details of inspection reports as these are commercially confidential.

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees placed by NASS in accommodation outside the Greater London area have returned to the Greater London area within the past 12 months. [17715]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The information requested is not available.

  The National Asylum Support Service only supports asylum seekers. Refugees who require support can apply for support from social services.

  Currently information linking the movements of NASS supported asylum seekers within the United Kingdom is not available.

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees have been placed by the NASS in (a) private sector, (b) local authority and (c) housing association accommodation since April 2000, broken down by region. [17724]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Information is not available in the form requested.

  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) only supports asylum seekers. Refugees who require support can apply for support from the Benefits Agency.

  As at the end of July 2001, 28,8101 asylum seekers including dependants were being supported in NASS accommodation. The regional breakdown is in the table.
  825W

  Region

  Asylum seekers supported in NASS accommodation as at end July 2001 1

  East of England

  1,630

  East Midlands

  200

  Greater London

  680

  North East

  4,240

  North West

  6,190

  Northern Ireland

  50

  Scotland

  3,890

  South Central

  390

  South West

  540

  Wales

  370

  West Midlands

  4,410

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  6,230

  1 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and exclude cases that have had their support ceased

  Information on the type of accommodation in which asylum seekers are housed is currently not available.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefits Agency
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training is given to Benefits Agency staff to deal with aggressive claimants. [11114]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Hywel Williams, dated 26 November 2001:
  The Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what training is given to Benefits Agency (BA) staff to deal with aggressive claimants.
  The BA has many procedures in place to support staff in their efforts to provide the required levels of service whilst safeguarding their own safety and preserving the security of the benefits systems. Each BA Specific training event within the Customer Service Portfolio delivered by DWP Training Services has been designed to underpin these important principles.
  To deal with aggressive claimants, DWP Training Services deliver an event called, "Interviewing the Public (Including Potentially Violent People)". This event is mandatory for all new and job change staff who have fact to face contact with the public and is designed to provide staff with awareness and skills to handle potentially violent situations in a professional and safe manner.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will explain the delay by the Child Support Agency in dealing with the case of Ms Elaine Lanchbury, a constituent. [12832]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 26 November 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about your constituent Mrs. Elaine Lanchbury and the way the Child Support Agency has handled her case.
  826W
  As individual cases are a confidential matter, I have written to you separately.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement about the time taken to award contracts by the Child Support Agency for undertaking bailiff action. [12833]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 26 November 2001:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions asking if he will make a statement about the delay in awarding contracts by the Child Support Agency for undertaking bailiff action.
  Our previous contract came to an end on the 1 April 2001.
  I was determined that the new contract would facilitate better support for my staff in seeking to enforce payment of monies legally due. I was therefore anxious that the team responsible visited all the bailiffs that were successful at the tender stage. This led to a slight delay in the award of contracts.
  New contracts were awarded to three Bailiff Companies on the 1 May 2001.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefits Agency (Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many cases have been referred by Members of the Scottish Parliament to the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit of the Benefits Agency(a) directly and (b) indirectly; [18228]

  (2) how many people are employed by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit of the UK Benefits Agency; and at what cost; [18229]

  (3) how many Benefits Agency issues received by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit have been resolved by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit. [18230]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Angus Robertson, dated 26 November 2001:
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many cases have been referred by Members of the Scottish Parliament to the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit of the Benefits Agency (a) directly and (b) indirectly, how many people are employed by the Scottish parliamentary Liaison Unit of the UK Benefits Agency; and at what cost so far. Also, how many Benefits Agency issues received by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit have been resolved by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit.
  The Benefits Agency Scottish Parliamentary Relations Unit (SPRU) deals with all parliamentary correspondence of an operational nature from MPs, MSPs and MEPs relating to constituents in Scotland.
  There are seven members of staff currently employed in SPRU. The unit was set up in August 1999 and has an average annual salary cost of £217,000.
  Information on the number of draft replies to letters from MPs, which were originally referred to the MP by a Member of the Scottish Parliament, is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. SPRU has drafted 29 replies to letters directly from Members of the Scottish Parliament since 1 October 2000.

  827W
  SPRU received 447 items of correspondence between 1 April 2001 and 31 October 2001. There were 50 items outstanding prior to this. Of the total 497 outstanding, 458 draft replies were completed in this period, and 39 items remained outstanding on 1 November 2001.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will give updated quarterly figures on new claims for incapacity benefit and the total case load. [18539]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Incapacity benefit caseload figures are contained in the Incapacity Benefit Quarterly Summary Statistics (May 2001), a copy of which is in the Library. The Incapacity Benefit Quarterly Summary Statistics (August 2001) will be published on 13 December 2001.

  Note: New claims to Incapacity Benefit may not always result in an award of benefit.

  Source: Central Data Unit 100 per cent. count of all new claims.

  New Deal (Copeland)
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the impact of the New Deal for Young People in the Borough of Copeland in the year to September, giving the(a) number participating, (b) investment involved and (c) number who moved on to full-time employment. [17984]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The available information is in the table.

  Copeland constituency

  Month

  Number of new deal for young people participants in the borough of Copeland

  August 2000

  313

  September 2000

  295

  October 2000

  288

  November 2000

  275

  December 2000

  261

  January 2001

  257

  February 2001

  263

  March 2001

  268

  April 2001

  266

  May 2001

  266

  June 2001

  264

  July 2001

  259

  August 2001

  233

  Notes:

  Figures are for the end of each month and are the latest available. The figures are not cumulative.

  Estimates of the cost of the programme are not available at constituency level.

  The New Deal for Young People helped 261 people in Copeland move into work in the year up to the end of August 2001.

  Source:

  New Deal Evaluation Database.

  Sickness-Related Benefits
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of men of working age were claiming sickness-related benefits by constituency in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1990, (e) 2000 and (f) 2001. [17395]
  828W
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  A copy of the available information has been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Advertising
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the final cost of each of his Department's advertising campaigns was in 2000–01, broken down into(a) advertising media and production and (b) other costs. [7899]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [pursuant to the reply, 29 October 2001, c. 525W]: The information is in the table:

  £

  Advertising and media

  Other costs

  Targeting benefit fraud

  5,747,000

  402,252

  National Benefit Fraud Hotline advertising

  425,178

  —

  Minimum Income Guarantee

  3,365,000

  1176,000

  Inherited SERPS

  340,000

  345,000

  Winter Fuel Payments

  616,000

  294,000

  Pensions Education2

  35,232,000

  1,297,000

  Bereavement Benefits

  155,000

  90,000

  New Deal for Young People

  558,201

  951,728

  New Deal 50+

  2,175,367

  63,793

  New Deal Partners

  99,445

  67,310

  Action Teams for Jobs

  58,504

  440

  New Deal for Disabled People

  31,372

  240,387

  New Deal for Lone Parents

  2,292,000

  295,000

  1 This includes £30,985 customer research into a new MIG claim form which straddled two financial years.

  2 In addition to the total of £6,529,062 (which was rounded to £6,530,000) £103,370 was spent on completing our previous pensions education activity (with a Monopoly theme) that preceded the new "Working Dogs" campaign, as well as some developmental work that was undertaken before the new working Dogs Campaign was launched.

  3 The overall Pensions Education marketing budget figure remains unchanged at £6,529,062 (which was rounded to £6,530,000). Within this total, the advertising media and production cost given previously has changed from £5,212,000 to £5,232,000. This takes account of some photography costs that were previously included as part of "other costs", but can be directly attributed to advertising.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answers of 29 October 2001,Official Report, column 525W, on departmental advertising and 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 749W, on the Disability Discrimination Act, for what reason the 'What Have You Got to Offer?' advertising campaign was not included in the table of departmental advertising campaigns for 2000–01. [15176]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  I refer to the pursuant answer given to the hon. Member today.

  I regret that due to an oversight the information was omitted from the previous answer.

HEALTH

  Written Consultations
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the consultation period for the discussion document "Involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare", was six weeks; what consideration was given
  829W
  to the Cabinet Office code of conduct on written consultations relating to minimum standard periods; and if he will make a statement. [13666]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 8 November 2001]: Much of the content of "Involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare" had been the subject of full public debate both in the House and more widely for a number of months, not least during the passage of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. The purpose of the listening exercise was to seek the views of a wide range of stakeholders about how structures for patient and public involvement should operate in practice.

  Although the period given for discussion was shortened, the listening exercise for the discussion document met the spirit and principles of the Cabinet Office guidance in every other respect.

  We have received around 1,000 written responses to the listening exercise from members of the public, community health councils, National Health Service bodies, the voluntary sector and local government. In addition we have also commissioned a research company to conduct some research with people from socially excluded groups about their views on the proposed new structures.

  We made our response available on 16 November—a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Poultry Feed
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of poultry feed(a) deliveries and (b) movement in the United Kingdom was traceable in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000 and (iv) 2001; and if he will make a statement. [17101]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Figures on the traceability of deliveries and movement of animal feed in the form requested are not recorded. However, various European Commission measures on the labelling and composition of animal feed, implemented in the United Kingdom over the last few years, assist with traceability by requiring extensive labelling and for documentary records to be kept. Additionally, the vast majority of animal feed manufacturers in the United Kingdom operate under assurance schemes which cover manufacture, packaging, storage and supply and require records to be kept to permit traceability.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will provide a substantive answer to PQ No. 11888 on scanners in acute hospitals in the north west region. [18369]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent to the right hon. Member on 26 November.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Oldest Legislation
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the 10 oldest pieces of legislation that are in force. [18367]
  830W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The 10 oldest pieces of legislation which were either wholly or partly in force as at 31 December 2000 are as listed.

  1226 (10 Hen. 3) Stat. Doc. [English Laws and Customs]1

  1267 (52 Hen. 3) Stat. Marlb. c.1 Distress

  1267 (52 Hen.3) Stat. Marlb. c.4 [Distress]

  1267 (52 Hen.3) Stat. Marlb. c.15 [Distress]

  1267 (52 Hen.3) Stat. Marlb. c.23 [Waste]

  1275 (3 Edw.1) Stat. Westm. prim. c. 5 [Freedom of Election]

  1275 (3 Edw.1) Stat. Westm. prim. c. 50 [Saving for the Crown]

  1285 (13 Edw.1) Stat. Westm.sec. c. 1 [Estates tail]

  1285 (13 Edw.1) Stat. Westm.sec. c. 46 [Commons]

  1290 (18 Edw.1) Stat. d'ni R. de t'ris, &c c. 1 [Restraint of subinfeudation]

  1 Irish Statute

  Gravesend County Court
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) liquidated and (b) unliquidated default summonses were issued by Gravesend county court in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001. [18428]

  Mr. Wills
  Details concerning the identity of the issuer of a default claim are not collected centrally. Such information is held within the individual court records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many default summonses were issued by Gravesend county court(a) between 1 October 1998 and 31 March 1999, (b) between 1 April and 30 September 1999, (c) between 1 October 1999 and 31 March 2000, (d) between 1 April and 30 September 2000, (e) between 1 October 2000 and 31 March 2001, (f) between 1 April and 30 September 2001 and (g) since 1 October 2001. [18427]

  Mr. Wills
  Figures showing the number of default claims issued at Gravesend county court during the periods specified above are set out in the table.

  Default claims issued in Gravesend county court

  Default claims issued

  1 October 1998 to 31 March 1999

  623

  1 April 1999 to 30 September 1999

  452

  1 October 1999 to 31 March 2000

  414

  1 April 2000 to 30 September 2000

  450

  1 October 2000 to 31 March 2001

  409

  1 April 2001 to 30 September 2001

  437

  1—31 October 2001

  98

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases were dealt with by Gravesend county court in each six month period beginning from January 1999. [18429]

  Mr. Wills
  Figures indicating how many small claims hearings were held at Gravesend county court during the specified periods are provided in the table.
  831W

  Small claims hearings held at Gravesend county court

  Small claims hearings

  January to June 1999

  46

  July to December 1999

  34

  January to June 2000

  33

  July to December 2000

  35

  January to June 2001

  17

  July to October 2001

  21

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the gross costs were of the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the(a) Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2001, (b) Land Registration Bill and (c) Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. [17689]

  Mr. Wills
  These costs are shown in the published regulatory impact assessments which are in the House Libraries.

  Civil Claims
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations she has received on the inability of people to pursue civil claims because of the lack of public funding for the service; and if he will make a statement. [14671]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Neither the Department nor the Legal Services Commission is aware of any case, within the scope of the scheme, where an applicant has passed the statutory tests of means and merits but has been unable to get help because funds are not available.

  Government Information
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions the conclusions of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on a question of disclosure of information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information have not been accepted by the Government in the last 10 years. [16866]

  Mr. Wills
  One.

  Fair Trade
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the value of fairly traded(a) tea and (b) coffee used in his Department in each of the last five years. [17558]

  Mr. Wills
  We do not specify to our catering contractors in contractual terms what supplies must be purchased and contractors are required to provide a service which represents good value for money. We have been able to establish, however, that in the Court Service at least half of the catering contractors supply fairly traded tea and coffee although this is not always branded as such. We are unable to quantify the value.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what fairly traded products, other than tea and coffee, have been purchased by his Department in each of the last five years; and what was their value. [17559]
  832W
  Mr. Wills
  It has not been possible to identify the purchase of any fairly traded products, other than tea or coffee, either directly or indirectly through our third party suppliers, in the last five years. However, in accordance with the policy across Government, we will take every opportunity to encourage the use of Fair Trade products through our procurement activities and in particular during the course of the review of the arrangements for contracted catering services in the Court Service that is planned to take place during the next 12 months.

  Jury Service
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people were(a) called for jury service and (b) served on juries in the most recent year for which figures are available. [17145]

  Mr. Wills
  For the period January to December this year, 579,033 summonses for jury service were issued, to supply around 187,000 potential jurors to the courts. There are no figures available on how many people actually served on juries. However, a recent Home Office research project confirmed that, in a sample of 50,000 people summoned for jury service in June and July 1999, only one-third was available to attend. About one-third of these had their service deferred until a later date. Of the remaining two-thirds, 13 per cent. were ineligible, disqualified or excused as of right, 38 per cent. were excused and 15 per cent. either failed to attend on the day or their summonses were returned as "undelivered".

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what proportion of those named day parliamentary written questions to her Department that received a holding answer between 15 October and 5 November received the substantive answer(a) within three parliamentary days, (b) within seven parliamentary days, (c) within 10 parliamentary days, (d) within 15 parliamentary days and (e) over 15 parliamentary days after the holding answer was issued; [13320]

  (2) how many named day parliamentary written questions were tabled to her Department between 15 October and 5 November; and what proportion of these have received holding answers. [13301]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: According to departmental records, 24 named day written questions were tabled to the Lord Chancellor's Department during the relevant period. Of these, 12 received holding answers. Of the 12 which received holding answers, six received a substantive answer within three parliamentary days, five received a substantive answer within seven parliamentary days and one received a substantive answer within 10 parliamentary days. None received a substantive answer beyond 10 parliamentary days from the holding answer.

  Lay Magistracy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will state the(a) cost in

  833W
  2001–02, (b) objectives and (c) components of the national strategy to raise the profile of the lay magistracy and encourage recruitment from all parts of the community. [15031]

  Mr. Wills
  The proposals for the national strategy are being developed. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor hopes to be able to announce the details of the strategy early next year and it is not anticipated that there will be any costs incurred during 2001–02.

  The objectives of the strategy will include: to raise the profile of the magistracy; to encourage more people to apply to be magistrates, from as wide a cross-section of the community as possible: and also to make employers understand the benefits to them, in terms of transferable skills, of releasing workers to be magistrates.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the public service agreement target for increasing public confidence in the fairness of the criminal justice system. [17063]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government have a comprehensive programme to improve the criminal justice system and thereby promote confidence. It will measure the confidence of the public generally in the following areas: the treatment of victims and witnesses; efficiency; speed and the treatment of defendants. We will also be measuring the confidence of ethnic minorities alone in these areas. Public confidence in the system also depends on the public's understanding of the system. Initiatives are under way to improve understanding and to demystify the system.

  Magistrates (Huntingdon)
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people applied to become magistrates in Huntingdon in each year from 1996; and how many were women. [17478]

  Mr. Wills
  The information sought is provided in the table.

  Breakdown of applications to the Hungtingdonshire bench

  Number

  Year

  Men

  Women

  Total

  1996

  1

  3

  4

  1997

  15

  18

  33

  1998

  5

  2

  7

  1999

  13

  15

  28

  2000

  9

  5

  14

  2001

  1

  7

  8

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Parliamentary Ombudsman
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his responsibilities in respect of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. [17731]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Parliamentary Commission for Administration is an Officer of the House of Commons, appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, and independent of Government. He reports to Parliament.

  As Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, I have responsibility for taking forward the Government's commitment to reform the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the other existing public sector ombudsmen moving towards a new unified and flexible ombudsman body; and for other general issues relating to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  GM Foodstuffs
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of(a) pigmeat, (b) sheepmeat and (c) beef products consumed in the UK was from animals reared on foodstuffs containing genetically modified ingredients in the last 12 months. [8290]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 18 October 2001]: The Government do not keep statistics on meat and meat products consumed in the UK from animals reared on feed containing GM ingredients.

  Compensation paid for animals culled in foot and mouth epidemic

  Total amount paid (£)

  Total number of payments

  Highest payment (£)

  Lowest payment (£)

  Bedfordshire

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Berkshire

  358,516.80

  5

  339,205.00

  176.80

  Buckinghamshire

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Cleveland

  1,265,180.86

  25

  819,630.00

  59.40

  Cambridgeshire

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Cheshire

  3,479,640.04

  64

  397,811.00

  110.00

  Cornwall

  2,355,459.44

  45

  857,377.80

  25.00

  Cumbria

  413,101,243.16

  4,314

  3,612,788.74

  10.00

  Derbyshire

  1,563,537.55

  40

  481,150.00

  120.80

  Devon

  99,721,600.80

  1,309

  3,271,847.50

  9.00

  Dorset

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Durham

  38,622,864.54

  614

  930,044.00

  16.00

  Essex

  1,164,517.88

  23

  491,380.72

  60.00

  Gloucestershire

  18,621,079.14

  505

  728,090.00

  4.71

  Hampshire

  318,460.98

  4

  189,336.00

  88.13

  Isle of Wight

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Hereford and Worcester

  29,467,357.48

  519

  1,193,186.00

  6.00

  Hertfordshire

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Kent

  1,422,856.36

  17

  347,220.00

  1,882.00

  Lancashire

  44,343,985.76

  343

  1,218,555.00

  10.00

  Leicestershire

  981,986.77

  38

  258,124.80

  8.80

  Lincolnshire

  298,858.50

  2

  1—

  1—

  Merseyside

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Greater London

  265,868.80

  6

  93,550.00

  56.00

  Norfolk

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Northamptonshire

  428,455.70

  12

  197,163.00

  350.00

  Tyne and Wear

  704,300.20

  28

  241,467.00

  180.00

  Northumberland

  45,153,557.05

  529

  1,337,600.00

  35.00

  Nottinghamshire

  312,483.00

  10

  115,095.00

  150.00

  Oxfordshire

  79,651.36

  4

  46,101.50

  135.00

  Avon

  2,309,301.98

  32

  592,670.00

  27.00

  Shropshire

  10,667,962.15

  174

  748,201.60

  11.98

  Somerset

  4,143,804.89

  87

  645,435.00

  31.50

  Stafford

  7,459,392.92

  190

  783,310.00

  35.00

  Suffolk

  207,840.50

  3

  157,574.50

  14,965.00

  Scilly Isles

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Surrey

  156,602.30

  6

  81,038.00

  9.80

  East Sussex

  137,770.00

  3

  64,225.00

  27,570.00

  West Sussex

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Warwickshire

  1,184,781.31

  21

  695,571.00

  81.00

  Greater Manchester

  12,555.50

  2

  1—

  1—

  Wiltshire

  333,946.83

  26

  138,086.47

  56.16

  West Midlands

  234,076.50

  5

  148,445.00

  130.00

  South Yorkshire

  18,124.00

  2

  1—

  1—

  West Yorkshire

  3,754,328.57

  33

  738,685.00

  764.00

  North Yorkshire

  123,412,102.97

  1,053

  2,190,020.00

  23.00

  Humberside

  568,286.00

  3

  235,285.00

  109,901.00

  Powys

  35,819,601.03

  555

  1,329,950.00

  40.00

  West Wales

  380,071.45

  12

  74,258.00

  2,672.00

  North Wales

  7,107,675.17

  302

  645,347.40

  105.00

  South Glamorgan

  253,529.40

  3

  248,268.84

  210.56

  Foot and Mouth
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list by county(a) the total amount, (b) the number of individual payments and (c) the highest and lowest payments made to farmers in respect of foot and mouth disease. [7653]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 15 October 2001]: The figures requested are shown in the table. The information on the counties relates to the address to which compensation has been paid; it may not be the address of the premises where the stock was culled.
  837W

  Compensation paid for animals culled in foot and mouth epidemic

  Total amount paid (£)

  Total number of payments

  Highest payment (£)

  Lowest payment (£)

  Mid Glamorgan

  776,961.50

  31

  221,770.00

  15.00

  West Glamorgan

  963,177.00

  7

  318,739.00

  9,380.00

  Gwent

  10,737,131.53

  178

  705,029.75

  50.00

  Aberdeenshire

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Angus

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Argyll

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Ayrshire

  647,526.36

  19

  234,885.00

  550.00

  Banffshire

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Berkwickshire

  3,895,104.42

  50

  1,045,017.00

  90.00

  Arran/Bute

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Caithness

  2,696.00

  2

  1—

  1—

  Clackmannan

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Dumfries

  94,444,874.28

  1,045

  4,677,100.00

  22.00

  Dunbarton

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  East Lothian

  37,158.00

  2

  1—

  1—

  Dundee and Fife

  1,340.40

  2

  1—

  1—

  Inverness

  29,889.00

  3

  17,027.00

  1,946.00

  Kincardineshire

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Kinross

  28,217.00

  2

  1—

  1—

  Galloway

  32,990,979.13

  335

  1,306,280.00

  72.00

  Lanarkshire

  783,007.96

  10

  283,600.00

  1,860.96

  Mid Lothian

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Moray

  5,268.00

  2

  1—

  1—

  Nairn

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Orkney

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Peebles

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Perth

  1—

  1

  1—

  1—

  Renfrewshire

  21,954.00

  2

  1—

  1—

  Western isles

  163,237.00

  4

  133,604.00

  150.00

  Roxburghshire

  15,181,075.21

  130

  3,235,910.00

  75.00

  Selkirkshire

  643,001.65

  8

  229,860.00

  2,115.00

  Shetland

  0.00

  0

  0.00

  0.00

  Stirlingshire

  177,577.00

  3

  96,777.00

  13,730.00

  Sutherland

  570,867.00

  5

  440,590.00

  25.00

  West Lothian

  40,765.69

  3

  26,075.00

  1,685.69

  Wigtownshire

  28,859,555.75

  236

  2,893,270.00

  28.00

  1 Payment details have been omitted where the number of payments is so small that they could lead to the identification of individual payments

  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in how many infected premises in Powys in the foot and mouth outbreak samples from animals diagnosed as having foot and mouth disease were taken and tested in a laboratory for foot and mouth disease virus or antibodies; how many of those samples proved positive; and, where samples were not taken, what were the reasons for samples not being collected. [12759]

  Mr. Morley
  There have been 70 foot and mouth (FMD) infected premises recorded in Powys. Of the 63 premises where samples were taken for laboratory testing, 44 were considered positive for FMD. In the early stages of the outbreak laboratory resources were limited. In cases where clear clinical signs of MID were observed and where disease had already been confirmed in the locality, it is possible that samples were not requested.

  Note: A negative laboratory result does not mean that infection was absent. Each case is confirmed on the basis of a clinical diagnosis of FMD by the vet on farm, supported by convincing clinical evidence.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many compensation payments in the foot and mouth epidemic were(a) over £1 million, (b) between £500,000 and £1 million, (c) between £250,000 and £500,000 and (d) between £100,000 and £250,000. [15583]
  838W
  Mr. Morley
  As of 20 November, the following payments have been made:

  (a) 41 payments over £1 million;

  (b) 278 payments between £500,000 and £1 million;

  (c) 832 payments between £250,000 and £500,000; and

  (d) 1,633 payments between £100,000 and £250,000.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of fraudulent claims have been proven against farmers during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [15366]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: So far as claims made to the Department are concerned, a number are under investigation but none has so far been proven.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list by county the number of cases of resistance by farmers to culling during the foot and mouth outbreak which led directly to a spread of the virus among livestock. [15036]

  Mr. Morley
  This information is not available. What is clear is that in some cases the disputes led to delays which in turn may have led to further spread of the disease. I refer to the comments made by my right hon.
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  Friend the Secretary of State during the Second Reading debate on the Animal Health Bill on 12 November 2001, Official Report, columns 577–78.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the findings on the source of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom. [16717]

  Mr. Morley
  A report by the Chief Veterinary Officer will be published. This will be submitted to the independent inquiry, headed by Dr. Anderson, which is looking into the 'lessons to be learned' aspect of the outbreak. It will then be considered as part of the inquiry's overall work. The recommendations of the inquiry are expected to be published during summer 2002.

  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress her Department has made with the disposal of carcases infected with foot and mouth disease. [18021]

  Mr. Morley
  There have been no outbreaks of foot and mouth disease since 30 September so there have been no infected carcases since then for disposal.

  Freedom of Information Act
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date her Department established a working group of officials to prepare her Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up. [14771]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Wills) on 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 366W.

  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has established a working group to prepare for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. So far the group has met three times, on 21 August 2001, 2 October 2001 and 13 November 2001.

  Low Emission Fuels
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last met representatives of the distribution industry to discuss the use of low emission fuels. [15524]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: My colleagues the Secretaries of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and for Trade and Industry, as well as their respective Ministers, are in regular contact with representatives of the oil and motor industries to discuss the production, distribution and promotion of low emission fuels. My Department also has a keen interest in this area, because of the environmental benefits that cleaner fuels can offer. My ministerial colleagues and I are always prepared, in principle, to meet with representatives from relevant industries to discuss ways of reducing harmful emissions.

  Landfill Directive
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her plans for meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive; and if she will make a statement [15497]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: Consultation on a set of draft regulations to implement the technical and regulatory requirements of the Landfill Directive in England and Wales closed on 26 October 2001. The Government will be laying regulations before Parliament shortly.

  We have also consulted on a tradeable landfill permit scheme to implement the targets in Article 5 of the directive for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill and will bring forward primary legislation to introduce such a scheme as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Belfast City Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet representatives of Belfast city council to discuss sustainable development and procurement policies. [15527]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: Government procurement has considerable potential to support sustainable development goals. A high level cross-Government group is being set up to consider how to generate greater action across Government and make recommendations to Ministers. Progress by Belfast city council, and others in the private and public sector in utilising procurement to support sustainable development goals will no doubt be of interest to this group.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of Belfast city council's procurement and recycling policy. [16748]

  Mr. Meacher
  None. This is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she has met Green Ministers from other Government Departments since May. [15517]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, in his role as chairman of ENV(G)—the ministerial sub-committee of Green Ministers—has met Green Ministers from other Departments once since May. The first meeting of ENV(G) took place on 25 October 2001. I have not met Ministers from other Departments specifically in their capacity as Green Ministers.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) plans and (b) targets she has agreed with Green Ministers for each of the next three years. [15518]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: The Green Ministers' work programme was set out in "Greening Government: the second annual report of

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  the Green Ministers Committee" published in November 2000. This report included a target for all Departments to contribute towards the Government estate target of a 1 per cent. per annum on-going reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

  Since publication of the report, Green Ministers have agreed cross-government targets for water usage and renewable energy as follows:

  For offices in metered buildings where the Department is sole occupier or is billed the water services charges; all Departments should achieve a maximum level of water consumption equivalent to 11 cubic metres per person (fulltime equivalent staff) by 31 March 2002, and a further 30 per cent. reduction over the next two years, achieving a level of 7.7 cubic metres by 31 March 2004.

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

  Further plans for Green Ministers are set out in the third annual report on greening government published today.

  Swine Fever
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what standard operating procedures and contingency plans have been established by her Department based upon the experiences of the outbreak of swine fever in 2000. [15369]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: The amendment of operational instructions and contingency plans following the outbreak of swine fever in 2000 was interrupted by the outbreak of FMD in 2001. The action following both outbreaks will now be carried forward in parallel.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her Department's contingency plan for combating future outbreaks of(a) foot and mouth disease and (b) swine fever. [16037]

  Mr. Morley
  The EU agreed foot and mouth contingency plan (updated in July 2000) was placed in the Library of the House in May 2001. It has also been published on the DEFRA website at: http://defraweb/ animalh/diseases/controlkontingency/index.htm.

  A copy of the classical swine fever contingency plan (most recently updated in September 2001) has also been placed in the Library of the House. The swine fever contingency plan has not been published on the website but it is very similar to the foot and mouth disease plan. We will publish it on the newly developed "Disease surveillance and Control" area of the DEFRA website soon.

  British Beef
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her French counterpart on the imposition of a ban on the import of British beef into France during November; if she intends to raise the matter at the forthcoming Council of European Ministers meeting; and if she will make a statement. [16033]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK is not directly affected by action taken by the French trade in respect of beef imports from other member states, since France still refuses to accept imports of British beef under the Date Based Export Scheme. The matter is now before the European Court of Justice, which is expected to rule on it shortly. At the meeting of the Agriculture Council on 20 November the European Commission reported that it was examining the compatibility with EU law of the action by the French trade.

  BSE
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she has set to remove the backlog of cattle due for slaughter under the over-30-month-scheme. [16393]

  Mr. Morley
  Waiting times for over-30-month scheme abattoirs vary across the country. Some are shorter than at this time in previous years. Now that the OTMS abattoirs are fully operational again farmers should not have to wait more than two to four weeks. At present no special measures are required. The Rural Payments Agency will continue to monitor waiting times and optimise slaughter capacity.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidences of BSE there have been in the last 12 months in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) Germany. [16718]

  Mr. Morley
  In the last 12 months there have been 1,138 cases of BSE in the United Kingdom, 145 in France and 129 in Germany. The figures for France and Germany are based on reports by the Commission. All the figures cover the period between 31 October 2000 and 31 October 2001.

  Flood Defences
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for flood protection in the Newark area. [16259]

  Mr. Morley
  Operational responsibility for flood alleviation measures rests with the local operating authorities, namely the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards and local councils. DEFRA provides grant for flood defence capital works, and associated studies, which meet essential technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score.

  I understand that the Environment Agency is considering the feasibility of capital works in the Brewers Wharf area of Newark, but has yet to make plans for the timing of any such works. The Agency will be developing a strategy for the River Trent within the next 12 to 18 months. The completed strategy will inform the

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  agency's plans for flood management between Stoke on Trent and Newark. A similar strategy will be prepared for the tidal reach of the river in due course.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of flood defence preparations for those properties most at risk in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [17278]

  Mr. Morley
  Flood defence is a fully devolved function and my Department has policy responsibility only for England.

  Defences that were damaged in last year's floods have been repaired and reinstated so that communities are now at least as well defended as, and often better than, they were before the flooding. Work on long-term improvement to flood defences is under way using the increased funding that DEFRA has made available to the flood and coastal defence operating authorities, including provision for accelerating river flood defence works. Tried and tested arrangements remain in place for responding to flooding emergencies. The effectiveness of these arrangements were demonstrated by the response to last year's flooding which were underpinned by emergency exercises carried out in previous months, the requirement for which was contained in this Department's high level targets for flood and coastal defence.

  My Department has commissioned independent research on those assets at risk from flooding and coastal erosion. The outcome was included in a report on "National assessment of assets at risk from Flooding and Coastal Erosion" in September. One output was a set of maps showing current flood defence standards. This report will inform the assessment by operating authorities of local flood risk.

  Another of our high level targets requires operating authorities to carry out inspections of flood and coastal defences; the Environment Agency is required to collect these assessments into a national report which assesses flood risk. I will publish this report when complete.

  My Department, in partnership with the Environment Agency, is establishing a national flood and coastal defence database which will contain information on defences and assets at risk of flooding and coastal erosion. The database will start to become operational in spring 2002 but full operability depends on completion of information gathering, validation and electronic recording for the vast number of flood and coastal defences.

  Energy Efficiency (Government Departments)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans there are to improve the energy efficiency of Government Departments. [16745]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am replying as the Department has overall responsibility for reporting on the energy efficiency of the Government estate.

  At the end of our 10-year campaign to improve energy consumption by 20 per cent., last year we set a target of reducing our CO2 emissions by 1 per cent. against 1999–2000 levels. We will report on our first year's performance against this next year. We are also developing new realistic but challenging targets for
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  reducing our energy consumption. These will be based on an assessment of the estate's performance against national standards, which will be available next year.

  I expect to make an announcement about the estate's energy efficiency performance over the past decade shortly.

  HFCs (Government Buildings)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money has been spent on HFC driven machinery in Government buildings in each of the last three years. [16739]

  Mr. Morley
  No central record is kept of plant and equipment installed in the Department. The Department is, though, well aware that in October 2000 regulations came into force which confirmed the total ban on the use of CFCs (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) and introduced a ban on HCFCs (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons) in new equipment from 1 January 2001. New mediums have been introduced including HFCs (Hydro Fluoro Carbons). We modify our plant to accept this new medium when major maintenance work is undertaken or at other appropriate points in their life cycles. Our facility manager and design consultants are well aware of the regulations and specify new equipment accordingly.

  Combined Heat and Power Strategy
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the consultation on the combined heat and power strategy will be completed; and when the final combined heat and power strategy will be(a) published and (b) implemented; and if she will make a statement. [16790]

  Mr. Meacher
  We will be issuing a draft Government strategy for consultation around the turn of the year. The statutory consultation will run for the full 12-week period with the final CHP strategy document to be published soon after that. A timetable for implementation of the key measures will be set out in the strategy subject to consultation.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government plans to encourage the use of combined heat and power. [16738]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department is developing, in close collaboration with DTI and other Departments, a draft CHP strategy, which will set out the measures needed to achieve the CHP target of at least 10,000 mega watts of Good Quality CHP by 2010. We aim to issue the strategy for consultation around the turn of the year.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many letters she has received in 2001 on animal welfare from residents of the Buckingham constituency. [16907]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no statistics available on the amount of letters received by the Secretary of State from members of the public on a constituency basis. However, this Department has received 26 letters about animal welfare from residents of Buckinghamshire.

  Farm Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to visit the Buckingham constituency to meet farmers. [16901]

  Margaret Beckett
  I have no immediate plans to visit the hon. Member's constituency.

  Meat Imports
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the amount of illegal meat imports which entered the UK in each of the last three years. [16948]

  Mr. Morley
  We have no reliable estimate of the amount of meat illegally imported into the UK.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the tonnage of meat that was imported into the UK(a) legally and (b) illegally in each of the last three years. [16889]

  Mr. Morley
  The table sets out the tonnage of all meat legally imported into the UK in the last three years for which figures are available. We have no reliable estimate of the amount of meat illegally imported.

  UK imports of meat and meat products (1999–20001)

  Year

  Tonnes

  1999

  1,298,457

  2000

  1,444,371

  20011

  976,771

  1 EU data: January to August, Non-EU data: January to September

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise

  Agricultural Wages Board
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to reform the agricultural wages board. [16836]

  Mr. Morley
  Following a quinquennial review of the board's operation, the Government announced on 20 September 2000 their intention to keep the Agricultural Wages Board for a further five years. The announcement also confirmed that the Government would be considering detailed changes to modernise aspects of the board's operation.

  Consideration is now being given to the use of a Regulatory Reform Order to streamline and modernise the regulatory framework under which the board operates. An essential part of this process is extensive consultation with interested parties. As a first step my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Lord Whitty, will be meeting the chairman of the board and the leaders of the two sides.

  Hunting
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which areas of England and Wales can resume hunting and at what date; what precautions they must take; and what the timetable is for resumption of hunting in all other areas. [R] [16758]
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  Alun Michael
  [holding answer 21 November 2001]: Hunting (except the hunting of deer) will be able to resume in foot and mouth disease free counties of England and Wales from 17 December under a temporary system of permits issued by DEFRA local animal health offices. I published details of the system and the Veterinary Risk Assessment on 15 November and placed copies in the House of Commons Library. The list of foot and mouth disease free counties is updated weekly and can be viewed on the Department's website http://www.defra.gov.uk/. The Veterinary Risk Assessment is that hunting should be permissible in other areas once those areas also achieve foot and mouth disease free status.

  Restrictions on hunting arise from the need to prevent further outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, which remains a central concern of the Government. We also want to enable the countryside to return to normal as quickly as possible. To keep the balance right we are allowing hunting to resume to the extent that is consistent with the Veterinary Risk Assessment and with conditions that reflect the assessment.

  The precautions to be taken when different forms of hunting resume are outlined in proposed permit conditions, which have been placed in the Library of the House and are also available on the DEFRA website. I have invited interested parties to let us have any comments on the proposed permit conditions by 7 December. I have already met representative groups to explain the background and to discuss the arrangements.

  Household Waste (Needles)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department issues to(a) local authorities and (b) other parties on the disposal of household waste including needles used by diabetics in landfill sites; and if she will make a statement. [17461]

  Mr. Meacher
  Where people regularly self-inject at home, used syringes should not be disposed of in the domestic waste. Disposal arrangements should be made with local hospitals, health centres, clinics, local authorities or pharmacists. Syringes disposed of via these routes will be incinerated rather than sent to landfill. Guidance on the safe disposal of clinical waste has been issued by the Health and Safety Commission. The Environment Agency has issued supplementary guidance on managing waste from healthcare activities.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the potential hazards to refuse collectors posed by the inclusion of needles used by diabetics in household refuse; and if she will make a statement. [17457]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has made no such assessment. Where people regularly self-inject at home, used syringes should not be disposed of in the domestic waste. Disposal arrangements for used syringes can be made with local hospitals, health centres, clinics, local authorities or pharmacists. Syringes disposed of via these routes will be incinerated rather than sent to landfill. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Human Health Regulations 1999, employers are required to assess
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  and adequately control the risks to employees from clinical waste. Guidance on good practice is contained in the HSE publication "Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste".

  Regulatory Impact Assessment Costs
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the gross costs were (1) of the regulatory impact assessment for(a) the Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls Order 2001, (b) the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000, (c) the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2000, (d) the Rendering (Fluid Treatment) (England) Order 2001, (e) the BSE Monitoring (England) Regulations 2001, (f) the Medicines (Products for Animal Use-Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and (g) the Animal By-Products (Amendment) (England) Order 2001; [17694]

  (2) of the regulatory impact assessment for (a) the Air Quality Limits Values Regulations 2001, (b) the Fishing Vessels (Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels) Regulations 2001, (c) the Climate Change Agreements (Eligible Facilities) Regulations 2001 and (d) the Biocidal Products Regulations 2001; [17692]

  (3) of the regulatory impact assessment for (a) the Pet Travel Scheme (Pilot Arrangements) (England) (Amendment) Order 2001, (b) the Pig Industry Development Scheme 2000 (confirmation) Order 2001, (c) the Sea Fish (Specified Sea Area) (Regulation of Nets and Other Fishing Gear) Order 2001 and (d) the Home-Grown Cereals Authority Levy (Variation) Scheme (Approval) Order 2001. [17693]

  Mr. Morley
  These costs are shown in the published regulatory impact assessments which are in the House Libraries.

  Livestock Markets
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when livestock markets will reopen for the sale of(a) sheep and (b) cattle; and if she will make a statement. [17711]

  Mr. Morley
  Livestock markets in Scotland have reopened subject to strict conditions. The decision to reopen livestock markets for either sheep or cattle in England or Wales will be taken in the light of veterinary and scientific advice on progress towards eradicating the foot and mouth disease. It is hoped that it may be possible to open some markets in the early part of next year.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many weeks after the last confirmed case of foot and mouth disease will livestock markets be reopened for the sale of(a) sheep and (b) cattle. [17572]

  Mr. Morley
  The decision to reopen livestock markets for sheep or cattle will be made in the light of scientific and veterinary advice on progress with eradication of foot and mouth disease. It is not possible to state a precise period which will need to elapse after the last case.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans she has made for permanently closing livestock markets and compensating their owners. [17571]
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  Mr. Morley
  There are no plans to close livestock markets permanently.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what notice period will be given for the re-opening of livestock markets for the sale of(a) sheep and (b) cattle. [17573]

  Mr. Morley
  In reaching a decision on the re-opening of livestock markets, account will be taken of the need to give farmers, auctioneers and other interested parties as much notice as possible.

  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the restrictions and regulations that will be in force on livestock markets when they re-open which were not in force prior to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [17574]

  Mr. Morley
  When livestock markets reopen strict biosecurity provisions will be laid down which individual markets will have to meet before they will be permitted to operate. These matters are under active discussion between the Department and representatives of the interested parties.

  Animal Movements
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions her Department has kept in force in the movement under licence into Northumberland from Scotland of cattle not intended for slaughter; and what the reason is for these restrictions. [17228]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 November 2001]: With effect from 20 November 2001, Northumberland has been reclassified for the purposes of foot and mouth disease controls from 'High Risk' to 'At Risk'. This means that under the Animal Movements Licensing Scheme cattle may move into Northumberland from TMD Free' counties under a licence issued by a local authority subject to prior veterinary inspection. All counties in Scotland are designated as TMD Free'. The licence system is in place to minimise the risk of spreading FMD.

  Farming Sub-tenants
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will take steps for protect security of tenure of farming sub-tenants following the case of Barratt v. Morgan; [16864]

  (2) if she will introduce regulations to protect from eviction farming sub-tenants affected by the action of collective landlords and tenants following the case of Barrett v. Morgan. [16865]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 November 2001]: Following the House of Lords judgment in the Barrett v. Morgan case the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food consulted on whether the Lord Chancellor should be invited to use the powers available under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 to make regulations to protect the position of sub-tenants. The general consensus among the organisations consulted was that the Barrett v. Morgan judgment does not significantly further weaken the position of sub-tenants.
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  In the light of the responses received we decided not to ask the Lord Chancellor to make regulations.

  If, following the Barrett v. Morgan ruling, it becomes apparent that collusion between landlords and tenants poses a serious threat to a significant number of sub-tenants we will review the decision not to regulate further.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those public bodies (1) which are the responsibility of her Department and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000; [17586]

  (2) to which her Department appoints members and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000. [17585]

  Mr. Morley
  Public Bodies 2000 sets out information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), certain public corporations (including nationalised industries) and NHS bodies. There are four types of NDPB: executive NDPBs; advisory NDPBs; tribunal NDPBs; and boards of visitors to penal establishments. The next edition will be published around the end of the year. Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by the Cabinet Office and this publication may be accessed via the Cabinet Office's website http://www.official-documents.co.uk/document/caboff/pb00/pb00.htm.

  Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have also been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on the Cabinet Office's website.

  Public bodies now the responsibility of my Department, which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000 are as follows:

  Public Corporations
  British Waterways Board

  Executive NDPBs

  Countryside Agency

  English Nature

  Environment Agency

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee

  National Forest Company

  Advisory NDPBs

  Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment

  Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment

  Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances

  Advisory Committee on Packaging

  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment

  Airborne Particles Expert Group

  Committee on Products and Processes for Use in Public Water Supply

  Darwin Advisory Committee

  Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies

  Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards

  Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB

  Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council

  National Expert Group on Transboundary Air Pollution

  Pesticide Residues Committee

  Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee

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  Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

  Sustainable Development Commission

  Sustainable Development Education Panel

  Veterinary Residues Committee

  Water Regulations Advisory Committee

  Zoos Forum

  Tribunal NDPBs

  Commons Commissioners.

  Local Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those local bodies which were set up under legislation which is the responsibility of her Department and its predecessors since May 1997. [17587]

  Mr. Morley
  No such local bodies have been set up since May 1997 tinder legislation which is the responsibility of my Department or its predecessors.

  Veterinary Medicines
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Veterinary Medicines Directorate intends to publish the minutes of the Advisory Group on Veterinary Residues (1995 to 2000). [16695]

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the minutes of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's Advisory Group on Veterinary Medicines will be available under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [17099]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has received representations about publishing the minutes of the Advisory Group on Veterinary Residues. Some of the deliberations of the Advisory Group involved consideration of confidential matters. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is considering how the minutes might be released while maintaining confidentiality.

  Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd.
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a decision on the application from Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd. to increase the level of radioactive waste the company is permitted to discharge. [17336]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, in England and Wales, the Environment Agency has the responsibility for considering applications to dispose of radioactive waste. The Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Health have certain powers under the Act to decide applications themselves or to give directions to the agency. The Secretaries of State have received requests to use their statutory powers in relation to the application by Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd. These requests are currently under consideration and a decision will be reached as soon as possible.
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  The Environment Agency has published its proposed decision on the application. This will not, however, be implemented before the Secretaries of State have decided whether to intervene.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to WPQ numbers(a) 12430 and (b) 12431. [17828]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to him on 19 November 2001,Official Report, columns 66–67W.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the action the Government are taking on bovine TB with special reference to the dairy herds in Herefordshire. [18080]

  Mr. Morley
  TB testing has resumed in those counties in England that have foot and mouth disease free status and where resource can be released from foot and mouth disease work. It has restarted in Herefordshire and is being prioritised based on veterinary risk assessment. Extra staff have been allocated to the work but it will take time to clear the backlog and get back to normal patterns of TB testing.

  So far testing has not revealed any unusual incidence in the number of TB breakdowns in dairy herds in Herefordshire. However it must be borne in mind that during the last nine months reactors have only been revealed where tests have been carried out as a result of slaughterhouse cases or where LVI practices have managed to do some of the backlog of high priority testing.

  Pesticide Residues
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many 250 g samples of withdrawal diet were obtained from the feeding system for poultry by category in the United Kingdom in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000 and (v) 2001; and what proportion was contaminated. [17100]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Poultry feed is sampled as part of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's (VMD's) Statutory National Surveillance Scheme, in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 96/23. Samples of feed are tested for banned hormones β agonists and Annexe IV substances, which includes dimetridazole. Sampling is not restricted to withdrawal diet.

  The results show that in 1998, 11.3 per cent.; in 1999, 0.4 per cent. and 2000, 2.6 per cent. of poultry feed samples contained residues of dimetridazole. Sampling so far in 2001 has found no residues of dimetridazole.

  The results for 1998–2000 were fully reported in the relevant Annual Report on Surveillance for Veterinary Medicine Residues. Results for 2001 are reported in the VMD's MAVIS publication, which is regularly updated on the VMD website.
  852W
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) of 29 October 2001,Official Report, columns 543–44W, if she will list the level and type of pesticides that tested above levels deemed safe for human consumption in (a) 1998, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001 to date. [17301]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Full details of all the samples containing residues above the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) and those where a consumer risk assessment indicated that intakes for certain consumer groups could exceed acceptable intakes are contained in the following reports:

  1998: Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR) Annual Report: PB 4546A and B.

  1999: Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR) Annual Report: PB 5181 A and B.

  2000: Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) Annual Report.

  2001: the results for the first quarter were published in August this year. They are available on the PRC website, at www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/PRC/prc.htm. The WPPR and PRC reports are also available on this website and copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

  An MRL is not a consumer safety level as such. It is based on residue levels which result from the approved use of a pesticide (i.e. Good Agricultural Practice; GAP) and are set at a level which is as low as possible while accommodating the GAP. However, MRLs are always set on the basis of consumer risk assessments. MRLs are never higher and are generally much lower than the maximum residue concentration considered to be acceptable.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) of 29 October 2001,Official Report, columns 543–44W, what proportion of (a) vegetables, (b) fruit, (c) cereal products and (d) meat products available for consumption in the United Kingdom was sampled for pesticide residues in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000 and (iv) 2001 to date. [17300]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Details of the samples analysed under the Pesticide Residues Committee surveillance programme are contained in the following reports:
  1998: Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR) Annual Report: PB 4546A and B.
  1999: Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR) Annual Report: PB 5181 A and B.
  2000 Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) Annual Report.
  2001: the results for the first quarter were published in August this year.

  They are available on the PRC website, at www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/PRC/prc.htm. The WPPR and PRC reports are also available on this website and copies are being placed in the Library of the House. It is not possible to relate the samples collected to the proportion of UK foodstuffs consumed since the size of the consignment to which the test result relates is not recorded.
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  The safety of any pesticide residue in a foodstuff depends not only on its concentration in that foodstuff but also on the consumption of that food by different groups of consumers. Potential intakes of the same residues from other foodstuffs also have to be taken into account. Consumer risk assessments are conducted in relation to all samples tested where a residue is found exceeding the relevant MRL.

  Full details of all samples containing residues above the MRL and those where a consumer risk assessment indicated that intakes for certain consumer groups could exceed acceptable levels are contained in the annual report of the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) for 2000, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, and in the first PRC quarterly report for the year 2001. Copies of these reports are available on the PRC website at www.pesticides.gov.uk/cornmittees/PRC/prc.htm.

  It is not possible to express these findings as a proportion of UK foodstuffs consumed since the size of the consignment to which the test samples relate is not recorded.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth), on 29 October 2001,Official Report, columns 543–44W, what proportion of (a) vegetables, (b) fruit, (c) cereal product and (d) meat products available for consumption in the United Kingdom were found to contain pesticide residues above a level deemed safe for human consumption in the last 12 months. [17229]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Controls on pesticide residues in food are based on a system of statutory maximum residue levels (MRLs). MRLs are set for particular pesticide active ingredients on particular foodstuffs. MRLs are not safety levels but are established on the basis of the approved use of the active substance. They are generally set at levels lower than is necessary for safety purposes to ensure that only the minimum necessary pesticide dose is applied.

  The safety of any pesticide residue in a foodstuff depends not only on its concentration in that foodstuff but also on the consumption of that food by different groups of consumers. Potential intakes of the same residues from other foodstuffs also have to be taken into account. Consumer risk assessments are conducted in relation to all samples tested where a residue is found exceeding the relevant MRL.

  Full details of all samples containing residues above the MRL and those where a consumer risk assessment indicated that intakes for certain consumer groups could exceed acceptable levels are contained in the annual report of the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) for 2000, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, and in the first PRC quarterly report for the year 2001. Copies of these reports are available on the PRC website at www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/PRC/prc.htm.
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  It is not possible to express these findings as a proportion of UK foodstuffs consumed since the size of the consignment to which the test samples relate is not recorded.

  Poultry (Medicinal Residues)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of poultry in the United Kingdom were slaughtered before the end of the medication withdrawal period for(a) nicarbazin, (b) lasalocid and (c) dimetridazole in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000, (iv) 2001 and (v) November and December of (i), (ii) and (iii). [16972]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: DEFRA do not collect these statistics.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the permitted concentrations of(a) nicarbazin, (b) lasalocid and (c) dimetridazole residues in poultry are which were deemed safe for human consumption in the United Kingdom (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000 and (iv) 2001; [16973]

  (2) how many poultry samples by category were and what proportion of slaughtered poultry was found to contain residues of (a) nicarbazin, (b) lasalocid and (c) dimetridazole above the level deemed suitable for human consumption in the United Kingdom in (i) 1998, (i) 1999, (iii) 2000 and (iv) 2001. [16974]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for nicarbazin of 0–400. µg/kg of body weight—24,000 µg for a person weighing 60 kg. This represents the amount of nicarbazin that could be consumed every day over a lifetime without harm to human health. A single exposure over this amount would be unlikely to be harmful.

  Lasalocid has an ADI of 10 µg/kg of body weight, 600 µg for a person weighing 60 kg. Again, a single exposure over this amount would be unlikely to be harmful.

  Dimetridazole is not permitted for use in food producing animals. The advice of toxicologists is that it is not possible to identify a "safe" residue concentration.

  Poultry are sampled as part of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's (VMD's) Statutory National Surveillance Scheme, in accordance with the requirements of EC Directive 96/23. The sample numbers tested for nicarbazin, lasalocid and dimetridazole over the period are given in the table.

  No samples of poultry have been found to contain residues of dimetridazole in the period. Residues of nicarbazin and lasalocid have been found in samples of UK poultry, but toxicologists' advice has confirmed that none posed a risk to consumer safety. The presence of nicarbazin in poultry products is a food contaminant issue, rather than a food safety issue.

  The results for 1998–2000 were fully reported in the relevant Annual Report on Surveillance for Veterinary Medicine Residues.
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  Number of samples of different types of poultry tested for residues of veterinary medicines

  Residue/poultry sampled

  1998

  1999

  2000

  20011

  Nicarbazin

  Broiler liver

  229

  192

  186

  210

  Hen liver

  23

  23

  19

  20

  Turkey liver

  59

  55

  55

  40

  Duck liver

  11

  11

  11

  5

  Lasalocid

  Broiler liver

  236

  176

  197

  210

  Hen liver

  26

  24

  21

  20

  Turkey liver

  58

  52

  50

  40

  Duck liver

  13

  13

  12

  5

  Dimetridazole

  Broiler liver

  706

  1,315

  1,082

  1,233

  Hen liver

  39

  70

  50

  56

  Turkey liver

  155

  265

  205

  234

  Duck liver

  16

  32

  26

  55

  1 The 2001 figures are the number of samples that are planned to have been collected by the end of the year's programme

  Poultry (Finisher Feed)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of poultry was slaughtered in the United Kingdom before the withdrawal period for finisher feed was completed in November and December of(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [17103]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: DEFRA do not collect these statistics.

  Ovine TSE
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much funding was set aside to test for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in sheep in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; [16970]

  (2) what proportion of funding for testing for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in sheep for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02 related to scrapie. [16971]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answers 23 November 2001]: The cost of surveillance of TSEs, including scrapie, in sheep is as follows: (i) 1999–2000 £442,000; (ii) 2000–01 £205,000; and (iii) 2001–02 £212,000. Costs for 2001–02 are estimates only.

  In the new year the Department will be launching an abattoir survey to test for TSEs, including scrapie, some 23,000 sheep aged over 18 months. This part of an EU-wide programme designed to give information on the incidence of scrapie and other TSEs in the European Union. The total cost will be around £5 million.

  Ovine BSE
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 16 November 2001,Official Report, column 972W, what was (a) the number of scrapie-resistant sheep that were infected with BSE over the last 12 months, (b) the proportion of sheep deemed necessary for infectivity
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  of BSE in sheep to be confirmed and (c) the proportion of sheep that have tested positive for TSEs in the last 12 months. [17303]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The information is as follows:

  (a) Because of the long incubation period of TSEs, experiments in progress pan more than one year. There are four experiments in progress in which sheep of genotypes fully resistant to scrapie (ARR/ARR) have been challenged with BSE. 60 sheep of this genotype are being used in these experiments, along with sheep of different genotypes which are partially or fully susceptible to scrapie.

  (b) As the true prevalence of scrapie in sheep in the UK is unknown, various assumptions have been made to calculate how many sheep would need to be tested to determine whether BSE was present. On the assumption that the true number of scrapie cases per year is 5,000 and that 0.1 per cent. of the scrapie suspects might be BSE, the SEAC subgroup which examined surveillance requirements, and whose report was published in April 1999, estimated that 2,253 scrapie suspects would need to be tested to be certain of detecting at least one case of BSE.

  (c) Between November 2000 and end of September 2001, 465 sheep scrapie suspects have bene tested at VLA. 284 were found to be positive for scrapie.

  Correspondence Unit
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of staff work in the correspondence unit of her Department; and if she will make a statement. [17723]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Department's correspondence section is currently comprised of nine permanent staff and 10 temporary staff. The size of the section has increased substantially in recent months to deal with the sheer volume of letters received during the foot and mouth disease outbreak and since the creation of DEFRA.

  Scrapie
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 16 November 2001,Official Report, column 972W, how many representations she has received (a) from stakeholders on the Animal Health Bill between its publication and 20 November and (b) on the Government's National Scrapie Plan between July 2000 and 20 November 2001. [17302]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Department had received approximately 10 written representations relating to the Animal Health Bill from stakeholders as at 20 November. This figure includes correspondence from both private individuals and organisations, and correspondence from MPs.

  In addition I have held a number of meetings with stakeholders to discuss the Bill.

  One hundred submissions were received from stakeholders in response to the original proposals on the National Scrapie Plan (NSP) published for consultation between 28 July and 31 October 2000. Thirty-one submissions were received in response to proposals to extend the NSP (and on issues relating to scrapie reporting) published for consultation between 9 October and 1 November 2001.

  Agricultural Regulatory Licensing System
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to bring forward legislation(a) introducing a regulatory system of licensing for farmers wishing to grow crops or raise animals and (b) making it compulsory for farmers to purchase insurance against agricultural disaster such as disease; and if she will make a statement. [18206]

  Mr. Morley
  I have no such plans at this point but both these ideas are among the many options which the Government and the Policy Commission will need to consider to help build a sustainable, modern farming industry. No decisions will be taken before we have received the recommendations of the Policy Commission or without full consultation with all interested parties.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent measures she has taken to clean up contaminated land sites in England and Wales; if she will take steps to recover costs from companies responsible for contaminating land; and if she will make a statement. [16975]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: In April 2000 the new contaminated land regime (under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) came into force in England. It places a duty on local authorities to inspect their areas for contaminated land. The enforcing authority will then establish the appropriate person(s) to bear the costs of remediation, decide on the remediation required, and ensure that it takes place, whether through agreement, or by serving a remediation notice on the appropriate person(s), or by doing the work and then recovering the costs.

  In most cases the appropriate persons will be those who caused or knowingly permitted the contamination, but if they cannot be found liability passes to the current owner or occupier unless the problem is solely one of water pollution. There is provision for waiving or reducing liability in certain circumstances, including cases of hardship. In this way, the regime reflects the "polluter pays" principle. It is described in detail in DETR. Circular 02/2000, "Contaminated Land".

  The Department's Contaminated Land Supplementary Credit Approval programme provides assistance to local authorities for capital works such as site investigations, and remediation where they are themselves the appropriate person or are unable to recover costs from others.

  In addition, there are various other powers to deal with contamination arising from a breach of a current licence or permit. These also follow the polluter pays principle.

  Farmers (Scotland)
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list by region the amounts paid to farmers in Scotland for each of the(a) CAP and (b) UK schemes for which she is responsible, for the last five years. [18031]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: The Rural Payments Agency implements one scheme on behalf of Scottish Ministers with direct payments to
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  farmers. This is the Slaughter Premium Scheme in respect of over-30-month animals only. The amounts paid, which are not available by region, were as follows:

  Scheme

  £

  2000 Scheme Year Payments

  1,371,756

  2001 Scheme Year Payments1

  283,426

  1 To date

  Other schemes involving payment direct to Scottish farmers are the responsibility of, and are implemented by Scottish Ministers.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; how these reforms will be beneficial to agriculture in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales; whether the policy was agreed with the devolved Administrations; and how the United Kingdom's policy on reform of the CAP has changed since devolution. [17240]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: Successive United Kingdom Governments have long been committed to radical reform of the CAP in order to bring benefits to UK consumers, taxpayers and farmers. Next summer we expect the EU Commission to initiate the mid-term review of the CAP following the Agenda 2000 reforms.

  The United Kingdom Government have not yet finalised their position on the mid-term review but have signalled their view that the Community should seize the opportunity for a radical reform covering: a switch from market distorting subsidies (pillar 1) to support for rural development and environmental schemes (pillar 2); abolition of milk quotas and compulsory set aside; and decoupling of livestock payments. We believe that these changes are necessary to deliver the type of modern, market-driven, environmentally sensitive agriculture which will benefit society as a whole and is in the long-term best interests of the agricultural industry itself. They will also help achieve the EU's wider objectives as regards the WTO negotiations and enlargement.

  The Government are discussing their position on the mid-term review and their objectives for longer-term CAP reform with the devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They will also take account of developments both in the industry and more widely. The United Kingdom's policy on the reform of the CAP has not, however, materially altered since devolution.

  Animal Health Act
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's use of the Animal Health Act 1981 to act against the importation of animal diseases. [18361]

  Mr. Morley
  Imports of live animals and the majority of animal products such as meat, fish, dairy products etc. are subject to EU rules implemented by national regulations made under the European Communities Act 1972. Some live animals and products requiring
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  special authorisation before import, for example animal pathogens for research purposes, trade samples, and some live animals and products not subject to EU rules may only be imported in accordance with licences issued under the Animal Health Act 1981. The import conditions in these licences are designed to prevent the hazard of importing and spreading animal diseases.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in implementing the Rural White Paper. [19267]

  Alun Michael
  Since publishing the Rural White Paper on 28 November 2000, we have taken decisive steps in delivering the plans we set out to develop and maintain a living, working, protected and vibrant countryside:We have provided substantial extra funding to boost basic local services, such as rural schools, policing, local post offices, child care and rural transport;
  To help local services we have extended mandatory 50 per cent. rate relief to include sole village public houses, petrol stations and village food shops;
  We are helping to rejuvenate over 100 market towns by funding projects to stimulate thriving rural economies;
  Earlier this month we published plans to improve the quality and effectiveness of town and parish councils as part of our commitment to give rural communities a stronger voice; and
  We have just published the first draft maps for the new rights of access for walkers.

  Although alleviating the devastating effects of foot and mouth disease dominated our work for many months, a great deal has been accomplished. But there is still a lot more to be done. The creation of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is bringing a new focus and drive to the Government's policies for rural England. Together with partners, we are working to deliver a better future for all those who live, work in and visit the countryside. We will be publishing a full progress report in December. Our key achievements include:
  increased funding for rural schools, including the £80 million per year (2001–02 to 2003–04) Small Schools Fund to help resource sharing, administrative support and adoption of new technology;
  an additional £15 million in 2000–01 and £30 million in 2001–02 and 2002–03 to tackle the extra cost of policing in rural areas; also the launch on the on-line Rural Crime Toolkit, drawing on examples of good practice in rural policing;
  a new £2 million fund, now open to applications, to support community-driven projects to refurbish and improve rural sub-post offices—one part of the Government's commitment to maintain a national post office network;
  help to establish 8,728 new child care places in the rural counties of Cornwall, Devon, Durham and Lincolnshire in 2000–01;
  increased investment in wider health and social services which is expected to be of particular benefit to people in rural areas—for example, the programme to establish 100 new primary care one-stop or mobile units, as well as 5,000 intermediate care beds,
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  many in local facilities such as cottage hospitals by 2004. The NHS Direct service, now running throughout England, also offers a major benefit to people living in more remote and rural areas;
  £62 million to improve rural bus services in 2001–02, with a total of £239 million allocated over the next three years for new and improved rural travel services;
  the Housing Corporation exceeded their target of approving 800 affordable homes in rural settlements last year by more than 200 (1,003 approvals), and have increased their target for this year to 1,100 rising to 1,600 by 2003–04;
  new Countryside Agency grant schemes in operation: £15 million Community Service Grants fund to help safeguard or re-establish basic village facilities; £15 million Parish Transport Fund for small-scale, locally generated transport solutions; and £5 million Parish Plans Fund to help around 1,000 communities prepare their own village or town plans;
  new legislation, in force from August, extending 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief to village food shops and new small-scale, non-agricultural enterprises on farms. This is additional to extending 50 per cent. relief to sole village pubs and petrol stations in April;
  selection of over 100 towns to benefit from a £100 million market towns regeneration programme to which the Government have allocated £37 million. Changes have also been made to planning policy guidance on transport (PPG13) to emphasis the role of market towns as hubs for jobs and services;
  changes made to planning policy guidance on the countryside (PPG7) giving stronger support to farm diversification and clarifying guidance on best and most versatile (BMV) land;
  publication of a consultation paper on Quality Parish and Town Councils, seeking views on plans to give councils an enhanced role for their communities; and
  publication of the Countryside Agency's 'Policy Maker's Checklist' in April, to assist Government and their agencies "rural-proof' policies, now part of the Cabinet Office's rapid policy makers' checklist.

  Livestock (Compensation)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the compensation payable to farmers for livestock they have been unable to move in the over-30-months scheme due to movement restrictions; and if she will make a statement. [12353]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 November 2001]: The Government have considered very carefully whether it would be appropriate to pay compensation for losses incurred on cattle which went beyond the 30-month age limit because of movement restrictions imposed during the earlier part of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. We have conclude that it would not. Statutory compensation for losses incurred as a result of the FMD outbreak is only paid on animals which have been slaughtered as a result of FMD, or on property, including animals which have been seized and destroyed in order to prevent the spread of FMD. The Government do not compensate farmers, or businesses, for other, indirect losses.

  Cleansing Services Group
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will make a decision on the holding of a public inquiry into the explosion at Cleansing Services Group Ltd. at Sandhurst, Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement. [8209]
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  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 November 2001]: The Government fully understand the deep concerns of local residents about the incidents at the site and the calls for a public inquiry. We are considering this issue in the light of the latest progress report into the Environment Agency's and the Health and Safety Executive's joint investigation of the incidents and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Rural Housing
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the population in local authorities defined as rural were assessed as being in priority need for housing in(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000 and (f) 2001. [16539]

  Ms Keeble
  Summary information on activity under the statutory homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1996 is reported to the Department by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need.

  Local authorities also report the total number of households on their housing register/waiting lists (excluding existing tenants awaiting a transfer) as at 1 April on their annual Housing Investment Programme returns, and separately distinguish those deemed to be "in need".

  These households, expressed as a percentage of all households in authorities categorised as either "mixed rural" or "deep rural", are as follows:

  Households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need as a percentage of the total number of households: rural authorities in England. Financial year totals

  Year

  Percentage

  1996–97

  0.35

  1997–98

  0.33

  1998–99

  0.32

  1999–2000

  0.32

  2000–01

  0.37

  All households on local authority housing registers and classified as "in need" as a percentage of the total number of households: rural authorities in England as at 1 April

  Year

  Percentage

  1996

  3.1

  1997

  2.9

  1998

  2.9

  1999

  3.0

  2000

  3.0

  2001

  3.8

  Note:

  Mid-year household population estimates for 2000 and 2001 are not yet available; the estimate of 1999 has been applied in these years.

  Source:

  DTLR P1(E) housing activity and HIP returns.

  ONS mid-year estimates of household population

  Local authorities have different practices for compiling and managing their housing register/waiting lists which
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  mean that comparisons between authorities can be misleading. Authorities' policies and practices may change, which can also affect comparisons over time.

TREASURY

  Folkestone and Hythe
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 18 to 24 years were unemployed for more than six months in each year since May 1992 in the constituency of Folkestone and Hythe. [17734]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Howard, dated 27 November 2001:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of people aged 18 to 24 years who were unemployed for more than six months for each year since May 1992 in the constituency of Folkestone and Hythe. (17734)
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics for unemployment from surveys following the internationally standard International Labour Organisation definition. However, for the Folkestone and Hythe parliamentary constituency the survey sample size is too small to provide estimates. ONS also compiles statistics of claimants of unemployment-related benefits. the claimant count consists of all people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits at Employment Service local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which the claim is made.
  Prior to January 1996 comparable figures for earlier years are not available on the same geographical basis. Information on computerised claims by age and duration for parliamentary constituencies from January 1996 were based on the ward boundaries of the 1991 census while figures before are based on the ward boundaries of the 1981 census and are available from June 1985 to January 1996.
  The information requested is given in the attached table.

  Claimants aged 18 to 24 claiming for six months or more in the Folkestone and Hythe parliamentary constituency for each May 1992 to May 20011

  Year

  Age 18–24

  May 1992

  444

  May 1993

  617

  May 1994

  640

  May 1995

  595

  May 1996

  520

  May 1997

  314

  May 1998

  215

  May 1999

  73

  May 2000

  54

  May 2001

  33

  1 computerised claims only

  Tax Credits and Benefits
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people received(a) tax credits and (b) means-tested benefits in the constituency of Folkestone and Hythe for each year since April 1997. [17738]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The available information for Folkestone and Hythe is in the following table.
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  Recipients of (a) tax credits and (b) certain income related benefits in the Folkestone and Hythe constituency

  May

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC)/ Family Credit (FC)

  1,100

  1,300

  1,000

  1,800

  2,200

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC)/Disability Working Allowance (DWA)

  12

  18

  35

  37

  45

  Income Support (IS)

  6,900

  6,800

  6,900

  7,100

  7,200

  Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) (JSA)

  2,600

  2,000

  1,800

  1,500

  1,100

  Total

  10,600

  10,100

  9,800

  10,400

  10,600

  Notes:

  1. Apart from DPTC and DWA, the figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample. They are subject to sampling error and therefore shown to the nearest 100.

  2. Recipients of WFTC/FC or DPTC/DWA who also receive IS or JSA are included only in the first two columns. This eliminates double counting in the total.

  3. WFTC and DPTC replaced FC and DWA from October 1999.

  4. DPTC and DWA figures are for April.

  Sources:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries May 1997-May 2000

  Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiries May 1997-May 2001

  Working Families Tax Credit/Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiries May 1997-May 2001.

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit/Disability Working Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiries April 1997-April 2001.

  Housing benefit and council tax benefit figures are not available for the Folkestone and Hythe constituency but are available for the Shepway local authority.

  Recipients of housing benefit and council tax benefit in Shepway

  Housing benefit

  Council tax benefit

  May 1997

  7,900

  9,640

  May 1998

  7,630

  9,290

  May 1999

  7,460

  9,030

  May 2000

  6,640

  8,150

  May 2001

  6,260

  7,740

  Notes:

  1. The data refer to benefit units, which can be single persons or couples.

  2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue National Insurance Contributions Office will respond to the request made by Mr. Welch of Burton, Christchurch to be able to make self-employed national insurance contributions. [18653]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The National Insurance Contributions Office wrote to Mr. Welch on 21 November, and I am writing to the hon. Member about his constituent's concerns.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has completed his review of national insurance contributions for 2002–03. [18972]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have completed the annual review under section 141 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. I propose the following changes to take effect from 6 April 2002. These rates and limits will also apply to Northern Ireland National Insurance Contributions.

  Employers and Employees

  In line with the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the Lower Earnings Limit for primary Class 1 contributions is to be raised to £75 a week. It is
  864W
  set at the level of the basic Retirement Pension for a single person from April 2002 and rounded down to the nearest pound.

  The Primary and Secondary Thresholds for Class 1 contributions will continue to be aligned with the weekly amounts of the income tax personal allowance at £89 a week. This means that no tax or Class 1 contributions will actually be paid on earnings below this level. The Upper Earnings Limit for primary Class 1 contributions will be raised to £585.

  The rate of secondary Class 1 contributions payable by all employers is to be reduced by 0.1 per cent. from 11.9 per cent. to 11.8 per cent. This is to ensure that the overall effect on industry from the introduction of the Aggregates Levy will be revenue neutral.

  The self-employed

  The rate of Class 2 contributions will remain at £2 a week.

  Self-employed people with earnings below the annual Small Earnings Exception can apply to be exempted from paying Class 2 contributions. This limit will be raised by £70 to £4,025.

  The annual lower and upper profits limits for liability to Class 4 contributions will be raised respectively by £80 to £4,615 (in line with the income tax personal allowance) and by £520 to £30,420, to maintain the link with employees' earnings liable to Class 1 contributions.

  Class 3

  The rate of Class 3 voluntary contributions will be increased by 10 pence to £6.85 a week.

  The special rate of Class 2 contributions for share fishermen, which allows them to build entitlement to contributory Jobseeker's Allowance in addition to the other contributory benefits available to the self-employed, will continue to be £2.65 a week.

  Volunteer Development Workers

  The special rate of Class 2 contributions for volunteer development workers, which entitles them to the full range of contributory benefits, will be increased by 15 pence to £3.75 in line with the statutory formula of 5 per cent. of the primary Class 1 Lower Earnings Limit.
  865W
  Treasury Grant

  I need to ensure that the Fund can maintain a prudent working balance throughout the coming year. In accordance with section 2(2) of the Social Security Act 1993, I propose to do so by prescribing that the maximum Treasury Grant which may be made available to the fund in 2002–03 shall not exceed 2 per cent. of the estimated benefit expenditure for that year. Similar provision will be made in respect of the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund.

  National insurance contributions, proposed re-rating, April 2002

  Item

  2002–03

  Lower Earnings Limit, primary Class 1

  £75

  Upper Earnings Limit, primary Class 1

  £585

  Primary Threshold

  £89

  Secondary Threshold

  £89

  Employees' primary Class 1 rate

  10 per cent. from £89.01 to £585

  Employees' contracted-out rebate

  1.6 per cent.

  Married women's reduced rate

  3.85 per cent.

  Employers' secondary Class 1 rate

  11.8 per cent. on earnings above £89

  Employers' contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes

  3.5 per cent.

  Employers' contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes

  1.0 per cent.

  Class 2 rate

  £2

  Class 2 Small Earnings Exception

  £4,025

  Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen

  £2.65

  Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers

  £3.75

  Class 3 rate

  £6.85

  Class 4 rate

  7 per cent.

  Class 4 Lower Profits Limit

  £4,615

  Class 4 Upper Profits Limit

  £30,420

  Aggregates
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has further to encourage the recycling of aggregates(a) by means of the aggregates levy and (b) by other means. [18425]

  Ruth Kelly
  The aggregates levy will provide an incentive to use recycled aggregate and alternative materials, as these will be exempted. Levy revenues will also fund a £35 million sustainability fund one of whose objectives will be to encourage recycling objectives of the levy.

  Landfill tax on inactive waste also offers an incentive for the recycling of aggregate rather than its disposal in waste sites.

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the environmental (i) costs and (ii) benefits of the supply of aggregates from coastal super quarries compared to that from other types of quarry. [18426]

  Ruth Kelly
  The independent research which underpins the aggregates levy considered all aspects of the environmental impacts of aggregate extraction. The levy will be introduced at a single rate in order to keep it simple and send a clear signal to encourage purchasers of primary aggregate to use alternative materials where possible.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the direct environmental(a) costs and (b) benefits arising from the introduction of the aggregates levy; [17924]
  866W
  I shall be laying a draft re-rating order before Parliament in due course. This will accompany a report by the Government Actuary to myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which we shall jointly present to Parliament.

  The table sets out the rates, earnings limits and thresholds for National Insurance Contributions proposed for 2002–03.

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the aggregates levy on the environmental aspects of quarrying which are not dealt with by existing regulatory controls. [17923]

  Ruth Kelly
  Independent research shows there are significant environmental costs associated with aggregates extraction that are not already covered by regulation including noise, dust, visual intrusion, loss of amenity and damage to biodiversity.

  The aggregates levy will encourage the efficient use of natural aggregates and the greater use of alternative materials, such as recycled aggregate and certain waste materials, thereby reducing the environmental costs of aggregates extraction.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with representatives of the aggregates industry regarding the proposal for a green discount on the introduction of the aggregates tax. [18354]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government have been exploring with interested parties, including the aggregates industry, the options for a differential rate of the aggregates levy for quarries with better environmental performance.

  Development Assistance
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his US counterparts regarding an increase in their development assistance budget in relation to their gross national product. [18188]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had a number of discussions with Paul O'Neill the US Treasury Secretary on their shared interest of increasing
  867W
  overseas development assistance. The Chancellor of the Exchequer looks forward to more constructive meetings with the US Treasury on this topic in the coming months.

  VAT (Church Repairs)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on churches' liability to pay VAT on repair work when situated within a designated conservation area. [18035]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Repair work to churches is liable to VAT at the standard rate. There are no special VAT rules for churches in designated conservation areas. However, the Government have introduced a UK-wide grant scheme, the effect of which will be to reduce the VAT cost to 5 per cent., for works of repair, maintenance and improvements to listed places of worship undertaken from 1 April 2001.

  Child Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy that recipients of the proposed integrated child credit will be required to have their payments paid into a bank account. [18086]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: Payment direct to bank accounts is the most efficient, secure and flexible way of delivering direct payments. The consultation document 'New Tax Credits—Supporting families, making work pay and tackling poverty' made clear that it is proposed to make all direct payments of tax credits to claimants' bank accounts.

  The Government are currently spearheading a drive to tackle financial exclusion. Work to ensure that those without bank accounts will be able to open a suitable account into which tax credits can be paid is being taken forward together with the Post Office and major banks.

  Smuggling
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimates are of the levels of smuggling and fraud affecting tobacco duty and other indirect taxes. [19268]

  Mr. Boateng
  These estimates and the supporting methodologies are set out in documents published today by HM Customs and Excise entitled 'Tackling Indirect Tax Fraud and Measuring Indirect Tax Fraud'. Copies of both papers have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Tax Documents
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the next Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs document; and if he will make a statement. [18973]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Treasury will today be publishing a document containing the estimates of the effects of various illustrative tax changes on tax receipts in 2002–03 and 2003–04 (plus 2004–05 for indirect taxes)868W
  and estimates of the costs of the main tax reliefs in 2000–01 and 2001–02. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Customs and Excise (Consultation)
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations with businesses were carried out by his Department with regard to the(a) Excise Duty Points Regulations 2001 and (b) HM Customs' revised financial security policy. [17455]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs consulted extensively on these issues with businesses involved in the production, warehousing and distribution of excise goods from as early as 1998. This included discussions with key trade associations at Customs' long-standing Joint Alcohol and Tobacco Consultation Group.

  Child Poverty
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many children have been lifted out of poverty in each region of England since 1997; and what this represents as a percentage of children in each region. [17770]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Personal tax and benefit measures introduced since 1997 have lifted 1.2 million children in the UK as a whole out of poverty, defined as 60 per cent. of median income after allowing for housing costs. Because of the margins of error, it is not possible to model the precise effects in individual counties or regions.

  It is possible to provide figures for the numbers of families in different regions benefiting from the key measures introduced during the last Parliament to tackle child poverty. The table shows, by region, the number of families benefiting from the Working Families Tax Credit, the number of lone parents on Income Support benefiting from the real terms increases in child credits, and the number of families with children benefiting from the real terms increases in child benefit.

  Thousand

  WFTC recipients1

  Lone parents receiving income support1

  Families receiving child benefit2

  North East

  72

  48

  320

  North West

  179

  123

  863

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  137

  79

  618

  East Midlands

  101

  54

  512

  West Midlands

  127

  81

  660

  East of England

  87

  64

  639

  London

  95

  168

  871

  South East

  118

  86

  945

  South West

  103

  56

  565

  England

  1,109

  758

  5,994

  1 May 2001

  2 27 April 2001

  European Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Community money was(a) available and (b) distributed to both sides in the Irish referendum on Nice. [17620]

  Ruth Kelly
  This is a matter for the Irish Government and the European Commission.
  869W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Declaration of the Heads of State and Government Review of the Economic Situation (SN 4298/2/01, 19 October 2001), with reference to spending projects by the EIB to be encouraged by the European Council. [17621]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government support the European Council's encouragement of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for its lending to infrastructure projects, to support the knowledge-based economy and to help foster long-term investment. The Government are working to ensure that the EIB builds on its historic strengths in these areas and provides the maximum value added to the 870W
  market, levering in private finance where there would otherwise be gaps and furthering the Lisbon economic reform agenda.

  Compliance Costs
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received a final copy of the study by Professor Anne Hansford into the compliance costs to business of the UK tax system; and when he will publish the study. [17213]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Studies into compliance costs for Corporation Tax and VAT were commissioned as the first stage of a four year research programme into the compliance costs to businesses of the UK tax system.

  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Police Service of Northern Ireland
  Police Service of Northern Ireland
  Sex Discrimination Act: "Father Christmas" Advertisements
  Sex Discrimination Act: "Father Christmas" Advertisements
  International Terrorism: Review of Government Policy
  International Terrorism: Review of Government Policy
  Adult Skills: Performance and Innovation Unit Report
  Adult Skills: Performance and Innovation Unit Report
  Decennial Census 1911
  Decennial Census 1911
  Quarry Products: Aggregates Tax
  Quarry Products: Aggregates Tax
  Redundancies
  Redundancies
  Miners: Respiratory Disease Claims
  Miners: Respiratory Disease Claims
  Challenger 2 Tank Air Filters
  Challenger 2 Tank Air Filters
  Education Action Zones
  Education Action Zones
  Special Educational Needs: Collection of Data
  Special Educational Needs: Collection of Data
  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate Report: Hastings Borough Council
  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate Report: Hastings Borough Council
  Convicted Prisoners: Disfranchisement
  Convicted Prisoners: Disfranchisement
  Millennium Dome: Sale
  Millennium Dome: Sale
  New Millennium Experience Company and English Partnerships: Legal Liability for Debts
  New Millennium Experience Company and English Partnerships: Legal Liability for Debts
  Greenwich Millennium Village
  Greenwich Millennium Village
  Insecticides
  Insecticides
  Phenols: Health and Safety Executive Advice
  Phenols: Health and Safety Executive Advice
  Mox Development: Consideration of Security Implications
  Mox Development: Consideration of Security Implications
  Meat Imports
  Meat Imports
  Waterfowl: Ban on Shooting with Lead Shot
  Waterfowl: Ban on Shooting with Lead Shot