Written Answers of 28 November 2001

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Conunissioner for Standards
  David Winnick
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason the new contract for the post of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards will involve fewer working days than the present contract. [14931]

  Norman Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reason(a) the hours required from and (b) the salary paid to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards are being reduced. [15535]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 November 2001, c. 484w]: The time commitment established for the first Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was four days a week not three. However, the first Commissioner expressed the view towards the end of his appointment that the Commissioner's contribution could be reduced to two to three days a week, provided that some work could be delegated to the Registrar of Members' Interests. Three days a week was then established as the time commitment for the present Commissioner, and it was on this basis that she was offered the appointment.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Uzbekistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Uzbekistan regarding their policy on British and French humanitarian aid entering Afghanistan. [18195]

  Clare Short
  I have not made any personal representations to the Government of Uzbekistan on UK or French aid entering Afghanistan. However, the UK is fully supportive of the representations made by the humanitarian agencies of the United Nations to the Government of Uzbekistan with regard to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.

  Afghanistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the international meeting held in Washington on 20 November on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [18194]

  Clare Short
  The USA and Japan co-chaired a conference on Afghanistan's reconstruction in Washington DC on 20 November. It was attended by senior officials from over 20 countries, including the UK,872W
  as well as the United Nations, international financial institutions and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

  The conference agreed the need for long-term international support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the need to involve Afghans—in particular Afghan women—in all phases of the recovery and reconstruction effort; the importance of recovery intervention that demonstrates a quick impact; and the central role of the United Nations. A steering group has been established to guide reconstruction, co-chaired by the US, Japan, the EU and Saudi Arabia. The first meeting of the steering group will take place in Brussels in December.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has in place to assist Afghan refugees when they return to their home towns inside Afghanistan; and what plans she has to take account of the needs of women and children in planning and implementing refugee assistance activities. [18196]

  Clare Short
  We fully support the UN's efforts under Ambassador Brahimi to help with the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan, including that which will support returning refugees. This will involve such measures as expanding basic health services, carrying out emergency repairs to infrastructure, de-mining and the reopening of education facilities.

  We also strongly support Ambassador Brahimi's commitment to addressing human rights issues and his commitment to the involvement of women in discussions. As recovery activities begin, the programmes that we support will be designed and monitored to ensure that women and children benefit.

  The principles and priorities guiding our approach are outlined in our paper entitled 'Afghanistan—Recovery: An emergency plan for the first 100 days'. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her work with(a) serving and (b) former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [16074]

  Clare Short
  We continue to work for the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation of the negative forces in the DRC in line with the Lusaka peace accord and are closely monitoring the situation.

  During the period June 2000—April 2001 we provided a grant of £150,000 to Save the Children for their demobilisation project in the provinces of North and South Kivu. This aimed to provide child soldiers with the social and economic support they required in reintegration into their families and respective communities. We have also provided £400,000 to Rwanda to assist with the DDR programmes for fighters recently from the DRC. This DDR programme includes a special component to provide immediate care for 500 former child soldiers captured in poor physical condition and re-integrate them with their families and communities.

  Global Patent Rules (Africa)
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking with respect to Africa to prevent global patent rules having a negative effect on health. [16070]

  Clare Short
  The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement includes flexibilities which should enable developing countries in Africa and elsewhere to protect their public health in situations of crisis or national emergency. Until now, a lack of clarity around these flexibilities had been a source of concern.

  The Government, with the European Commission, worked hard to ensure that the Doha Ministerial produced a meaningful declaration on TRIPS and public health. We welcome and fully support the proposals in the Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health and the World Trade Organisation's (WTO's) efforts to ensure the TRIPS Agreement can and should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of WTO members' rights to protect public health.

  The Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, which I established earlier this year, is looking at how international intellectual property rules might need to develop in future best to take account of the interests of developing countries. It is due to report in June 2002.

  There is of course more to improving access to medicines in developing countries than global patent rules. The World Health Organisation recognises four key factors. These include sustainable financing, affordable pricing, reliable health and supply systems, and the rational selection and use of existing drugs. My Department remains committed to working with our developing country partners and other international organisations to address all these issues, which are particularly pertinent in Africa. To this end we have pledged US$200 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria; set up a Working Group on Access to Medicines to look at options on differential pricing and increasing research and development; and committed over £1 billion since 1997 to help developing countries put in place effective health care systems.

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Attendance Allowance

  higher rate

  55.30

  56.25

  lower rate

  37.00

  37.65

  Child Benefit

  —only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (couple)

  15.50

  15.75

  —only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (loneparent)

  17.55

  17.55

  —each subsequent child

  10.35

  10.55

  Child's Special Allowance

  see note on Child Dependency Increase

  11.35

  11.35

  Council Tax Benefit

  Personal allowances

  single

  18 to 24

  42.00

  42.70

  25 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial assistance has been given to Turkey by her Department in each of the last three years; what was the amount of funding; what the projects were for which the funding was allocated; and what supervision her Department has undertaken of the development of these projects. [17881]

  Clare Short
  Given Turkey's relative wealth and development we do not have a bilateral development assistance programme. We did provide Turkey with over £1.4 million in response to the 1999 earthquake disasters, in the form of tents, medical supplies, blankets and a variety of other humanitarian assistance. Turkey also receives substantial assistance from the EU MEDA programme and through the international financial institutions to which DFID is a major contributor. Our share of EC commitments to Turkey during the last three years has been over £50 million.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what actions her Department is taking to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe; and what assessment she has made of the impact of President Mugabe's decision not to allow aid agencies to distribute emergency food supplies. [18633]

  Clare Short
  We are closely involved in the development of a humanitarian assistance plan by the United Nations Development Programme in Zimbabwe in which UN agencies and NGOs are expected to play a key role. This plan is presently being discussed by UNDP with the Government of Zimbabwe on behalf of all potential providers of funds. We have also begun an initial supplementary feeding programme for 280,000 people (predominantly children) in the worst hit areas. We have not been informed of any decision not to allow agencies to distribute emergency food supplies.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefit Uprating
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the new rates of benefit proposed from April 2002.

  Mr. Darling
  The information is in the table.
  875W 876W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  lone parent—18 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  couple—one or both over 18

  83.25

  84.65

  Dependent Children

  from birth to September following 16th birthday

  32.95

  33.50

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  33.75

  34.30

  Premiums

  family

  14.50

  14.75

  family (lone parent rate)

  22.20

  22.20

  pensioner

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  disability

  single

  22.60

  23.00

  couple

  32.25

  32.80

  enhanced disability premium single rate

  11.05

  11.25

  disabled child rate

  11.05

  11.25

  couple rate

  16.00

  16.25

  severe disability

  single

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (one qualifies)

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (both qualify)

  83.10

  84.50

  disabled child

  30.00

  35.50

  carer

  24.40

  24.80

  bereavement

  19.45

  21.55

  Non-dependant deductions

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  —gross income: £281 or more

  6.95

  6.95

  —gross income: £225—£280.99

  5.80

  5.80

  —gross income: £131—£224.99

  4.60

  4.60

  —gross income less than £131

  2.30

  2.30

  others, aged 18 or over

  2.30

  2.30

  Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit

  second adult on IS or JSA(ib)

  25% of Council Tax

  25% of Council Tax

  second adult's gross income:

  —under £131

  15% of Council Tax

  15% of Council Tax

  —£131 to £170

  7.5% of Council Tax

  7.5% of Council Tax

  Capital

  upper limit

  16000.00

  16000.00

  amount disregarded

  3000.00

  3000.00

  upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  16000.00

  16000.00

  amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  6000.00

  6000.00

  child disregard

  3000.00

  3000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16000.00

  16000.00

  amount disregarded of RC/NH

  10000.00

  10000.00

  Tariff income

  £ 1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards

  where disability premium awarded

  20.00

  20.00

  various specified employments

  20.00

  20.00

  lone parent

  25.00

  25.00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10.00

  10.00

  single claimant

  5.00

  5.00

  where carer premium awarded

  20.00

  20.00

  childcare charges

  94.50

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  140.00

  Other income disregards

  maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  877W 878W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  30 Hr Adult Allowance in DPTC

  11.45

  11.65

  30 Hr Adult Credit in WFTC

  11.45

  11.65

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.55

  9.70

  Dependency Increases

  Adult Dependency Increases or spouse or person looking after children, with:

  retirement pension on own insurance,

  43.40

  45.20

  long term incap. benefit, unemployability supplement

  41.75

  42.45

  severe disablement allowance

  25.00

  25.45

  invalid care allowance

  24.95

  25.35

  short-term incap. benefit if beneficiary over pension age

  40.10

  40.80

  maternity allowance/short-term incap. ben.

  32.55

  33.10

  Child Dependency Increases, with:

  retirement pension, widowed mothers allowance, widowed parents allowance, short-term incap. ben. at the higher rate & long term incap. ben. invalid care allowance severe disab. allowce, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incap.benefit if beneficiary over pension age

  11.35

  11.35

  NB—The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom Chb is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase allowance is reduced by the differential (less £3.50 from April 2000) between the rate of ChB payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.

  Disability Living Allowance

  Care Component

  Highest

  55.30

  56.25

  Middle

  37.00

  37.65

  Lowest

  14.65

  14.90

  Mobility Component

  Higher

  38.65

  39.30

  Lower

  14.65

  14.90

  Earnings Rules

  Invalid Care Allowance

  72.00

  75.00

  Limit of earnings from councillor's allowance

  60.50

  66.00

  Therapeutic earnings limit

  60.50

  66.00

  Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  3,146.00

  3,432.00

  War pensioners' unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  3,146.00

  3,432.00

  Adult dependency increases with short-term incap. benefit where claimant is

  (a) under pension age

  32.55

  33.10

  (b) over pension age

  40.10

  40.80

  maternity allowance

  32.55

  33.10

  retirement pension, severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependant

  (a) is living with claimant

  53.05

  53.95

  (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule

  45.09

  45.09

  retirement pension,

  43.40

  45.20

  and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant

  41.75

  42.45

  severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant

  25.00

  25.45

  invalid care allowance

  24.95

  25.35

  Child dependency increases

  level at which CDIs are affected earnings of claimant's spouse or partner for first child

  150.00

  155.00

  for each subsequent child

  20.00

  20.00

  Guardian's Allowance

  see note on Child Dependency Increase

  11.35

  11.35

  879W 880W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Housing Benefit

  Personal allowances

  single

  16 to 24

  42.00

  42.70

  25 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  lone parent

  under 18

  42.00

  42.70

  18 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  couple

  both under 18

  63.35

  64.45

  one or both 18 or over

  83.25

  84.65

  dependent children

  from birth to September following 16th birthday

  32.95

  33.50

  from Sept. following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  33.75

  34.30

  Premiums

  family

  14.50

  14.75

  family (lone parent rate)

  22.20

  22.20

  pensioner

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  disability

  single

  22.60

  23.00

  couple

  32.25

  32.80

  enhanced disbility premium single rate

  11.05

  11.25

  disabled child rate

  11.05

  11.25

  couple rate

  16.00

  16.25

  severe disability

  single

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (one qualifies)

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (both qualify)

  83.10

  84.50

  disabled child

  30.00

  35.50

  carer

  24.40

  24.80

  bereavement

  19.45

  21.55

  Non-dependant deductions

  rent rebates and allowances

  aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance

  aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or

  —gross income less than £88

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  7.40

  7.40

  —gross income: less than £88

  7.40

  7.40

  —gross income: £88 to £130.99

  17.00

  17.00

  —gross income: £131 to £169.99

  23.35

  23.35

  —gross income: £170 to £224.99

  38.20

  38.20

  —gross income: £225 to £280.99

  43.50

  43.50

  —gross income: £281 and above

  47.75

  47.75

  Service charges for fuel

  heating

  9.25

  9.40

  hot water

  1.15

  1.15

  lighting

  0.80

  0.80

  cooking

  1.15

  1.15

  Amount ineligible for meals three or more meals a day

  single claimant

  18.95

  19.25

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  18.95

  19.25

  each child under 16

  9.55

  9.70

  less than three meals a day

  single claimant

  12.60

  12.80

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  12.60

  12.80

  each child under 16

  6.35

  6.45

  breakfast only—claimant and each member of family

  2.30

  2.35

  881W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  6,000.00

  6,000.00

  child disregard

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards

  where disability premium awarded

  20.00

  20.00

  various specified employments

  20.00

  20.00

  lone parent

  25.00

  25.00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10.00

  10.00

  single claimant

  5.00

  5.00

  where carer premium awarded

  20.00

  20.00

  childcare charges

  94.50

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  140.00

  Other income disregards

  maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  30 Hr Adult Allowance in DPTC

  11.45

  30 Hr Adult Credit in WFTC

  11.45

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.55

  9.70

  Incapacity Benefit

  Long-term Incapacity Benefit

  69.75

  70.95

  short-term Incapacity Benefit (under pension age)

  lower rate

  52.60

  53.50

  higher rate

  62.20

  63.25

  short-term Incapacity Benefit (over pension age)

  lower rate

  66.90

  68.05

  higher rate

  69.75

  70.95

  Increase of Long-term Incap. Ben for age

  higher rate

  14.65

  14.90

  lower rate

  7.35

  7.45

  Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)

  higher rate

  14.65

  14.90

  middle rate

  9.30

  9.50

  lower rate

  4.65

  4.75

  Income Support

  Personal Allowances

  single

  under 18—usual rate

  31.95

  32.50

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  42.00

  42.70

  18 to 24

  42.00

  42.70

  25 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate

  31.95

  32.50

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  42.00

  42.70

  18 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  couple

  both under 18

  31.95

  32.50

  both under 18, one disabled

  42.00

  42.70

  both under 18, with resp. for a child

  63.35

  64.45

  one under 18, one 18–24

  42.00

  42.70

  one under 18, one 25+

  53.05

  53.95

  both 18 or over

  83.25

  84.65

  882W 883W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  dependent children

  birth to September following 16th birthday

  32.95

  33.50

  from Sept. following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  33.75

  34.30

  Residential Allowance

  Except Greater London

  63.30

  64.40

  Greater London

  70.45

  71.65

  Premiums

  family

  14.50

  14.75

  family (lone parent rate)

  15.90

  15.90

  pensioner

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  disability

  single

  22.60

  23.00

  couple

  32.25

  32.80

  enhanced disability premium single rate

  11.05

  11.25

  disabled child rate

  11.05

  11.25

  ouple rate

  16.00

  16.25

  severe disability

  single

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (one qualifies)

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (both qualify)

  83.10

  84.50

  disabled child

  30.00

  35.50

  carer

  24.40

  24.80

  bereavement

  19.45

  21.55

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes

  old age

  225.00

  0.00

  very dependent elderly

  261.00

  0.00

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  238.00

  0.00

  drug/alchohol dependence

  238.00

  0.00

  mental handicap

  271.00

  0.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  308.00

  0.00

  (b) (over pension age)

  225.00

  0.00

  others

  225.00

  0.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  47.00

  0.00

  nursing homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  337.00

  0.00

  drug/alchohol dependence

  337.00

  0.00

  mental handicap

  343.00

  0.00

  terminal illness

  336.00

  0.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  379.00

  0.00

  (b) (over pension age)

  336.00

  0.00

  others (including elderly)

  336.00

  0.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  52.00

  0.00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1.10

  0.00

  midday meal

  1.55

  0.00

  evening meal

  1.55

  0.00

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes

  personal expenses

  16.05

  0.00

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  6.25

  0.00

  (b) 11 to 15

  9.15

  0.00

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.55

  0.00

  (d) age 18

  15.25

  0.00

  local authority (Pt III) accommodation

  72.50

  75.50

  of which, Personal Expenses

  16.05

  16.80

  884W 885W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in: the Polish home Ilford Park

  max amount for accommodation and meals

  379.00

  385.00

  personal expenses for claimant

  17.35

  17.35

  personal expenses for partner

  17.35

  17.35

  personal expenses for dep children

  (a) under 11

  6.25

  6.35

  (b) 11 to 15

  9.15

  9.30

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.55

  10.75

  (d) 18

  15.55

  15.55

  personal expenses allowance for claimant admitted or readmitted on or after 1 April 1995

  16.05

  16.80

  Housing costs deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in work or

  —gross income less than £88

  7.40

  7.40

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:

  —gross income: £88 to £130.99

  17.00

  17.00

  —gross income: £131 to £169.99

  23.35

  23.35

  —gross income: £170 to £224.99

  38.20

  38.20

  —gross income: £225 to £280.99

  43.50

  43.50

  —gross income: £281 and abov

  47.75

  47.75

  Deduction for direct payments

  arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and

  2.70

  2.70

  deductions for child maintenance (standard)

  5.40

  5.40

  deductions for child maintenance (lower)

  2.70

  2.70

  Arrears of Community Charge

  court order against claimant

  2.70

  2.70

  court order against couple

  4.20

  4.25

  Maximium rates for recovery of overpayments

  ordinary overpayments

  8.10

  8.10

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  10.80

  10.80

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  28.50

  29.00

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  12,000.00

  12,000.00

  amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  6,000.00

  6,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5.00

  5.00

  couples earnings

  10.00

  10.00

  higher earnings

  20.00

  20.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount £20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.55

  9.70

  Industrial Death Benefit

  Widow's pension

  higher rate

  72.50

  75.50

  lower rate

  21.75

  22.65

  Widower's pension

  72.50

  75.50

  886W 887W 888W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Pension

  8 and over, or under 18 with dependants

  100%

  112.90

  114.80

  90%

  101.61

  103.32

  80%

  90.32

  91.84

  70%

  79.03

  80.36

  60%

  67.74

  68.88

  50%

  56.45

  57.40

  40%

  45.16

  45.92

  30%

  33.87

  34.44

  20%

  22.58

  22.96

  Under 18

  100%

  69.15

  70.35

  90%

  62.24

  63.32

  80%

  55.32

  56.28

  70%

  48.41

  49.25

  60%

  41.49

  42.21

  50%

  34.58

  35.18

  40%.

  27.66

  28.14

  30%

  20.75

  21.11

  20%

  13.83

  14.07

  Maximum life gratuity (lump sum)

  7,500.00

  7,630.00

  Unemployability Supplement

  69.75

  70.95

  plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity

  higher rate

  14.65

  14.90

  middle rate

  9.30

  9.50

  lower rate

  4.65

  4.75

  Maximum reduced earnings allowance

  45.16

  45.92

  Maximum retirement allowance

  11.29

  11.48

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  90.40

  92.00

  intermediate rate

  67.80

  69.00

  normal maximum rate

  45.20

  46.00

  part-time rate

  22.60

  23.00

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  45.20

  46.00

  Invalid Care Allowance

  41.75

  42.45

  Jobseekers Allowance

  Contribution based JSA—Pers. rates

  under 18

  31.95

  32.50

  18 to 24

  42.00

  42.70

  25 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  Income-based JSA—pers. allowances

  under 18

  31.95

  32.50

  18 to 24

  42.00

  42.70

  25 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate

  31.95

  32.50

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  42.00

  42.70

  18 or over

  53.05

  53.95

  couple

  both under 18

  31.95

  32.50

  both under 18. one disabled

  42.00

  42.70

  both under 18. with resp. for a child

  63.35

  64.45

  one under 18, one 18–24

  42.00

  42.70

  one under 18. one 25+

  53.05

  53.95

  both 18 or over

  83.25

  84.65

  dependent children

  from birth to September following 16th birthday

  32.95

  33.50

  from Sept. following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  33.75

  34.30

  Residential Allowance

  except Greater London

  63.30

  64.40

  Greater London

  70.45

  71.65

  889W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Premiums

  family

  14.50

  14.75

  family (lone parent rate)

  15.90

  15.90

  pensioner

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (enhanced)

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  39.10

  44.20

  couple

  57.30

  65.15

  disability

  single

  22.60

  23.00

  couple

  32.25

  32.80

  enhanced disability premium single rate

  11.05

  11.25

  disabled child rate

  11.05

  11.25

  couple rate

  16.00

  16.25

  severe disability

  single

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (one qualifies)

  41.55

  42.25

  couple (both qualify)

  83.10

  84.50

  disabled child

  30.00

  35.50

  carer

  24.40

  24.80

  bereavement

  19.45

  21.55

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  238.00

  0.00

  drug/alchohol dependence

  238.00

  0.00

  mental handicap

  271.00

  0.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  308.00

  0.00

  others

  225.00

  0.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  47.00

  0.00

  nursing homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  337.00

  0.00

  drug/alchohol dependence

  337.00

  0.00

  mental handicap

  343.00

  0.00

  terminal illness

  336.00

  0.00

  physical disablement (a) (under pension age)

  379.00

  0.00

  others (including elderly)

  336.00

  0.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  52.00

  0.00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1.10

  0.00

  midday meal

  1.55

  0.00

  evening meal

  1.55

  0.00

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes

  personal expenses

  16.05

  0.00

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  6.25

  0.00

  (b) 11 to 15

  9.15

  0.00

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.55

  0.00

  (d) age 18

  15.25

  0.00

  local authority (Pt III) accommodation

  72.50

  75.50

  of which, Personal Expenses

  16.05

  16.80

  Housing costs

  deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or

  —gross income less than £88

  7.40

  7.40

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  —gross income: less than £88

  7.40

  7.40

  —gross income: £88 to £130.99

  17.00

  17.00

  —gross income: £131 to £169.99

  23.35

  23.35

  —gross income: £170 to £224.99

  38.20

  38.20

  —gross income: £225 to £280.99

  43.50

  43.50

  —gross income: £281 and above

  47.75

  47.75

  890W 891W 892W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Deduction for direct payments

  Deductions from JSA (IB)

  arrears of housing, fuel and water costs

  council tax and fines default, and

  2.70

  2.70

  Deductions for Child Maintenance

  deductions for child maintenance (standard)

  5.40

  5.40

  deductions for child maintenance (lower)

  2.70

  2.70

  Arrears of Community Charge

  court order against claimant

  2.70

  2.70

  court order against couple

  4.20

  4.25

  Deductions from JSA (Cont.)

  Arrears of Comm. Charge, Council Tax, fines & overpayment recovery

  Age 16–17

  10.65

  10.83

  Age 18–24

  14.00

  14.23

  Age 25+

  17.68

  17.98

  Max. dedn for arrears of Child Supp Maintenance

  Age 16–17

  10.65

  10.83

  Age 18–24

  14.00

  14.23

  Age 25+

  17.68

  17.98

  Maximium rates for recovery of overpayments in JSA(ib)

  ordinary overpayments

  8.10

  8.10

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  10.80

  10.80

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  28.50

  29.00

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  upper limit (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  12,000.00

  12,000.00

  amount disregarded (clmt/ptner 60 or over)

  6,000.00

  6,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5.00

  5.00

  couples earnings

  10.00

  10.00

  higher earnings

  20.00

  20.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.55

  9.70

  Maternity Allowance

  New standard rate

  62.20

  75.00

  MA threshold

  30.00

  30.00

  Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, and Miscellaneous Diseases Scheme and the Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation)

  Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum)

  112.90

  114.80

  Partial disablement allowance

  41.75

  42.45

  Unemployability supplement

  69.75

  70.95

  plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity

  higher rate

  14.65

  14.90

  middle rate

  9.30

  9.50

  lower rate

  4.65

  4.75

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  90.40

  92.00

  intermediate rate

  67.80

  69.00

  normal maximum rate

  45.20

  46.00

  part-time rate

  22.60

  23.00

  893W

  Rates

  (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  2001

  2002

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  45.20

  46.00

  Lesser incapacity allowance

  maximum rate of allowance

  41.75

  42.45

  based on loss of earnings over

  55.30

  56.25

  Retirement Pension

  Category A or B

  72.50

  75.50

  Category B(lower)—husband's insurance

  43.40

  45.20

  Category C or D —non-contributory

  43.40

  45.20

  Category C(lower)—non-contributory

  25.95

  27.00

  Additional pension

  Increase by:

  1.7%

  Increments to:—

  Increase by:

  Basic pension

  4.1%

  Additional pension

  1.7%

  Contracted out deductions (CODs) (Pre Apr '88 earnings)

  1.7%

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)

  1.7%

  Increments to CODs (Apr.88—Apr. 97 earngs) [3.0% paid by schemes]

  Nil

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (unit)(pence)

  9.06

  9.21

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (Inherited)

  Increase by:

  1.7%

  Addition at age 80

  0.25

  0.25

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  Basic rate

  42.15

  42.85

  Age-related addition (from Dec 90)

  Higher rate

  14.65

  14.90

  Middle rate

  9.30

  9.50

  Lower rate

  4.65

  4.75

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  Earnings threshold

  72.00

  75.00

  Lower rate

  62.20

  75.00

  Statutory Sick Pay

  Earnings threshold

  72.00

  75.00

  Standard rate

  62.20

  63.25

  Widow's Benefit

  Widowed mother's allowance

  72.50

  75.50

  Widow's pension

  standard rate

  72.50

  75.50

  age-related

  age 54 (49)

  67.43

  70.22

  53 (48)

  62.35

  64.93

  52 (47)

  57.28

  59.65

  51 (46)

  52.20

  54.36

  50 (45)

  47.13

  49.08

  49 (44)

  42.05

  43.79

  48 (43)

  36.98

  38.51

  47 (42)

  31.90

  33.22

  46 (41)

  26.83

  27.94

  45 (40)

  21.75

  22.65

  Note: For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets.

  Bereavement Benefit

  Bereavement payment (lump sum)

  2000.00

  2000.00

  Widowed parent's allowance

  72.50

  75.50

  Bereavement Allowance

  standard rate

  72.50

  75.50

  age-related

  age 54

  67.43

  70.22

  53

  62.35

  64.93

  52

  57.28

  59.65

  51

  52.20

  54.36

  50

  47.13

  49.08

  49

  42.05

  43.79

  48

  36.98

  38.51

  47

  31.90

  33.22

  46

  26.83

  27.94

  45

  21.75

  22.65

  894W

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to change the(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02. [19700]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £3,338,291,000 from £3,964,124,000 to £7,302,415,000 and the administration cost limit by £1,336,666,000 from £3,566,177,000 to £4,902,843,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table:

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  3,230,537

  107,754

  New DEL

  7,091,614

  210,801

  Of which: voted

  5,843,935

  121,461

  Non voted

  1,247,679

  89,340

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:

  (i) the transfer of the Employment Service from the Department for Education and Skills (£2,191,389 of which £1,239,729 are administration costs), the transfer of certain functions previously undertaken by Department for Education and Employment (£225,468,000 of which £18,322,000 are administration costs) and the transfer of the War Pensions Agency to Ministry of Defence (£35,799,000 of which £36,466,000 are administration costs) as announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June.

  (ii) take up of end year flexibility entitlements (£178,291,000 of which £136,213,000 are administration costs) announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Table 6 of the 2000–01 Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 5243).

  (iii) an increase of £4,612,000 (administration costs) in provision from the Employment Opportunities Fund in DEL for expenditure on the new deals for the unemployed and sick and disabled.

  (iv) an increase of £78,000 (administration costs) from the repayment arrangement with Department of Trade and Industry for the cost incurred by Department for Work and Pensions on the Post Office General Practitioners pilot.

  (v) a net reduction of £1,302,000 (administration costs) due to a transfer to the Scottish Executive of the Resettlement programme in Scotland (£1,318,000) and from the Scottish Executive (£16,000) towards the cost of the Family Resources Survey.

  (vi) an increase in provision of £509,000 (administration costs) following a transfer from Department of Health towards the project costs of preserved rights cases and care direct.

  (vii) a net reduction of £4,679.000 (administration costs) due to a transfer to Inland Revenue of Programme Protection Funding (£50,000), for the cost of work being performed by Inland Revenue to assist the Benefits Agency clearing a backlog of CA 5400 work (5£00,000), the cost of work being performed by Inland Revenue on NIRS development work (£5,000,000) and a transfer of £1,571,000 from Inland Revenue for accommodation office services at Newcastle.

  (viii) an increase of £1,229,000 (administration costs) from the reserve under the Debt Recovery Incentive Scheme.

  (ix) an increase of £362,000 (administration costs) from an allocation to the department from the evidence based policy fund.

  896W

  (x) a net reduction of £165,000 due at transfer of £190,000 to Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for Rough Sleepers and a transfer from Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions of £25,000 (administration costs) for Local PSAs.

  (xi) a transfer of £200,000 (administration costs) from Lord Chancellor's Department to meet the cost of work being provided to them by the departmental central index.

  (xii) an increase of £20,000,000 (administration costs) from the Employment Opportunities Fund to enable Employment Services to maintain the present office network during the review of the Jobcentre Plus future network.

  (xiii) an increase in provision of £117,400,000 (administration costs) from the Employment Opportunities Fund to set up the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices.

  (xiv) a reduction in provision of £1,200,000 as result of a transfer to Department for Education and Skills to cover the cost of work performed by the Adult Learning Inspectorate for Employment Services.

  (xv) an increase of £78,000 in appropriations in aid.

  (xvi) a net reduction in Employment Opportunities Fund requirements of £8,439,000 following a reapportionment of expenditure within and between RfRs.

  (xvii) as a result of the machinery of government changes there is an increase in the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Expenditure Limit of £542,661,000 which is non-Voted.

  (xviii) administration cost limit changes arise from a reduction of £138,928,000 due to a reclassification of Employment Opportunities Fund expenditure and an increase of £20,638,000 in administration costs related appropriations in aid.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:

  (i) the transfer of the employment service from the Department for Education and Skills (£12,550,000) and the transfer of the War Pensions Agency to Ministry of Defence (£300,000) as announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June.

  (ii) take up of end year flexibility entitlements of £81,200,000 announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Table 6 of the 2000–01 Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 5243).

  (iii) an increase in provision of £4,800,000 from the Employment Opportunities Fund to set up the Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices.

  (iv) an increase of £2,000,000 from the Capital Modemisation Fund for Supported Employment.

  (v) as a result of the machinery of government changes there is an increase in the Department for Work and Pensions Departmental Expenditure Limit of £7,504,000 which is non-Voted.

  All of these changes will either be offset by transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  New Deal for Communities (Leicester Braunstone)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the operation of the Braunstone Community Association in respect of the new deal; what the cost is of the scheme; what plans he has to inquire into the administration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [15779]

  Ms Keeble
  I have been asked to reply.

  Leicester Braunstone is one of the New Deal for Community Round 1 Pathfinders and has an overall grant of £49.5 million to spend over up to 10 years.
  897W
  The scheduled mid year review of the Braunstone New Deal for Communities Programme took place in Braunstone on 22 November 2001. The review considered among other things the strategic direction and delivery of the programme, including progress in delivering the Braunstone Community Association 2001–02 Action Plan, developments in partnership working and community involvement.

  Proceedings, which were chaired by an official from the Government Office for the East Midlands, were conducted in a positive atmosphere. Nothing substantive arose during the review to change the status of the programme.

  The next few weeks will be very important for the Braunstone New Deal for Communities Programme as the BCA awaits the findings of an independent investigation it set up to look into various allegations related to its internal relationships. That investigation is expected to report by mid-December.

  In the meantime, in order to protect the public purse the Government office for the East Midlands has suspended delegated authorities to the BCA to commit expenditure. The Government office is also discussing with auditors the terms of reference for a mid-year audit of the NDC Programme (to end September), which, with evidence arising from the findings of the independent investigation, will allow the Government office what further steps it needs to take in order to secure the future of the Braunstone NDC Programme.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Terrorism
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to co-ordinate departmental policies on mass terrorist threats. [15979]

  Mr. Leslie
  Under the leadership of the Civil Contingencies Committee, the Government are conducting a comprehensive review of our tried and tested contingency plans in the light of the events of 11 September. We are taking all sensible steps to make sure the country is well prepared for any emergency or threat.

  Social Exclusion
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Government office for the east midlands to ensure that projects designed to tackle social exclusion take into account the needs of areas that have small pockets of deprivation. [15980]

  Mrs. Roche
  I discussed implementation of the Government's programmes to tackle social exclusion with the Government office for the east-midlands on 25 July.

  The targets we have set for mainstream programmes, which will receive substantial increases in resources, will lead to substantial improvements in deprived neighbourhoods across the country.

  The local authority districts receiving additional support from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund include over 80 per cent. of the most deprived wards in England and 90 per cent. of the people living in the most deprived wards.
  898W
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what policy projects the social exclusion unit is working on. [15981]

  Mrs. Roche
  The unit is currently working on four projects, looking at:

  re-offending by ex-prisoners;

  young runaways;

  educational attainment of children in care; and

  transport and social exclusion.

  Rural Policy
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the co-ordination of rural policy. [15982]

  Mr. Leslie
  Rural policy is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with whom my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has on-going discussions.

  E-Government Initiative
  David Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the progress of the e-Government initiative. [15983]

  Mr. Leslie
  Delivery is at the heart of our agenda for transforming public services and e-Government is one of the most powerful catalysts we have for achieving that transformation. The Office of the e-Envoy produces both an annual report and regular monthly reports giving details of the progress that is being made. The next annual report will be published on 30 November. The latest figures on progress towards the target of making Government services available electronically by 2005 show that over 50 per cent. of Government services are "enabled" now. And Departments predict that 74 per cent. of services will be e-enabled by the end of 2002.

  Civil Service Pay
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy on civil service pay. [15984]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Government policy on pay in the civil service is that effective reward and performance management systems are instrumental to the delivery of better public services. Together they should create a climate in which civil servants want to give of their best and strive for continuous improvement.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his oral statement of 31 October 2001,Official Report, column 866, what action he has taken to introduce legislation to give constitutional protection to the civil service; and if he will make a statement. [15985]

  Tony Wright
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to introduce legislation on the civil service. [15989]
  899W
  Mr. Leslie
  The Government are committed to legislation on the Civil Service and are putting in hand arrangements for wide consultation in advance of its introduction.

  Agriculture
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the regional co-ordination of assistance for the rehabilitation of the agriculture industry. [15986]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government are committed to assisting the development of a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector within a thriving rural economy that advances environmental, health and animal welfare goals.

  The rural recovery co-ordinator, Lord Haskins, and the Rural Task Force each published their reports on 18 October with recommendations for the short term survival of rural business, and mid term strategies for rural recovery after the foot and mouth disease outbreak. The Government will respond shortly to both reports.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has ongoing discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on these and other matters.

  Government Departments (Co-ordination)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent steps he has taken to improve co-ordination between Government departments in connection with the Better Regulation Task Force and the delivery unit. [15987]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for ensuring better co-ordination across Government in the delivery of a broad range of Government policies, not least through the work of Regional Co-ordination Unit, which reports to the Deputy Prime Minister.

  The Better Regulation Task Force is an independent advisory body that makes recommendations to Government on the effectiveness and credibility of government regulation.

  The Prime Minister's Delivery Unit has a key role in strengthening capacity across Whitehall to deliver the Government's priorities in the priority areas of health, education, crime and asylum, and transport. My right hon. and noble Friend, Lord Macdonald of Tradeston has day-to-day responsibility for the work of the Delivery Unit.

  Ministerial Visits
  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what visits to Government regional offices Cabinet Office Ministers have made since 7 June. [15990]

  Mrs. Roche
  Since 7 June, I have visited the Government Offices for the East of England, East Midlands, South West, North East and North West. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has visited the Government Offices for the North East, South West 900W
  and North West. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary visited the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions the Cabinet Secretary has visited(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland since his appointment. [17235]

  Mr. Leslie
  Since his appointment in January 1998, the Cabinet Secretary has visited Northern Ireland once, Wales six times and Scotland five times.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the social exclusion unit. [15992]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Social Exclusion Unit was set up by the Prime Minister to provide joined-up solutions to specific social exclusion problems. It delivers long-term strategies for change but has already demonstrated the effectiveness of its approach.

  The unit has produced reports on five main areas:

  16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training;

  teenage pregnancy;

  rough sleeping;

  truancy and school exclusions; and

  a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal.

  The unit is currently working on four projects, looking at:

  re-offending by ex-prisoners;

  young runaways;

  educational attainment of children in care; and

  transport and social exclusion.

  Public Appointments
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of public appointments made since 1997 have been women; and if he will make a statement. [15997]

  Mr. Leslie
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is not available in the form required. However, as at 31 March 2000, 33 per cent. of public appointments were held by women, compared to 32 per cent. as at September 1997 and 23 per cent. in 1992.

  The Government are committed to the goal of achieving equal representation of men and women in public appointments. All Departments have individual plans containing details of the measures being taken to increase the representation of women and other currently under-represented groups on the boards of their public bodies. New departmental action plans for the period 2002 to 2005 will be published next year.

  Access to Official Information
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will respond to the report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration of 13 November on Access to Official Information. [15498]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: I have been asked to reply.
  901W
  The Government's position remains as set out in the Fourth Report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman on Access to Official Information. The Government have nothing further to add.

  New Deal (Civil Service)
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people have been employed in the civil service under the new deal for the young and unemployed. [19566]

  Mr. Leslie
  As at 1 October 2001 the information on civil service Departments (including their agencies) participating as employers in the new deal is as follows:

  New deal starts since programme began, as at 1 October 2001

  Main department (including agencies)

  Number

  Cabinet Office

  32

  Privy Council Office

  1

  Charity Commission

  38

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  4

  Ministry of Defence

  146

  Department for Education and Skills

  140

  Office for Standards in Education

  1

  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  101

  Intervention Board

  4

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  4

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  11

  Government Communications Headquarters

  2

  Department of Health

  72

  Home Office

  121

  Department for International Development

  7

  Law Officers' Departments

  23

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  64

  National Assembly for Wales

  39

  Northern Ireland Office

  14

  Scottish Executive

  98

  Registers of Scotland

  1

  Department of Trade and Industry

  72

  Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

  108

  Health and Safety Executive

  28

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  1

  Office of Water Services

  1

  Ordnance Survey

  1

  Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (NDPB wef 1 February 2001)

  1

  HM Treasury

  7

  Office of Government Commerce

  1

  HM Customs and Excise

  129

  Board of Inland Revenue

  463

  Office for National Statistics

  11

  Royal Mint

  3

  Department for Work and Pensions

  3,693

  Total

  5,442

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to change the Cabinet Office departmental expenditure limit and the administration cost limit for 2001–02. [19565]

  Mr. Leslie
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the Winter Supplementary Estimate the Cabinet Office Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) (Resources and Capital) will be increased by £145,606,000 from £202,658,000 to £348,264,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by £104,803,000 from £141,950,000 to £246,753,000.

  Within the DEL change the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table.
  902W

  £000

  Resources

  Change

  121,427

  New DEL

  264,449

  of which:

  Voted

  255,844

  Non-voted

  8,605

  Capital

  Change

  24,179

  New DEL

  83,815

  of which:

  Voted

  83,815

  Non-voted

  —

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from transfers of £115,271,000 from other Departments for Machinery of Government changes and other arrangements and the draw-down of end-year flexibility of £6,156,000.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the draw-down of end-year flexibility of £22,718,000 and transfers of £1,461,000 from other Departments for Machinery of Government changes.

  The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and changed to the DEL reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  These changes when combined with the totals for the Central Office of Information and Civil Superannuation increase DEL by £145,606,000 from £260,469,000 to £406,075,000.

  Departmental Policies (Women)
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how his Department monitors the impact of its policies on women. [15974]

  Mrs. Roche
  It is important that departments mainstream women's issues into policy making and delivery. The Women and Equality Unit has developed a framework to encourage policy-makers to challenge each stage of policy making. It asks a series of questions to help ensure that policies meet the different needs of women and men. It has been piloted in the Departments of Health and Lord Chancellor's Department and will be reviewed in the New Year.

  Through its research and other work, the Women and Equality Unit monitors the impact on women of policies in areas of key importance to women.

  EU Regulation
  Jim Knight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made by the Mandelkern Group on better regulation since the last report to this House in March. [19697]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Mandelkern Group has met five times since March 2001 and at its last meeting on 12–13 November adopted its Final Report. This report was presented by the group's chairman, M. Dieudonn6 Mandelkern, to the Internal Market, Consumer and Tourism Council on 26 November and has been sent to
  903W
  the Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers. I have placed a copy of the report in the Library of the House.

  The report represents a significant achievement. For the first time, representatives of all fifteen member states have signed up to a document setting out in detail the actions that need to be undertaken in order to improve Europe's regulatory environment. It contains a number of concrete, practical recommendations and an Action Plan with realistic timings. In particular, the Action Plan asks the Commission to:

  Establish a new, comprehensive impact assessment system, covering all Commission regulatory proposals, by June 2002;

  Establish a central web-based consultation register for all EU consultations by June 2002;

  Adopt a standard minimum 16-week consultation period from March 2002;

  Spearhead a 40 per cent. reduction in the volume of Community acts by June 2004, arising from concerted codification of European legislation by the institutions;

  Launch a new targeted simplification programme by June 2002 of existing European legislation in all areas; and

  Create throughout the Commission a centrally supported, effective network for better regulation by June 2002.

  The Government fully support the Mandelkern Group's report and will be working closely with other member states and the institutions of the EU to seek acceptance and timely implementation of its main recommendations.

  Civil Partnership Registration Scheme
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to introduce a civil partnership registration scheme. [19567]

  Mrs. Roche
  Civil partnership registration and associated rights and responsibilities raise a number of complex issues, which have prompted a growing debate within society. The Government are watching this debate with interest; however, it does not have a settled view.

  These issues potentially have significant financial and administrative implications and the Government cannot commit themselves to making any changes in these areas before undertaking a comprehensive analysis of all the implications. The Government will now be examining the issues in detail.

PRIME MINISTER

  Security and Intelligence Agencies (Departmental Spending Limits)
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans there are to change the(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02 for the security and intelligence agencies. [19751]

  The Prime Minister
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) for the security and intelligence agencies will be increased by £12,764,000 from £879,069,000 to £891,833,000 and the administration cost limit will be increased by £2,424,000 904W
  from £439,530,000 to £441,954,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are set out in the following table:

  Of which:

  Change

  New DEL

  Voted

  Non-voted

  Resources

  10,214,000

  779,284,000

  779,284,000

  —

  Capital

  2,550,000

  112,549,000

  112,549,000

  —

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:

  1. the take up of serious crime funding allocated to the Home Office at SR2000 of £9,310,000;

  2. a PES transfer of £650,000 from the Home Office Overseas Drugs-Related Assistance Programme;

  3. a transfer from DFID's DUP reserve of £100,000;

  4. a PES transfer of £146,000 to the Cabinet Office for fast stream recruitment;

  5. the take up of end-year flexibility (EYF) carried forward from 2001–02 of £300,000.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from £2,250,000 for serious crime funding allocated to the Home Office at SR2000 and the take up of £300,000 of DEL EYF.

  The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and the take up of DEL EYF and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Delivery Unit
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Delivery Unit. [15976]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 83W.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he has provided to inform the work of the Delivery Unit. [15996]

  The Prime Minister
  I established the Delivery Unit to work closely with Departments to ensure that the Government achieve their delivery priorities during this Parliament across the key areas of public service, health, education, crime, asylum and transport.

  Travel Costs (Concorde)
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), of 14 November 2001,Official Report, column 783W, on travel costs, for what reasons the estimated cost of his travel on Concorde on 7 November will not be made available till the end of the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [18237]

  The Prime Minister
  A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas, and information on spend by all Ministers on travel overseas for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

  PIU Energy Review
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the number of organisations, bodies and individuals who have made a submission to the PIU Energy Review. [15993]

  The Prime Minister
  467 submissions have been made to the PIU Energy Review.

DEFENCE

  Plastic Baton Rounds (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many plastic baton rounds have been fired by military personnel in Northern Ireland; and what percentage of the total number of plastic baton round firings this represents. [17751]

  Personnel tested

  Personnel testing positive

  Percentage of personnel testing positive

  Confirmed substances

  Number of confirmed substances

  Royal Navy

  19971

  13,000

  14

  0.11

  Cannabis

  13

  Amphetamine

  1

  1998

  12,218

  14

  0.11

  Cocaine

  2

  Ecstasy

  1

  Cannabis

  10

  Amphetamine

  1

  1999

  13,039

  33

  0.24

  Cocaine

  3

  Ecstasy

  2

  Cannabis

  26

  Amphetamine

  2

  2000

  13,951

  57

  0.36

  Cocaine

  9

  Ecstasy

  17

  Cannabis

  27

  Amphetamine

  2

  Benzodiazepine

  2

  20012

  10,814

  51

  0.47

  Cocaine

  7

  Ecstasy

  13

  Cannabis

  29

  Benzodiazepine

  2

  Army

  1995

  18,311

  178

  0.97

  Cannabis

  126

  Ecstasy

  10

  Cocaine

  1

  Amphetamine

  6

  Other

  0

  1996

  53,287

  315

  0.59

  Cannabis

  253

  Ecstasy

  10

  Cocaine

  5

  Amphetamine

  25

  Other

  0

  1997

  78,865

  485

  0.61

  Cannabis

  422

  Ecstasy

  16

  Cocaine

  12

  Amphetamine

  61

  Other

  3

  1998

  84,474

  428

  0.52

  Cannabis

  339

  Ecstasy

  9

  Cocaine

  26

  Amphetamine

  50

  Other

  2

  906W
  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the then Minister for the Armed Forces on 13 March 2001,Official Report, column 507W, which lists the number of baton rounds fired by the military since 1991. Up until 22 November, 16 baton rounds have been fired in 2001. Since 1991 the Army have fired 2,110 baton rounds compared with 12,158 by the Royal Ulster Constabulary/ Police Service of Northern Ireland representing 15 per cent. of the total number of baton rounds fired.

  Armed Forces (Drugs)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of each of the armed forces tested positive for the use of controlled substances in each of the years since testing began, expressed as(a) a proportion of those tested and (b) by substance. [18411]

  Mr. Ingram
  The percentage of armed forces personnel testing positive for the use of controlled substances in each year since testing began, and the types of substances detected is given in the table.
  907W

  personnel tested

  personnel testing positive

  percentage of personnel testing positive

  confirmed substances

  Number of confirmed substances

  1999

  85,566

  437

  0.51

  Cannabis

  301

  Ecstasy

  47

  Cocaine

  51

  Amphetamine

  30

  Other

  6

  2000

  117,659

  702

  0.60

  Cannabis

  461

  Ecstasy

  155

  Cocaine

  65

  Amphetamine

  27

  Other

  13

  20013

  75,152

  527

  0.70

  Cannabis

  299

  Ecstasy

  183

  Cocaine

  82

  Amphetamine

  19

  Other

  26

  RAF

  19984

  2,712

  1

  0.04

  Cannabis

  1

  1999

  13,211

  10

  0.08

  Cocaine

  2

  Cannabis

  8

  2000

  10,451

  14

  0.13

  Cocaine

  3

  Ecstasy

  2

  Cannabis

  8

  Benzodiazepine

  1

  20013

  8,768

  14

  0.16

  Cocaine

  2

  Ecstasy

  1

  Cannabis

  11

  1 Testing introduced 1 April 1997

  2 To 30 October 2001

  3 To 30 September 2001

  4 Testing introduced 1 November 1998

  It should be noted that individuals may test positive for more than one substance. Individual statistics may not therefore equate directly to total positive test results (i.e. one person may be recorded as a positive in two or three of the individual drug statistics).

  Recruitment
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new measures he has introduced to recruit into the armed forces since 11 September. [18061]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Army recruiting initiative 'Operation London Soldier' took place from 16 to 24 September 2001. This operation had been planned for some months before. All other initiatives, for all three services, have been introduced prior to 11 September.

  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the opening of Army careers offices and armed forces careers offices on Saturday mornings. [18062]

  Mr. Ingram
  The core opening hours for the tri-service armed forces careers offices (AFCOs) and their satellite recruiting offices are from 09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday. Trials of Saturday opening were carried out in 1988, 1993, 1996 and 2000. During the 2000 trial the level of recruiting activity was monitored but the result from many areas was found to be disappointing. From autumn 2000 the AFCO staffs were authorised to open or close offices on Saturdays based on local conditions, resources and priorities.

  Challenger
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average life expectancy of air filters used in those Challenger 2 tanks which participated in Operation Saif Sareea 2 was. [18462]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the first phase of Exercise Saif Sareea 2, the life of the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank air filter reported from theatre was in the region of four hours. Information is currently being collected for the second phase of the exercise, which was held in a different part of Oman.

  Spain (Officers Exchange)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers on exchange between the UK and Spain are serving in(a) UK armed forces and (b) Spanish armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [17976]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: One Royal Navy exchange officer is attached to the Spanish navy and is reciprocated by a Spanish navy officer serving with the Royal Navy. In addition, we have a RAF liaison officer based in Spain and a Spanish liaison officer attached to the British Army.

  Active Service
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) armoured regiments, (b) infantry battalions, (c) artillery regiments, (d) signals regiments and (e) RAF squadrons have seen active service in conflicts over the last 15 years; and if he will make a statement. [18753]
  909W
  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Civil Affairs Group
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the composition and capabilities of the Civil Affairs Group. [18869]

  Mr. Ingram
  Currently, the Civil Affairs Group comprises seven Regular Army Officers, a small administrative team and some 80 Territorial Army personnel. The group can deliver staff planning teams, tactical support teams and functional specialists as required.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the departmental expenditure limits for 2001–02. [19571]

  Mr. Hoon
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Ministry of Defence departmental expenditure limit will be increased by £107,080,000 from £23,769,498,000 to £23,876,578,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on the resources and capital components is set out in the following table.

  £000

  Resources

  Change

  106,780

  New DEL

  18,371,338

  Of which:

  Voted

  18,144,740

  Non-voted

  226,598

  Capital

  Change

  300

  New DEL

  5,505,240

  Of which:

  Voted

  5,407,470

  Non-voted

  97,770

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises principally from:

  The take-up of the end-of-year flexibility carried forward from 2000–01 of £72,917,000.

  A net resource DEL transfer of £35,299,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions for the transfer of the running costs of the War Pensions Agency.

  A transfer of £1,328,000 to the Cabinet Office for BBC World Monitoring expenses.

  A transfer of £432,000 to the Cabinet Office for fast stream recruitment expenses.

  A transfer of £176,000 to the Lord Chancellor's Department for legal aid expenses on human rights.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL of £0.3 million arises from a transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions for the War Pensions Agency.

  The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for personnel involved in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 to be deployed to Afghanistan to aid in the operations in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [15314]

  Mr. Hoon
  Exercise Saif Sareea 2 finished on 29 October. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State announced on 26 October 2001,Official Report, columns 549–64, that a force drawn from the exercise would be: retained in the region to provide the operational flexibility to deal with a wide range of contingencies.

  This force comprises an Amphibious Task Group based around HMS Illustrious and HMS Fearless, including 200 men of 40 Commando Royal Marines (with the rest of 40 Commando held at high readiness in the UK), and Nimrod maritime patrol and Hercules transport aircraft. A Tomahawk-armed submarine presence and a number of reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling aircraft are also in the region.

  Following the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, a number of units from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines that had taken part in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 were placed on reduced notice to move in case they were required to support humanitarian or other missions in Afghanistan.

  Royal Marines from 40 Commando have subsequently been deployed to Bagram airfield. The deployment to Afghanistan of other units or personnel which took part in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 remains under review: no decisions have been taken.

  September 11
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of 11 September on(a) NATO, (b) the EU and (c) the UK's regional interests; and if he will make a statement. [17363]

  Mr. Hoon
  NATO's response to the 11 September attacks included the invocation of Article 5 of the Washington treaty, which states that an attack on one Ally is an attack on all, for the first time in the Alliance's history. This has been supported by a series of specific actions, including deployment of NATO's Airborne Early Warning Force and the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean. The longer-term implications of the events of 11 September, including for the Alliance's force structures and for relations with Russia, are currently under discussion within the Alliance.

  The EU Special Council on 21 September agreed to co-operate with the US in bringing to justice and punishing the perpetrators of the 11 September attacks, and approved a set of measures to combat terrorism, including enhancing police and judicial co-operation, developing legal instruments, putting an end to the funding of terrorism and strengthening air security. The General Affairs Council on 8 October, and again on 20 November, confirmed that all partners strongly support the US and UK military action.

  The attacks have reinforced the need to build and maintain defence relationships with partners throughout the world. The unprecedented level of international support in the fight against terrorism demonstrates clearly

  911W
  the value of having strong defence relationships. As part of our work on a further chapter to the Strategic Defence Review, we are looking very closely at the impact of 11 September on international organisations, including NATO and the EU, and on our regional interests, not least given the need to sustain long-term coalitions against international terrorism. I expect to publish conclusions in the early summer of next year.

  Tax-free Pensions
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) pensioners, (b) widows of pensioners and (c) their estates were identified as entitled to tax free pensions under the pre-1973 Attributable Tax Exercise of 1999; and how many fell into the same categories in cases arising from aggravated invaliding. [18006]

  Dr. Moonie
  We do not have available figures for the numbers of pre-1973 Royal Navy and Royal Air Force pensioners, widows of pensioners or estates entitled to tax free attributable pensions. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, tax exemption was applied as appropriate in these cases.

  The number of pre-1973 Army pensions, widows of pensioners or their estates identified as entitled to tax free pensions is as follows:

  (a) 182 pre-1973 pensioners.

  (b) 73 pre-1973 widows.

  (c) Nil estates.

  In these cases, as well as 787 post-1973 cases, tax exemption was not applied correctly. However this has been remedied in all but 26 cases, which are still under investigation.

  Defence Logistics Organisation
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sums provided for(a) capital expenditure and (b) current expenditure for the Defence Logistics Organisation in the current financial year. [18459]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 31 October 2001,Official Report, columns 659–60W.

  Tornado GR1
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to(a) replace and (b) upgrade the Tornado GR1 aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [18759]

  Mr. Ingram
  We are continuing to upgrade the RAF's fleet of Tornado GR1 aircraft to GR4 standard. The GR4 has been in operational service with the RAF since June and to date 104 GR4s have been delivered.

  The GR4 upgrade includes: Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS); Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR); improved navigation and warning systems (LINS/GPS/GPWS). In addition, the GR4 is now able to deploy the all-weather interim precision guided bomb, as well as laser guided and unguided bombs. The upgrade also paves the way for the eventual integration of Storm Shadow, Brimstone and the Raptor reconnaissance pod on to GR4.
  912W
  The UK has a requirement to replace, towards the end of the next decade, the strike capability currently provided by the Tornado GR4 strike aircraft. This programme is known as the Future Offensive Air System (FOAS). While no decisions have yet been taken we are currently looking at a potential mix of platforms to deliver precision strike capability—including Long Range Cruise Missiles, Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles and manned aircraft.

  Regimental Running Costs
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the running costs of(a) an armoured regiment and (b) an artillery regiment, for the latest year for which figures are available. [18752]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is currently not possible accurately to provide the information requested. The introduction of improved accountancy procedures across the Ministry of Defence will enable us to do so in the future.

  EU Rapid Reaction Force
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of the EU rapid reaction force for(a) crisis management and (b) war-fighting. [18258]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no standing EU rapid reaction force. An EU-led crisis management operation would take place only where NATO as a whole is not engaged. The decision to proceed on a particular operation would be taken on a case by case basis, but the types of operation the EU might undertake could include humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking. These are commonly known as the Petersberg Tasks. The European Security and Defence Policy does not cover war-fighting operations.

  Ex-service Men (Rough Sleepers)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the number of ex-service men who are rough sleepers; and if he will make a statement. [16143]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence does not monitor the number of rough sleepers. However, MOD has been working in partnership with the Rough Sleeper's Unit (RSU) to put in place preventive measures to reduce the ex-service component of rough sleeping, against the target of making an overall reduction in rough sleeping of at least two-thirds by 2002.

  The Social Exclusion Unit Report published in December 1999 highlighted that between a quarter and one fifth of rough sleepers had been in the armed forces at some stage, predominantly as national service men. Since then the RSU in partnership with the MOD has set up schemes to help those vulnerable to rough sleeping, before, at the point of and after discharge.

  Figures published in August by the RSU showed that as of June 2001 there had been a 62 per cent. reduction.

  But we are not complacent. As part of the Government's Veterans' Initiative we are looking at improvements to resettlement arrangements for the vulnerable groups from which rough sleepers are most likely to come.

  Armoured Vehicles
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what types of armoured vehicles are in service; and what are the(a) mid-life extension programmes dates and (b) anticipated withdrawal from service dates, where applicable. [18199]

  Type

  Fleet size

  Life extension dates, where applicable

  Planned withdrawal/phase out from service dates

  Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank

  386

  n/a

  2028

  Challenger Recovery Vehicle

  81

  n/a

  2028

  Chieftain Recovery Vehicle

  49

  n/a

  2003–05

  Chieftain Bridge Layer Vehicle

  51

  n/a

  2005–07

  Chieftain Royal Engineer Vehicle

  51

  n/a

  2005–07

  Beach Recovery Vehicle

  5

  n/a

  2002–03

  FV 430 series

  1,730

  n/a

  2007–20

  Saxon—(including Saxon Patrol)

  649

  n/a

  2007–20

  CVR (T) Reconnaissance Vehicle—including all variants

  1,600

  12002

  22005

  32015

  Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle—all variants

  794

  n/a

  2025

  Stormer—all variants

  148

  n/a

  2020

  Shielder

  28

  2010

  2019

  Combat Engineer Tractor

  135

  n/a

  2003

  Fuchs NBC Vehicle

  11

  2002–04

  2010

  AS 90

  179

  n/a

  2023

  Multiple Launch Rocket System

  64

  n/a

  2025

  M578

  8

  n/a

  2008

  1 Completed by July

  2 Some variants

  3 Remainder

  MOD Police Vehicles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of the MoD police purchasing vehicles through a central purchasing agency. [18398]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Procurement Agency is the central purchasing agency for the Ministry of Defence. The MOD Police is a Defence Agency and the DPA purchase all vehicles used by the Force in line with standard procurement procedures.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policy the MOD police adopts towards supporting British manufacturing when purchasing vehicles. [18399]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Procurement Agency purchase all vehicles for the Ministry of Defence Police on a best value for money basis.

  NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative will report; and if he will make a statement. [18640]

  Mr. Hoon
  NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative was launched at the Washington Summit in April 1999 with a view to addressing shortfalls in military capabilities across the Alliance. The Initiative is overseen by the High Level Steering Group (HLSG), the Chairman of which periodically reports to NATO Defence Ministers. The
  914W
  Mr. Ingram
  The following types of armoured vehicle are currently in service with the UK armed forces (the dates of any planned life extension programmes and withdrawal from services dates, based on current plans, are also given):

  next report is due to be presented at the December Ministerials, with the HLSG's final report at the Prague Summit next year.

  Since 1999 NATO nations have been working hard to implement the DCI. Progress has been made in many capability areas, including interoperability; logistics co-operation; air to air refuelling; air and sealift; and acquisition of precision-guided munitions. The UK's own performance within the Defence Capabilities Initiative compares very well with the Alliance average.

  Far East Prisoners of War
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the pick-up rate broken down by condition of the medical screening programme for Far East prisoners of war; and if he will make a statement. [18407]

  Dr. Moonie
  There is no medical screening programme for former Far East prisoners of war. The War Pensions Agency does however offer a Tropical Disease Investigation. Arrangements for this are not conditional upon a person being in receipt of a war pension. Since May 2000, Tropical Disease Investigations have been offered to 45 former Far East prisoners of war of whom 15 have accepted and 30 declined.

  Military Courses
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total revenue his Department has received in each of the last 10 years as a result of providing places on UK military courses to overseas service men. [16142]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the revenue received by the Ministry of Defence for the period 1991–92 to 2000–01 in support of International Training.
  915W

  Year

  £ million

  1991–92

  63.186

  1992–93

  36.793

  1993–94

  39.522

  1994–95

  34.626

  1995–96

  45.907

  1996–97

  39.749

  1997–98

  19.860

  1998–99

  22.765

  1999–2000

  22.767

  2000–01

  17.709

  Divorce (Service Men)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men occupying married quarters were divorced in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [16144]
  916W
  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to renegotiate the public service agreements signed with the Treasury for 2001 to 2004. [18461]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Ministry of Defence's Public Service Agreement (PSA) records the key defence outcomes the Government aim to achieve over the Spending Review period. The PSA agreed as part of Spending Review 2000 relates to the period 2001–02 to 2003–04. As part of Spending Review 2002, all Departments' PSAs will be reviewed and revised as necessary for the period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when her Department first received warnings from training providers that the individual learning account scheme was open to fraud. [14580]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 13 November 2001]: My Department actively engaged learning providers in the development of the individual learning accounts programme. For example, a number of seminars were held with learning providers in 2000, prior to the introduction of the national framework for individual learning accounts, and these continued into 2001. At these events providers expressed a wide range of opinions. In September 2000 James O'Brien, Managing Director, Pitman Training, wrote to Ministers to express concern that the programme was open to abuse but that the cap on public support for each individual's ILA account introduced to help control such abuse had been set at too low a level. We have not yet been able to trace any earlier correspondence on the specific topic of potential abuse of the ILA scheme.

  Gender Stereotyping
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance has been issued to careers teachers to challenge preconceptions about girls' and boys' subjects and employments. [16264]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information and good practice to challenge preconceptions about career choices is contained in a number of documents made available by my Department to schools and careers advisers, including "Developing the careers education curriculum in schools", 1999, and "School improvement: how careers work can help", 2000. The issue is also covered by research published by the Equal Opportunities Commission, and in forthcoming guidance by Ofsted on evaluating careers education in schools, which will be issued to schools early in the new year.

  The Connexions service works with young people aged between 13 and 19, including those in schools, and subsumes the role of careers services in guiding young people on suitable employment and learning choices. Connexions and careers services work closely with careers teachers to provide comprehensive and impartial information, advice and guidance. They offer training to teachers and other staff so that schools can challenge stereotyping, promote equality of opportunity and engender a wide awareness of opportunities among pupils.

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist schools have closed since 1997 in(a) England and (b) east Devon. [17269]

  Mr. Timms
  One specialist school has closed in England since 1997; this was due to local authority reorganisation. No specialist schools have closed in east Devon. 25 former specialist schools in England no longer have Specialist School status. All of these lost their status since 1997. There were none in east Devon.
  918W
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist schools have closed since 1997 in Arundel and South Downs. [18310]

  Mr. Timms
  No specialist schools have closed in Arundel and South Downs since the inception of specialist schools. There are 25 former specialist schools in England which no longer have Specialist School status. All of these have lost their status since 1997. None of them are located in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for each specialist school and college in(a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire, what were its (i) targets associated with specialist status and (ii) success in meeting those targets in the most recent year for which information is available. [18619]

  Mr. Timms
  This information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Jean Monnet Chairs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the Jean Monnet(a) chairs and (b) chair occupants funded in the UK by European Community money. [17622]

  Margaret Hodge
  Jean Monnet chairs are co-financed by their universities and by the European Commission. The present occupants of the Jean Monnet chairs in United Kingdom and their universities are listed by subject area.

  Jean Monnet chairs in UK universities

  Chair

  University

  European Law

  To be appointed

  University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd

  Prof. A. M. Arnull

  University of Birmingham

  Prof. Estella Baker

  University of Leicester

  M. Brian Bercusson

  University of Manchester

  Prof. Lammy Betten

  University of Exeter

  Prof. Christopher Bovis

  University of Central Lancashire, Preston

  Mr. Noreen Burrows

  University of Glasgow

  Ms Holly Culen

  University of Durban

  Mr. Peter Joseph Cullen

  University of Edinburgh

  Prof. Arthur Alan Dashwood

  University of Cambridge

  Dr. Charles Debattista

  University of Southampton

  Prof. Barry Fitzpatrick

  University of Ulster, Coleraine

  Ms Theodora Kostakopoulou

  University of East Anglia, Norwich

  Ms Catherine Kratz

  University of Lancaster

  Mr. Duncan Matthews

  University of Warwick, Coventry

  Ms Helen Meenan

  University of Kingston

  Dr. Sarah Mercer

  University of Northumbria at Newcastle

  Dr. Nanette Neuwahl

  University of Liverpool

  Mrs. Ursula O'Hare

  University of Newcastle

  Prof. Nuala O'Loan

  University of Ulster, Coleraine

  Prof. M. G. Ross

  University of Leicester

  Prof. Jo Shaw

  University of Leeds

  Prof. Peter Stone

  University of Essex, Colchester

  Prof. Anna Syngellakis

  University of Portsmouth

  Prof. Erika Szyszczak

  University of Nottingham

  Prof. A. G. Toth

  University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

  Prof. John Anthony Usher

  University of Edinburgh

  Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski

  University of Hull

  Prof. Thomas Waelde

  University of Dundee

  Prof. Adrian Wood

  Metropolitan University of Leeds

  European Economics

  Dr. Robert William Ackrill

  University of Leicester

  Prof. Ian Gregory Barnes

  University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Lincoln

  919W

  Jean Monnet chairs in UK universities

  Chair

  University

  Dr. Marius Brulhart

  University of Manchester

  Dr. Alan Butt Philip

  University of Bath

  Dr. Lawrence Jeremy Clegg

  University of Leeds

  Dr. Felicia Fai

  University of Bath

  Dr. Vanessa Fry

  University of Essex, Colchester

  To be appointed

  De Montfort University, Leicester

  Prof Andrews Hughes Hallett

  University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

  Dr. Theodore Hitiris

  University of York

  Dr. Peter Holmes

  University of Sussex, Brighton

  Dr. Andrew Mountford

  University of Southampton

  Dr. Cillian Ryan

  University of Birmingham

  Mr. Andrew Scott

  University of Edinburgh

  Mr. Stephen Smith

  University College of London

  Dr. Mehmet Ugur

  University of Greenwich, London

  Prof. Roger W. Vickerman

  University of Kent at Canterbury

  European Political Integration

  Mr. D. J. Allen

  University of Loughborough

  Prof Andrea Bosco

  South Bank University, London

  Prof Irene Brennan

  University of Westminster, London

  Prof Simon Bulmer

  University of Manchester

  Dr. M. Burgess

  University of Hull

  Dr. Thomas Christiansen

  University of Wales Aberystwyth

  Dr. Clive Church

  University of Kent at Canterbury

  Dr. Michelle Cini

  University of Bristol

  Prof K. Doogan

  University of Bristol

  Dr. Geoffrey Edwards

  University of Cambridge

  Dr. D. M. Farrell

  University of Manchester

  Dr. Helen Fawcett

  University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

  Prof Kevin Featherstone

  University of Bradford

  Prof Stephen Alan George

  University of Sheffield

  Mrs. Jacqueline Gower

  Thames Valley University, London

  Dr. Justin Greenwood

  Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

  Mr. Frank Gregory

  University of Southampton

  Prof Catherine Hoskyns

  University of Coventry

  Prof Jolyon Howorth

  University of Bath

  Ms Annabel K. Kiernan

  University of Paisley

  Prof Emil Kirchner

  University of Essex, Colchester

  Dr. Robert Leonardi

  London School of Economics and

  Political Science, London

  Prof Juliet Lodge

  University of Leeds

  Prof C. J. Lord

  University of Leeds

  Prof John P. Loughlin

  University of Wales, College of Cardiff

  Mr. Howard Machin

  London School of Economics and

  Political Science, London

  Mr. Michael Mannin

  John Moores University, Liverpool

  Mr. S. Marsh

  University of Wales, College of Cardiff

  Prof Elizabeth Meehan

  Queen's University Belfast

  Dr. A. Menon

  University of Oxford

  Prof Michael Newman

  University of North London

  Prof Neill Nugent

  Metropolitan University of Manchester

  Dr. John Peterson

  University of Glasgow

  Dr. John Redmond

  University of Birmingham

  Prof Jeremy Richardson

  University Essex

  Dr. Ella Ritchie

  University of Newcastle

  Prof T. C. Salmon

  University of Aberdeen

  Mr. George Schflpflin

  School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London

  Prof Michael Smith

  University of Loughborough

  Dr. Stelios Stavridis

  University of Reading

  Dr. Paul Taggart

  University of Sussex, Brighton

  Specialist schools located in LEAs where 25 per cent, or more of secondary pupils attend grammar schools (as at 27 November 2001)

  Lea

  School

  Specialism

  Admission Policy

  Bexley, LB of

  Beths Grammar School for Boys

  Technology

  Selective Grammar

  Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury Grammar School

  Technology

  Selective Grammar

  Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury High School

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  Buckinghamshire

  Beaconsfield High School

  Technology

  Selective Grammar

  Buckinghamshire

  Dr. Challoner's High School

  Sports

  Selective Grammar

  Buckinghamshire

  John Hampden Grammar School

  Technology

  Selective Grammar

  Buckinghamshire

  Royal Grammar School (The)

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  920W

  Jean Monnet chairs in UK universities

  Chair

  University

  Prof. Helen Wallace

  University of Sussex, Brighton

  Dr. Alison Watson

  University of St. Andrews

  Dr. Mark Wise

  University of Plymouth

  History of European Integration

  Dr. A. J. Crazier

  Queen Mary and Westfield College, London

  Dr. Anne Deighton

  University of Oxford

  Prof. Michael Smith

  Queen's University Belfast

  Dr. Stephen Ward

  University of Salford

  Youth Services
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in relation to youth services in each local education authority how many hours of provision are made(a) directly by the LEA (b) on behalf of the LEA and (c) independently of the LEA. [18623]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Under the Learning and Skills Act 2000 the provision of the youth service is the responsibility of local education authorities (LEAs). The Department for Education and Skills does not collect information on youth service hours of provision that are made directly by the LEA, on behalf of the LEA or independently of the LEA.

  Rural Education Action Zones
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how she proposes that the work of rural education action zones be carried forward following the transfer of responsibility for EAZ schools to the Excellence in Cities programme. [18624]

  Mr. Timms
  Wherever possible, we aim to find ways of continuing to support ex-zone schools following the end of each zone's statutory term. My officials are starting discussions with each zone on the future of the zone, with a view to having firm proposals well before the end of its statutory term.

  Specialist Schools
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the specialist schools in education authorities which retain the 11-plus, indicating which are(a) grammar and (b) secondary modern or non-selective schools. [18647]

  Mr. Timms
  For the 10 LEAs in which 25 per cent, or more secondary pupils attend grammar schools, the table shows the specialist schools which are(a) grammar schools and (b) secondary modern or non-selective.
  921W

  Specialist schools located in LEAs where 25 per cent. or more of secondary pupils attend grammar schools (as at 27 November 2001)

  Lea

  School

  Specialism

  Admission Policy

  Buckinghamshire

  Princes Risborough School

  Technology

  Modern

  Buckinghamshire

  Sir William Ramsey School

  Arts

  Modern

  Buckinghamshire

  Wye Valley School (The)

  Sports

  Modern

  Kent

  Dartford Grammar School

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  Kent

  Weald of Kent Grammar School

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  Kent

  Dartford West High School for Girls

  Technology

  Modern

  Kent

  Hartsdown School

  Technology

  Modern

  Kent

  Hayesbrook School (The)

  Sports

  Modern

  Kent

  Hillview School for Girls

  Arts

  Modern

  Kent

  Holmesdale Community School

  Technology

  Modern

  Kent

  Hugh Christie Technology College

  Technology

  Modern

  Kent

  Sandwich Technology School

  Technology

  Modern

  Kent

  Angley School

  Sports

  Comprehensive

  Kent

  Chaucer Technology School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Kent

  Cornwallis School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Kent

  St. George's C of E School

  Language

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  Skegness Grammar School

  Sports

  Selective Grammar

  Lincolnshire

  Castle Hills Community School

  Arts

  Modern

  Lincolnshire

  Gleed Girls' School (The)

  Technology

  Modern

  Lincolnshire

  Middlefield Community School (The)

  Technology

  Modern

  Lincolnshire

  Monks' Dyke Technology College

  Technology

  Modern

  Lincolnshire

  Central School (The)

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  George Farmer School (The)

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  Lincoln Christ's Hospital School

  Language

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  Lincoln School of S & T

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  North Kesteven School

  Arts

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  Robert Manning School (The)

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  Robert Pattinson School

  Language

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  Sir William Robertson High School

  Language

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  St. George's School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Lincolnshire

  William Farr CoE Comprehensive School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Medway

  Chatham Grammar School for Boys

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  Medway

  Chatham Grammar School for Girls

  Technology

  Selective Grammar

  Medway

  Rainham School for Girls

  Technology

  Modern

  Medway

  Thomas Aveling School (The)

  Technology

  Modern

  Slough

  Herschel Grammar School

  Technology

  Selective Grammar

  Slough

  Wexham School

  Sports

  Modern

  Southend-on-Sea

  Southend High School for Boys

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  Southend-on-Sea

  Eastwood School (The)

  Arts

  Modern

  Southend-on-Sea

  Shoeburyness Community High School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Sutton. LB of

  St. Philomenas Catholic High School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  Torbay

  Torquay Boys' Grammar

  Language

  Selective Grammar

  Trafford

  Ashton on Mersey School

  Sports

  Modern

  Trafford

  Jeff Joseph Sale Moor TC

  Technology

  Modern

  Trafford

  Lostock Community High School

  Arts

  Modern

  Trafford

  Stretford High School

  Language

  Modern

  Trafford

  Wellington School

  Technology

  Comprehensive

  GCSE Results (Arundel and South Downs)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on difference in performance at GCSE between state secondary schools(a) with and (b) without a sixth form in Arundel and South Downs. [18325]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The proportion of 15-year-olds achieving five or more GCSEs at A* to C in Arundel and South Downs in 2001 was as follows (the results of the individual schools included in the averages are also given):

  Percentage

  Arundel and South Down

  Individual schools

  (a) Schools with sixth forms

  56.7

  —

  The Angmering School

  —

  54

  Steyning Grammar School

  —

  58

  The St. Philip Howard Catholic High School

  —

  58

  922W

  Percentage

  Arundel and South Down

  Individual schools

  (b) Schools without sixth forms

  63.4

  —

  Westergate Community School

  —

  42

  Downlands Community School

  —

  74

  Higher Education (East Sussex)
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans there are to establish a new(a) university and (b) higher education college in East Sussex. [9859]

  Margaret Hodge
  There are no plans at present to establish another higher education institution in East Sussex. However, as part of a five point programme to regenerate Hastings and Rother, there are discussions underway about developing higher education in East Sussex.

  GCSE Results
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will provide a nationwide breakdown of GCSE results in 2001 by gender. [18614]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The GCSE results for 15-year-old pupils in schools in England in 2001 by gender are:

  Boys

  Girls

  Total

  Percentage achieving five or more grades A*-C

  44.8

  55.4

  50.0

  Percentage achieving five or more grades A*-G

  86.9

  91.0

  88.9

  Percentage achieving no passes

  6.5

  4.4

  5.5

  Average GCSE/GNVQ point score

  36.6

  42.1

  39.3

  School Exclusions
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils were excluded(a) permanently and (b) temporarily from schools in each year since 1997. [18617]

  Mr. Timms
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Number of permanent exclusions by type of school: England, 1996–97 to 1999–2000

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Primary schools1

  1,573

  1,539

  1,366

  1,226

  Secondary schools1

  10,463

  10,187

  8,636

  6,713

  Special schools2

  632

  572

  436

  384

  All schools

  12,668

  12,298

  10,438

  8,323

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed

  2 Includes both maintained and non-maintained special schools

  Source:

  Annual Schools Census

  Information on pupils excluded on a temporary basis is not collected centrally.

  The latest permanent exclusions data were published in a Statistical Bulletin "Permanent Exclusions from Maintained Schools, England 1999/2000" on 16 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/statistics

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in each age group were excluded(a) permanently and (b) temporarily from schools in the most recent year for which information is available. [18618]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information on permanent exclusions by age is shown in the table.

  Permanent exclusions by age—England, 1999–2000

  Age1

  Number of permanent exclusions

  3

  0

  4

  9

  5

  59

  6

  86

  7

  132

  8

  202

  9

  312

  10

  460

  11

  519

  12

  1,180

  924W

  Permanent exclusions by age—England, 1999–2000

  Age1

  Number of permanent exclusions

  13

  1,766

  14

  2,200

  15

  1,288

  16

  92

  17

  16

  18

  2

  19

  0

  Total

  8,323

  1 Age at 31 August 2000.

  Source

  Annual Schools Census

  Information on pupils excluded on a temporary basis is not collected centrally.

  The latest permanent exclusions data were published in a Statistical Bulletin 'Permanent Exclusions from Maintained Schools, England 1999/2000' on 16 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website "www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/stati sties"

  Education Maintenance Allowances
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how(a) participation rates and (b) attainment levels (i) of pupils and (ii) of areas benefiting from education maintenance allowances compare with those not so benefiting; [18620]

  (2) if she proposes to publish evidence on the educational benefits of education maintenance allowances before taking a decision about roll-out; and when that will be. [18621]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pilots are being evaluated over a three-year period, and we will be basing our decisions about any national roll-out on the evaluation evidence. From the beginning, we have made clear our commitment to publishing reports which set out the independent evaluators' main conclusions. The first reports were published in March this year and the next report is due for publication early in 2002. The quantitative analysis which is being carried out compares performance in the areas where we are piloting EMAs against "control areas" where EMA is not available.

  Early findings from the evaluation show that EMA appears to have raised participation in education. The statistical analysis estimates an average gain in participation in pilot areas compared to control areas, among EMA eligible young people, of around five percentage points.

  Although we do not yet have figures on attainment, the qualitative aspect of the evaluation has found some evidence of a positive effect on young people's performance and commitment to study.

  Connexions Service
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what are her quantitive targets for the Connexions service. [18622]
  925W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Connexions service has published the following targets in its Planning Guidance for 2002–03:

  Cross cutting targets

  Connexions partnerships will contribute to the following local targets set by Government Departments and agencies:

  to increase the proportion of 16-year-olds obtaining five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C (or equivalent) by four percentage points between 2002 and 2004 (DfES & LEA target);

  92 per cent. of 16-year-olds to obtain five or more GCSEs at grades A*-G (or equivalent), including English and Maths, by 2004 (DfES & LEA target);

  the number of 19-year-olds achieving a qualification equivalent to NVQ level 2 to increase by three percentage points between 2002 and 2004 (LSC target);

  80 per cent. of 16–18-year-olds to be in structured learning by 2004 (LSC target);

  to reduce school truancies by a further 10 per cent. between 2002 and 2004 (DIES target);

  to reduce by 50 per cent. the under-18 conception rate by 2010, and to establish a firm downward trend in the conception rates for the under 16s (cross Government target).

  Partnership targets

  Connexions partnerships will lead in setting and achieving the following local targets in their area:

  A reduction in the percentage of young people leaving education and training to become NEET (not in employment, education or training);

  The percentage of those young people who were looked after at the age of 16, who are engaged in employment, education and training at the age of 19. Levels for this group should be at least 75 per cent. of those for all young people of the same age in the area by 2004;

  The percentage of 16–19-year-old teenage mothers in employment, education and training;

  The proportion of 13–18-year-olds, supervised by Youth Offending Teams who are in employment, education and training by March 2004;

  The proportion of 13–18-year-olds with a drug related problem who are identified and referred to an appropriate specialist service by Connexions;

  A local target, to improve levels of participation among a local priority group. This might be a particular minority ethnic group, travellers, or young people whose whereabouts are not currently known.

  £000

  RfR 1

  RfR 2

  RfR 3

  RfR 4

  Total change

  Resources

  Change

  -198,384

  -1,410,305

  0

  -384

  -1,609,073

  New DEL

  16,961,222

  0

  122,345

  99,616

  —

  Of which:

  Voted

  6,551,606

  0

  122,345

  99,616

  —

  Non-voted

  10,409,616

  0

  0

  0

  —

  Capital

  Change

  267,888

  -17,652

  0

  0

  250,236

  New DEL

  2,876,419

  0

  1,025

  0

  —

  Of which:

  Voted

  1,913,981

  0

  0

  0

  —

  Non-voted

  962,438

  0

  0

  0

  —

  926W
  A further target, for young people with disabilities, is being considered in conjunction with the Department of Health.

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many formal notices her 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. [18771]

  Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Information on the outcome of statutory investigations which were concluded during 2000–01 are set out in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2000–01, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, or on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.ombudsman.org.uk/pca/docu ment/par01/index.htm.

  Between 1 April 2001 and 31 October 2001 my Department received five new statutory statements of complaint from the Parliamentary Ombudsman. So far, my Department has responded to all of these cases, and the average time taken to respond overall is 21 days.

  Departmental Spending Limits
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to change the departmental expenditure limit and administration cost limits for 2001–02. [19511]

  Estelle Morris
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department for Education and Skills' DEL will be decreased by £1,358,837,000 from £21,582,664,000 to £20,223,827,000 and the administration costs limits will be changed as follows.

  £000

  Original

  Change

  Revised

  DfES and ES1

  1,074,874

  -855,829

  219,045

  Sure Start2

  3,449

  —

  3,449

  Children and Young People's Unit3

  1,575

  1,091

  2,666

  1 RfR1 and RfR2

  2 RfR3

  3 RfR4

  Within the DEL change, the impact on the resources element and the capital element are as set out in the following table:
  927W
  The reduction in the voted resource element of the DEL for RfR1, (£242,549,000) arises from the take up of £320,860,000 of End Year Flexibility provision; the increase in receipts of £40,000,000 resulting from the winding up of the Training and Enterprise Councils; the transfer of £25,478,000 to the Cabinet Office to support Government offices, recruitment of Fast Streamers and Millennium Volunteers; the transfer of £9,414,000 from the Home Office for the education of adult and juvenile offenders, Adult Basic Skills projects and Community Champions: the transfer of £4,097,000 from the Department of Health for Health Education Partnerships and the Education Projects Implementation Programme; the transfer of £1,072,000 to the Welsh Executive for the National Training Organisation and for Hardship and Opportunity Bursaries; the transfer of £1,000,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions to support Lone Parents; an increase to the Standards Fund of £710,000: the transfer of £473,000 to the Scottish Executive for Hardship Bursaries and Fee Remission for Open University Students; the take up of £123,000 from the Evidence Based Policy Fund for research projects; the transfer of £100,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the Property Service Agency costs transferred to DfES; the transfer of £70,000 to the Department of Trade and Industry for Work Life Balance secondees; and the transfer of £496,349,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions, £8,207,000 to the Department of Trade and Industry, £4,590,000 to the Home Office and £614,000 to the Cabinet Office as part of the machinery of Government changes announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June 2001. The reduction in the voted resource element of the DEL for RfR2, (£1,410,305,000) arises from the transfer of the Employment Service to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the machinery of Government changes.

  The reduction in the voted resource element of DEL for RfR4 arises from the transfer of £384,000 to the Cabinet Office to support Children's Fund partnerships work in Government offices.

  The increase in the voted capital element of the DEL for RfR1, (£270,290,000) arises from the take up of £235,000,000 of End Year Flexibility provision; the transfer of £30,000,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions being the refund of CMF provision from the Employment Service and; the take up of £6,000,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF) for the Cybrarian, Advanced and Enterprise Specialist Schools and SEN Communication Aids; and an increase of £710,000 in former grant maintained school loan repayments.

  The reduction in the voted capital element of the DEL for RfR2, (£17,652,000) arises from the transfer of the Employment Service to the Department for Work and Pensions.

  The increase in the non-voted resource element of the DEL, (£69,877,000) arises from the take up of £68,467,000 of End Year Flexibility provision; an increase of £40,000,000 to the grant in aid to the Learning and Skills Council; the transfer of £13,735,000 to the Scottish Executive for Open University Students; the transfer of £3,250,000 from the Home Office for Higher Education Active Community Fund projects; the transfer of £1,200,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions for provision the Adult Learning Inspectorate;
  928W
  the transfer of £1,100,000 to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to support the Maritime Training Scheme; and the transfer of £19,600,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions and £8,605,000 to the Cabinet Office as part of the machinery of Government changes.

  The decrease in the non-voted capital element of the DEL arises from the transfer of £1,402,000 to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the machinery of Government changes.

  The non-voted DEL has also been reduced by £25,712,000 (resource) and by £1,000,000 (capital) as a result of the transfer of the European Regional Development Fund provision to the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the machinery of Government changes. Whilst this provision is in our DEL it is not in our estimate.

  Lecturers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the ability of part-time lecturers to provide quality support to their students. [18674]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department is not aware of any issues regarding the ability of part-time lecturers to offer quality support to their students. NATFHE recently published a report 'in From the cold' about part-time lecturers in higher education, which did not uncover any problems in this area. Membership of the ILT helps lecturers to ensure that they are equipped with the skills necessary to be able to give a high standard of teaching to their students. The ILT encourages membership of part-time staff.

  School Records
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has issued to(a) local education authorities and (b) schools in respect of (i) their responsibilities for the preservation of school records and (ii) their co-operation with local public records offices in order to maintain the integrity of school records for the purposes of historical research; and if she will make a statement. [15831]

  Mr. Timms
  We have issued no guidance to local education authorities and schools on these matters. As schools' own records are not public records, it is for them to make their own decisions, consulting local public records offices as they think fit.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Wychavon District Council
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the improvement in the performance of the planning department of Wychavon district council; and if he will make a statement. [14283]

  Ms Keeble
  We monitor all authorities' performance in handling planning applications on a quarterly basis. The most recent figures show that Wychavon determined
  929W
  69 per cent. of applications within eight weeks in the period April to June 2001, compared with 35 per cent. in the equivalent period in 2000. The authority is subject to a Best Value performance standard that requires it to determine at least 65 per cent. of applications within eight weeks in 2001–02.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what are the(a) original and (b) latest estimates of the (i) cost and (ii) longevity of the West Coast Main Line works in Hertfordshire. [15804]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is not possible to give a breakdown of costs of the works in Hertfordshire alone. We know from our discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority, Railtrack and Virgin Trains that the project is facing problems in terms of cost increases and uncertainty about the timescale for delivery. Works in Hertfordshire will include major track, signalling and power supply replacement. There are major packages planned for the summer of 2002 and spring 2003 in the Hemel-Tring area, and major resignalling works planned for the Watford area in 2004.

  Street Lighting
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if local transport plan funding in 2002–03 will include funding for street lighting. [16079]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government are committed in the 10-year Plan for Transport to tackling the maintenance backlog for local authority roads, bridges and street lighting. Over £30 billion is being provided for local road maintenance over the next 10 years, an extra £9 billion (27 per cent. in real terms) above the funding levels in the previous 10 years. Capital expenditure on maintenance, which is used to tackle deterioration, will increase by nearly £7 billion over the 10 years.

  Funding for the maintenance and renewal of street lighting is currently made through the Highways Maintenance Standard Spending Assessment element of Revenue Support Grant. No specific provision has been made in the 2002–03 capital maintenance settlement for renewal of street lighting. The first priority in the 10-Year Plan is to halt the deterioration in carriageways and footways and to continue the bridge strengthening programme. Additional provision for street lighting renewal may be made through the LTP system in later years. For the present, authorities have discretion over the funding provided for maintenance and smaller integrated transport schemes and may use this to fund capital works on street lighting where this is a local priority.

  DTLR is aware that street lighting columns in a number of authorities are failing structurally, but does not have sufficient information to determine the number of columns that are unsafe. Local authorities have agreed with DTLR that a national condition survey for street lighting should be introduced, and that information from this should be used to compile a national inventory. In future years the inventory could be used to target funding for tackling the street lighting backlog.

  Motorway Speed Limits
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those sections of motorway that have(a) a 50 mph limit, (b) variable speed limits and (c) other speed limits less than the national limit. [16598]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 20 November 2001]:

  50 mph speed limit

  M1 Junction 1 (A406)—northbound link roads/small length of main northbound carriageway

  M4—Junction 4 to Elevated Section— —50 mph

  M4 Heathrow Spur

  M11 Southbound approach to Junction 4 (A406)

  M606 link to the westbound carriageway of M62 at Junction 26

  M6 between Junctions 3 and 4

  M1/M62 Links at Junction 42/Junction 29 Lofthouse

  M65 approach to Junction 1A

  M621 Junction 1 to Junction 6, including all slip roads

  M61 Kearsley Spur

  Variable speed limit

  M25 Junctions 10–15

  Other speed limits less than the national limit

  M1—lengths of two northbound link roads closest to Junction 1–30 mph

  M4 Elevated section (west of Junction 2-Junction 1)—40 mph

  M1 Junction 2 (A1) slip roads— 30 mph

  M1 Junction 6 Southbound part of entry and exit slip roads—30 mph

  M32 between J2 and 3–60 mph

  M621 J1–6 30 and 40 mph speed limits on entry and exit slip roads.

  Planning Appeals (Buckingham)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many appeals against refused planning applications he has received in 2001 in respect of sites in the Buckingham constituency. [16900]

  Ms Keeble
  The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 November 2001:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of planning appeals received from within your constituency this year.
  I regret I cannot be specific as our records are based on Local Authority areas. Within the Aylesbury Vale District Council area, 68 appeals against refused planning applications have been received since 1 January 2001. Of these, 2 have a Buckingham postal address.

  Railway Workers
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway workers have made representations to him since 5 October; and on what subjects. [17114]
  931W
  Mr. Jamieson
  My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister for Transport have had a number of meetings with trade union representatives to discuss the concerns of railway workers. In addition, we have received letters from individual railway workers.

  Rent Restructuring
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish representations he has received from(a) the local authority associations, (b) organisations representing tenants' interests and (c) registered social landlords regarding the implementation of the rent restructuring proposals in April 2002. [19039]

  Ms Keeble
  We are placing copies of the responses to the consultation on "HRA subsidy and rent restructuring" in my Department's library. The responses to the consultation following the April 2000 Housing Green Paper, which first outlined our proposals for rent restructuring, have already been placed in the Departmental library.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated savings to the Treasury are in the next financial year following implementation of the Government's proposals on rent restructuring. [17169]

  Ms Keeble
  None. There is no intention that the technical changes designed to bring the assumptions in the Housing Revenue Account subsidy system back into line with actual costs and resources should be used either to reduce or increase the aggregate level of resources available to councils nationally.

  Parking Charges (Central London)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimated gross income from parking charges received by(a) Camden, (b) Kensington and Chelsea, (c) Wandsworth, (d) Westminster, (e) Islington, (f) Southwark and (g) Lambeth in 1999–2000. [17412]

  Ms Keeble
  The gross income from off-street and on-street parking in 1999–2000 is given in the tables:

  £000

  Camden

  24,535

  Islington

  5,812

  Kensington and Chelsea

  30,434

  Lambeth

  10,663

  Southwark

  6,209

  Wandsworth

  8,731

  Westminster

  88,020

  Road Accidents (Somerset)
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for 'Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) fatal and (b) serious road traffic accidents have taken place in (i) Somerset and (ii) the constituency of Somerton and Frome in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [17930]
  932W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Road accident statistics are compiled by local authority area and are not available centrally for parliamentary constituencies. The table shows the numbers of fatal and serious road traffic accidents in each of the local authority areas in Somerset.

  Fatal road accidents in Somerset by local authority district

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Mendip

  9

  6

  12

  9

  18

  Sedgemoor

  7

  12

  6

  7

  4

  Taunton Deane

  5

  8

  11

  6

  3

  West Somerset

  3

  3

  3

  0

  3

  South Somerset

  21

  9

  12

  12

  13

  Total

  45

  38

  44

  34

  41

  Serious road accidents in Somerset by local authority district

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Mendip

  57

  61

  47

  50

  61

  Sedgemoor

  61

  54

  45

  39

  34

  Taunton Deane

  66

  58

  52

  40

  35

  West Somerset

  14

  13

  10

  17

  11

  South Somerset

  74

  81

  84

  82

  87

  Total

  272

  267

  238

  228

  228

  Road Accidents (Bassetlaw)
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many road users in the Bassetlaw constituency had accidents in the last year for which figures are available; and what is the average in constituencies in England. [17439]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Road accident statistics are compiled by local authority area and are not available centrally for parliamentary constituencies. The information available relates only to accidents which result in personal injury.

  There were 742 road user casualties in accidents which took place within the Bassetlaw local authority area in 2000. An additional 420 uninjured drivers and riders were involved in these accidents. It is not known how many uninjured passengers or pedestrians were involved.

  Regional Airports (Flight Surcharges)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will abolish flight surcharges from regional airports. [18004]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is for airlines and air travel organisers to justify their prices. If passengers feel they are not getting a fair deal they should make their views known to them, and perhaps shop around for a better deal.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Quinquennial Review of the Ordnance Survey. [17985]

  Ms Keeble
  I have received the Stage 1 Report of the Quinquennial Review of Ordnance Survey and will make an announcement shortly.
  933W
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has concluded his consideration of the formal review of the Ordnance Survey Framework Document 1999 undertaken by the Ordnance Survey Management Board. [18170]

  Ms Keeble
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that the then Under-Secretary of State my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Beverley Hughes) gave on 15 February 2001,Official Report, columns 220–21W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ruth Kelly) announcing the Quinquennial Review to the House.

  For the current Quinquennial Review, CMG Admiral was appointed to carry out the task following a competitive tendering process. The review has provided extensive opportunities for consultation with internal and external stakeholders.

  Following the completion of Stage 1, I have since received the Report of the Quinquennial Review of Ordnance Survey and will make an announcement shortly.

  Public Transport (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to increase the allocation of funding for public transport in the Greater London area. [17884]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government's spending plans for public transport in London and elsewhere were set out in "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan", issued in July 2000. The 10 Year Plan provides over £25 billion of public and private investment between 2001–02 and 2010–11. In addition, London will also benefit from some national rail schemes.

  Precise levels of funding for Transport for London will be decided following consultation with the Mayor on the determination of his transport grant for 2002–03, and in respect of the underground, once the negotiations with preferred bidders for the tube modernisation contracts have been successfully concluded.

  Buses (Safety)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers the Transport Commissioners have to investigate bus services that are deemed to be unsafe. [17875]

  Ms Keeble
  In order to obtain and retain a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Operator's Licence, the bus operator must satisfy the relevant Traffic Commissioner that he is of good repute, professionally competent, of appropriate financial standing, and is able to maintain his vehicles properly.

  In cases where it appears to the Commissioner that appropriate vehicle safety standards are not being maintained, he can call upon my Department's Vehicle Inspectorate to investigate. If safety standards are found to be inadequate, the Commissioner can take disciplinary action against the operator's PSV licence.

  Passenger safety on local bus services is primarily a matter for the bus operator itself.

  Stagecoach
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the outcome of the investigation by the Traffic Commissioner into the operation of bus services by Stagecoach in Gloucester and Cheltenham in November. [17878]

  Ms Keeble
  I understand that the Traffic Commissioner for the Western Traffic Area called two Stagecoach-owned bus companies to public inquiry on 10 October 2001 following a reliability monitoring exercise by the Vehicle Inspectorate on their local bus services.

  At the Inquiry, the Traffic Commissioner fined Cheltenham District Traction Company Ltd., 10 per cent. of the Fuel Duty Rebate paid to them during the three months prior to the determination being made. The Commissioner issued a formal warning to the other operator, Cheltenham and Gloucester Omnibus Company Ltd., as to its future conduct in ensuring that the services which it provides are reliable.

  The Commissioner can take further disciplinary action against either operator if reliability does not improve.

  Transport Spending
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total UK public expenditure, broken down into(a) capital and (b) revenue, including EU grants, was in each year since 1980 for which figures are available on (i) road infrastructure, (ii) local public transport, (iii) rail transport, (iv) water transport and (v) air transport. [18082]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information requested is not readily available. I have asked my officials to collate this information and will write to my hon. Friend. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Newly Qualified Drivers
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will introduce a probationary period for newly qualified drivers in the United Kingdom. [17833]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 and the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Northern Ireland Order 1998 introduced probationary periods for newly qualified drivers. Under these provisions, the licence of any driver who accumulates six or more penalty points in the first two years after passing their first driving test will be revoked automatically. To regain a full licence, a provisional licence must be obtained and the theory and practical tests taken and passed again. In accordance with the Government's Road Safety Strategy, we intend to consult shortly on a wide range of issues regarding newly qualified drivers.

  Fishing Communities Regeneration Initiative
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list, by region, the communities that have received funds under the Fishing Communities Regeneration Initiative and the purposes for which each community used its funds. [18269]
  935W
  Ms Keeble
  I have written to the relevant Regional Development Agencies that operate the Fishing Communities Regeneration Initiative asking for this information. When the information has been assembled in the Department I shall write to my hon. Friend. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Braer
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he has received the new evidence gained from re-examination of the Braer's surviving logbooks by two independent marine engineers; and if he will make a statement; [18727]

  (2) if he will order the Marine Accidents Investigation Board to re-open the inquiry to establish the facts concerning the loss of the Braer; [18722]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the recent decision of the Marine Accidents Investigation Board not to re-open the inquiry into the loss of the Braer; [18725]

  (4) if he will order a public inquiry to establish responsibility for the loss of the Braer. [18723]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2567) state that"The Chief Inspector (of Marine Accidents) may cause any investigation to be reopened either generally or as to any part thereof, and he shall do so

  (a) if after the completion of the investigation in his opinion new and important evidence has been discovered, or

  (b) if for any other reason there is in his opinion ground for suspecting that a miscarriage of justice has occurred."

  The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has received, and very carefully considered, the log-books and certain other information concerning the Braer. In his opinion it is not new and important evidence, nor does it make him believe a miscarriage of justice has occurred.

  The decision not to reopen the MAIB investigation into the loss of the Braer is entirely for the Chief Inspector and I am satisfied he has considered the matter fully.

  I consider there are no grounds for ordering a public inquiry.

  Dangerous Items (Airport Sales)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he has taken to ban the sale of dangerous items in airside shops at airports; and how these restrictions are monitored. [18637]

  Mr. Jamieson
  DTLR issued Heightened Security Measures by legal direction on 26 September 2001. This lists articles which, as potential weapons, must not be taken into the restricted zone of an aerodrome or into the cabin of an aircraft either by passengers or as goods for retail or supply to passengers. DTLR aviation security inspectors monitor compliance.

  London Underground
  Clive Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what 936W
  effect the credit rating of Transport for London will have on the future cost of the public-private partnership for the London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [18389]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Transport for London's credit rating is one of the many factors that financiers will take into account when bidders raise private sector finance for the tube modernisation plans.

  Transport (Arundel and South Downs)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made as to the adequacy of(a) rail services and (b) bus services between Arundel and South Downs and London. [18326]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No formal assessment of rail or coach services has been made.

  On rail travel, the Strategic Rail Authority is negotiating a new South Central franchise with GoVia, who have recently assumed ownership of the existing franchise. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which will be published in the near future, will set out its priorities for enhancement of the network.

  While we recognise the value of long-distance coach services, decisions on what services to provide are a matter for commercial operators responding to passenger demand.

  Traffic Schemes
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the number of traffic schemes in London approved by him in each of the last three years relating to the provision of(a) road humps and (b) pinch-points; what the cost of the schemes was; and what effect these developments have had on (i) traffic flows and (ii) road safety. [18397]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Over the last three years, London local authorities have been free to install traffic calming features complying with regulations, and no information is held centrally on such features. The Secretary of State's authorisation was required for "non-complying" features up to April 1999, when this requirement was replaced in London only by a requirement to notify the Secretary of State of such features. No applications for authorisation were received from London local authorities in the two years to April 1999, and no notifications have been received since.

  National Air Traffic Services
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what representations he has received from the Airline Group for financial assistance to support its operation of the National Air Traffic Services; [18742]

  (2) what recent communications have taken place between his Department's officials and representatives of the Airline Group with regard to the funding of the National Air Traffic Services; [18743]
  937W
  (3) if he will make a statement on the future viability of the public private partnership arrangements for the management of the National Air Traffic Services following the recent downturn in demand for air passenger traffic. [18741]

  Mr. Jamieson
  NATS is reviewing its financial position, following the downturn in demand for air travel, and is finalising its business plan, for submission to the Government shortly. The Government have had discussions with NATS and the Airline Group about the implications of revised traffic forecasts on the company's long term viability, but have received no request for financial assistance as a result.

  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many jobs within the National Air Traffic Control Services he expects to be shed over the next three years. [18745]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Information on staffing levels within National Air Traffic Services should be sought from the Chief Executive's Office, NATS, One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AP.

  Housing (West Wiltshire)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of changes in the supply of low-cost homes on the housing situation in West Wiltshire. [18420]

  Ms Keeble
  The Department requires local authorities to carry out robust assessments of local housing need in their areas and to develop housing strategies that address the identified need for affordable housing and also to make effective use of their powers under the planning system to secure an element of affordable housing within new housing developments.

  West Wiltshire district council granted planning permission for 51 units of affordable housing in the 2000–01 financial year. These homes will be available for renting through Registered Social Landlords.

  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of(a) the number of new households in West Wiltshire for each of the years from 1995 to 2001 and (b) the number of new households in these years unable to (i) rent and (ii) buy in West Wiltshire. [18421]

  Ms Keeble
  The estimated net increase in the number of households in West Wiltshire in the five years to 1999, the latest date for which data are available, is 1,400 giving an average increase of around 300 households per year. Mid year household estimates for England at local authority level are published annually. Data for 2000 will be published on 29 November and a copy placed in the Library of the House. Uncertainties in these estimates increase with geographical detail and mid year estimates are only published to the nearest thousand.

  No information is available on the number of new households in these years unable to buy or rent in West Wiltshire.

  Empty Homes
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure that authorities in England publish empty homes strategies. [18419]

  Ms Keeble
  We have no plans to require local authorities to publish empty homes strategies. The guidance provided to local authorities on housing strategies makes clear that we expect them to consider the role that effective action to tackle empty homes can play in addressing housing problems in their area. All authorities are required to report their performance in doing so through the Best Value in Housing programme.

  Voting (Postal Strikes)
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to change the rules on(a) postal and (b) absentee voting to take into account postal strikes. [18445]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Electoral Commission announced on 20 November that it was initiating a review of postal and absent voting, to report by September 2002. The Government will consider any recommendations which the Commission may make for changes in legislation.

  M6
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to improve the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester. [18438]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The section of the M6 between junction 11 and 20 is currently being investigated as part of the West Midlands to North West Multi-Modal Study. The consultants are due to release the final report for the study towards the end of January 2002. It will be for the Regional Assembly in the North West and the West Midlands Local Government Association to consider the report and make their recommendations to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Secretary of State will decide which measures to take forward through other Government agencies. If approved any new works could start within the 10 Year Transport Plan period.

  M6/M56
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects work to begin on the motorway link between junction 19 of the M6 and the M56. [18447]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The M6 and A556 are currently being investigated as part of the West Midlands to North West Multi-Modal Study. The Consultants are due to release the final report for the Study towards the end of January 2002. It will be for the Regional Assembly in the North West and the West Midlands Local Government Association to consider the report and make their recommendations to the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions. The Secretary of State will decide which measures to take forward through other Government Agencies. If approved any new works could start within the 10 Year Transport Plan period.

  Cheshire Fire Service
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many persons were employed in the Cheshire Fire Service in(a) 1997 and (b) 2001. [18450]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Based on annual returns submitted to HM Fire Services Inspectorate, the number of persons employed by Cheshire Fire Brigade as at 31 March 1997 and 31 March 2001 was as follows:

  1997

  2001

  Wholetime firefighters

  620

  612

  Retained firefighters

  192

  190

  Control room staff

  29

  24

  Other staff

  88

  103

  Speed Limits (Residential Areas)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the average cost to local authorities of introducing 20 mph zones in residential areas. [18481]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The design and implementation of 20 mph zones is a matter for each local traffic authority and therefore estimates have not been prepared centrally. Costs will vary according to the size of the zone, the type and number of the speed controlling measures used and the quality of the materials. From past experience costs of typical schemes are likely to be in the order of £100,000 to £200,000.

  Traffic-Calming Measures
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much local authorities have spent on traffic-calming measures from 1992 up to the last year for which figures are available. [18480]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The introduction of traffic calming measures is a matter for local highway authorities. We have no details of the amounts spent by authorities since 1992.

  Outturn

  Outturn to date1

  Local authority

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Birmingham

  582

  660

  476

  321

  179

  Bridgnorth

  12

  29

  —

  —

  —

  Bromsgrove

  18

  39

  15

  32

  5

  Cannock Chase

  52

  8

  19

  64

  17

  Coventry

  83

  156

  126

  63

  2

  Dudley

  29

  67

  208

  —

  —

  East Staffordshire

  72

  39

  15

  —

  —

  Hereford

  38

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Herefordshire

  —

  27

  58

  53

  33

  Leominster

  19

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lichfield

  4

  36

  5

  —

  4

  Malvern Hills

  37

  28

  50

  25

  —

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  51

  24

  60

  13

  10

  North Shropshire

  12

  43

  4

  12

  15

  East Devon-London Transport Links
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of(a) rail services and (b) bus services between east Devon and London; and if he will make a statement. [18282]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No formal assessment of rail or coach services has been made.

  On rail services, we would expect South West Trains and Wessex Trains in consultation with local stakeholders to come forward with proposals to meet demands for new or improved services. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which will be published in the near future, will set out its priorities for enhancement to the network.

  While we recognise the value of long-distance coach services, decisions on the services to provide are a matter for commercial operators responding to passenger demand.

  Housing PFI
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the status of the housing PFI pathfinder projects. [18291]

  Ms Keeble
  There are eight pathfinder authorities currently going through the procurement process for housing private finance initiative. The authorities are at varying stages in the process. Manchester, Sandwell, Islington and North East Derbyshire are evaluating bids from potential contractors. Leeds, Newham, Camden and Reading are due to issue a document inviting bids during the next three months. Contract signatures are expected during 2002.

  Housing (West Midlands)
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of new homes constructed in the west Midlands by local authority area using Housing Corporation funding in the past five years. [18290]

  Ms Keeble
  The number of new homes constructed in the west Midlands by local authority area using Housing Corporation funding in the past five years is shown in the table. (The table does not include Housing Corporation funded rehabilitation of rented stock and low cost home ownership schemes).
  941W

  Outturn

  Outturn to date1

  Local authority

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  North Warwickshire

  77

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  27

  45

  90

  6

  40

  Oswestry

  3

  4

  19

  5

  —

  Redditch

  10

  27

  23

  21

  28

  Rugby

  44

  5

  64

  —

  —

  Sandwell

  102

  106

  148

  122

  15

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  12

  8

  35

  12

  —

  Solihull

  42

  79

  —

  137

  —

  South Herefordshire

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Shropshire

  34

  9

  11

  4

  10

  South Staffordshire

  29

  15

  25

  16

  1

  Stafford

  —

  6

  11

  64

  —

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  20

  6

  42

  —

  —

  Stoke-on-Trent

  89

  182

  112

  183

  6

  Stratford-on-Avon

  27

  14

  39

  22

  —

  Tamworth

  11

  26

  3

  37

  —

  The Wrekin

  37

  19

  77

  84

  12

  Walsall

  128

  145

  112

  84

  46

  Warwick

  15

  56

  15

  60

  45

  Wolverhampton

  146

  104

  109

  82

  40

  Worcester

  4

  5

  —

  12

  4

  Wychavon

  29

  16

  5

  42

  —

  Wyre Forest

  3

  14

  25

  45

  6

  Total

  1,908

  2,047

  2,001

  1,621

  518

  1 2001–02 completions to date

  Housing Transfers
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) which local authorities have transferred their housing stock to new registered social landlords and if he will give the number of homes involved in each case; [18289]

  (2) if he will list the local authorities which have indicated that they would like to proceed to transfer their housing stock. [18292]

  Ms Keeble
  A table indicating the local authorities that have transferred some or all of their stock to registered social landlords has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Applications for a place on next year's Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Programme are due to be received by 11 January 2002. Once these applications have been assessed my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce the local authorities that have been granted a place on the programme.

  Planning Inquiries
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many public inquiries into planning applications have lasted more than(a) one month and (b) three months in each of the last five years. [17356]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Public inquiries are presided over by Inspectors provided by the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from C. J. Shepley to Paddy Tipping dated 28 November 2001:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of long planning inquiries over the last five years.
  942W
  Whilst the Inspectorate provides Inspectors for Public Inquiries into called-in planning applications as well as for planning appeals, until recently we have been reliant on information supplied by others with regard to Secretary of State decisions issued and inquiry duration. Unfortunately this information has not always been forthcoming. For example, of 73 such decisions that we know of in only 10 cases do we know the number of sitting days of the inquiry.
  From the information that we do have, the number of called-in applications or planning appeals decided following an inquiry of 1 month or more were

  Year decision issued

  Cases where inquiry sat for between and 59 days 20 days (1 month)

  Cases where inquiry sat for 60 days (3 months) or more

  1996

  8

  6

  1997

  13

  6

  1998

  4

  0

  1999

  13

  0

  2000

  0

  0

  2001 (to date)

  8

  2

  Quarry Industry
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the environmental performance of the UK quarry industry in comparison with(a) other EU and (b) non-EU countries. [17922]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: My Department has made no recent assessment of the environmental performance of the UK quarry industry in comparison with other EU or non-EU countries.

  Rural Roads
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the development of a rural road hierarchy, as required by the Transport Act 2000. [18971]
  943W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The concept of a hierarchy was considered as part of the Speed Review and the Government's Road Safety Strategy, both published last year.

  The Transport Act 2000 committed the Government to consider the development of a rural road hierarchy for speed management purposes. Following Royal Assent the DTLR set up a Working Group of professionals and the main interest groups. The Group has prepared a thorough report that raises some interesting points and recommendations. As required by the Act, the Secretary of State has today laid copies of this report before each of the Houses of Parliament.

  I commend the Working Group for the excellent job they have done in identifying the benefits of a hierarchy. I am also grateful for their frank assessment that currently, if it were developed as a system of different speed limits, a hierarchy would be costly both financially and in terms of environmental intrusion. Also, given the necessary infrastructure and behavioural changes required, the road safety and quality of life benefits could take too long to realise.

  I am grateful to the Group for identifying the clear links between the development of a hierarchy and several other Road Safety Strategy initiatives. Above all, I agree that the DTLR's assessment framework would be the best place to carry out the work to determine criteria for assigning roads within the hierarchy. As such, I fully accept their recommendation to incorporate the speed limit setting element of the hierarchy within the development of the assessment framework.

  They rightly identify the signing issues as a big obstacle to progressing the hierarchy as they have proposed it. The DTLR will shortly be commencing work on the Road Safety Strategy commitment to review speed limit signing regimes. I have instructed officials to consider the signing elements of the hierarchy report as part of this work.

  The Group recognised the need for traffic calming measures to support speed limits in order to achieve changes in vehicle speeds. The forthcoming DTLR project to develop practical speed management measures on rural roads will be the best vehicle for testing such traffic calming treatments.

  Of course, there are innovative measures that have already been tried by my Department, like vehicle activated signs, that will in future be more widely applied where suitable. Detailed guidance on the use of vehicle activated signs will be produced next year.

  Both the Working Group and the Speed Review identified the need for more information before we can properly assess the case for lower rural speed limits. I am therefore committing the DTLR to undertake a survey of vehicle speeds on a representative sample of rural roads to ensure that decisions are evidence based.

  With the package of measures I have outlined here, and those in the Road Safety Strategy, I am convinced that we will be able to build on this report and deliver real benefits to those who live, work and travel in rural areas.

  Rural Bus Services
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to 944W
  his answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 327W, on rural bus services, how much of the money outlined in the Rural White Paper for the Rural Bus Challenge and Rural Transport Partnership programme was spent in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; and how much each initiative has received. [18781]

  Ms Keeble
  A total of £21 million was allocated to new Rural Bus Challenge projects in 2000–01, spending over a number of financial years. Expenditure in that year on all Challenge projects, including those begun in previous years, was £11 million. There is £20 million available for awards in this year's Rural Bus Challenge competition, decisions on which will be announced shortly. Forecast expenditure in the current year on all projects is £23 million.

  The Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership Programme spent £4.8 million in 2000–01. For this financial year, formal grant offers total £7.1 million to date, of which £2.9 million has been spent.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 327W, on rural bus services, if he will specify (a) the size of the samples for rural areas and (b) the areas the samples were carried out in (i) 1992 to 1994, (ii) 1995 to 1997 and (iii) 1998 to 2000. [18680]

  Ms Keeble
  The sample size of households in rural areas within Great Britain in the National Travel Survey were

  (i) 1992/94: 1,419

  (ii) 1995/97: 1,091

  (iii) 1998/2000: 754.

  The areas used to select household samples consist of one or more postcode sectors, which cannot be specified because of confidentiality. The sampling procedure is set out in the annual National Travel Survey Technical Reports available in the Library of the House.

  Council Tenants (Poole)
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2001,Official Report, column 738W, on cash incentive scheme payments, if he will raise the maximum cash incentive grant to council tenants to buy their own homes in Poole to a level comparable, in relation to average house prices, to the level offered in London and the South-East. [17729]

  Ms Keeble
  We have no immediate plans to make any changes to the limits set for cash incentive scheme payments. We are, however, reviewing the control framework under which the scheme operates.

  Local Strategic Partnerships
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the powers the local strategic partnerships will have to carry out their tasks. [18665]

  Ms Keeble
  Local strategic partnerships (LSPs) are not executive bodies. Their purpose is to co-ordinate the activities of their members in order to tackle local problems. Those members will include representatives
  945W
  from the public, private, voluntary and community sector. Recent legislation has extended the ability of public sector bodies such as health authorities and local authorities to work in partnership with organisations in other sectors. Executive responsibility for implementing the partnerships' strategies rests with the partner organisations.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what methods the local strategic partnerships assess needs of the local people and find those who are often excluded. [18666]

  Ms Keeble
  Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) will involve the public, private, community and voluntary sectors to ensure that initiatives and services work together locally. LSPs will devise and implement community strategies and local neighbourhood renewal strategies, which will improve the delivery of local services generally, with a specific focus on deprived areas. These strategies should build on information from local people on what they need and want, rather than working from the top down. The statutory guidance, Preparing Community Strategies, refers to an analysis of needs which should be carried out by the various partners on the LSP. Considerable background information will already exist.

  LSPs must include local people, especially those from deprived neighbourhoods and from excluded groups, such as black and minority ethnic groups and older people. LSPs will need to provide them with training and support so they can be fully involved from the start. The Government have established the Community Empowerment Fund, which will provide £36 million over the next 3 years to create 'Community Networks' in the 88 most deprived English areas. In each area, CEF moneys will be given direct to a local voluntary organisation chosen by the regional Government Office. This lead organisation' will form a Community Network to ensure a high level of community representation on the LSP.

  Transport (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he has taken to increase the number of buses which have disabled access ramps: and if he will make a statement on disabled access on all forms of public transport. [18679]

  Ms Keeble
  Accessibility regulations for new trains, buses and coaches have been introduced under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Part III of the Act requires public transport infrastructure to be accessible to disabled people. From 2004 this will include the removal of physical barriers to access.

  Since 31 December 2000, regulations have required all new single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes and double deck buses on scheduled services to be accessible, including fitting boarding devices (ramps and lifts).

  We are requiring all single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes to be fully accessible from 1 January 2016, and all double deck buses from 1 January 2017.

  Neighbourhood Renewal
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidelines govern the eligibility of local authorities for neighbourhood renewal funding. [18667]

  Ms Keeble
  The list of authorities eligible for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has been determined by taking those authorities that are among the 50 most deprived on any of the six measures in the Indices of Deprivation 2000. On this basis 81 authorities would be eligible. In addition, there are transitional arrangements for those authorities that were within the 50 most deprived areas on any of the four measures under the old Index of Local Deprivation, but are not in the list of 81 authorities that qualify using the Indices of Deprivation 2000. Therefore, a further seven local authority areas are eligible for the Fund.

  The funding each authority receives is intended to be related to the severity of the deprivation within its area. The sum they receive is based on a standard amount per head of population that live in wards in the most deprived 10 per cent. on the Indices of Deprivation 2000. This is underpinned by a minimum allocation of £200,000 in 2001–02 for authorities with no wards in the most deprived 10 per cent.

  Affordable Housing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to review guidance to local planning authorities on securing affordable housing through the planning system. [19271]

  Ms Keeble
  Our Green Paper on planning which we hope to publish shortly will be supported by a number of consultation documents. These will include our proposals on planning obligations and how we might increase the provision of affordable housing through the planning system.

  New Deal for Communities
  Mr. Lammy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his assessment of the performance of New Deal for Communities programmes. [15994]

  Ms Keeble
  There are 39 New Deal for Communities (NDC) partnerships. The performance of each partnership is currently assessed through an annual review in February each year. The 17 Round 1 Pathfinder partnerships were assessed in February 2001. The Round 2 partnerships were not assessed, as their delivery phase did not begin until April 2001.

  The NDC Programme has begun to have some positive impacts. For example, in the Sandwell NDC area in the West Midlands there has been an overall reduction in robberies of 48 per cent. since April 2001. East Manchester NDC has recorded a 30 per cent. reduction in crime following implementation of a crime reduction strategy. In the Haringey NDC area between April and August 2001 soliciting and loitering were down 57 per cent. on the same period last year.

  Planning Applications (Processing Times)
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what the average turn-around time is for processing by a local authority of a correctly submitted planning application; [19079]

  (2) how many local authorities achieved a six week turn around time from receipt of a correct planning application to a decision in the last 12 months. [19080]

  Ms Keeble
  The information requested is not available. However, in 200–01, 63 per cent. of applications were decided within eight weeks and 83 per cent. of applications were decided within 13 weeks.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress the Social Exclusion Unit has made in reducing the number of rough sleepers. [15995]

  Ms Keeble
  The Social Exclusion Unit published a report on rough sleeping in July 1998 in which the Prime Minister set the tough target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough in England to as near to zero as possible and by at least two thirds by 2002.

  The Rough Sleepers Unit (RSU) was subsequently set up to deliver the Prime Minister's target and published it's strategy "Coming in from the Cold", in December 1999, which outlined a raft of new policies and services:
  helping people sleeping rough on the streets with drug, alcohol and mental health problems;
  helping former rough sleepers rebuild their lives through education, training and employment; and
  preventing a new generation of rough sleepers particularly those leaving care, the armed forces and prison.

  The RSU published it's second Progress Report in summer 2001 which shows the significant impact the 'Coming in from the Cold' strategy has made.

  In 1998, there were approximately 1,850 people rough sleeping in England. In June 2001, published figures indicated that approximately 703 people were sleeping rough, (357 in London, and 346 outside of London). This represents a 62 per cent. reduction.

  The Rough Sleepers Unit is currently carrying out research and consulting with organisations and individuals that impact on the strategy, with a view to developing a future strategy that will keep the number of rough sleepers as near to zero as possible.

  Chemical Sites (Access to Information)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to restrict public access to information on major chemical sites held on public registers on security grounds. [19512]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today made a direction that all safety reports provided under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 should be excluded from the public registers maintained by the Competent Authority, that is the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agencies.
  948W
  This is a sensible precautionary step taken on security grounds in the light of the current situation following the tragic events of 11 September. It is a temporary measure which will give time for sensitive information to be removed from existing safety reports, and the amended reports restored to the public register.

  Hazardous facilities, with the potential for causing major off-site accidents are registered with the HSE, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, under the COMAH Regulations. These include major chemical works, petrochemical and gas installations and high quantity users of flammable/explosive/toxic substances (e.g. chlorine at water treatment works).

  The 430 most hazardous ("top-tier") sites have to prepare a detailed safety report describing the hazards presented and safety precautions taken. The regulations require safety reports for top-tier sites to be placed on public registers. The registers are maintained by Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

  At present only a small number of the safety cases are on the public register. The remainder would have been put on over the next few months. The Direction will enable security sensitive information to be identified and a second, more targeted Direction to be considered. This would allow the amended reports to be placed in the public arena.

  It is important to note that the action on removing safety reports would not affect the arrangements in place to give the public vital safety instructions on such sites. People who are liable to be affected by an accident at a COMAH site are given specified information about the establishment, the major accident hazards and the safety measures that are in place. It is the site operator who has to provide this information independent of the safety report. This will ensure that the emergency services and the public know how to react in the event of an accident.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether there are plans to change the departmental expenditure limit and administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19513]

  Mr. Byers
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Departmental Expenditure Limits for 200–02 will change as follows.

  (a) The DTLR Main Programmes DEL will be decreased by £263,092,000 from £12,384,874,000 to £12,121,782,000 and the DTLR administration costs limit will be decreased by £61,190,000 from £776,525,000 to £715,335,000 and the DTLR HSE administration costs limit has increased by £2,500,000 from £193,732,000 to £196,232,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table:

  £000

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  -380,102

  117,010

  New DEL

  4,744,850

  7,376,932

  949W
  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:

  (i) The changes for Request for Resources 1 are as follows:

  Take up of End Year Flexibility of £39,609,000 comprising £3,000,000 for Pneumoconiosis grants, £2,359,000 for Housing Action Trusts, £2,842,000 for building regulations, £4,582,000 for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, £6,782,000 for the Coalfield Enterprise Fund, £2,300,000 for the Ordnance Survey, £5,500,000 for planning, £1,583,000 for the Single Regeneration Budget, £300,000 for Fire Services, £5,000,000 for social exclusion, £707,000 for Rent Assessment Panels administration costs, £1,786,000 for The Rent Service administration costs and £2,868,000 for the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency administration costs. An increase of £344,000 from Request for Resources 4 in respect of civil service reform funding for The Rent Service Executive Agency (£97,000) and The Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency (£247,000). An increase of £438,917,000 from non-voted provision for Regional Chambers (£5,000,000), the Regional Development Agencies (£336,124,000), the London Development Agency (£23,337,000) and a technical adjustment (£74,456,000) to remove contributions from other departments to Regional Development Agencies. A net decrease of £253,606,000 arising from the following inter-departmental transfers: Machinery of Government changes of £245,646,000 (£231,556,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (to whom end year flexibility entitlement of £21,365,000 is also being transferred), £22,158,000 to Department of Trade and Industry; £174,000 to British Trade International; and £8,242,000 from the Home Office); £250,000 from the Home Office for Rough Sleepers, £190,000 from Department for Work and Pensions for Rough Sleepers, £3,800,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to contribute to costs associated with foot and mouth disease, £3,000,000 from the Home Office for neighbourhood wardens, £5,000,000 to the Department of Health for social exclusion, £5,000,000 to the Home Office for community facilities, £100,000 to Lord Chancellor's Department for Local Authority efficiency and £2,500,000 from the Policy Innovation Fund for (New Ventures) street wardens. There is also a reduction of £450,000 to reflect additional receipts for the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency.

  (ii) The changes for Request for Resources 2 are as follows:

  Take up of End Year Flexibility of £76,268,000 comprising £1,293,000 to meet the costs of shipping inquiries and shipping programmes; £2,959,000 for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for administration costs (£1,761,000) and project slippage (£1,198,000); £6,088,000 for Civil Aviation programmes and the Air Transport White paper; £197,000 for international subscriptions; £6,767,000 for the Highways Agency to repay a loan to Department of Transport. Local Government and the Regions (£6,630,000) and administration costs (£137,000); £10,584,000 for multi-modal studies, consultancy projects, advertising, minicab licensing, transport research, Traveline, the Ultra project, road haulage modernisation projects and to settle the Park Lane UK Single Vehicle Approval claim; £11,000,000 for London Underground PPP advisers and
  950W
  rail consultants; £800,000 for the Commission for Integrated Transport; £1,993,000 for Channel Tunnel Rail Link costs; £5,000,000 for the extension of bus fuel duty rebates to coaches; £7,469,000 for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency including £6,140,000 for administration costs; £2,900,000 for vehicle and traffic enforcement; £11,170,000 for the Powershift and cleaner vehicles programme; and £8,048,000 for the Strategic Rail Authority to reflect the Rail Regulator's Review of Access Charges. A net decrease of £1,556,000 arising from the following inter-departmental transfers: £1,100,000 from Department for Education and Skills for maritime training; £150,000 from Department of Health for Mobility Centres; £452,000 from Home Office to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; £3,200,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs towards foot and mouth costs and the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme; and £58,000 to Department of Trade and Industry for Framework 5 Helpline. A net transfer of £416,000 from Request for Resources 4 for Civil Service Reform (£1,305,000) and net internal adjustments (£889,000). A transfer of £7,150,000 to the capital element of the DTLR DEL.

  (iii) The changes for Request for Resources 4 are as follows:

  Take up of End Year Flexibility of £20,323,000 for Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions administration costs (£19,936,000) and other expenditure (£387,000). A net decrease of £106,908,000 arising from the following inter-departmental transfers: machinery of government changes of £111,004,000 (£11,064,000 from Home Office, £72,690,000 to Cabinet Office, £6,684,000 to Department of Trade and Industry and £42,694,000 to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs); £290,000 for Local Government PSA costs to Department for Education and Skills (£100,000), Department of Health (£100,000), Home Office (£25,000), Department for Work and Pensions (£25,000), Department for Culture, Media and Sport (£20,000) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (£20,000); and £4,389,000 from the Cabinet Office Civil Service Modernisation Fund. An increase of £8,500,000 to meet administration costs from non-voted provision. A transfer of £1,436,000 to Requests for Resource 1 and 2 for Civil Service Reform funding, and a net transfer of £889,000 from Request for Resources 2 for a technical adjustment. A reclassification of £2,500,000 from the capital element of the DEL for the provision of IT services to the Health and Safety Commission.

  (iv) Provision within the non-Voted resource element of the DTLR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be decreased by £596,765,000. This reflects take up of End Year Flexibility of £86,957,000 comprising £82,429,000 for Large Scale Voluntary Transfers, £4,246,000 for the Housing Corporation and £282,000 for the Commission for New Towns. A decrease of £236,305,000 arising from machinery of government transfer to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. £438,917,000 will be transferred to voted provision on Request for Resources 1 and £8,500,000 will be transferred to voted provision on Request for Resources 4.

  (v) As a result of the changes to Requests for Resources 1, 2 and 4 the DTLR administration provision has been decreased by £58,690,000 from £1,015,839,000 to £957,147,000.
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  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:

  (vi) The changes for Request for Resources 1 are as follows:

  Take up of End Year Flexibility of £5,115,000 comprising £2,477,000 for The Rent Service Executive Agency, £2,306,000 for coalfields, and £332,000 for the Single Regeneration Budget. A net decrease of £183,000 arising from the following Machinery Of Government changes: £363,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (to whom end year flexibility entitlement of £71,719,000 will also be transferred) and £180,000 from the Home Office. A transfer of £602,764,000 from non-voted resources as a technical adjustment to remove contributions from other departments to Regional Development Agencies.

  (vii) The changes for Request for Resources 2 are as follows:

  Take up of End Year Flexibility of £237,066,000 comprising £1,758,000 for the International Maritime Organisation building; £1,816,000 for Maritime and Coastguard Agency project slippage; £12,864,000 for the Highways Agency to repay a loan to Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (£5,370,000) and to meet the additional costs of the Strategy for Financial Management project (£7,494,000); £1,336,000 for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; £5,600,000 for Transport for London; £8,000,000 for the Rural Bus Capital Challenge scheme; £1,940,000 for the Midland Metro scheme; £8,800,000 for water freight grants; £194,952,000 for the Strategic Rail Authority for Railtrack Feasibility Studies (£28,000,000) and to reflect the Rail Regulator's Review of Access Charges (£166,952,000). A net increase of £662,000 arising from transfer from the Home Office to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to support vehicle crime reduction initiatives and implement an electronic interface with magistrates courts. Take up from the Capital Modernisation Fund of £2,700,000 for the Active Traffic Management project (£2,000,000); and the Strategic Rail Authority (£700,000). A transfer of £4,231,000 to non-voted credit approvals for de-trunking roads. A transfer of £7,150,000 from the resource element of the DTLR DEL for Cross Rail.

  (viii) The changes for Request for Resources four are as follows:

  A decrease of £2,485,000 arising from machinery of government changes (£1,461,000 to the Cabinet Office, £19,000 to Department of Trade and Industry, and £1,005,000 to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A reclassification of £2,500,000 to the resource element of the DEL for the Health and Safety Commission.

  (ix) Provision within the non-Voted capital element of the DTLR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be decreased by £726,410,000. This reflects take up of End Year Flexibility of £51,054,000 for the Urban Regeneration Agency (£30,157,000) and £20,897,000 to be transferred to the non-voted capital element of the DTLR Local Government DEL. A net decrease of £160,672,000 arising from the following Machinery of Government changes: £59,682,000 from the Home Office and £220,354,000 to Department for Environment. Food and
  952W
  Rural Affairs. Transfers of £602,764,000 to Request for Resources 1 and £4,231,000 to non-voted credit approvals for de-trunking roads from Request for Resource 2.

  (b) the DTLR Local Government DEL will be increased by £65,021,000 from £36,975,168,000 to £37,040,189,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the following table:

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  +32,321,000

  +32,700,000

  New DEL

  36,950,270,000

  89,919,000

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:

  (i) The changes for Request for Resources 3 are as follows:

  Take up of End Year Flexibility of £29,210,000 for: the Valuation Office Agency's modernisation programme (£100,000), research (£910,000), PFI Special grant (£3,500,000), and support for local authorities (Bellwin) (£20,200,000), Best Value Intervention (£4,500,000). An increase of £811,000 arising from machinery of government changes transfer from the Home Office. A reclassification of £2,300,000 from the capital element of the DEL for research. A transfer of £1,000,000 from non-voted provision.

  (ii) Provision within the resources non-voted element of the DTLR Local Government DEL will be reduced by £1,000,000 to reflect a transfer of resources to Request for Resources 3 for the Valuation Office Agency.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:

  (iii) The changes for Request for Resources 3 are as follows: A reclassification of £2,300,000 to the resource element of the DEL.

  (iv) Provision within the capital non-voted element of the DTLR Local Government DEL will be increased by £35,000,000 to reflect the take up of End Year Flexibility (£14,103,00) and a switch from DTLR Main DEL (£20,897,000) to provide support for local authorities in exercise of the Secretary of State's powers under the Local Government Act 1999.

  The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Railtrack
  Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many days following privatisation Railtrack shares were worth(a) more and (b) less than their opening price; and what the highest and lowest values were of a single Railtrack share between privatisation and 1 October. [18232]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 November 2001, c. 606W]: The closing share price for Railtrack Group plc was above the flotation price of 380p on every day between its flotation on 20 May 1996 and 4 June 2001 and also on 8 June 2001. The share price reached a peak of 1768p on 23 November 1998.
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  The closing share price for Railtrack Group plc was below the flotation price of 380p on 5, 6, 7 June 2001 and on every day between 9 June 2001 and 1 October 2001. The lowest closing share price was 252p on 20 September 2001.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he prepared the emergency legislation to prevent an application for interim review from Railtrack. [R] [16031]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 27 November 2001,Official Report, column 746W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the specialist areas in which his Department has sought external advice in handling Railtrack over the last year. [16375]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have sought accounting, legal, financial and other technical advice in relation to Railtrack and its links with the wider rail industry.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new stations were opened by Railtrack. [17046]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I understand that between 1 March 1997 and 31 October this year, 24 new stations were opened. Railtrack advise that data relating to the period from the company's establishment on 1 April 1994 to the end of February 1997 are not available.

  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway infrastructure projects stand(a) cancelled and (b) postponed, following Railtrack being placed in administration. [17671]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I am not aware that any projects have been cancelled or postponed as a consequence of Railtrack plc going into administration.

  Corsham Station
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what impact Railtrack's entry to receivership will have on the opening of the new station at Corsham. [17044]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None. I understand that planning for the new station is continuing.

  Rail Services (Buckingham)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made as to the adequacy of rail services between stations in the Buckingham constituency and London. [17845]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No formal assessment has been made. We would expect Chiltern Railways in consultation with local stakeholders to come forward with proposals to meet demands for new or improved services. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which will be published in the near future, will set out their priorities for enhancement to the network.

  Rail Maintenance
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research the Government are funding into rail track laying and maintenance technologies. [17954]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department is currently funding a research project studying the feasibility of an on-board in-service track monitoring and fault prediction system. The Department's commitment is £375,000 over two years.

  Heathrow Airport
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which planning authority will be charged with(a) monitoring and (b) enforcing compliance with the flights ceiling imposed as a condition for Heathrow Terminal 5. [18664]

  Ms Keeble
  Both matters will be the responsibility of the London borough of Hillingdon.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on levels of aircraft movements at regional airports of the completion of Terminal 5 at Heathrow. [18482]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The possible impact of Terminal 5 on regional airports was considered at the Terminal 5 planning inquiry and in the inspector's report. The Secretary of State's reasons for his decision on T5 are set out in his decision letter of 20 November.

  Our regional air services studies into demand and capacity at regional airports will take into account the Heathrow Terminal 5 decision. We will be consulting on options early in the new year, and the outcome will inform the air transport White Paper to be published next autumn.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on levels of aircraft(a) movements and (b) noise in Beckenham of the completion of Terminal 5 at Heathrow. [18162]

  Ms Keeble
  The Secretary of State's planning decision on Terminal 5 followed consideration of the report by the Inspector who conducted the public inquiry into the matter. The Inspector's report does not expressly refer to the effect of Terminal 5 on Beckenham, but the conditions attached to the Secretary of State's decision which restrict the number of air transport movements at Heathrow to 480,000 per annum and which restrict the size of the 57 decibel noise contour will limit the noise effects of the new terminal beyond the immediate vicinity of Heathrow.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will(a) start and (b) conclude the review of westerly preference for incoming aircraft at Heathrow in daylight hours. [18293]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It will be necessary to carry out a preliminary technical review of operational procedures and meteorological trends at the airport before assessing the environmental and safety implications of different
  955W
  preference options. These options will only become clear during the technical review stage. When the preparatory work is complete we will consult widely before reaching any final decisions. I hope to issue a consultation paper in the second half of next year, but it is not possible at this early stage to give a firm timetable for completing the review and consultation.

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 the public service agreement target for correspondence responded to within agreed targets. [16916]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing) on 31 October 2001,Official Report, columns 721–22W.

  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 a reduction in the level of re-offending by drug misusing offenders. [16933]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We are in the process of reviewing progress against all the drugs strategy targets. Progress on 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 is currently measured by the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme which provides estimates of repeat offending drug misusing offenders (defined as the proportion of arrestees using heroin and/or cocaine/crack at least once a week and who have offended at least twice a month in the last twelve months). The proportion of arrestees falling within this category for the financial year 1999–2000 was 15 per cent. This will provide an interim baseline against which progress can be tracked. A summary of full baseline data will be available in the spring of 2002.

  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 completions of nationality applications. [16924]

  Angela Eagle
  Increasing the number of nationality decisions was a public service agreement (PSA) target in the years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 but is not a PSA target in 2001–02. Outturn in 2000–01 was 94,090 against a target of 91,000.

  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 shortening the time taken in dealing with persistent offending. [17055]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  This public service agreement target reflects the Government's youth justice pledge to halve the average time taken to deal with a persistent young offender from arrest to sentence, from 142 days in 1996 to 71 days. The target has now been met for three 956W
  consecutive months; i.e. the latest figure, for August is 66 days. This has been achieved through effective partnership working in the criminal justice system.

  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 evaluation of probation and court referral schemes; [16960]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for the expansion of the probation and court referral scheme; [16931]

  (3) if he will make a statement on progress towards the public service agreement target for drug treatment and testing orders. [16932]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The public service agreement targets for the evaluation and significant expansion of probation and court referral schemes were achieved through the evaluation of the Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTO) pilots and the roll-out of the DTTO to courts in England and Wales on 1 October 2000 respectively. 2,288 DTTOs were made in the first six months of 2001–02, against the full year target of approximately 6,000 orders. Under the comprehensive spending review settlement, the Government provided £20 million for the implementation of DTTOs in 2000–01 (the first six months after roll-out) and £40 million for 2001–02, ring-fenced for the purpose.

  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 efficiency of procurement in his Department. [16915]

  Mr. Blunkett
  There are four key targets for procurement within the public service agreement for the Home Department:

  1. The introduction of the procurement card:

  This is now in use within the Prison Service, Forensic Science Service, United Kingdom, Passport Service and The Youth Justice Board. It has been piloted within the core Home Office and full roll out is due to commence in January 2002.

  2. The comprehensive roll out of consolidated invoicing:

  This activity has been completed.

  3. The determination of the extent of introduction of the procurement excellence model:

  This has been fully scoped and the model has been used within three separate business areas as part of an ongoing roll out programme.

  4. Central Home Office procurement staff to have access to the Government secure intranet and internet:

  This has been completed.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received in 2001 from residents of the Buckingham constituency on asylum policy. [16911]

  Angela Eagle
  No record is kept of the postal address of correspondents.

  Data Protection
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which public sector organisations have applied to him to be allowed to demand Communications Data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Acts; and if he will make a statement. [17193]

  Mr. Blunkett
  We have been approached by a number of public authorities including local authorities, the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Services Authority. I will be considering shortly whether to seek the approval of Parliament to add them to the current list of public authorities who can access communications data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many certificates he has signed with respect to Section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 since coming to office; if he has renewed certificates signed by his predecessors in office; what plans he has to review the form of the certificate; and if he will make a statement. [17191]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have neither signed nor renewed any such certificates. I expect soon to have decided on a course of action in response to the determination of the National Security Panel of the Information Tribunal on the appeal by the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) against a Data Protection Act 1998 national security exemption certificate covering the Security Service.

  Graduates (Work Permits)
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the immigration status is of persons who are graduates of UK universities and holders of non-EU passports who have been invited to take up employment in the UK within the field of their educational background. [16793]

  Angela Eagle
  A student graduating from a United Kingdom University who is subject to immigration control would require a prospective employer to obtain a work permit for them prior to them taking up that employment.

  Such individuals are able to remain in the United Kingdom while the work permit application is being considered. The Immigration Rules will be changed formally next year to allow graduates, student nurses and postgraduate doctors and dentists to obtain work permits without first having to leave the country. In the meantime this announced policy is being applied as a concession outside the rules.

  Drugs Strategy
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the budgeted amount and (b) the actual spend for the drugs misuse allocation for England for each of the last three years. [16831]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The information is not available in the form requested. Government ring-fenced funding for the 10-year National Drugs Strategy is set to rise from £700 million in 2000–01 to over £1 billion for proactive work alone by 2003–04.
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  Funding for 2000–01—estimates of baseline spend in Department Expenditure limits—comprises:

  £234 million for drug treatment (mainstream spending by Department of Health, local authorities and the pooled National Treatment Agency (NTA) budget);

  £63 million for protecting young people;

  £45 million for safeguarding communities;

  £353 million for reducing availability.

  In addition, funding awarded from the Budget 2001:

  £50 million for strengthening communities;

  £5 million for providing more help to find jobs;

  £5 million strengthening Drug Action Teams;

  £2million expanding Positive Futures.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the publication "United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinators Annual Report 2000–01" which is available in the Library.

  Visa Applications
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the handling of the visa application of Mrs. Grace Allen, Ref A1127781. [16908]

  Angela Eagle
  I understand that Mrs. Allen's appeal against the refusal of entry clearance is listed for hearing by the Immigration Appellate Authority on 17 December.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions are made for teaching English as a second language to asylum seekers in the UK. [16773]

  Angela Eagle
  Currently there is no provision to teach English to asylum seekers who are not of compulsory school age. In his statement on 29 October my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary set out his proposals for a radical reform of the asylum process, including the creation of accommodation centres. Accommodation centres will provide a range of services, including purposeful activity for adult asylum seekers, which could include English language lessons. Details of the services that will be available in accommodation centres will appear in the White Paper, which my right hon. Friend also announced on 29 October.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are in detention under immigration legislation. [17304]

  Angela Eagle
  The latest available information on the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers relates to 30 June 2001; 1,760 persons (to the nearest five) were detained as at this date, including 245 persons detained in prison establishments under dual Immigration Act and other powers.

  The next set of statistics are currently planned for release on 30 November on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html, and will relate to persons detained as at 30 September.
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  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been detained under the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the past five years; and in each year, how many detained persons have(a) been charged with a criminal offence, (b) been the subject of a deportation order, (c) appealed against such an order and (d) been deported to which countries. [17765]

  Angela Eagle
  Available information relates only to persons detained under Immigration Act powers as at 30 June 2001; 1,760 persons (to the nearest five) were detained as at this date. This includes 245 persons detained in prison establishments under dual Immigration Act and other powers who have been charged with a criminal offence.

  I regret that the information requested on detainees who have been the subject of a deportation order, appealed against such an order and been deported to which countries is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.

  Heroin Imports (Afghanistan)
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 November 2001,Official Report, column 237W, on imports of heroin to Britain, what is his estimate of the percentage of heroin imported into Britain since July 2000 that originated in (a) Taliban-controlled and (b) Northern Alliance-controlled Afghanistan. [17732]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Pre-existing stockpiles of opium and morphine base in the supply chain make it probable that the vast majority of heroin which has been imported to the United Kingdom since July 2000 originated from opium produced in Taliban controlled areas of Afghanistan. The opium crop planted in late 20(X) will not have been ready until May 2001.

  Estimates of production of opium in Afghanistan in recent years are as shown in the table.

  Tonnes

  Year

  Taliban

  Northern Alliance

  1998

  2,592

  108

  1999

  4,510

  140

  2000

  3,139

  131

  2001

  21

  164

  MI5
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances MI5 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 interests. [18537]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The duties and powers of the Security Service are established by law, and the Service is under the authority of the Secretary of State. The operations of the Service are under the control of its Director-General. I am satisfied with the arrangements in place to ensure that I am properly consulted by the Service on significant issues.

  Cross-channel Illegal Immigration
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next intends to meet with French authorities to discuss the operation of checks conducted at French ports to prevent illegal immigrants entering the United Kingdom. [17653]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Home Secretary will next be meeting Interior Minister Vaillant at the United Kingdom-France summit on 29 November to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including cross-channel illegal immigration and the effectiveness of checks conducted on persons and vehicles.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in relation to the operation of checks conducted at French ports to prevent illegal immigrants entering the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [17647]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: A wide range of interested parties have been in contact with both the Home Secretary and officials on the issue of checks at French ports. These include transport operators, Members of Parliament, and the general public.

  Ministers and officials have also discussed this matter with their French counterparts in the course of regular discussions about cross-channel issues.

  Indefinite Leave to Remain
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the length of time taken to respond to a request for an upgrade of exceptional level to remain to indefinite leave. [17912]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The requested information is neither centrally recorded nor readily available so could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Entry Clearance (Children)
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances(a) British nationals and (b) those with indefinite leave to remain would find their children under the age of 18 years refused entry clearance when they can demonstrate that they can support these children and offer adequate accommodation. [18036]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Entry clearance is not required where, by virtue of his or her British citizenship, the child has the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

  In other cases, paragraph 297 of the Immigration Rules sets out the requirements that need to be met in order for a child under 18 years of age to be granted an entry clearance to join a parent or parents in this country. In addition to the maintenance and accommodation requirement, in general terms, it is necessary for the parents to be present and settled in the United Kingdom and for the child to be unmarried and still dependent on his parents. It is not possible to give an exhaustive list of every possible circumstance where a child might be refused an entry clearance to join a parent or parents.

  Access to Official Information
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Fourth report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Session 2001–02 on Access to Official Information: Declarations made under the Ministerial Code of Conduct, HC 353. [15988]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Government position remains as set out in the fourth report of the parliamentary ombudsman on access to official information. The Government have nothing further to add.

  Asset Recovery Strategy
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Government's Asset Recovery Strategy. [19515]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  I am publishing the strategy today. Copies have been placed in the Vote Office and the Library and sent to the members of the Standing Committee currently considering the Proceeds of Crime Bill.

  The Asset Recovery Strategy is the first United Kingdom-wide initiative of its kind, in which the law enforcement, prosecution and relevant Government bodies have joined together to commit themselves to making financial investigation and asset recovery a higher priority.

  The strategy's aims are:
  To make greater use of the investigation of criminal assets in the fight against crime;
  To recover money that has been made from crime or which is intended for use in crime;
  To prevent criminals and their associates from laundering the proceeds of criminal conduct, and to detect and penalise such laundering where it occurs; and
  To use the proceeds recovered for the benefit of the community.

  The strategy sets out our objectives for meeting the challenging financial investigation target of recovering £60 million in confiscation and forfeiture receipts during the 2004–05 financial year. Hitting this target would achieve the Government's commitment of doubling amounts recovered from drug traffickers and other major criminals by 2004.

  It is not acceptable that people should enjoy the proceeds of criminal activity and live a life of luxury when it is built on the misery of victims or activities which damage or exploit society.

  The strategy I am publishing today sets out how we propose to push forward recovering criminal assets with partners both inside and outside Government. Alongside the Proceeds of Crime Bill the strategy will help take the profit out of crime and dismantle and disrupt criminal enterprises.

  The strategy will be updated with further targets when the Bill is implemented and the new Assets Recovery Agency is established.

  Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue a modified 962W
  code of practice for authorised officers in relation to his proposal to widen the scope of the cash seizure powers in the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill. [19516]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Clause 1 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill enables me to make whatever modifications I think are necessary or expedient to any code of practice in operation under schedule 14 to the Terrorism Act 2000. Such modifications can be made in an order under clause 123 of the Bill bringing the cash seizure provisions in schedule 1 to the Bill into force.

  I have today made available in the Library a draft code of practice for authorised officers showing where I believe modifications are required. These modifications are still subject to final consultation with the police and others.

WALES

  Social Exclusion (South Wales Valleys)
  Mr. Bryant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the levels and effects of social exclusion in the south Wales valleys. [15998]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government are committed to building a fairer and more inclusive society in which everyone can benefit from rising prosperity. We are working in partnership with the National Assembly to combat social exclusion throughout Wales.

  Notable among Assembly initiatives is the Communities First Programme which makes a significant contribution to promoting social inclusion and regeneration in deprived areas.

  In his pre-Budget report yesterday my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced several measures aimed at increasing fairness for people and their communities. These included tackling child poverty, providing security in old age, rewarding saving and creating a fair and efficient tax system.

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to amend the Welsh departmental expenditure limit for 2001–02. [19621]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales departmental expenditure limit will be increased by £44,845,000 from £8,490,071,000 to £8,534,916,000. The increase is a result of:

  (i) the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £30,560,000

  (ii) net transfers from other Government Departments of £7,563,000

  (iii) additional provision of:

  £5,300,000 for the transfer of the Forestry Commission in Wales to the Assembly;

  £1,058,000 for areas affected by foot and mouth;

  £450,000 for the Addington fund; and

  £474,000 for drug prevention and education

  (iv) a reduction of £560,000 in respect of a Council Tax Benefit penalty.

  The increase includes the following transfers

  (i) £609.000 to the Food Standards Agency for the Maclean report

  (ii) £5,425,000 from the Forestry Commission

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  (iii) £40,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for NTO Cymru

  (iv) £1,032,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for Student Access/Hardship Bursaries

  (v) £1,225,000 from the Home Office for the Partnership Development Fund

  (vi) £450,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Authorities and the Regions for the Planning Inspectorate.

  The increase in DEL will be offset by transfers from other Departments, from the Reserve or take up of end-year flexibility and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will list those public bodies to which her Department appoints members and which are not listed in "Public Bodies 2000"; [17576]

  (2) if she will list those public bodies which are the responsibility of her Department and which are not listed in "Public Bodies 2000". [17577]

  Mr. Caborn
  "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. Copies of "Public Bodies 2000" are in the Library of the House and this publication may be accessed via the Cabinet Office's website http://www.official-documents.co.ulddocument/caboff/pp00/pb00.htm. Copies of the annual report on taskforces 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.

  The public bodies to which I make appointments and for which I have responsibility, but which are not listed in "Public Bodies 2000" or the annual report on taskforces and similar bodies, are:

  Alcohol, Education Research Council1

  Gaming Board for Great Britain1

  Horserace Betting Levy Board1

  Horserace Betting Levy Appeals Tribunal for England and Wales1

  Horserace Totalisator Board1

  Film Council2

  Quality Efficiency and Standards Team2

  Spoliation Advisory Panel2

  Royal Parks Advisory Committee.

  In addition, there are bodies which are independent of my Department but for which I have a role in appointing, or approving the appointment of, board members. These are:

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Royal Opera House

  South Bank Board Ltd.

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  1 Public bodies transferred from the Home Office to DCMS following the machinery of Government changes on 7 June. These bodies appeared under the Home Office section of "Public Bodies 2000" and will do so again in the 2001 edition.

  2 Public bodies which will appear for the first time in the 2001 edition of "Public Bodies"."

  Tourism
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what financial support was provided by the Government for tourism in England in each month of the financial year(a) 1991–92, (b) 1992–93 and (c) 1993–94; [18165]

  (2) what financial support has been provided by the Government for the support of tourism in England in each month (a) during the financial year 2000–01 and (b) until the latest date for which figures are available in the financial year 2001–02; [18163]

  (3) what financial support is available for supporting the tourism industry in (a) each month of the financial year 2001–02 and (b) future years for which budgets have been set. [18164]

  Mr. Caborn
  Direct Government funding for tourism in England is now based on a three-year funding agreement with the English Tourism Council (ETC). Grant in aid is budgeted in terms of annual allocations. These are provided to the ETC in response to monthly draw down requests which reflect its cash flow needs. In addition to this direct Government funding:

  (a) Local authorities spend over £90 million per year in England promoting and developing tourism in their areas;

  (b) the regional development agencies' business recovery fund has made £74 million available this year to target help for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the implications of foot and mouth disease; and

  (c) DCMS's £1 billion expenditure on arts, museums, galleries, sport etc also directly benefits tourism.

  The following table sets out the DCMS baseline grant in aid allocations for English tourism for the years 1991–92 to 1993–94 and 2000–01 to 2003–04. Baseline funding will rise from £10 million in 2001–02 to £12.5 million in 2003–04.

  Year

  £ million

  1991–92

  115.1

  1992–93

  116.2

  1993–94

  113.9

  2000–01

  211.0

  2001–02

  310.0

  2002–03

  12.0

  2003–04

  12.5

  1 These were annual grants to the English Tourism Board, the predecessor of the English Tourism Council.

  2 This includes £1 million grant in aid for transitional costs following the launch of the ETC in 1999 (£1.8 million was also made available for this purpose in 1999–2000).

  3 This figure comprises £9.6 million ETC baseline and £0.4 million for London granted direct to the Greater London Authority. In addition, £0.6 million was awarded to the ETC from the Capital Modernisation Fund and £3.8 million to tackle foot and mouth disease.

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  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the foot and mouth crisis on tourism in the south-west. [18417]

  Dr. Howells
  For the English tourism industry as a whole, our best estimate to date is that the loss of revenue in 2001–02 due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak is likely to be about £3.3 billion in value added terms over the eight-month period (March to October). We have no comparable figure for the south-west at this time.

  The west country enjoyed an Indian summer, which has extended the tourist season. This is helping to alleviate the loss of business due to the foot and mouth outbreak. In particular, it appears that senior citizens who would usually be heading for holidays in North America are cancelling and instead taking holidays at home.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect on tourism in east Devon of transport links with London. [18281]

  Mr. Caborn
  The London to South Wales and the south-west multi-modal study (SWARMMS) which is currently in progress is looking at solutions to problems on the main transportation corridors in the study area. Completion is expected by April 2002. Two of the main road and rail corridors pass through east Devon. Comments have recently been sought from stakeholders and the public on a provisional strategy which addresses both existing and future problems. The next stage, which is developing individual plans in more detail, is under way for the multi-modal corridors in the study area and four study-wide theme plans.

  One of the study's theme plans addresses tourism and is considering the numbers of tourists, their movements and characteristics and identifying schemes and measures that cater for their needs in a sustainable manner. This will provide the more detailed information needed and develop the overall strategy.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made as to the effect on tourism in east Devon of(a) the foot and mouth disease outbreak and (b) the terrorist attacks on 11 September; and if she will make a statement. [18284]

  Mr. Caborn
  Our best estimate is that the revenue loss to the English tourism industry as a whole for March to October due to foot and mouth disease is likely to be around £3.3 billion in value added terms. We have not attempted to assess individual regions, such as the east Devon constituency, since the available data do not enable this to be done with a sufficient degree of reliability.

  Reports suggest that the main impact of the drop in overseas tourists since the terrorist attack of 11 September has been felt in London rather than in the regions and some south-west businesses have reported a good autumn, possibly the best in the last 20 years. However, it is too early to predict with any accuracy what the effects of the war against terrorism are likely to be on tourism in the south-west.

  Disadvantaged People
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how her Department defines those members of society considered to be the most disadvantaged. [18071]

  Mr. Caborn
  In line with Government policy, my Department considers those who suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown to be the most disadvantaged.

  Lottery Funds
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received concerning the accountability of(a) the lottery distributing bodies and (b) their application processes to (i) applicants, (ii) the public and (iii) her Department; what assessment she has made of them; and if she will make a statement. [17948]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has from time to time received representations about the accountability of the lottery distributors and their application processes. The accounting officer of a lottery distributor is accountable to both the Department's Permanent Secretary and to Parliament for the proper and prudent expenditure of funds, and distributors' activities are subject to external audit by the National Audit Office. As lottery proceeds allocated to distributors are public money, the general principles of Government Accounting must be applied in the design and implementation of systems for the distribution of that money.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of the variation in expenditure, relative to revenue received, of the lottery income distributing bodies; and if she will make a statement. [17947]

  Mr. Caborn
  Lottery distributing bodies do not hold the same level of cash balances due to the differing nature of schemes or programmes operated. Funds are committed to a broad range of projects and money is drawn down when it is needed and not before, in compliance with Government Accounting procedures. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport continues to work closely with the lottery distributors to ensure that people see the benefits of Lottery awards as quickly as possible.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how outdoor adventure facilities will be affected in the west midlands by the new opportunities for school and community sports lottery funds. [18339]

  Mr. Caborn
  The new opportunities fund has informed local education authorities that it expects between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of allocations to be used to develop outdoor adventure facilities. On that basis, between £3,064,000 and £6.127,000 of funding will be used to modernise or build outdoor adventure facilities either in the west midlands or for use by young people from the west midlands.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance she has offered to education authorities regarding(a) who should be consulted in the west midlands regarding the spending of

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  funding allocations and (b) such spending, under new opportunities for schools and county sport lottery initiative. [18336]

  Mr. Caborn
  The new opportunities fund has sent guidance materials to all local education authorities (LEAs) including advice on the range of organisations that should be consulted before applications are submitted. The fund would expect LEAs to consult, for example: other local authority departments; sports governing bodies; the NHS; primary care groups; and the voluntary sector. Where local strategic partnerships have been established, the fund expects that they will play a central role in strategic planning for grant schemes.

  Workshops have been arranged in January 2002 to help LEAs develop applications in more detail. Sport England will offer advice and support to LEAs, where they request it, on sports development issues.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements she has made to monitor (1) the impact of the new opportunities for school and community sport lottery moneys on social exclusion; [18343]

  (2) the positive impact of the new opportunities for school and community sport lottery funds on providing young people with a healthy lifestyle. [18344]

  Mr. Caborn
  The new opportunities fund is currently developing proposals for the evaluation of the new opportunities for PE and sport programme. The impact of the programme in promoting social inclusion will form part of the evaluative work.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she will monitor the provision of new opportunities for school and community sport in disadvantaged areas. [18340]

  Mr. Caborn
  All applicants will be required to demonstrate how their proposed projects promote social inclusion. When local partnerships complete initial applications the fund will be able to assess how many projects are based in disadvantaged areas or meet the needs of disadvantaged children and communities.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the provision of sports facilities for children with disabilities under the new opportunities for school and community sport lottery funds. [18335]

  Mr. Caborn
  Facilities will be developed through the programme that encourage access by all groups in society, including young people with disabilities.

  Applications will be assessed against the key aims of the programme, including the promotion of social inclusion through access to and use of sports facilities by all groups in society and innovation and best practice in the design and management of facilities.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she will ensure that money from the new opportunities for school and community sport will provide more opportunities for young people from disadvantaged areas. [18341]
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  Mr. Caborn
  Provisional allocations of funding in each local area have been determined using the size of the school age population and the levels of deprivation. Fifty per cent. of the funds available in England has been allocated on the basis of levels of deprivation.

  Pornographic Satellite Television
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent recommendations she has received from the ITC regarding the proscription of pornographic satellite television channels. [18152]

  Mr. Caborn
  The commission has made no such recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State since notification of Satisfaction TV.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take action to proscribe the Satisfaction Channel. [18151]

  Mr. Caborn
  Following a recommendation from the ITC regarding the Satisfaction Channel, the necessary consultations under article 2a(2) of the EC broadcasting directive have taken place and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering whether to issue a proscription order or not.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she plans to control pornographic satellite television channels; and if she will make a statement. [18150]

  Mr. Caborn
  Broadcasters with generally based programme remits may occasionally show adult-oriented films involving nudity and sex. Several dedicated "adult" subscription channels are licensed in the UK. Access to these is restricted through encryption, scheduling times and programme information warning viewers of the nature of their content.

  Under section 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may make an order proscribing a foreign satellite television service that repeatedly transmits programmes containing matter that offends against good taste or decency or is likely to offend public feeling, and might seriously impair the moral, mental or physical health of minors, as allowed in article 22.1 of the "Television without Frontiers Directive", 89/552/EC, amended by 97/36/EC.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Flight
  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 Arundel and South Downs in each of the last five years. [18328]

  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 its role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed national statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data are finalised, in the new year.
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  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 sportspitch-sized areas or larger in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) school, (b) community and (c) company playing fields have been sold for development in (i) the Loughborough constituency, (ii) Leicestershire and (iii) the east midlands in each of the last 10 years. [18493]

  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 sportspitch-sized areas or larger in the Loughborough constituency or in Leicestershire. In the east midlands Government office region, my right hon. Friend has approved two applications to sell school sportspitch-sized areas or larger in 1999; two in 2000 and one in 2001.

  Information on the number of company-owned playing fields and 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 its role as statutory consultee. The Government intend to publish, with Sport England, detailed national statistics on planning applications concerning playing fields when the data are finalised in the new year.

  Football Foundation
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport what funding her Department will give the Football Foundation in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [18483]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department does not fund the Football Foundation direct. However, under the current partnership arrangements, the Football Foundation should receive the following public funds in the three-year period 2001–02 to 2003–04: £18 million from the Sport England lottery fund, up to £30 million from the new opportunities fund PE and school sport programme, and donations from the pools companies of several million pounds in accordance with their agreement with the Government. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his pre-Budget report that the current agreement with Littlewoods and Vernons, which was due to end in March 2002, would be renewed for a further two years until 31 March 2004. The donations from the pools companies will be equivalent in those two years to 2 per cent. of their gross profits.

  Sport and Crime
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements she has made to monitor the impact of the new opportunities for school and community sport has on the fight against crime and drugs. [18342]
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  Mr. Caborn
  The new opportunities fund is currently developing proposals for the evaluation of the new opportunities for PE and sport programme. The impact of the programme on levels of crime and drugs misuse will form part of the evaluative work.

  Motorsport
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what representations she is making in advance of the FIA Motorsports World Council meeting on 13 December to secure the retention of the British Grand Prix on the 2002 Formula 1 calendar; [18457]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the value to the UK economy of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix; [18456]

  (3) if she will make a statement on her policy towards motorsports. [18458]

  Mr. Caborn
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have made representations in advance of the FIA Motorsports World Council meeting on 13 December. That is the remit of the UK governing bodies for motorsport in the UK, primarily the Motor Sport Association. We hope that the British Grand Prix will retain its place in the global sports calendar.

  Motorsport continues to be hugely popular across the UK. The British Grand Prix is a major event on the world's sporting calendar and the last RA study estimated that the Grand Prix contributes approximately £28 million to the UK economy.

  I am in regular contact with representatives of all aspects of motorsport.

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many formal notices her 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. [18772]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport received one such notification during 2000–01. A response was made after 28 working days.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals she has to amend her(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19795]

  Tessa Jowell
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) for 2001–02 will be increased by £27,785,000 from £1,142,096,000 to £1,169,881,000 and the Department's gross administration costs limit will be increased by £691,000 from £31,546,000 to £32,237,000.

  The changes are to provide additional resources under the end-year flexibility (EYF) arrangements, as set out in the public expenditure outturn White Paper, 2000–01 (Cm. 5243), of £134,000 for the Public Library Volunteer Scheme (together with a transfer of £134,000 from the

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  Home Office); £115,000 for other libraries support measures; £246,000 for other arts support measures; £72,000 for other sport support measures; £230,000 for the Department's historic buildings programme; £1,705,000 for work on developing Culture Online; £595,000 to the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, £21,000 to the National Museum of Science and Industry, £100,000 to the Victoria and Albert Museum, £210,000 to the Royal Armouries, £7,907,000 to the British Library, £13,000 to the Public Lending Right, £14,000 to the Historic Manuscripts Commission, £95,000 for other museums support, £1,456,000 to the Designated Museums Challenge Fund; £1,663,000 to the DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Scheme; £250,000 to the Arts Council of England for work on Creative Partnerships; £20,000 to the Football Licensing Authority; £70,000 to Historic Royal Palaces for pensions; £61,000 to the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment; £1,000,000 to the English Tourism Council; £70,000 to the Broadcasting Standards Commission; £1,562,000 for research, surveys and other services of the Department; and to provide for additional capital expenditure under EYF arrangements of £350,000 for the Department's information technology, furniture and related expenses.

  Other changes are to provide for a transfer of resources of £1,000,000 from English Heritage toward the costs of running the Listed Places of Worship Scheme together with additional resources of £10,000,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for grants under this scheme, the details of which were announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his 2001 Budget Statement to Parliament on 7 March 2001.

  The changes on administration costs are to provide additional resources under EYF arrangements of £817,000 for the administrative expenses of the Department; to provide for the transfer of resources to Cabinet Office of £146,000 for the costs of fast stream recruitment and of the Department's share of Government Offices' expenses; and for the transfer of resources of £20,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the running costs of local public service agreements.

  The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Spending Limits
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to change the Scotland Office(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02. [19698]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Scotland Office Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL) will be increased by £751,571,000 from £16,422,121,000 to £17,173,692,000. and the administration costs limits will be increased by £334.000 from £6,502,000 to £6,836,000.
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  The DEL increases take account of the following:

  the take up of End Year Flexibility (EYF) amounting to £718,365,000;

  increases of £1,749,000 for flood relief and coastal defences;

  an increase of £10,231,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF);

  an increase of £334,000 for Electoral Registration Publicity;

  an increase of £4,500,000 for the Forestry Commission;

  an increase of £32,000 for the Employment Coalitions.

  The DEL increase also includes the following transfers to and from other Government Departments amounting to a net increase of £16,360,000. These are:

  a transfer of £14,208,000 from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES);

  net transfers of £2,729,000 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA);

  net transfers of £902,000 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP);

  net transfers to Department of Health (DH) of £419,000;

  a transfer of £78,000 to Home Office (HO);

  a transfer of £199,000 to Cabinet Office (CO);

  a transfer of £783,000 to Food Standards Agency (FSA).

  All of the increases add to the resource budget and the capital budget of £100,000 is unchanged.

  The increases will be offset by interdepartmental transfers, as detailed, or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police Service of Northern Ireland
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the post of Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be advertised internationally. [16307]

  Jane Kennedy
  In accordance with section 35(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, the Northern Ireland Policing Board shall, subject to my approval, appoint the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. It will be a matter in the first instance for the Board to consider whether to advertise the post internationally.

  Freedom of Information Act
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date his Department established a working group of officials to prepare his Department for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and on what dates this committee has met since it was set up. [14774]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor on 13 November.

  Work to implement the Freedom of Information Act is being overseen by the Department's senior management group, which receives regular progress reports. A task force of officials has been set up to assist with the implementation and compliance. Since June, presentations

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  to senior staff and freedom of information seminars have been given throughout the Department and an information management training programme is planned for next year.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has to change the Attorney-General's Department's(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19796]

  The Solicitor-General
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the Attorney-General's Department's DEL will be increased by £25,375,000 from £426,088,000 to £451,463,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £22,476,000 from £299,627,000 to £322,103,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in the table:

  £

  Resources

  Change

  22,476,000

  New DEL

  429,814,000

  of which:

  Voted

  419,258,000

  Non-voted

  10,556,000

  Capital

  Change

  2,899,000

  New DEL

  21,649,000

  of which:

  Voted

  21,649,000

  Non-voted

  —

  The Crown Prosecution Service's DEL will be increased by £23,797,000 from £391,096,000 to £414,893,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by £21,747,000 from £275,227,000 to £296,974,000. The increase in the resource element of the DEL arises from speeding up the reform of the CPS to allow it to contribute fully to criminal justice targets and implementation of section 37 of the Vehicles (Crime) Reduction Act 2001. The decrease results from a transfer of £83,000 for work taken over by the Insolvency Service under section 218 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from an increase of £1,750,000 to fund the introduction of joint CPS/police criminal justice and trial units and £300,000 to fund the provision of digital certificates for the secure transmission of case information.

  HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor's Department DEL will be increased by £1,578,000 from £14,167,000 to £15,745,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £729,000 from £9,900,000 to £10,629,000. The increase in administration costs is to facilitate action being taken by the Treasury Solicitor's Department as part of their Modernising Government action plan. The increase in capital expenditure of £849,000 will be used to fund continued expansion of the Department's IT systems.

  The increases will be partly offset by an allocation of £22,000,000 from the Criminal Justice System reserve, an allocation of £250,000 from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund, a transfer of £105,000 from the
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  Home Office, an allocation of £300,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund, the draw down of £1,750,000 of the Attorney-General's Department's capital Departmental Unallocated Provision and the surrender of £99,000 of the Attorney-General's Department's capital end-year flexibility of £4,406,000 as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published July 2001.

  The remainder of the expenditure will be charged to the Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

HEALTH

  Mental Health Services
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 2001,Official Report, column 70W, what proportion of total NHS spending was used to provide mental health services in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [10662]

  Jacqui Smith
  In 1999–2000, 12.5 per cent. of total national health service spend was used to provide mental health services.

  This figure is however not comparable with those of previous years or future years: 1999–2000 represents the first year that primary care group expenditure was included in the calculation and the formula used to apportion the expenditure was based on estimated data. In future years the data for primary care groups and trusts will be more detailed and the resultant figure for percentage spend will be more accurate.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) of 23 October 2001,Official Report, columns 144–45W, on mental health, what definition of appropriate accommodation is used in relation to his target for high secure hospitals. [11581]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 31 October 2001]: Paragraph 14.35 of the NHS Plan states that, by 2004, up to 400 patients should have moved from the high secure hospitals to more appropriate accommodation. The type of accommodation required for each patient will be determined by a careful assessment of the individual's needs and the degree of danger that they represent. The alternative placement might, depending on the outcome of the assessment, be medium secure, low secure or exceptionally discharge directly into the community.

  Annual Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the breakdown of the cost of other services referred to on page 51 of his Department's annual report 2001. [17319]

  Mr. Hutton
  The category 'central health and miscellaneous expenditure' refers to a wide range of activities funded from the Department's spending programmes whose only common feature is that they receive funding directly from the Department and not via health authorities. Some of the services are managed
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  directly by departmental staff, others are run by non-departmental public bodies, or other separate executive organisations.

  There are approximately 45 budgets included within the category of 'other services', totalling £42 million planned expenditure for 2001–02 and referred to on page 51 of the latest departmental report. These are listed in the table.

  Central health and miscellaneous services—other services

  £000

  2001–02 Plan

  Payments to World Health Organisation

  14,000

  Communicable services

  5,000

  Expert patient programme

  4,000

  Health survey

  3,237

  Port health

  2,603

  Haemophiliacs with HIV

  2,050

  Learning disability strategy

  2,000

  CJD surveillance

  1,600

  Foster care services

  1,000

  IVS

  860

  Prevention and treatment research

  750

  Health services for ethnic minorities

  638

  HGH litigation

  450

  Protection of Children Act tribunal

  410

  European Pharmacopoeia Commission

  350

  Child migrants

  300

  Prevention of HIV and Hepatitis

  250

  Partial agreement

  200

  Registered homes tribunal

  200

  Surveillance for STDs

  200

  Emergency planning

  180

  Database on ethnic minority health

  115

  Europe against cancer

  101

  Blood and tissue infected with HIV

  100

  WHO effect of chemicals on health

  100

  Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

  92

  British Pharmacopoeia Commission

  80

  British Pharmacopoeia Laboratory

  80

  Training in child health care

  75

  NHS radiation protection studies

  72

  Dangerous pathogens

  67

  Screening/nice

  60

  WHO programme on chemical safety

  50

  Domestic violence initiative

  49

  Health co-operation agreements

  42

  DH product licences

  40

  Payments to Met. Office

  34

  Services for addicts

  25

  Radiation regulations

  16

  European Centre

  12

  International conference expenses

  10

  Medical examination of immigrants

  8

  Other payments

  7

  International Hospital Federation

  7

  Other payments to WHO

  5

  Total

  41,525

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what items fall within the category of net capital expenditure of £1.5 million in 2001–02, referred to on page 30 of the 2001 departmental report. [15250]

  Mr. Hutton
  The figure of £1.5 billion referred to on page 30 of the departmental report represents the planned level of exchequer funded capital investment in land, buildings and equipment for hospital and community health services in 2000–01.

  New Opportunities Fund (Cancer Care)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) breast, (b) lung, (c) stomach and (d) prostate cancer sufferers have been helped by allocations from the new opportunities fund since 1999. [15258]

  Jacqui Smith
  Funding of £93 million from the new opportunities fund was announced in 1999 and has been used to purchase 57 linear accelerators, 36 MRI scanners and over 300 items of equipment for the breast screening programme. A further £23.25 million was made available in 2000 from the new opportunities fund to provide improved palliative care at home.

  The equipment and funding for palliative care will provide additional diagnostic and treatment facilities for all cancer sufferers as well as improve cancer care for those at home, but it is not possible to provide detailed figures for patients with specific cancers.

  NHS Walk-in Centres
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost is of the NHS walk-in centres in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [14911]

  Jacqui Smith
  The estimated revenue costs for 2001–02 of the 42 national health service walk-in centres which will be operating before the end of this year are £36 million. The revenue costs in 2000–01 of the 40 centres then open were £33 million. In addition, development of these centres has involved capital costs of £30 million in 2000–01 and an estimated £5 million in 2001–02.

  Cleft Lip and Palate Services
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the recommendations of the Clinical Implementation Group in respect of cleft lip and palate services for the North West Region. [15016]

  Jacqui Smith
  Cleft lip and palate services are one element in a wider discussion around tertiary children's services in the North West and we want to ensure that the very best integrated paediatric care is provided.

  The Department's North West Regional Office produced a commissioning framework for cleft lip and palate services. A cleft review panel, which comprised local clinicians, commissioners, regional office representatives and national experts in cleft care including the chief executive of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), met in June 2001 to review presentations from both tertiary paediatric trusts—Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital Trust and Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals Trust. Discussions are taking place between the two trusts to reach agreement on the best configuration of cleft services for the north west and it is anticipated that a proposal will go to public consultation in January 2002.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list in(a) rank and (b) alphabetical order of health authority the (i) proportion and (ii) number of patients waiting (A) over 12 months and (B) over 18 months for in-patient treatment (1) at the last available date, (2) in March 1997 and (3) in June 1997. [15285]
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  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 15 November 2001]: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  In line with the NHS Plan, inpatient waiting times will fall on a staged basis from 18 months now through to 15,12, nine and down to six months by 2005. As a result, we expect the average time patients wait for inpatient treatment to fall from three months to seven weeks.

  As a first step towards this, the maximum waiting time for an inpatient appointment will be 15 months by the end of March 2002

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting for admission for orthopaedic treatment at Bedford Hospital NHS Trust; how many were waiting in November(a) 2000, (b) 1999, (c) 1998 and (d) 1997; and how many have waited (i) six months, (ii) six to 12 months and (iii) 12 to 15 months. [15622]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: Figures for inpatient orthopaedic treatment are not available monthly but are collected on a quarterly basis.

  Figures for patients waiting for orthopaedic admission at Bedford Hospitals National Health Service Trust are shown in the table.

  Total waiting

  Up to 6 months

  6–12 months

  12–15 months

  March 1997

  754

  513

  232

  9

  December 1998

  1,143

  565

  422

  115

  December 1999

  1,187

  578

  480

  104

  December 2000

  1,189

  505

  458

  139

  Source:

  KH07

  Performance Fund
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations have received allocations from the Performance Fund; and how much in each case. [15766]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  "Sold on Health" Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with implementing the recommendation in the "Sold on Health" report; and what savings to public funds(a) are planned and (b) have been achieved. [15760]

  Jacqui Smith
  "Sold on Health" is a joint report published by the Department and Her Majesty's Treasury in May 2000. The report focused on the whole life cycle issues relating to the estate in the National Health Service, from procurement through its operational management and subsequent disposal.

  Substantial progress has been made, and details will soon be available on the Sold on Health website "www.soldonhealth.gov.uk".

  Invest to Save Budget
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected saving is to public funds from the projects of his Department in Round 2 of the Invest to Save Budget. [15763]
  978W
  Mr. Hutton
  The estimated savings of Invest to Save Round 2 projects over the period of project's funding is: 2000–01 £1.2 million and 2001–02 £760,000 through a combination of cash releasing and efficiency savings. However, the key aim of the Invest to Save programme is to encourage innovation, streamlining and improvements in the delivery of public services.

  Modernisation Agency
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Modernisation Agency was established; and what its cost to public funds is in 2001–02. [15765]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Modernisation Agency was set up on 1 April 2001. Its budget for the year 2001–02 stands at £54 million.

  GP Appointments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected cost to public funds is of enabling all patients to have GP appointments within 48 hours. [16250]

  Mr. Hutton
  Better access for patients is part of the vision for modernising primary care. Expenditure in primary care is around £5 billion. As well as this funding an access fund is available for primary care. Rising from £54.5 million in 2000–01, recurrent funding of £84.5 million is available this year, increasing to £114.5 million in 2002–03 and is intended to support primary care trusts in securing delivery of the 48-hour target. This can be further enhanced by PCTs unified budgets.

  Transsexual People
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues on the provision of care for transsexual people. [16384]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has issued no specific guidance on the provision of care to transsexuals. Like all other services, decisions about whether gender reassignment surgery should be funded under the national health service, are made by individual health authorities, who must take account of the wider picture in terms of local priorities and circumstances when determining how resources are spent. Each case must be decided on its own merits.

  NHS Dental Care
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that all those who want to are able to register for NHS dental care. [16208]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 19 November 2001]: We are committed to ensuring that national health service dentistry is available to all who want it through registration with an NHS dentist. In supporting this commitment the Government have invested over £100 million in the last two years. This includes a scheme that spends about £20 million per annum on rewarding dentists with a significant NHS commitment.

  Registration can play an important role in promoting oral health through strengthening the relationship between patient and dentist. However many people do not visit a dentist regularly. Systems are now in place for NHS

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  Direct to advise patients in all parts of the country on where they can find a NHS dentist, within locally defined time and distance standards.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the performance of NHS trusts in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 in meeting their responsibility to break even on an income and expenditure basis. [16955]

  Mr. Hutton
  The annual accounts for national health service trusts in 2000–01 show no trust reporting a failure in its statutory duty to break even on an income and expenditure basis taking one year with another.

  The 2001–02 annual accounts will not be received until the autumn of 2002. However, expectation is that all NHS trusts will meet the duty.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS trusts' planned costs for(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [16957]

  Mr. Hutton
  The planned expenditure of national health service trusts for financial year 2001–02 is circa £30.3 billion.

  Information on the planned costs of NHS trusts in financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04 will be collected as part of the normal planning cycle for the NHS. Information such as this will normally be available in May/June of the financial year concerned.

  Best Value
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the savings(a) in 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 arising from the application by his Department of Best Value. [16942]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department, with other central Government Departments, is committed to fundamental reviews of all its services in a five year programme under the better quality services initiative. A departmental review was conducted earlier this year, and the implementation of its recommendations is under way. The Department contributes to the application of Best Value in local authorities through the work of the social services inspectorate, and work on the performance management framework.

  NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the funding of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; [17167]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the cost in 2001–02 of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. [16940]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency is an executive agency of the Department and is funded centrally. In 2001–2002 the Agency was allocated £19.5 million. The agency's funding for 2002–03 is still being discussed.
  980W
  The agency's aim is to modernise and improve the performance of the NHS purchasing and supply system and become the centre of expertise, knowledge and excellence on matters of purchasing and supply for the NHS for the benefit of patients and the public.

  The agency is responsible for ensuring that the NHS makes the most effective use of its resources by getting the best value for money when purchasing goods and services. In 2000–01 the agency negotiated contracts that resulted in savings of £171.1 million and from April to the end of October 2001 has achieved savings of £108.1 million.

  NHS Pensions Agency
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the savings arising from the procurement of a private sector partner for contractorisation of the non-core services of the NHS Pensions Agency. [16939]

  Mr. Hutton
  The contractorisation of the National Health Service Pensions Agency's non-core services will deliver overall savings of 20 per cent. of the agency's baseline running costs.

  NHS Management Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS management costs in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [16958]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are on course to achieve £1 billion savings in management costs between 1997–98 and the end of 2001–02.

  We are currently considering the future basis of management costs in the light of the shifting the balance of power initiative and our broader commitment to invest savings in frontline services and child care facilities for national health service staff.

  Out-of-area Treatment System
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics his Department collates on the operation of the out-of-area treatment system. [16763]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 21 November 2001]: Regional offices annually collect information on the cost, and the home health authority of those out-of-area patients who are treated at each national health service trust within their area. The information is compiled centrally by the Department and used to calculate the annual out-of-area funding adjustment.

  Mental Health Act
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received the report on the second phase of work on guardianship under the Mental Health Act 1983; and if he will publish it. [17092]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 22 November 2001]: The Department is not intending to publish the second (and final) report of the research but I have asked officials to write to the hon. Member giving contact details for the researchers who were commissioned to undertake this work.

  Pneumococcal Vaccine
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 131W, on the pneumococcal vaccine, if he will set out (a) the remit and aims of the studies, (b) which persons or organisations are undertaking the studies and (c) when the studies were commissioned and when the work is scheduled to be completed. [18014]

  Jacqui Smith
  Studies looking at the suitability of the pneumococcal vaccine for introduction into the United Kingdom routine childhood immunisation programme are currently being undertaken by the Public Health Laboratory Service. These studies were commissioned in 1996 by the Department as part of a three-year research programme. Because of the unavailability of the pneumococcal vaccines it was not possible to begin these studies until 2000.

  The key question being addressed in these studies is how the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine performs under the two, three, four-month UK programme, in particular assessing whether a booster dose, or all three primary immunisations, are necessary. Information on potential catch-up immunisation schedules in older age groups is also being sought. The final results for these trials are expected to be available in early 2003. The effect of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on the presence of bacteria naturally occurring in the population (carriage) will also be studied.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nursing and (b) residential care (i) homes and (ii) beds have closed in the Buckingham constituency in each year since 1997. [17859]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. Goodman) on 19 July 2001,Official Report, columns 444–45W.

  Information for 2001 will be published in "Community Care Statistics 2001: Residential Personal Social Services for Adults, England" on 29 November.

  Diabetes
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what priority he places on the treatment of diabetes; [18148]

  (2) what plans he has to review the national treatment standards for diabetes sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [18149]

  Jacqui Smith
  We are committed to improving the quality of care for people with diabetes. That is why we are developing a National Service Framework for Diabetes. We shall shortly be publishing, as the first stage of the Framework, a document setting out the first ever set of national standards for the treatment of diabetes.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of new drugs to treat type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement. [18147]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Medicines Control Agency has not received any licence application for any new drug to treat type 1 diabetes. Should an application be made for a new 982W
  drug or for a new formulation, the agency will carefully evaluate the safety, quality and efficacy of the product prior to licensing.

  We announced on 31 July that we were referring long-acting insulin analogues to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence for appraisal. The Institute appraises the clinical and cost effectiveness of treatments and issues authoritative, evidence based guidance to the national health service, in order to ensure that people have equal access to effective treatments wherever they live.

  Children at Risk
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, columns 364–65W, on children at risk, if he will set out separately the number of unborn children. [18235]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: The number of unborn children who were added to, and deleted from, child protection registers during the years ending 31 March 2000 and 2001 are given in the table.

  Registrations to, and de-registrations from, child protection registers, of unborn children, during the years ending 31 March 2000 and 2001, and number of unborn children on registers at 31 March of each year—England

  Number of unborn children1

  On the register at 31 March

  2000

  200

  2001

  200

  Registrations

  2000

  900

  2001

  1,000

  De-registrations

  2000

  30

  2001

  70

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 100; figures less than 100 are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Wheelchair Service
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the growth pressures on the wheelchair service; in which geographical areas these are unusually intense; and if he will make a statement on future funding. [18349]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The information requested is not available centrally. Funding for wheelchairs is included in allocations to health authorities. Funding decisions and allocations for 2002–03 will be made in time to allow health authorities, in conjunction with primary care groups and primary care trusts, to make plans for delivering services for that financial year.

  Care Home Closures
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he is offering local authorities on the impact of the closure of care homes. [18359]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Government advice on the impact of the closure of care homes was published on 9 October in "Building Capacity and Partnership in Care". Commissioners and providers should share information about services that may no longer be needed, or may be about to be withdrawn. In all cases, the aim must be to minimise the impact on the

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  patient or service user. Care homes closing at short notice can be particularly distressing for the residents of those homes. If services have to be withdrawn, commissioners and providers should seek to achieve this in a planned way.

  Private Care Homes
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will launch an initiative to provide help and advice for private care home users through(a) a telephone hotline service and (b) local health/social services teams. [18360]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: From April 2002 the independent National Care Standards Commission will regulate, inspect and register social and health care services previously regulated by local councils and health authorities. In doing so the commission will apply comprehensive new national minimum standards for all care homes. The standards for older people's care homes were published in March and provide for homes to have a specified complaints procedure and to provide information to service users on how to refer a complaint to the commission.

  The Department is also piloting care direct in six councils in the south west. This new service is designed to provide help and advice for all older people, their relatives and carers about social care, health, housing and social security benefits. We plan to extend care direct to cover the whole of England by 2005.

  Health Action Zones
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of health action zones; and when he will announce the funding for future years. [17915]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The long-term future of health action zones (HAZs) will be determined as part of the Cabinet Office Regional Co-ordination Unit-led review of area based initiatives (ABIs) which is expected to be complete early in the New Year. The HAZ element of this review will examine the ways in which HAZs work and assess their effectiveness and co-ordination with other ABIs.

  Decisions on health authority allocations and central revenue budgets (including HAZs) will be announced shortly for 2002–03. Decisions on funding for 2003–04 and beyond will be made as part of the Department's work on the 2002 spending review.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2001,Official Report, column 828W, on asylum seekers, if he will list the local authorities participating in the children in need census. [17821]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: All authorities are expected to participate in the Children in Need census.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2001,Official Report, column 875W, on asylum seekers, what representations he has received to extend the Children
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  (Leaving Care) Act 2000 so that local authorities have (a) duties and (b) powers to assist 18 to 21-year-old unaccompanied asylum seeking children cared for under section 17 of the Children Act 1989. [17812]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: None. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 applies only to children who have been looked after under section 20 or section 31 of the Children Act 1989, or who have been remanded into care by a court. It applies to unaccompanied asylum seeking children who meet these criteria. Such children, who come to the attention of local authorities, should have their needs assessed in accordance with Government guidance, the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in need and Their Families", in the same way as would a local child, and their needs should be responded to on the basis of the outcome of that assessment.

  Food Standards Agency
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend the Food Standards Agency(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02. [19695]

  Ms Blears
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) the overall resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2001–02 will be increased by £10,911,000 (of which £4,274,000 is administrations costs) from £111,243,000 to £122,154,000.

  The increase is the net effect of the addition of the FSA's End Year Flexibility (EYF) entitlement. Delays in appointing external Board Members meant that the overall FSA strategy, and hence certain projects, were also delayed. This amounts to £6,637,000 programme and £2,867,000 administration costs. Additionally, transfers from Scotland (£783,000) and Wales (£609,000) are needed to cover the estimated fall in Meat Hygiene Service income in these countries resulting from the revised charging methodology recommended in the Maclean report. A transfer of £15,000 administration costs from the Department of Health is needed as contribution towards the cost of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Finally, the FSA's EYF capital entitlement needs to be incorporated. The move of the FSA to a new office in central London was later than anticipated, caused by building delays. This has resulted in the need to incorporate £433,000 EYF capital expenditure.

  As a result of these changes the gross administration cost limit for the FSA has increased by £4,274,000 from £48,908,000 to £53,182,000.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend his Department's(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02. [19696]

  Mr. Milburn
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department of Health Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) will be increased by £768,348,000 from £49,805,054,000 to £50,573,402,000 and the Administration Cost Limit
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  will be increased by £9,701,000 from £312,234,000 to £321,935,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in the table:

  £000

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  617,391

  150,957

  New DEL

  48,334,111

  2,239,291

  Of which:

  Voted

  48,923,590

  254,195

  Non-voted

  -589,479

  1,985,096

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the take up of end year flexibility £359,377,000 (£9,000,000 administration costs) as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Provisional Outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published in July 2001.

  Transfers of provision from the Home Office of £21,173,000 (£400,000 administration costs) mainly for the National Treatment Agency and drug treatment services and research. A net transfer from the Scottish Executive comprising an increase of £1,188,000 (£128,000 administration costs) for contributions to the cost of Non-departmental Public Bodies, committees, the high security infectious disease unit, HIV surveillance funding and postgraduate medical education, offset by £819,000 for out of area treatment costs. A net transfer from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions of £4,950,000 (£5,100,000 of which £100,000 administration costs) mainly for the teenage pregnancy unit, offset by £150,000 for mobility centres. From the Office of Government Commerce £50,000 for Avonbridge House. From the Office of Science and Technology £45,000 (administration costs) for a contribution to the Human genetics Commission. To the Department for Education and Skills £4,097,000 for education health partnerships and educational advisers. A net transfer from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs £1,000,000 for research offset by a transfer of £100,000 for a contribution to rural stress action teams. To the Department for Work and Pensions £509,000 for the costs of Care Direct and preserved rights cases. A transfer to the Food Standards Agency £15,000 (administration costs) for the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. A change in the level of non DEL provision for NHS Trust depreciation of £240,000,000 now reclassified as part of DEL and a reallocation from resources to capital of £4,852,000 for costs associated with the National Care Standards Commission and Social Care Institute for Excellence.

  The administration cost limit has been increased by £9,701,000 from £312,234,000 to £321,935,000. In addition to the changes detailed above there is a further net increase of £43,000 comprising an increase in the Medical Device Agency's costs of £223,000 for assessment and evaluation of devices, offset by a reduction of £180,000 in respect of the NHS Appointments Commission.

  The change to the capital element of the DEL arises from the take up of end year flexibility £95,632,000 as set out in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Provisional Outturn White Paper Cm 5243 published in July 2001. From the Capital Modernisation Fund £50,000,000 to support the NHS capital programme and
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  a reallocation from resource DEL of £4,852,000 and a transfer from the Scottish Executive of £50,000 for a contribution to non-departmental public bodies.

  The take-up of non-voted supplementary credit approvals for personal social services in England has increased by £423,000 from £18,700,000 to £19,123,000 in respect of the take up of end year flexibility entitlement mentioned above.

  The increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Doctors and Nurses
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest figures are for the shortfall in (b) doctors and (b) nurses in the NHS. [18677]

  Mr. Hutton
  The NHS Plan acknowledges that a shortage of human resources is the biggest constraint faced by the National Health Service today. Targets for increasing the number of doctors and nurses were set in the NHS Plan and rolled forward in the manifesto before the last election.

  The NHS Plan targets are for 7,500 more consultants, 2,000 more general practitioners and 20,000 more nurses by 2004. In September 2000 there were 1,100 more consultants, 126 more GPs and 6,300 more nurses than in September 1999, the NHS Plan baseline. The manifesto targets are for 10,000 more doctors and 20,000 more nurses by 2005 over the 2000 baseline.

  The September 2001 census, giving the latest position against these targets, will be available in January 2002.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual rate of pay is for(a) nurses and (b) doctors (i) in the NHS and (ii) in the private sector. [18676]

  Mr. Hutton
  We estimate that as at August 2000, medical consultants were paid, on average, £65,000 basic salary, £72,000 total earnings, by National Health Service employers. The equivalent figures for nurses were £19,100 and £22,400.

  Information is not available for staff working in the private sector.

  Note:

  Doctor's figures relate to medical consultants; nurses to qualified nurses in clinical grades D to G

  Source:

  Department of Health's August 2000 NHS staff earnings survey.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards the Public Service Agreement target of a reduction in the death rate from cancer amongst people aged under 75 years by at least 20 per cent. by 2010 [14890]

  Jacqui Smith
  Latest available data (for the three years 1998–2000) overlap the start of Our Healthier Nation health strategy, in which the mortality target was set, in July 1999. It is therefore too early yet to assess the effects of the strategy. However, movement to date is towards
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  the target. Data for 1998–2000 (three-year average) show a rate of 130.9 deaths per 100,000 population, a reduction of 6.3 per cent. from the baseline (1995–97).

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target of a reduction in the death rate among people aged under 75 years by at least 40 per cent. by 2010. [14889]

  Jacqui Smith
  This target is to reduce deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke and related diseases in people under age 75. The latest available data (for the three years 1998–2000) overlap the start of the Our Healthier Nation health strategy in July 1999 and the publication of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease in March 2000. It is too early yet to assess the effects of these strategies. However, movement to date is towards the target. Data for 1998–2000 (three-year average) show a rate of 120.5 deaths per 100,000 population—a reduction of 13.7 per cent. from the baseline (1995–97).

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on success in meeting the public service agreement target for procurement savings by NHS trusts in 2000–01. [14901]

  Mr. Hutton
  All national health service trusts achieved procurement savings of 3 per cent. for the financial year 2000–01.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target that everyone with suspected cancer should be able to see a specialist within two weeks of his or her GP deciding that there is a need to do so. [14949]

  Jacqui Smith
  Good progress has been made towards meeting the public service agreement target that everyone with suspected cancer should be able to see a specialist within two weeks of urgent referral. In the period April to June this year 92.4 per cent. of all urgent general practitioner referrals for suspected cancer were seen within two weeks. Since April 1999 more than 186,000 women with suspected breast cancer have benefited by being seen within two weeks and over the period January to June 2001 over 114,000 people urgently referred with suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within two weeks.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the public service agreement target for the reduction of levels of staff absence due to sickness and injury caused by violence. [14912]

  Mr. Hutton
  The national baseline figure for sickness absence levels in the national health service, set in an exercise carried out in 1999, was 4.9 per cent. The Department is currently analysing data collected earlier this year to monitor progress in meeting the public service agreement target for the reduction in levels of staff absence.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the public service agreement target for reducing the number of children re-registered on a child protection register. [14009]
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  Jacqui Smith
  There is a National Priorities Guidance target to reduce by 10 per cent., by 2002, the proportion of children who are re-registered on the child protection register, from a baseline of 18 per cent. for the year ending 31 March 1997. Achieving this target would involve a reduction to 16.2 per cent. by March 2002.

  This target has already been achieved. The proportion of children who were re-registered on the child protection register fell to 15 per cent. in 1998–99, to 14 per cent. in 1999–2000 and has remained at 14 per cent. in 2000–01, the latest year for which data are available.

  Health Providers (Shropshire)
  Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to health providers in Shropshire other than the health authority in 2001–02 to date. [17817]

  Mr. Hutton
  All 2001–02 revenue funding to date for the four Shropshire national health service trusts has been routed directly through health authorities.

  Capital allocations made directly to NHS trusts by the Department. Total capital allocations so far this year are detailed in the table. These include discretionary capital allocations and additional allocations for specific schemes.

  Total capital programme allocations to NHS trusts in Shropshire: 2001–02

  £

  Princess Royal Hospital

  4,093,000

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

  4,199,000

  Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

  1,436,000

  Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services

  2,899,000

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Pakistan
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with President Musharraf about the situation in Pakistan. [16693]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  On 23 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met President Musharraf in Islamabad. They discussed Afghanistan and Pakistan, Pakistan's support in the fight against terrorism and UK/ Pakistan relations.

  Overseas Territories Bill
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the meetings(a) his predecessor and (b) he had with representatives of the Governments of (i) Anguilla, (ii) Bermuda, (iii) the British Virgin Islands, (iv) the Cayman Islands, (v) Montserrat, (vi) Pitcairn, (vii) St. Helena and the St. Helena dependencies and (viii) the Turks and Caicos Islands concerning the implications of the Overseas Territories Bill for human rights legislation in these countries. [16792]
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  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Overseas Territories Bill has no direct implications for human rights legislation in the Overseas Territories. The Government do, however, regard the establishment and promotion of human rights as an important aspect of our partnership with the territories.

  Terrorist/Freedom Fighter Definition
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's definition is of(a) an international terrorist and (b) a freedom fighter; and if he will make a statement. [17332]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane), on 27 November 2001,Official Report, columns 826–27.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list those public bodies which are the responsibility of his Department and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000; [17589]

  (2) if he will list those public bodies to which his Department appoints members and which are not listed in Public Bodies 2000. [17588]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  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 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.officialdocuments.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.

  All those public bodies to which the FCO appoints members are listed in Public Bodies 2000.

  Local Bodies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those local bodies which were set up under legislation which is the responsibility of his Department since May 1997. [17590]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not responsible for any local bodies.

  Bulgaria
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he anticipates Bulgaria will have completed negotiations to enter the EU. [17839]
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  Peter Hain
  The Bulgarian Government have recently declared their intention to complete accession negotiations in 2003, with the aim of joining by the end of 2006. HMG will continue to provide advice and support to Bulgaria in order to help it accede to the EU.

  UAE-Iraq (Trade)
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Arab Emirates-Iraq free trade agreement on 2 November; and what plans he has for the discussions on the issue to be held in Muscat in December. [18038]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The UN "oil for food" programme, which enables Iraq to use the revenue from its oil sales through the UN to buy goods worth billions of dollars each year to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people and to rehabilitate Iraq's infrastructure, has led to significant growth in Iraq's trade with its neighbours. We have no objection to agreements to promote this trade to benefit the Iraqi people, provided that such agreements neither breach UN controls, for example by promoting the export from Iraq of goods other than crude oil, nor contribute to the Iraqi regime's aim to engineer the lifting of UN controls without having to meet its international obligations, particularly on disarmament.

  We are not aware of any plans to discuss this issue in Muscat.

  "Never Again" Leaflet
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of producing the "Never Again" leaflet; and to whom it has been distributed. [18077]

  Mr. MacShane
  The cost of producing the "Never Again" leaflet was £23,971. Copies have been distributed to Members of Parliament and members of the devolved legislatures, as well as to British Embassies and High Commissions for use with overseas audiences and to foreign journalists in London. The text is also available on the FCO website. Further copies in English, Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, Bengali, Hindi and Urdu are available from the Islamic Media Unit at the FCO.

  Ceuta and Melilla
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indications he has received from the Spanish Government of its intention(a) to transfer sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla to Morocco and (b) to arrange joint sovereignty of those territories with Morocco. [17832]

  Peter Hain
  None.

  India
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit India. [18733]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Foreign Secretary hopes to visit India next year. Dates have not yet been set.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to change his(a) Department's expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19752]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) will be decreased by £3,206,000 from £1,365,910,000 to £1,362,704,000 and the administration costs limit will be decreased by £960,000 from £635,558,000 to £634,598,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table.

  £000

  Resources

  Change

  -2,416

  New DEL

  1,236,138

  Of which:

  Voted

  1,067,237

  Non-voted

  168,901

  Capital

  Change

  -790

  New DEL

  126,566

  Of which:

  Voted

  103,066

  Non-voted

  23,500

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:

  1. A reduction of £960,000 in the FCO's administration cost limit as a result of a PES (public expenditure survey) transfer to the DTI, relating to funding arrangements for British Trade International.

  2. A PES transfer of £886,000 to the Cabinet Office relating to funding arrangements for the BBC Monitoring Service.

  3. A PES transfer of £570,000 to DFID to reflect funding arrangements for a refurbishment project.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from a PES transfer of £790,000 to the DTI relating to funding arrangements for British Trade International.

  The decreases are offset by inter-departmental transfers and will not impact on the planned total of public expenditure.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on evidence he has received concerning attacks on opposition MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) supporters in Zimbabwe; and what implications this has for free and fair presidential elections in 2002. [18088]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The most recent reports we have of such incidents concern attacks on opposition MDC supporters by war veterans and ZANU (PF) activists in Bulawayo during the weekend of 17–18 November. MDC supporters are also reported to have retaliated. We condemn such politically motivated violence from whatever quarter, and continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to take immediate action to prevent further incidents which threaten to undermine the conduct of free and fair presidential elections in 2002.
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  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish evidence he has received indicating violations of human rights by Government Ministers in Zimbabwe. [18089]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have received a number of reports compiled by non-governmental organisations of alleged human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The most recent is a report by the Human Rights Forum a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. We regularly raise our concern about human rights in Zimbabwe with the Government of Zimbabwe.

  Tibet
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the issues he raised with regard to Tibet during the meeting with the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister on 30 October; and what the response of the Chinese Government was. [18879]

  Mr. MacShane
  At my meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, I made clear our concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet and urged the Chinese Government to enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama, about the future of Tibet. The Chinese Foreign Minister took note.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  UK Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will announce the outcome of the Quinquennial Review of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. [19568]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government have now considered the recommendations made by the Review Team in its second and final report.

  The report focuses primarily on arrangements for managing public sector civil nuclear liabilities on a more open, transparent, efficient and sustainable basis and on UKAEA's place within any new arrangements which might be put in place.

  The conclusions we have reached are set out in the statement which the Secretary of State made to the House earlier today in which she announced the Government's intention to put a sharper focus on nuclear clean-up by setting up a new Liabilities Management Authority responsible for providing the strong strategic control and direction which is essential; developing a supply base capable of sustaining the clean-up programme over the long term; and enhancing safety and environmental performance while securing management efficiencies and best value for money. Working with the LMA, UKAEA will have a key role to play in delivering these objectives in relation to the liabilities for which it is currently responsible, building and improving on what it has achieved to date.
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  In relation to UKAEA' s other activities the report recommends that:
  UKAEA, in conjunction with the other public sector bodies on the site, should evaluate options for the future development of Harwell as a basis for decisions on a long term strategy for the development of the site as a whole;
  the UKAEA Constabulary should be established as a stand-alone force employed by a statutory Police Authority;
  UKAEA should retain responsibility for managing the UK's fusion capability and for operating the JET (joint European torus) research facility at Culham under contract to the European Commission but that a Fusion Advisory Board should be established to give fusion a more distinctive identity within the UKAEA, bring a broader perspective to its thinking on fusion strategy and drive forward action on science and industry out-reach;
  the Thurso pensions office should remain part of UKAEA for the foreseeable future but that options for outsourcing offering the prospect of additional work for the office should be kept under review.

  The Government have accepted all these recommendations. Those relating to the development of Harwell and fusion will be implemented immediately. Legislation to create an independent Constabulary and a statutory Police Authority will be brought forward at the first available opportunity. Views will be invited in due course on the precise detail of the legislative provisions involved.

  The Government believe that fusion power has the potential to make a real and valuable contribution to meeting energy needs in the medium term. We are therefore concerned to maintain and make best use of UK expertise in fusion research. To this end, responsibility for funding the UK fusion programme will be transferred to the Research Councils as a further means of encouraging integration with the wider science base and ensuring continuity in the UK's research capability in this area.

  I have arranged for copies of the QQR Team's Stage 1 and Stage 2 reports to be placed in the Libraries of the House. The reports can also be accessed via the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk.

  Refrigerators (Recycling)
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice she is giving to(a) retail outlets who previously have collected old refrigerators when supplying new refrigerators to customers and (b) small retail businesses who have previously collected the old refrigerators from large retail outlets and then sold them as second hand items, consequent upon changes coming into effect in relation to EC regulation 2037/2000. [18557]

  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 and relevant stakeholders to develop guidance that will enable both the retail outlets and small businesses mentioned to comply with the new requirements.

  British Trade International
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes will be made to the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit of British Trade International. [19569]

  Ms Hewitt
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the voted element of the Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for British Trade International will be increased by £2,184,000 from £86,634,000 to £88,818,000.

  This increase relates to:

  1. a transfer of £2.000,000 in resources from the Department of Trade and Industry to fund the UK Global programme;

  2. a transfer of £10,000 in resources from the Department of Trade and Industry, in payment of their contribution to a feasibility study for the development of an international banking facility;

  3. a transfer of £174,000 in resources from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, in respect of the Exports Construction Centre, required to reflect part of the machinery of Government changes announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June 2001.

  The increase will be offset by transfers and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Cammell Laird
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date A&P made their submission to the Office of Fair Trading supporting their purchase of Cammell Laird shipbuilders. [18298]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The merger was notified to the Office of Fair Trading on 5 October 2001.

  Export Control Bill
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason reference to sustainable development does not appear in the long title of the Export Control Bill. [17428]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Under the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria the Government are obliged to take into account whether or not a proposed arms export would seriously undermine the economy or seriously hamper the sustainable development of the recipient country. Under clause 8 of the Bill, these criteria are to be treated as published guidance that the Government must have regard to in making licensing decisions. As the Bill requires the Government to continue to take the criteria (which include criterion 8 on sustainable development) into account in licensing decisions, it is unnecessary to mention sustainable development on the face of the Bill.

  Cowboy Builders
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in her schemes to combat cowboy builders; and if she will make a statement. [14361]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 13 November 2001]: I launched the Quality Mark pilot scheme to consumers in Birmingham and Somerset in July. The Quality Mark scheme provides the public with a means of checking

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  technical and other standards of a builder. The public response has been very encouraging. The call-centre is receiving an average of 60 calls a day and the website has had around 12,000 hits since the launch. Quality Mark companies are already starting to see positive improvements to their business. 131 builders and tradesmen have now been approved. 175 companies are in the pipeline with further numbers expected to come forward in the weeks and months ahead. We are continuing to work with leading trade bodies and other organisations to promote access to Quality Mark for their members.

  We will be commencing formal evaluation of the scheme with partners early in the new year and expect a report to be submitted to Ministers in February 2002, following which a formal decision will be made about extending Quality Mark to the rest of the country.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to change the departmental expenditure limit and administration cost limits for(a) her Department, (b) the Office of Fair Trading, (c) the Office of Telecommunications, (d) the Postal Services Commission and (e) the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. [19570]

  Ms Hewitt
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate the Department of Trade and Industry DEL will be increased by £217,381,000 from £4,549,049,000 to £4,766,430,000 and the Administration Costs limit will be increased by £23,407,000 from £411,938.000 to £435,345,000. This is the impact on the DTI DEL excluding the Machinery of Government transfers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Further consideration is being given to the effect on the DEL for both Departments.

  Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the table:

  £

  Resources

  Change

  194,784

  New DEL

  3,971,606

  of which:

  Voted

  1,393,728

  Non-voted

  2,577,878

  Capital

  Change

  22,597

  New DEL

  794,824

  of which:

  Voted

  482,703

  Non-voted

  312,121

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from

  (i) a transfer of £83,000 in administration costs from the Crown Prosecution Service for the administration of work taken over by the Insolvency Service;

  (ii) a transfer of £960.000 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the administration of British Trade International;

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  (iii) a transfer of £776,000 in administration costs provision to the Cabinet Office for the funding of Government Offices of the Regions to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;

  (iv) take up of £6,919,000 from the unused balance of the Department's administration costs end-year flexibility entitlement;

  (v) a transfer of £256,000 in administration costs from HM Treasury in respect of the Evidence Based Policy Fund Project;

  (vi) a transfer of £2,272,000 in administration costs from the Department for Education and Skills for the administration of the Work-Life Balance to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;

  (vii) a transfer of £19,000 in administration costs from the Home Office for the administration of the Easter & British Summer Time; Sunday Trading, Street Markets and Chartered Fairs Projects to reflect Machinery of Government Transfers;

  (viii) a transfer of £220,000 in administration costs and £273,000 in programme costs from the Home Office for the administration of the Prison Pay Review Service;

  (ix) a transfer of £5,300,000 from capital to administration costs under the Public Private Partnership project for the funding of the Electronic Business Strategy;

  (x) take up of £8,121,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement for the Capital Modernisation Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise on-line projects;

  (xi) a reclassification of the payment of £700,000 to SITPRO (Simpler Trade Procedures Board) as a Grant-in-Aid to a Non-Departmental Public Body, thereby increasing non-Voted DEL and decreasing voted DEL by the above amount;

  (xii) a transfer of £58,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the provision of a helpline for the European Union's Framework Five Thematic Programme for comparative and sustainable growth;

  (xiii) take up of £27,400,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement for payments to redundant steel workers under the European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty and to certain steel production workers based on the Treaty;

  (xiv) a reclassification from capital to resource of £3,722,000 for the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification Projects;

  (xv) a reclassification from capital to resource of £175,000 for the Regional Innovation Fund Corridor Study;

  (xvi) take up of £3,000,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement in respect of £1,000,000 for UK Global Partnerships and the transfer of £2,000,000 to British Trade International for enterprise scholarships and pilot programmes for entrepreneurs;

  (xvii) a transfer of £340,000 from the Home Office for the Design against Crime Reduction Project;

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  (xviii) a transfer of £70,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for Work-Life Balance Secondees;

  (xix) a transfer of £1,535,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for publicity and evaluation in relation to the Work-Life Balance project to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;

  (xx) a transfer of £4,450,000 in resources and £50,000 in Appropriations in Aid from the Department for Education and Skills for the Work Life Balance project to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;

  (xxi) a transfer of £22,158,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of support for the construction industry to reflect Machinery of Government transfers;

  (xxii) a transfer of £6,684,000 in administration costs to reflect Machinery of Government transfers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of support for the construction industry;

  (xxiii) a reclassification of £17,440,000 from voted to non-Voted DEL to reflect the funding of Regional Development Agencies following Machinery of Government changes xxiv) a transfer of £350,000 to the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to cover their costs of implementing the Climate Change Levy exemption for electricity from renewable sources xxv) take up of £3,100,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement for the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund;

  (xxvi) take up of £2,320,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end year flexibility entitlement in respect of expenditure related to the National Minimum Wage;

  (xxvii) a transfer of £10,000 to British Trade International in respect of a feasibility study for the development of an international banking facility;

  (xxviii) take up of £2,000,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement to provide for increased non-Voted expenditure by the Coal Authority on minewater pollution and to offset a shortfall in receipts from property sales as a result of foot and mouth restrictions.

  RfR2

  (i) take up of £100,000 of the non-Voted Science Departmental Unallocated Provision to increase voted grant to the Royal Society for the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) inquiry;

  (ii) take up of £3,000,000 of the non-voted Science Departmental Unallocated Provision for additional voted funding of the Beagle II Lander project, with creation of a token £1,000 Appropriations in Aid;

  (iii) take up of £12,499,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement to fund University Challenge Fund projects delayed from previous years;

  (iv) take up of £415,000 of the Science Departmental Unallocated Provision for voted funding of Foresight LINK Awards;

  998W

  (v) take up of £5,000,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement to fund Science Enterprise Challenge projects;

  (vi) a transfer of £205,000 in administration costs from the Home Office to the Office of Science and Technology for the administration of the Foresight Crime Prevention Panel;

  (vii) a transfer of £45,000 in administration costs from the Office of Science and Technology to the Department of Health for Human Genetic Research;

  (viii) an increase of £35,577,000 in the non-voted resource expenditure of certain Science Research Councils;

  In addition to the above changes reflected in the RfRs, the resource DEL has also changed as a result of increased non-voted expenditure on provisions of £43,300,000 (funded from the unused balance of the Department's end-year flexibility entitlement).

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from:

  RfR1

  (i) take up of £10,792,000 of end-year flexibility from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the Small Business Service Gateway Projects;

  (ii) a transfer of £790,000 from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the administration of British Trade International;

  (iii) a transfer of £5,300,000 from capital to administration costs under the Public Private Partnership project for the funding of the Electronic Business Strategy;

  (iv) a reclassification from capital to resource of £3,722,000 for the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification Projects;

  (v) a reclassification from capital to resource of £175,000 for the Regional Innovation Fund Corridor Study;

  (vi) to take up £3,200,000 from the unused balance of the Department's capital end-year flexibility entitlement for the conversion of part of Victoria Street restaurant area into conference facilities;

  (vii) a reclassification of £31,200,000 from voted to non-Voted DEL to reflect the funding of Regional Development Agencies via Grant in Aid following Machinery of Government changes;

  (viii) take up of £9,300,000 from the unused balance of the Department's end year flexibility entitlement for the Trent Engine Development Project;

  (ix) a transfer of £19,000 in capital to reflect Machinery of Government transfers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of Construction Initiatives, Regional Development Agencies and the London Development Agency.

  RfR2

  (i) increases in non-Voted expenditure of £1,000,000 by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and £3,000,000 by the Council for the Central Laboratory

  999W
  of the Research Councils, funded by a £4,000,000 reduction in voted provision for the Synchrotron Radiation Source project;

  (ii) an increase of £7,693,000 in the non-voted resource expenditure of certain Science Research Councils.

  In addition, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Office of Fair Trading Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £7,680,000 from £32,845,000 to £40,525,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £6,981,000 from £31,163,000 to £38,144.000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the table:

  £000

  Resources

  Change

  6,850

  New DEL

  38,297

  of which:

  Voted

  38,297

  Non-voted

  0

  Capital

  Change

  830

  New DEL

  2,228

  of which:

  Voted

  2,228

  Non-voted

  0

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the provision of £6,230,000 to enable the Office of Fair Trading to meet commitments set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the Enterprise Statement. In addition, there is an increase in the resource element of the DEL resulting from the take up of end year flexibility provision of £620,000.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the provision of £830,000 to enable the Office of Fair Trading to meet commitments set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the Enterprise Statement.

  Also, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Office of Telecommunications DEL will be increased by £126,000 from £1,599,000 to £1,725,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £231,000 from £15,718,000 to £15,949,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table:

  Number

  Resources

  Change

  1

  New DEL

  720

  of which:

  Voted

  720

  Non-voted

  0

  Capital

  Change

  125

  New DEL

  1,005

  of which:

  Voted

  1,005

  Non-voted

  0

  1000W
  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from 2000–01 consultancy projects which were delayed until the new financial year.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from a capital project having a phased implementation leading to additional costs in 2001–02.

  In addition, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Postal Services Commission's DEL will be increased by £222,000 from £1,000 to £223,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £700,000 from £2,300,000 to £3,000,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the table:

  £000

  Resources

  Change

  0

  New DEL

  -99

  of which:

  Voted

  1

  Non-voted

  -100

  Capital

  Change

  222

  New DEL

  322

  of which:

  Voted

  322

  Non-voted

  0

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the take up of the Commission's capital End Year Flexibility entitlement of £222,000 announced in Table 6 of the Public Expenditure 2000–01 Outturn White Paper (Cm5243).

  The change in the administration costs limit reflects an increase in staff numbers.

  Also, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Departmental Expenditure Limit for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets will be increased by £350,000 from £351,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased from £350,000 from £35,780,000 to £36,130,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the following table:

  Number

  Resources

  Change

  350

  New DEL

  351

  of which:

  Voted

  351

  Non-voted

  0

  Capital

  Change

  0

  New DEL

  965

  of which:

  Voted

  965

  Non-voted

  0

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from a transfer of £350,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry to cover the costs of implementing the Climate Change Levy exemption for electricity from renewable sources.
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  All of the above increases will either be offset by inter-departmental transfers, take-up of End-Year Flexibility or use of Departmental Unallocated Provisions and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what inquiries she has made into the competition practices of National Rail Supplies, Railtrack and Rail track' s contractors. [18540]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Under UK competition legislation it is for the Director General of Fair Trading to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. These powers are exercised concurrently with the Rail Regulator with respect to railway services.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to develop renewable energy. [17392]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Government have ambitious plans to develop renewable energy.

  The new Renewables Obligation, to come into effect next year, together with exemption of renewables from the climate change levy, will create a long-term market incentive for renewables which will be worth over £1 billion per year by 2010.

  The introduction of the Obligation will be underpinned by direct Government funding for renewables worth over £260 million between 2001 and 2004. This will include an extensive capital grants programme for the early development of offshore wind and energy crops, the initial stage of a major photovoltaics demonstration programme and a boost for research and development.

  Other components of the Government's strategy to develop renewable energy include:
  honouring of contracts awarded under the earlier arrangements to support renewables, the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Orders. In addition, we have consulted on a proposal to introduce a NFFO locational flexibility Order and we are now considering the responses made to this consultation.
  Initiation of studies of each UK region's capacity to generate electricity from renewable sources. Once all these assessments are completed, it is expected that specific regional targets for renewable energy will be adopted across the UK.

  The Government are also exploring the scope for upgrading the existing electricity infrastructure to enable the UK's huge renewable energy resources to be exploited to the full. I recently announced that we will be funding an initial study of the feasibility of an underwater cable to connect parts of the western seaboard of Scotland, the north west of England, Northern Ireland, western Wales and possibly the south west of England directly to the National Grid.

  Overseas Commercial Activities (Accountability Legislation)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to discuss with her European counterparts the introduction of legislation to hold companies accountable for their activities overseas. [17918]

  Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: My ministerial colleagues and I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with our European counterparts.

  Post Office Card Accounts
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of how many post office card accounts there will be on the basis of existing plans. [18043]

  Mr. Alexander
  This matter is being considered within the context of an overall migration and marketing strategy for the payment of benefits by automated credit transfer on which detailed work is in progress.

  Postal Deliveries
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of first class letters from(a) Eastbourne and (b) Wealden postcode areas were delivered by (a) first and (b) second post the next day in each of the last 20 quarters for which figures are available. [17139]

  Mr. Alexander
  This is an operational issue for Consignia.

  I have been informed by the company that this information is not held for individual postcode areas.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with Consignia about changes to the second daily Royal Mail delivery. [17142]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Department has regular discussions with Consignia about a range of strategic issues facing the company. However, changes to the second daily Royal Mail delivery are operational issues for the company, subject to the regulatory powers and duties of the Postal Services Commission in respect of service standards.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of(a) first and (b) second class mail was delivered as part of a second daily delivery in the last 12 months. [17140]

  Mr. Alexander
  This is an operational issue for Consignia.

  I have been informed by the company that this information is not available for the precise split between first and second class mail delivered on second delivery but it is predominantly first class, while only 4 per cent. of mail nationally is delivered on a second delivery.

  Public Service Orders
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which air routes in Britain benefit from a public service order. [18730]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.
  1003W
  The following routes currently have a public service obligation imposed on them:

  Glasgow-Campbelltown-Tiree

  Glasgow-Barra

  Orkney (Mainland)-Papa Westray

  Orkney (Mainland)-North Ronaldsay

  Shetland (Mainland)-Foula

  Shetland (Mainland)-Papa Stour

  Shetland (Mainland)-Out Skerries

  Shetland (Mainland)-Fair Isle

  Stornoway-Benbecula

  Benbecula-Barra.

  Climate Change Levy
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of climate change levy after rebates on the manufacturing sector in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wiltshire; and if she will make a statement. [18422]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The climate change levy became operational only in April this year and the first payments are still being received by Customs and Excise. It is too early to assess its impact.

  However, the impact on any specific sector, whether nationally or in any particular region, will depend on a number of factors including:
  The future energy consumption of firms in the sector and the use they make of levy funded energy efficiency support.
  Employment levels in those sectors and the benefits received from the levy funded national insurance contribution cuts.
  The number of energy intensive firms in that sector that are eligible to receive a discount on the main rates of the levy by signing up to an energy efficiency agreement.
  The use that firms in that sector make of electricity generated from levy exempt 'new' renewable sources of energy and combined heat and power.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Grand Committees
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Northern Ireland Grand Committee has met in Northern Ireland(a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution. [17927]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Until March 1997 the Committee had no power to meet away from Westminster and it has never done so.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Scottish Grand Committee has met in Scotland(a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution. [17926]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament on 12 May 1999, the Scottish Grand Committee met away from Westminster as follows.
  1004W

  Year

  Number of occasions

  1994

  2

  1995

  4

  1996

  13

  1997

  3

  1998

  2

  1999

  4

  The Scottish Grand Committee has only met once since the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament (on 10 July 2000).

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the President of the Council on how many occasions the Welsh Grand Committee has met in Wales(a) in the five years prior to devolution and (b) since devolution. [17902]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Until March 1996 the Grand Committee had no power to meet away from Westminster; since then the Committee has met in Wales as follows:

  Year

  Number of occasions

  1997

  1

  1998

  2

  19991

  1

  2000

  0

  2001

  1

  1 Before 12 May 1999

  The National Assembly for Wales first met on 12 May 1999.

  House of Lords Appointments Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council what the cost is to date of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. [17362]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I understand that the latest available figures show that the House of Lords Appointments Commission spent £248,000 in 2000–01 and to the end of October, £73,000 has been spent in 2001–02.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the President of the Council whether there are any plans to change(a) the departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19405]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Privy Council Office DEL will be decreased by £444,000 from £3,405,000 to £2,961,000 and the administration costs limits will be decreased by £444,000 from £3,445,000 to £3,001,000. Within the DEL change there is no impact on capital; the impact on resources is set out in the table.

  Number

  Resources

  Change

  -444

  New DEL

  2,961,000

  of which:

  Voted

  -444

  Non-voted

  0

  1005W
  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from:

  1. A transfer of £320,000 to the Cabinet Office, following the transfer of the Business Co-ordination Unit under machinery of government changes.

  2. A transfer of £177,000 to DEFRA, who have assumed responsibility for an official residence in Admiralty House.

  3. £53,000 allocated to the Office from the Invest to Modernise Fund.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [18762]

  Mr. Wills
  Information on the outcome of statutory investigations which were concluded during 2000–01 are set out in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2000–01, copies of which are available in the Library of the House, or on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at www.ombudsman.org.uldpca/document/part01/index/htm.

  Between 1 April 2001 and 31 October 2001, the Lord Chancellor's Department received 15 new statutory statements of complaint from the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the details for each department are set out in the table.

  Formal notices issued by Parliamentary Ombudsman 1 April 2001 to 31 October 2001

  Department

  Number received

  Number responded to

  Working days to respond to each notice

  Lord Chancellor's Department1

  2

  2

  16,17

  Court Service

  10

  10

  10, 13, 15, 16, 23, 27, 34, 45, 55, 91

  Public Guardianship Office

  2

  1

  26

  HM Land Registry

  1

  1

  19

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  0

  0

  —

  Public Record Office

  0

  0

  —

  1 Letter of 27 February 2001 not received until 30 April 2001

  Complaints
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress is being made with the case of a complaint by Mr. Paul Bayliss of Lloyds & Cooper. [18005]

  Mr. Wills
  The Lord Chancellor as head of the judiciary has personally instructed a full investigation into all the circumstances relevant to this complaint and is not 1006W
  yet in a position to respond. It is the Lord Chancellor's intention to bring this investigation to as prompt a conclusion as possible.

TREASURY

  National Enterprise Campaign
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the National Enterprise Campaign. [18309]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I have been asked to reply.

  The National Enterprise Campaign, now known as Enterprise Insight, is a 10-year private sector-led national campaign for enterprise. The campaign has strong support within Government and works in partnership with enterprise programme providers including Young Enterprise, Shell LiveWIRE and the Prince's Trust to promote enterprise by fostering an entrepreneurial sprit across the UK through four key initiatives: Enterprising Education; Enterprising Communities; Enterprising Media; Enterprising Business.

  The campaign has made steady progress over its first 18 months. Since the launch of the Enterprising Education Campaign in July 2001, 246 business have registered their interest in promoting enterprise within schools with a further 750 expected by 2002. The aim over the next two years is to get 40,000 more young people engaged in enterprise learning in schools and 5,000 new business people to support its delivery. This will be done through a number of activities including hosting road shows and the development of a website which will enable businesses to register their interest on-line. In addition, the Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme, which matches businesses to local enterprise projects, is also well under way—so far the first five matches have already been made. Enterprise Insight also aims to promote enterprise more positively across society and, in particular, plans to work with the media using case studies and role models to help spread more positive attitudes about entrepreneurship and business.

  Tourism
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis his Department has undertaken on the impact of the slow down in the world economy on tourism. [18047]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have been asked to reply.

  In addition to world economic conditions, there are a number of factors currently affecting tourism, including the impact of foot and mouth disease and the 11 September terrorist attacks. It is as yet too early to conduct a detailed assessment of the impact of world economic conditions in isolation.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average income multiple for mortgages agreed in the last financial year was for(a) individuals and (b) couples. [15927]

  Ms Keeble
  I have been asked to reply.
  1007W
  The average income-to-advance ratio for mortgaged house purchases during the last financial year is estimated to have been (a) 2.49 for individuals and (b) 2.17 for couples.

  Mortgage repayments as a percentage of income for those buying homes during the last financial year are estimated to have been (a) 17.4 per cent. for individuals and (b) 15.4 per cent. for couples. During the third quarter of 2001 these figures were (a) 15.4 per cent. for individuals and (b) 13.3 per cent. for couples.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Flight
  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 Arundel and South Downs. [18312]

  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. Howard Flight, dated 28 November 2001:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent 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 Arundel and South Downs (18312).
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics for unemployment from surveys following the internationally standard International Labour Organisation definition. However, for the Arundel and South Downs 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 1981 census and are available from June 1985 to January 1996.
  The information requested is given in the table overleaf.

  Claimants aged 18 to 24 claiming for six months or more in the Arundel and South Downs parliamentary constituency for each May 1992 to May 2001 (computerised claims only)

  Number of claimants of unemployment benefit

  May 1992

  1418

  May 1993

  1529

  May 1994

  1447

  May 1995

  1345

  May 1996

  110

  May 1997

  40

  May 1998

  19

  May 1999

  9

  May 2000

  8

  May 2001

  3

  1 These figures refer to the Arundel parliamentary constituency

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rates and thresholds of the(a) working families tax credit and (b) disabled person's tax credit will be from April 2002. [19625]
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  Dawn Primarolo
  The main WFTC and DPTC rates and income thresholds will be increased in line with indexation from April 2002. There will be further increases aimed at helping families with children with disabilities.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place a copy of the responses to the tax credits consultation document in the Library. [18598]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are very grateful for the many responses 'we have received to the consultation document and will be responding in due course.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change Customs and Excise(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19624]

  Mr. Boateng
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the HM Customs and Excise DEL will be increased by £79,505,000 from £1,049,066,000 to £1,128,571,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £25,889,000 from £924,894,000 to £950,783,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the table.

  £

  Resources

  Change

  47,520,000

  New DEL

  1,038,559,000

  Of which:

  Voted

  1,033,559,000

  Non-voted

  5,000,000

  Capital

  Change

  31,985,000

  New DEL

  90,012,000

  Of which:

  Voted

  89,012,000

  Non-voted

  1,000,000

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from: the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £24,208,000 on administration costs and £5,131,000 on programme expenditure as set out in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CM 5243); a switch from capital EYF of £16,000,000 into programme expenditure; additional resources of £100,000 under round 3 of the Invest to Save Budget on administration costs; and additional SR2000 resources of £1,714,000 on administration costs and £500,000 on programme expenditure for tackling organised crime. These increases are partially offset by decreases in administration costs of: £69,000 to the Cabinet Office for fast stream recruitment operations; and £64,000 to DEFRA in respect of the Whisky Export Refund Scheme. The total administration costs change is £25,889,000.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from: the take-up of end-year flexibility of £30,000,000; and additional funding of £1,985,000 in respect of round 3 of the Capital Modernisation Fund.
  1009W
  The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the Inland Revenue(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02. [19622]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Inland Revenue departmental expenditure limit will be increased by £83,602,000 from £2,473,375,000 to £2,556,977,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by £26,356,000 from £2,410,165,000 to £2,436,521,000. The net administration costs limit is increased by £1,919,000 from-£7,973,000 to-£6,054,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in table:

  £

  Resources

  Change

  28,018

  New DEL

  2,390,416

  Of which:

  Voted

  2,021,370

  Non-voted

  369,046

  Capital

  Change

  55,584

  New DEL

  166,561

  Of which:

  Voted

  166,561

  Non-voted

  0

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from the draw down of £23,338,000 administration costs EYF and the transfer of £4,679,000 from DWP.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the draw down of capital EYF and non-discretionary EYF as set out in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CM 5243).

  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the Office for National Statistics(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limit for 2001–02. [19626]

  Ruth Kelly
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Office for National Statistics DEL will be increased by £11,446,000 from £186,075,000 to £197,350,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £5,346,000 from £179,285,000 to £184,631,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the following table.

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  5,346,000

  6,100,000

  New DEL

  185,430,000

  11,920,000

  Of which:

  Voted

  184,630,000

  11,920,000

  Non-voted

  800,000

  0

  The increase in the resource element of the DEL arises from the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement as set out in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 5243) and will be used to fund census-related and
  1010W
  other expenditure commitments. In addition, £6,000,000 will be drawn from the Departmental Unallocated Provision to meet similar spending pressures.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from the take-up of funds from a Capital Modernisation Fund award of £6,100,000 for development of a statistics service to improve neighbourhood renewal. The increase will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change HM Treasury's(a) departmental expenditure limits and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19623]

  Ruth Kelly
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, HM Treasury's DEL will be increased by £35,267,000 from £209,578,000 to £244,845,000 and the administration costs limits will be increased by £9,678,000 from £97,011,000 to £106,689,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is as set out in the following table.

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  25,940

  9,327

  New DEL

  229,768

  15,077

  Of which:

  Voted

  200,397

  14,777

  Non-voted

  29,371

  300

  The change in the resource element of the DEL for RfR1 arises from the take-up of administration costs EYF (£1,640,000) and programme costs EYF (£3,662,000), to meet the additional costs of the Treasury's planned programme of work involving additional expenditure in policy areas, including those dealing with better public services, Whole of Government Accounts and productivity, the Equitable Life Inquiry, and Debt Management Office's initiatives to improve their management of risk and further professionalise their operations; to draw down the administration costs sums allocated from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund (£570,000) for early retirement costs and an interchange project, and from the Capital Modernisation Fund (05,000) in respect of the Evidence Based Policy Fund projects; and a transfer of administration costs to the Cabinet Office in respect of Fast Stream recruitment operations (£282,000). The change in the capital element of the DEL for RfR1 arises from the reclassification of programme expenditure EYF to capital provision (£9,404,000), for the new service relating to the indemnity and insurance cover HMT has offered to aviation companies in the wake of WTC of 11 September, by way of a loan note with Troika Insurance Company Ltd., and for additional IT and communications equipment. There are also additional non-operating appropriations in aid in respect of higher than expected capital receipts (£77,000).

  The change in the resource element of the DEL for RfR2 arises from the take-up of programme costs EYF (£2,000,000), to meet the increased demand for UK coins.

  The change in the resource element of the DEL for RfR3 arises from the take-up of administration costs EYF (0,172,000) and programme costs EYF (£10,000,000), to meet the costs of e-commerce pilot schemes and to fund the disposal of surplus civil estate properties; the

  1011W
  reclassification of programme costs EYF to administration costs for the costs associated with the OGC pay remit and VER scheme (£2,848,000); to draw down the administration costs sums allocated from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund (£325,000) for the promoting professional qualifications project; and a transfer of programme expenditure to the National Care Standards Commission in respect of the leasehold of Avonbridge House (£50,000).

  The increases will be offset by transfers or charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Tax Receipts
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve the short-term forecasting of tax receipts. [18549]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Short-term forecasts are routinely monitored against outturns, the reasons for discrepancies identified where possible, and allowances are made for these in future forecasts where necessary.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish for each month of the current financial year the error rate occurring between the projected tax and VAT receipts and those which actually resulted; [18550]

  (2) if he will place in the Library details of the economic model used by the Inland Revenue to forecast monthly tax receipts. [16304]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply of 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 775W, the answer the Financial Secretary gave him on 20 July under cover of a letter and the letter which the Economic Secretary sent him on 27 September (copies of both of which have been placed in the Library of the House).

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are used by the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise to produce the monthly short-term forecasts of tax receipts; and what the annual costs for this exercise are. [18551]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Around 18 staff spend a small proportion of their time producing the monthly forecasts of tax receipts. No estimates of the annual cost are available.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) sections and (b) those of grade 3 and above in the Treasury which receive copies of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise short-term receipts forecasts and state for each recipient the use to which the information is put. [18552]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The sections that receive the short-term forecasts are: Public Sector Finances, Exchequer Funds and Accounts and the Debt Management Office. No officials of grade 3 and above routinely receive copies of these forecasts.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the methodology used to produce the levels of current receipts shown in table C4 of Budget 2001 and show how this related to the contents of paragraph C17, C18 and C19 of Budget 2001. [18553]
  1012W
  Dawn Primarolo
  Table C4 is consistent with the Office for National Statistics methodology for Public Finance Statistics. The assumptions mentioned in paragraphs C17–19 of Budget 2001, together with those in Box Cl, are used as the basis for the projections by the Inland Revenue, and Customs and Excise for taxes, on a tax by tax basis, and the Treasury for other receipts. Details of how these assumptions are converted into forecasts for revenues are given in Forecasting the Public Finances in the Treasury, by Tim Pike and David Savage, Fiscal Studies, 1998. This is available from the publications section of the Institute of Fiscal Studies website www.ifs.org.uk.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the way in which the Treasury uses the short-term forecasts of tax receipts provided by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue. [18554]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The short-term forecasts are mainly used in the short-term management of Government cash flows.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement listing the facts and information used by(a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Customs and Excise to produce the short-term forecasts of tax and receipts referred to in the letter of 27 September sent to the right hon. Member for Fylde. [18555]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have nothing further to add to the information contained in that letter.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to privatise the distraint work of the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement. [18236]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This proposal is still under consideration.

  Local Authority Debt Repayment
  Adam Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules govern annual debt repayments by local authorities in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [18515]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Like any other borrowers, local authorities have a contractual obligation to comply with the terms of repayment specified in their agreement with the lender. The local government capital finance system requires English and Welsh authorities each year to set aside amounts out of their revenue resources to meet debt and other credit liabilities. This helps to ensure that, whenever a debt falls due, the authority has enough money to make the repayment. The Government have no immediate plans to change these arrangements.

  Financial Regulation (Overseas and Dependent Territories)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the British overseas and dependent territories with which exchange of information agreements have been agreed(a) for tax and (b) financial regulation purposes,

  1013W
  indicating the date of such agreement; and if he will list separately those overseas and dependent territories with which no such agreement yet exists. [17728]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: For tax purposes, the UK has Double Taxation Arrangements with Guernsey (1952), Isle of Man (1955) and Jersey (1952) (all Crown Dependencies), and the Falkland Islands (1997) and Montserrat (1947) (both Overseas Territories) which include provisions for the exchange of information for tax purposes. The UK has no such agreements with the remaining Overseas Territories, ie Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena and its Dependencies (St. Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan de Cunha), South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

  For financial regulatory purposes, the Overseas Territories of the Caribbean and Bermuda and Gibraltar have in place gateways which allow for the exchange of information with overseas regulators including the UK. The territories of the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands and British Virgin Islands have introduced "compulsory powers" legislation to enable investigative assistance to overseas regulators to be provided. Bermuda's existing regulatory powers are being strengthened. Anguilla has compulsory powers legislation in draft.

  The Crown Dependencies have Memorandums of Understanding providing for exchange of information with a range of UK regulatory bodies.

  Exchange Rate
  Adam Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps he has taken to ensure a competitive sterling to euro exchange rate. [18517]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government do not have a target for the sterling/euro exchange rate. The way to ensure long-term exchange rate stability and competitiveness is through the pursuit of sound macroeconomic policies aimed at achieving sustained growth and low inflation.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from manufacturers about the rate of sterling in the last six months; and if he will make a statement. [18488]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers often receive representations from manufacturers and all areas of business on a wide range of economic issues, and value their insights.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional revenue he raised in 2000–01 from property and land transactions in the Arundel and South Downs constituency as a result of the increases in stamp duty in the March 2000 Budget. [18331]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information is not available.
  1014W

  Manufacturing (East Midlands)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis he has made of the impact of the slow down in the world economy on manufacturing in the east midlands. [18490]

  Ruth Kelly
  No country can insulate itself from the global economy, and these uncertain times test all regions of the UK. Because of the tough decisions this Government have taken we are today in a better position to withstand the ups and downs of the world economy.

  The pre-Budget report further outlined the Government's regional strategy.

  Higher Rate Taxpayers
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there were in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs in each year since April 1997. [18314]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There were 7,300 higher rate income taxpayers in the constituency of Arundel and South Downs in the 1999–2000 tax year. This estimate is based on the Survey of Personal Incomes. I regret that estimates are not available for earlier years.

  Income Data
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) of those self-employed aged between(a) 18 and 35, (b) 36 and 45, (c) 46 and 50, (d) 51 and 55, (e) 56 and 60 and (h) 61 and 74 years, if he will estimate the numbers earning (i) up to £35,000 per year, (ii) between £35,000 and £45,000 per year, (iii) between £45,000 and £55,000 per year, (iv) between £55,000 and £65,000 per year, (v) between £65,000 and £75,000 per year, (vi) between £75,000 and £85,000 per year, (vii) between £85,000 and £95,000 per year and (viii) over £95,000 per year, for the tax year (A) 2000 and (B) 2001; [18600]

  (2) if he will list the numbers of self-employed between the ages of (a) 18 and 35, (b) 36 and 45, (c) 46 and 50, (d) 51 and 55, (e) 56 and 60 and (f) 61 and 74 years and estimate the numbers in each category paying the (i) standard rate and (ii) higher rate of tax for the tax year 2000–01; [18609]

  (3) if he will estimate, of those between the ages of (a) 18 and 35, (b) 36 and 45, (c) 46 and 50, (d) 51 and 55, (e) 56 and 60 and (f) 61 and 74 years, the numbers earning (i) up to £35,000 per year, (ii) between £35,000 and £45,000 per year, (iii) between £45,000 and £55,000 per year, (iv) between £55,000 and £65,000 per year, (v) between £65,000 and £75,000 per year, (vi) between £75,000 and £85,000 per year, (vii) between £85,000 and £95,000 per year and (viii) over £95.000 per year, for the tax year (1) 2000 and (2) 2001. [18603]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates for the number of taxpayers with some self employed income, by range of age and total earned income (income from employment, income from self employment and pensions) are given in the tables, based on the Survey of Personal Incomes.
  1015W

  Estimated number of people with some self employment income by range of earnings and age, 2000–01

  Thousands

  Age (lower limit)

  Earnings upper limit (£)

  18

  36

  46

  51

  56

  61

  74

  35,000

  21

  37

  21

  20

  13

  13

  1—

  45,000

  12

  22

  12

  10

  7

  7

  1—

  55,000

  5

  16

  8

  8

  5

  4

  1—

  65,000

  4

  11

  6

  6

  4

  3

  1—

  75,000

  3

  8

  4

  4

  2

  2

  1—

  85,000

  1

  6

  3

  3

  2

  2

  1—

  95,000

  6

  23

  14

  13

  7

  5

  1—

  Estimated number of people with some self employment income by range of earnings and age, 2001–02

  Thousands

  Age (lower limit)

  Earnings upper limit (£)

  18

  36

  46

  51

  56

  61

  74

  35,000

  23

  39

  22

  21

  13

  13

  1—

  45,000

  12

  22

  13

  10

  8

  8

  1—

  55,000

  6

  16

  8

  8

  5

  4

  1—

  65,000

  4

  11

  6

  6

  4

  4

  1—

  75,000

  3

  8

  4

  4

  2

  3

  1—

  85,000

  2

  7

  3

  3

  2

  2

  1—

  95,000

  6

  25

  15

  14

  8

  6

  1—

  Estimated number of people with some self employment income by taxpayer's marginal rate, 2000–01

  Thousands

  Age (lower limit)

  Marginal rate

  18

  36

  46

  51

  56

  61

  74

  Starting rate2

  79

  70

  40

  40

  30

  30

  1—

  Savers rate3

  1—

  7

  1—

  8

  8

  12

  1—

  Basic rate4

  517

  555

  265

  289

  210

  218

  1—

  Higher rate5

  60

  135

  75

  68

  43

  49

  1—

  1 These cells have insufficient numbers in the sample to provide a reliable estimate.

  2 Taxpayers with a marginal rate at the 10 per cent. starting rate from an extra £1 of earnings

  3 Taxpayers with a marginal rate at the 20 per cent. lower rate for savings income or the 10 per cent. ordinary dividend rate from an extra £1 of earnings

  4 Taxpayers with a marginal rate at the 22 per cent. basic rate from an extra £1 of earnings

  5 Taxpayers with taxable income above the higher rate threshold.

  Estimated number of taxpayers by range of earnings and age, 2000–01

  Thousands

  Age (lower limit)

  Earnings upper limit (£)

  18

  36

  46

  51

  56

  61

  74

  35,000

  270

  317

  164

  121

  66

  64

  11

  45,000

  96

  140

  70

  58

  32

  30

  5

  55,000

  51

  83

  42

  34

  19

  15

  3

  65,000

  25

  50

  28

  23

  12

  11

  1

  75,000

  13

  31

  16

  15

  7

  7

  1

  85,000

  9

  23

  10

  11

  5

  5

  1

  95,000

  38

  91

  47

  44

  23

  18

  2

  1016W

  Estimated number of taxpayers by range of earnings and age, 2001–02

  Thousands

  Age (lower limit)

  Earnings upper limit (£)

  18

  36

  46

  57

  56

  61

  74

  35,000

  315

  352

  179

  135

  70

  70

  12

  45,000

  111

  158

  83

  63

  37

  33

  5

  55,000

  57

  89

  43

  37

  22

  16

  3

  65,000

  30

  57

  30

  26

  12

  12

  1

  75,000

  16

  35

  19

  16

  9

  8

  1

  85,000

  9

  23

  11

  12

  5

  5

  1

  95,000

  42

  100

  51

  48

  25

  19

  2

  Income Tax (Young People)
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to remove 16 and 17-year-olds from the income tax systems; and if he will make a statement. [18015]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We have no plans to remove 16 and 17-year-olds from the income tax system. However, if their income is below the personal allowance they will not pay tax.

  Benefits (Buckingham)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people received(a) tax credits and (b) means-tested benefits in the Buckingham constituency in each year since April 1997. [17848]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For figures back to 1998 I refer the hon. Member to the earlier reply by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 153W. I understand from the Department for Work and Pensions that the equivalent figures for Buckingham for May 1997 were:

  Recipients of (a) tax credits and (b) certain income related benefits in the Buckingham constituency

  May 1997

  Number

  Income support

  2,100

  Jobseeker's allowance (income based)

  1400

  Family credit

  1300

  Disability working allowance

  10

  Total

  2,800

  1 Sampling error is particularly high for these figures, and they should be treated as a rough guide only

  Notes:

  1. Apart from DWA, the figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample. They are subject to sampling error and therefore shown to the nearest hundred

  2. Recipients of FC or DWA who also receive IS or JSA are included only in the income support and jobseeker's allowance figures. This eliminates double counting in the total

  3. DWA figures are for April

  Sources:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1997

  Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1997 Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1997

  Disability Working Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry April 1997

  There were 6,340 recipients of housing benefit and 7,470 recipients of council tax benefit in the Aylesbury Vale district council area at May 1997.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the seizure by Customs and Excise of Brazilian mahogany and mahogany products shipped to UK ports. [17836]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Where Brazilian mahogany is subject to control under Council Regulation 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora, and the necessary documentation is not presented to Customs at importation, then Customs would normally seize the consignment.

  Impounded Vehicles
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2001,Official Report, column 766W, on impounded vehicles, what are the security reasons which prevent the geographical locations of such sites from being published; which officials are responsible for making this decision; and if he will make a statement. [18211]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The geographical location of storage sites for seized goods, including vehicles, is not published in order to reduce the risk of criminal attempts of theft and damage. In the recent past a vehicle with satellite tracking was deliberately burned and attempts to remove vehicles or parts of vehicles by allegedly armed men have been reported.

  The decision not to publish the details of storage sites has been taken by the contract managers in consultation with Customs security officers.

  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2001,Official Report, column 766W, on impounded vehicles, with which bodies Customs and Excise has made contract arrangements to supply storage facilities; when each contract arrangement was made; what the value is of each contract; and if he will make a statement. [18210]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The contract for the haulage and storage of excise goods and vehicles used to smuggle was signed with P&O Trans European Ltd. in 1996 for three years and renewed for a further two years in 1999. It is not possible to identify the value of this contract in relation to vehicle storage alone.

  Departmental Bodies and Reviews
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) task forces and (b) policy reviews with external members have been established by his Department since January 2000; and what (i) sub-groups, (ii) working parties and (iii) other subsidiary committees were established by each body. [18159]

  Ruth Kelly
  Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by the Cabinet Office. Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on the Cabinet Office's website.

  Information about sub-groups, working parties and other subsidiary committees established by each body is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  1018W
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the date of establishment was for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since January 2000; which of them have issued their final reports and what the dates of publication were; which of them have been terminated and what the dates of termination were; and for those bodies still in existence, what their expected(a) reporting and (b) termination dates are. [18156]

  Ruth Kelly
  Information about task forces, annual reports and ad hoc advisory groups is set out in an annual report, published by the Cabinet Office. Copies of the annual report on task forces and similar bodies have been placed in the Library of the House and the annual report is being made available on the Cabinet Office's website.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outstanding balance is of(a) income tax and (b) national insurance that has been deferred as a result of foot and mouth disease in (i) Dumfries and Galloway, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the United Kingdom. [17390]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Between 21 March 2001 and 18 November 2001 the amount of tax and national insurance contributions deferred as a result of foot and mouth disease totalled £108.12 million.

  We do not have specific figures for Dumfries and Galloway but out of the total amount of tax and MC deferred, £11.56 million relates to Scotland and £96.56 million to the rest of the UK.

  We do not yet have enough information to give a reliable figure of the net current balance outstanding.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Rural Affairs
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 320W, on rural parishes, if she will list those parishes deemed to be (a) vibrant, (b) active, (c) barely active and (d) sleeping. [18779]

  Alun Michael
  A list of parishes (just over 6,000) deemed to be(a) vibrant, (b) active, (c) barely active, (d) sleeping will be made available in the Library of the House. This is based on information collated from parish clerks through the Countryside Agency's Rural Services Survey.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 319W, on the rural White Paper, if she will list the measures she will be using to determine the indicator. [18780]
  1019W
  Alun Michael
  I refer to my answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 319W. The research will review existing baseline and trend data to give an assessment of their suitability for use in compiling an indicator. Data sources to be considered include: Agricultural Census; National Inventory of Woodland and Trees; Countryside Survey 2000: Land Use Change Statistics; cultural heritage monuments, buildings and field patterns; perceptual and aesthetic characteristics such as tranquillity and noise mapping. At this stage in the research it is not possible to say which measures will eventually be used to determine the indicator.

  Business Start-ups
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 321W, what work (a) has previously been done and (b) is being done to measure information on business start-ups. [18675]

  Alun Michael
  The Countryside Agency has adopted an indicator on business health. This necessitates the collection of a range of business data including business registrations and de-registrations (business registrations only include those businesses above the VAT threshold). The Countryside Agency use the number of business registrations as a proxy indicator of total business start-ups. However, in their 2001 State of the Countryside report they presented data from the Office for National Statistics on the total number of businesses, proportion of business by employee sizeband and VAT registrations and de-registrations.

  The Countryside Agency are working with the Office for National Statistics to procure accurate and up-to-date information from the Inter-Departmental Business Register for 2001. In addition they are working with the Small Business Service in looking at the broader picture of "business health" in England, in particular those businesses beneath the VAT threshold. For the 2002 State of the Countryside Report they will again publish data for rural areas on business start-ups as measured by registration and de-registration to give an accurate picture of business activity in the Countryside. This may be supplemented by data collected from a local research project.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 327W, how much of the £92 million outlined in the Rural White Paper for the Rural Bus Challenge and Rural Transport Partnership programme was spent in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; and how much each individual initiative has received. [18782]

  Alun Michael
  A total of £21 million was allocated to new Rural Bus Challenge projects in 2000–01, spending over a number of financial years. Expenditure in that year on all Challenge projects, including those begun in previous years, was £11 million. There is £20 million available for awards in this year's Rural Bus Challenge competition, decisions on which will be announced shortly. Forecast expenditure in the current year on all projects is £23 million.
  1020W
  The Countryside Agency's Rural Transport Partnership Programme spent £4.8 million in 2000–01. For this financial year, formal grant offers total £7.1 million to date, of which £2.9 million has been spent.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 321W, on rural employment, if she will list the jobs by (a) category and (b) proportion that people have done in rural areas in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999, (v) 2000 and (vi) 2001. [18783]

  Alun Michael
  The table lists rural employment by category and the percentage of people employed.

  Percentage

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Energy and Water

  1.0

  1.0

  0.4

  Manufacturing

  20.3

  20.0

  20.3

  Construction

  4.2

  5.0

  5.5

  Distribution, Hotels and Restaurants

  24.8

  24.4

  25.1

  Transport and Communications

  5.3

  5.1

  5.0

  Banking, Finance, Insurance etc.

  13.9

  14.6

  14.5

  Public Administration, Education and Health

  25.2

  24.4

  24.5

  Other services

  4.7

  4.7

  4.5

  Source:

  ONS Annual Employment Service

  Information for 1999, 2000 and 2001 is not currently available but I undertake to write to the hon. Gentleman with this information as soon as it is to hand.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 322W, on civic amenities, how many (a) food shops, (b) post offices, (c) cash points, (d) primary schools and (e) GP surgeries within 4km of rural households (i) opened and (ii) closed in 2000. [18777]

  Alun Michael
  The Countryside Agency's Rural Services Survey in 2000 researched the geographical availability of a range of services. This was the first year that a survey of this type had been undertaken at the household level across rural England. Full postcoded lists of services were used in the survey to calculate their availability to rural households within specified distances. The survey provides information on services available at a point in time. Future surveys will therefore provide a comparison with the base figures rather than reflecting the number of the openings and closings of services.

  Market Towns
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001,Official Report, column 322W, on market towns, what has been the progress of the Countryside Research Project to assess the health and viability of market towns; and if she will make a statement on the different economic and social indicators that are being considered. [18778]
  1021W
  Alun Michael
  The Research Project was let in January 2001 and progress to date has been towards a methodological approach to developing a national headline indicator. The broad scope of the work has been to focus on the key influencing attributes of market towns including: size and spacing of market towns; urban/rural shift of economic activity; the economic base of market towns; and the clustering of economic activity. In addition, considerable work has gone into examining market towns in relation to the Index of Deprivation 2000.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take into account the financial situation of rural enterprises in setting target dates for payments under the countryside stewardship scheme at the end of this year. [16147]

  Alun Michael
  In recognition of the problems experienced by farmers hard hit by foot and mouth disease, we have specifically extended the deadline for the receipt of countryside stewardship scheme claims to 31 December, to allow more time for completion of claim forms. We are currently processing the claims so far received as quickly as available resources permit, to ensure payments are made as soon as practicable. Our published aim is to pay claims within two months of receipt.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce the target date for the payment of amounts under the countryside stewardship scheme at the end of this calendar year. [16146]

  Alun Michael
  Our published aim for the payment of claims under the countryside stewardship schemes is two months from the date of receipt.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has had regarding timely payment of amounts under the countryside stewardship scheme; and if she will make a statement. [16145]

  Alun Michael
  I have received no recent representations on this subject. Claims for this year's payments under the countryside stewardship scheme were invited from 1 October onwards. Our published aim is to make payments within two months of receipt and the Department is currently working hard to achieve this.

  Foxes
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the size of the fox population in England(a) at the latest available date and (b) in November 2000. [15830]

  Alun Michael
  There is no information collected centrally which could provide the basis for an answer to this question.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the impact on fox populations of the existence of artificial earths; [17967]
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  (2) what assessment she has made of the consequences for the level of the fox population of the temporary suspension of hunting. [17968]

  Alun Michael
  [holding answer 26 November 2001]: There is no information collected centrally which could provide the basis for an answer to these questions.

  Agricultural Development Scheme
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce the outcome of bids for funding under round three of the Agricultural Development Scheme. [18873]

  Margaret Beckett
  Our aim is to announce the outcome in late January 2002.

  Pitsea Tip
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what poisonous substances have been deposited at Pitsea tip; over what period; and from which source. [3891]

  Mr. Meacher
  Waste has been deposited at Pitsea landfill site at least since 1935 and since that time it is estimated some 30 million tonnes of waste have been deposited from a range of sources.

  Between 1967 and 1994, there were requirements to submit records of the waste deposited at the site under various waste and planning controls. This information was collected by the relevant local authorities at the time. Some of these records were passed to the Environment Agency, though full records do not exist for the complete period that the landfill site operated.

  The situation changed in 1994. Under paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, operators are required to keep a record of the quantity, nature and origin of the waste disposed of at each site; and to make that information available, on request, to the Environment Agency. However, the agency must act reasonably in its use of this power. The agency would be open to legal challenge in the event of unreasonably seeking detailed information on all the substances, and the source of those substances, disposed of at the Pitsea landfill site since 1994. Nevertheless the detailed licence for the site which specifies the quantities and types of waste able to be deposited at Pitsea is available for inspection at the local Environment Agency office. The following is an extract from the licence which details the general limits on the amount of waste able to be deposited at the site.

  Extract from licence
  Condition 2

  (i) A maximum amount of 200,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste in liquid form, of which not more than 175,000 tonnes shall be hazardous, shall be deposited annually

  (ii) not more than 37,000 tonnes of hazardous industrial waste in solid form, other than solid land clearance waste shall be deposited annually

  (iii) not more than 60,000 tonnes of solid, hazardous waste, land clearance waste shall he deposited annually

  (iv) not more than 5,000 tonnes in liquid form and 1,000 in solid form shall be of high hazard category

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  Condition 77
  Notwithstanding the quantities of liquid waste permitted for disposal by condition 2, no more than 119,500 tonnes of liquid waste shall he deposited directly to landfill during the year ending 1 April 1992 and this volume shall be reduced in each successive year by at least 12,500 tonnes so that by the end of the year ending 31 March 1997, no more than 60,000 tonnes are disposed of by direct landfill.

  Genetically Modified Fish
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Food and Agriculture Organisation's recent paper, "State of the World's Fisheries and Aquaculture", concerning genetic modification of aquatic species and their potential to increase the quantity and quality of aquaculture products. [6640]

  Mr. Meacher
  The paper published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2000 recognises the potential for genetic modification to increase the quantity and quality of aquaculture products. It goes on to consider the areas of concern with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These include possible adverse side effects on human health and the environment, trade impacts, intellectual property rights, labelling and ethics. It outlines possible solutions including the adoption of suitable legislation, codes of conduct or guidelines, and possible technical answers. The paper says that solutions will come only from addressing all sides of this complex issue. It also notes that technically there must be good scientific support with adequate testing and monitoring to reduce the uncertainties of environmental impact.

  The Government note the potential of genetic modification but at this stage of development GM technology has yet to demonstrate any proven benefits in relation to aquaculture. It is feasible that the technology could be used to increase yields from fish farms or make farmed fish easier or cheaper to produce, but this is unlikely in the short term. There have been no environmental releases of GM fish in the UK and none is expected to be proposed in the foreseeable future.

  However, the Government keep an open mind on this while making sure that suitable safety controls are in place to ensure protection for human health and the environment.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she takes to ensure genetically modified salmon cannot escape from confinement into the wild. [18366]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: There are currently no GM salmon in this country therefore the situation does not arise. The Government's policy on containment of GM fish was outlined in the answers given to the hon. Member on 19 November 2001, Official Report, columns 78–79W, and on 20 November 2001, Official Report, column 198W.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Scottish Minister regarding Scotland's contribution to United Kingdom targets on sustainable development. [13147]
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  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met Scottish Ministers specifically to discuss these matters, although the Department works closely with the Scottish Executive on sustainable development issues. Scotland's contribution is reflected as appropriate in the UK Government's annual reports on our Sustainable Development Strategy, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Rural Ministers
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to introduce the concept of Rural Ministers in different Government Departments. [14529]

  Alun Michael
  The Government consider it important that all Ministers in Home Departments are alert to the implications of their policies and programmes for people living in rural areas rather than introducing such a specific designation. The Department and I, assisted by the Countryside Agency, ensure that all major policies are assessed for their rural impact through the "rural-proofing" process described in "Our Countryside: the future" (Cmnd 4909). The Cabinet Sub-committee on Rural Renewal, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and on which relevant Departments are represented, will oversee the effectiveness of the "rural-proofing" process.

  Departmental Targets
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's latest annual efficiency target is; and if it has been achieved. [15362]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: DEFRA's public service agreement target on efficiency is to achieve a reduction of 10 per cent. in the unit cost of administering CAP payments by March 2004, and 95 per cent. electronic service delivery capability for such payments by March 2004. We are currently on track to meet this commitment by December 2004 and the recent creation of the Rural Payments Agency will play a crucial part in delivering this.

  DEFRA is committed to establishing a strong efficiency programme, based on robust measurement. As part of this programme, we are developing efficiency measures covering all aspects of the Department.

  Beef
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to(a) her French counterpart and (b) the European Commission regarding proposals to ban beef imports into France during November. [15521]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: The European Commission are looking into the agreement on supporting the beef market in France reached by the French industry to determine whether it contravenes Community rules. A number of other member states have expressed concern at the implications of the agreement for imports into France. The UK is not directly affected since France has not implemented the European

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  Community Decision to allow exports of British beef under the Date Based Export Scheme. The judgment of the European Court of Justice on this is expected shortly.

  Dry Stone Walls
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to extend additional protection to dry stone walls. [15516]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: We are considering representations that we have received on this subject. However, the primary legislation which provides the enabling powers for the Hedgerow Regulations does not provide powers to protect dry stone walls. The Department supports maintenance and restoration of dry stone walls through agri-environment schemes which are being significantly expanded under the England Rural Development Programme. The results of Countryside Survey 2000 suggested that net losses of walls had been halted by 1998.

  Biodiesel Technology
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to support the development of biodiesel technology; and if she will make a statement. [15505]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: Following the Green Fuels Challenge a new duty rate for biodiesel, 20 pence per litre below the rate for Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, is to be introduced in Budget 2002. Any additional measures to develop biodiesel must be based on sound evidence and this Department has recently commissioned a six-month study, on behalf of the Government-Industry Forum on non-food uses of crops, to evaluate the comparative energy, environmental and socio-economic costs and benefits of biodiesel production in the UK. The study will compare results with those for other relevant green fuels and relevant energy saving measures, and will inform the future development of policy.

  Energy Crops
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the money announced by the Government in October 2000 to promote the growth of energy crops has already been applied for; and if she will make a statement. [17277]

  Mr. Morley
  Our Energy Crops Scheme, part of the England Rural Development Programme, makes £29 million of assistance available to farmers. Applications which have been agreed or are being assessed total about 2 per cent. of this. This includes establishment grants for short rotation coppice and miscanthus and funding to set up a producer group for SRC growers. The low level of expenditure reflects slower than expected progress with biomass-fuelled projects. The Government have now allocated over £70 million of funding for market development and we are working closely with Government Departments and other bodies to develop opportunities in power generation, combined heat and power and heat applications. We expect this to lead to a significant increase in uptake.

  River Thames (Adjacent Land)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will outline the policy of the Environment Agency with regard to(a) the provision of car parking on (i) land immediately adjacent to the river Thames and (ii) its own land immediately adjacent to the river Thames and (b) the leasing of its own land immediately adjacent to the river Thames. [17214]

  Mr. Meacher
  Local authorities are responsible for development control and policy related to car parking in their areas. In cases of new development, the Environment Agency, as a statutory consultee, has an opportunity to encourage best practice in environmental design. This includes proposals on land adjacent to the river Thames.

  When considering a planning application, the agency would normally request a number of planning conditions, such as the retention of a buffer zone to allow access to flood defences for maintenance and inspection; the provision of public access rights to the riverside; and prevention of encroachment of the development on to the tidal foreshore.

  These standards apply equally to development by the agency on its own land, including that adjacent to the Thames.

  In cases of land leased by the agency to a third party, subject to the terms of the contract, use of the site would be a matter between the third party and the local planning authority. The agency would, if a planning application were made, be a statutory consultee in the normal way.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many animals have been used in live experiments tests within the EU in the last year; and how many have been used in the United Kingdom; [17815]

  (2) how many animals are held in Government laboratories for live testing purposes. [17816]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The latest years for which we have information for the European Union as a whole are 1996–97, when the number of animals used in experiments was 11,646,000.

  The latest year for which figures are available for the United Kingdom is 2000, when the number of animals involved in scientific procedures started in Great Britain was 2,643,000, with a further 14,100 in Northern Ireland. 83 per cent. of the animals used were rats, mice and other rodent species. Dogs, cats, horses and non-human primates, which are accorded special protection by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, were collectively used in under one per cent. of the procedures.

  Information regarding the number of animals used for toxicological purposes is provided in Table 10a of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2000. This is broken down by species of animal, but not by type of establishment.
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  The Home Office does not collect information relating to the number of animals held in Government laboratories or other establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the EU proposals for laboratory testing of household chemicals on animals. [17778]

  Mr. Meacher
  The European Commission published a White Paper on 27 February 2001 setting out the strategy for a future Community Policy for chemicals with the overall objective of ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment. A copy of the White Paper has been deposited in the Library of the House. Environment Ministers from all member states called on the European Commission to present, by the end of 2001, its main proposals for a simple, clear and transparent regulatory framework to implement the strategy while limiting the need for animal testing.

  Sheep/Lamb Producers (Returns)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will calculate the average annual return for individual sheep and lamb producers in the UK in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [18205]

  Mr. Morley
  Estimates of the average annual return are given in the table. They are calculated as the total annual value of production of sheep and sheepmeat (including subsidies), divided by the number of farms with sheep and lambs at the June agricultural census.

  Average annual return for UK sheep and lamb producers

  Value of production of which: subsidies

  Number of farms with sheep and lambs at June

  Average annual return per producer

  Year

  £ million

  £ million

  (Thousand1)

  (£2)

  1991

  1,138

  598

  96.1

  11,800

  1992

  1,159

  522

  96.2

  12,000

  1993

  1,245

  498

  95.6

  13,000

  1994

  1,235

  448

  94.4

  13,100

  1995

  1,334

  536

  89.9

  14,800

  1996

  1,295

  384

  88.2

  14,700

  1997

  1,194

  354

  87.1

  13,700

  1998

  1,130

  479

  86.8

  13,000

  1999

  1,001

  408

  86.3

  11,600

  20003

  982

  349

  82.2

  11,900

  1 Main holdings only

  2 Rounded to nearest hundred

  3 Provisional

  Note:

  Prepared by: Statistics (Commodities and Food) Division, Economics and Statistics Directorate, DEFRA

  National Parks Task Force
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members of the task force on national parks are; on what occasions Ministers have met the task force; and how many times the task force has met. [18044]

  Alun Michael
  There is no task force on national parks of which I am aware. A review of National Park Authorities in England is currently being undertaken by Richard Pullen, an official in DEFRA's Countryside 1028W
  Division. Following a three month public consultation period, which closed on 2 November, DEFRA officials are now visiting each English national park to discuss issues with National Park Authority members and stakeholders. This will lead to further discussion with Ministers about the findings of the review in the new year.

  Waste
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the comparative position of the United Kingdom in relation to each other EU country regarding progress towards meeting the requirements of the Landfill Directive. [17634]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The Landfill Directive was due to be transposed into domestic law by 16 July 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. In advance of the regulations coming into effect the Environment Agency is using its existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Pollution and Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 to apply the Directive's requirements to any permits issued in the interim.

  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 permits.

  Enforcement of Directives is a matter for the European Commission and any infraction proceedings for not implementing the Directive fully or on time would be between the member state concerned and the Commission.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to develop central monitoring of the amount of waste collected for recycling which ends up in landfill sites. [17636]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 23 November 2001 In theory all material collected for recycling should be recycled, but inevitably there will be losses. Some mixed material may be lost in the sorting process (for example at Material Reclamation Facilities). Material may also be rejected due to contamination, or sent for disposal due to the lack of a suitable market for the recycled material.

  There are no current plans to centrally monitor the amount of waste collected for recycling which ends up in landfill. However, in the case of local authorities, we are looking at the way we measure household recycling rates in the Municipal Waste Management Survey to try to ensure that the rates reflect material that was both collected for recycling and actually sent for recycling. In the current 2000–01 survey we are asking for the percentage of materials collected for recycling and composting which were rejected at Material Reclamation Facilities. To ensure that such losses are minimised it is important to support markets for recycled materials

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  through initiatives such as WRAP. It should also be noted that the best value statutory standards for household recycling rates are on the basis of material sent for recycling, not that which is collected.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to enable each local authority to provide doorstep collection of recyclable waste. [17639]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: It is a matter for local authorities to decide how best to meet their Statutory Performance Targets on recycling. To enable them to meet the challenging Statutory Performance Standards for recycling, we are however, providing major extra funding. By 2003–04 revenue support in the relevant Standard Spending Assessment area will have risen £1.1 billion over 2000–01 provision. Spending Review 2000 also provides £220 million for PFI waste schemes over the spending review period and a £140 million ring-fenced fund for waste and recycling. £50 million of New Opportunities Fund moneys will also be available over the next two years to support community sector work on recycling work in the UK.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage a reduction in non-domestic waste. [17637]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Our record on managing industrial and commercial waste is already better than on domestic waste. Nevertheless in order to encourage businesses further to reduce waste and to put to better use any waste that is produced the Government in Waste Strategy 2000 have set the target to reduce by 2005 the amount of industrial and commercial waste sent to landfill to 85 per cent. of that landfilled in 1998.

  There are initiatives already in place to help industry. The Envirowise Programme aims to demonstrate the benefits of managing resource use and reducing the environmental impact to companies across the whole of the UK.

  The programme encourages the establishment of waste minimisation clubs. The clubs offer a means by which businesses can make environmental improvements.

  The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regime will also have a role to play. Those regulated under the regime will be required to abide by the general principle that waste production should be avoided and that where waste is produced it should be recovered unless technically and economically impossible.

  Departmental Strikes
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many working days have been lost through strikes by departmental staff since 1 June; and if she will make a statement. [17635]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Between 1 June and 21 November a total of 14,230 working days was lost due to strike action by
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  departmental staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union. Our aim is to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are being taken to ensure that(a) Eaga Partnership Ltd. and (b) Eastern HEES Ltd. monitor the independent installers employed in relation to the home energy efficiency scheme. [16122]

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to monitor the performance of the contractors and management of the Government's energy efficiency scheme. [18385]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 November 2001]: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme managers are responsible for appointing and managing contractors to carry out the installation of heating and insulation measures in homes. This includes checking that installers are able to meet the technical and quality requirements of the scheme, as well as the price tendered. Once appointed, both scheme managers continue to check the quality of work through physical inspections of all central heating, and a proportion of insulation installations.

  The results of this monitoring are provided to my Department within the regular reports produced by the scheme managers. In addition an independent quality assurance contractor is employed by my Department to inspect and advise on the systems used by the scheme managers, including those relating to contractor management.

  Radon Emissions
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many residential dwellings have been tested for radon emissions since 1988 in(a) Devon and (b) England and Wales; and what percentage of the dwellings tested were owned (i) privately and (ii) by the local authority or housing associations. [18357]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Recorded in the table is the number of residential dwellings that have been tested for radon emissions since 1988 in (a) Devon and (b) England and Wales; and the percentage of dwellings that were owned (i) privately and (ii) rented. The rented accommodation includes property that is owned by local authorities, housing associations, and the private rented sector. Records held centrally do not allow differentiation between the various types of public and private tenancy.

  Parameter

  Devon1

  England and Wales1

  Number of dwellings tested since 1988

  80,000

  400,000

  Percentage of privately owned dwellings

  85

  81

  Percentage of local authority and housing association owned dwellings and other tenanted dwellings2

  10

  15

  Percentage of unknown tenure3

  5

  4

  1 Numerical values are rounded

  2 As recorded by the occupier at the time of measurement

  3 he occupier did not state the type of tenure

  Fresh Water Supply
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the adequacy of the fresh water supply available to the UK. [16981]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Natural Environment Research Council's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology produces monthly summaries of hydrological conditions across the UK. The latest summary indicates that groundwater resources are very healthy, and that reservoir stocks have recently increased, now being above average for this time of year.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where are the UK's main water sources; and what plans there are to create desalination plants. [16982]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: The principal sources from which water is abstracted in the UK are surface waters (rivers and reservoirs) and groundwater (eg chalk aquifers). The main source in any given area depends on its geology though water resources can be, and are, transferred from one region to another where it is necessary to do so. Desalination is not seen as a necessary option in terms of public water supply at the present time.

  Incinerator Ash (Dioxins)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the quality of the Environment Agency's methods of testing incinerated material for dioxins; [18545]

  (2) if she will publish the latest assessment of the level of dioxins in ash produced by each of the large scale municipal incineration plants; [18547]

  (3) if she will make a statement on the toxicity of ash at large-scale municipal incineration plants. [18544]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 27 November 2001]: Under the current IPC (integrated pollution control) authorisations, the Environment Agency requires all municipal waste incinerators to regularly analyse bottom ash and air pollution control residues for dioxins, carbon and a variety of metals.

  These results are placed on the public register. I have asked the Environment Agency to provide the hon. Member with a summary of the recent results, and will place copies in the Library of the House. I understand latest results show the level of dioxins in bottom ash to be similar to those found in soils.

  I am confident that the Environment Agency has the appropriate technical expertise to carry out accurate and repeatable dioxin analysis of incinerated material. The agency has its own accredited laboratory for dioxin analysis. Nevertheless, current analysis of the dioxin levels in incinerator residues involves the incinerator operators and the Environment Agency employing a standard sampling protocol but with analysis by a number of different laboratories approved by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. One of the aims of this ongoing work is to confirm the accuracy and repeatability of the techniques employed.

  Departmental Expenditure Limits
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the(a) departmental expenditure limit and (b) administration costs limits for 2001–02. [19797]

  Margaret Beckett
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEL will be increased by £857,992,000 from £1,732,782,000 to £2,590,774,000 and the administration costs limit will be increased by £46,250,000 from £457,399,000 to £503,649,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital is set out in the following table:

  Resources

  Capital

  Change

  563,514

  294,478

  New DEL

  2,084,642

  506,132

  of which:

  Voted

  1,365,254

  429,069

  Non-voted

  719,388

  77,063

  Start figures1

  Summer DEL

  1,521,128

  211,654

  of which:

  Voted

  1,054,667

  174,349

  Non-voted

  466,461

  37,305

  1 From summer supp.

  The change in the resource element of the DEL arises from: (i) a take-up of £57,933,000 under the End-Year Flexibility rules, (ii) £9,000 from the Evidence Based Policy Fund within the Capital Modernisation Fund, (iii) a transfer of £510,555,000 from DTLR following the formation of DEFRA, (iv) a transfer of £610,000 from the Home Office following the formation of DEFRA, (v) a transfer of £177,000 from the Privy Council Office for the Secretary of State's accommodation costs, (vi) a transfer of £100,000 from the Department of Health for the Rural Stress Action Group, (vii) a transfer of £3,200,000 from DTLR for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, (viii) a transfer of £20,000 from DTLR for local public service agreements, (ix) a transfer of £4,394,000 to the Cabinet Office for staff transferred to governmental organisations, (x) a transfer of £1,000,000 to Department of Health for research on transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, (xi) a transfer of £929,000 to the Scottish Executive for the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme, (xii) a transfer of £967,000 to the Home Office for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and, (xiii) a transfer of £1,800,000 to the Scottish Executive for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme.

  The change in the capital element of the DEL arises from (i) a take-up of £72,519,000 under the End-Year Flexibility rules, (ii) a take-up of £237,000 under the Capital Modernisation Fund and, (iii) a take-up of £221,722,000 from DTLR following the formation of DEFRA. There will also be a transfer of £3,000,000 from non-voted supplementary credit approvals to voted capital.
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  Increases will be offset by inter-departmental transfers and charged to the DEL Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Global Warming
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government responsibilities on(a) global warming and (b) Kyoto. [15991]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has lead responsibility for climate change (which includes both global warming and the Kyoto protocol). My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister also continues to play a role in international climate change discussions and negotiations on behalf of the Prime Minister.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the impact of the moratorium on new gas-fired power stations on carbon dioxide emissions(a) to date and (b) over the next five years. [15504]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: The effect of the moratorium on present day emissions is likely to be small, given the time lags involved in constructing new plants. There could, in principle, be a small and temporary effect on emissions over the next few years. It is however difficult to make an estimate due to many other influences that could also affect new build decisions, for example, changes in energy prices, the New Electricity Trading Arrangements, and other Government policies on energy and the environment. We would expect any effect from the moratorium to have died away before the end of the decade.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the percentage of carbon dioxide emissions derived from(a) transport, (b) domestic sources and (c) industry in the last 12 months. [15506]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 November 2001]: The table shows carbon dioxide emissions recorded in the UK's greenhouse gas inventory from transport, the domestic sector and industry in 1999, which is the most recent year for which complete information is available. Industrial emissions are divided into manufacturing industry and energy industries. The latter include power stations and refineries, and produce the electricity, refined petroleum and other energy products used elsewhere in the economy. Emissions from energy industries amounted to 48.8 million tonnes of carbon equivalent (MtC) in 1999, of which 5.2 MtC and 16.6 MtC were attributable to demand in the transport and domestic sectors. Emissions from fuels loaded in the UK and used by international aviation and shipping are not included in the UK's inventory under agreed reporting guidelines used by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. These emissions amounted to a further 8.7 MtC in 1999.
  1034W

  UK CO2 emissions from transport, the domestic sector and industry in 1999, expressed as percentage of total UK CO2 and as million tonnes carbon (MtC)

  Percentage of total UK emissions

  MtC

  Transport

  22

  33.2

  Domestic

  16

  23.3

  Manufacturing industry

  20.1

  30.1

  Energy industries

  32.7

  48.8

  Greenhouse Gases
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on current station lifetime plans, what projections have been made of the production of greenhouse gases if electricity produced from nuclear power stations is replaced with electricity produced from gas-fired power stations. [17368]

  Mr. Meacher
  On central assumptions, electricity generation from UK nuclear power stations is projected to fall from 86 terawatt hours in 2005 to 27 terawatt hours in 2020, as existing power stations reach the end of their licensed lifetimes (see table). Were it physically possible to replace all nuclear capacity by gas-fired power stations similar to the type presently being installed by 2005, the related greenhouse gas emissions would be about 8.3 million tonnes of carbon per year in 2005, falling to 2.6 million tonnes of carbon by 2020. This includes the effect of carbon dioxide arising from combustion plus minor associated emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.

  2005

  2010

  2015

  2020

  Nuclear generation (TWh)

  86

  66

  40

  27

  Greenhouse gas emissions from fuel switching1

  8.3

  6.4

  3.9

  2.6

  1 Million tonnes of carbon equivalent

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason her Department was not represented at the public inquiry into foot and mouth disease in Devon. [11737]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 1 November 2001]: DEFRA co-operated with the Devon county council inquiry.

  To minimise additional burdens on staff actively engaged in fighting the disease, the Department responded to a number of questions in writing.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes there were to the criteria for the payment of slaughter premium during the foot and mouth outbreak. [14000]

  Mr. Morley
  There were no changes to the criteria for the payment of slaughter premium during the foot and mouth outbreak.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis slaughter premium is payable on cattle slaughtered as a result of foot and mouth disease. [13999]
  1035W
  Mr. Morley
  Slaughter premium is not payable on cattle slaughtered during the foot and mouth outbreak but if the market value for such animals would have been influenced by expectation of slaughter premium then the valuation for compensation should reflect this. Standard valuations, which operated between 22 March and 29 July, took account of slaughter premium.

  The Department will shortly be issuing clarification to interested parties.
  1036W
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to implement the recommendations of Professor Mercer's report into the foot and mouth crisis in Devon; and if she will make a statement. [11734]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 1 November 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Whitty on 31 October 2001, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 1416–17.

  European Arrest Warrant
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