Written Answers of 24 October 2001

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Business (E-mail)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the President of the Council if he will propose that the House should accept motions relating to parliamentary business by e-mail; and if he will make a statement. [8466]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I have no immediate plans to make such a proposal, but it is worthy of consideration. Any switch to a new system would need to take account of its wider impact and ensure that any security implications are properly addressed.
  The Hon. Member may wish to ask the Procedure Committee to consider the proposal.

  New Members (Induction)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the activities for the induction of new hon. Members in this Parliament. [9068]

  Mrs. Roe
  After the 2001 general election, House departments provided a fuller and more co-ordinated induction process for newly elected Members than at any previous election. It is known that virtually all newly elected Members attended the Reception Area and associated activities. There is a good deal of anecdotal evidence that these activities were well received, but in addition the Board of Management has agreed that there should be a small survey of newly elected Members in order to seek their opinions in a more systematic way. The group of House officials who oversaw the process has made its own assessment, including points for consideration when preparations are being made for the induction process after the next general election.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Railtrack
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that existing investment and maintenance programmes planned by Railtrack will take place. [8391]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Administrator has been funded so as to permit him to continue work on Railtrack's projects. Contractors have been asked to continue normal working; and Railtrack in administration will continue to place orders and let contracts.
  222W
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has held with financial institutions about the future investment needs of the rail industry since the decision to put Railtrack into administration. [8994]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department's advisers have held regular meetings with financial creditors and others.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has discussed future funding of rail investment with Railtrack bondholders. [9003]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Future funding of the proposed company limited by guarantee has been discussed between my officials, my Department's advisers and the financial markets and we intend to continue to consult widely before detailed proposals are put to the Administrator.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage of Railtrack's shareholders hold less than(a) 5,000 and (b) 1,000 shares. [8780]

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has on the number of railway employees who hold shares in Railtrack. [8945]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department does not hold such information.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has held with the Credit Rating Agency in relation to Railtrack. [9001]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My right hon. Friend has held no such discussions.

  Planning
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will create a right of appeal against the grant of planning consent in respect of large-scale schemes of local concern; and if he will make a statement. [8666]

  Ms Keeble
  Local people already have the opportunity to comment on proposals for large-scale and other schemes before the local planning authority decides whether or not to grant planning permission. Our forthcoming Planning Green Paper will look at ways of improving community engagement in the planning process.

  Thameslink 2000
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of Thameslink 2000. [8665]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are keen to ensure that the Thameslink 2000 project should not be put at risk by Railtrack being taken into administration. We are discussing with the administrators and the Strategic Rail Authority the best way of ensuring that the project can be carried forward if the enabling powers are granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992. A public inquiry into Railtrack's application for an order under the 1992 Act
  223W
  finished earlier this year and the inspector's report is expected next spring. My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot pre-judge the outcome of the inquiry.

  Housing
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was(a) the number of homeless priority acceptances, (b) the number of those living in temporary accommodation, (c) the number of those living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation and (d) the number of children living in homeless households, by region, in each year since 1997. [8956]

  Mr. Byers
  Summary information on activity under statutory homelessness provisions is reported to the Department by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and the number of those households resident in various types of temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter.
  National and some regional information on local authorities' activity is provided in a quarterly Statistical Release published by the Department. Copies are available in the Library, and also via the Department's website. The latest edition, published on 12 September, presents statistics up to the end of June 2001.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish figures for the level of empty council housing, by local authority in England, in(a) 1997 and (b) 2001 to date; and if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to reduce the level of empty council housing. [8959]

  Mr. Byers
  I have placed the information requested in the Library. It presents data showing the level of empty council housing by local authority as at 1 April 1997 and 1 April 2000 (the latest available) respectively.
  We expect those housing authorities with high levels of vacant properties to set challenging targets for reductions through improved management performance or action to improve or dispose of unpopular stock in the Business Plans they are now required to produce.

  Executive Agencies
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to reduce the(a) number and (b) scope of executive agencies affiliated to his Department. [9126]

  Mr. Byers
  We have no current plans to reduce the number or scope of this Department's executive agencies. All agencies are subject to review, including five yearly reviews in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, which examine their status and work. The outcome of such reviews are announced to Parliament.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to decentralise non-departmental public bodies and devolve their responsibilities to local authorities. [8958]
  224W
  Mr. Byers
  We have no current plans to reduce the number or scope of the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department. All such bodies are subject to review, including to five yearly reviews in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, which examine their status and work. The outcome of such reviews are announced to Parliament.

  Thames Riverboats
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to increase safety on riverboats travelling on the River Thames; and if he will make a statement. [8961]

  Mr. Byers
  Inquiries chaired by Lord Justice Clarke have produced 74 wide-ranging recommendations for improving safety on the tidal Thames. The recommendations are being pursued through a mixture of primary and secondary legislation, administrative action and voluntary agreement. I shall shortly be placing in the Libraries of both Houses an updated summary of the action taken on each recommendation.

  Railways (Wales)
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the change in administration at Railtrack on the future of rail investment in Wales. [8779]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Administrator has been funded so as to permit him to continue work on Railtrack's projects. Contractors have been asked to continue normal working; and Railtrack in administration will continue to place orders and let contracts.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which organisations will be included to represent Welsh interests in the company which is being considered as a replacement for Railtrack. [8778]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is too early to be precise about representation in the proposed company limited by guarantee. The Government have indicated their desire that the membership of the proposed company should be predominantly private sector and that it should also reflect stakeholder interests as far as possible. We will consult on our proposals.

  Press Notices
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the press notices issued by his Department on each day between 10 September and 10 October. [8950]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Thirty eight press releases were issued by Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions between 10 September and 10 October 2001.
  225W
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the press notices issued by his predecessors on each day between 10 September and 10 October 2000 on subjects which are the responsibility of his Department. [8951]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
  Thirty two press releases on subjects for which DTLR is currently responsible were issued by Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions between 10 September and 10 October 2000.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to list the press releases authorised by each Minister in his Department. [9141]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 19 October 2001]: I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
  Fifty nine press releases were issued by Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions since 11 September 2001.

  Railways (Capital Projects)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the capital projects which will be inherited from Railtrack plc by its successor company, stating when each will be completed. [8953]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Administrator has been funded so as to permit him to continue work on Railtrack's projects. Contractors have been asked to continue normal working; and Railtrack in administration will continue to place orders and let contracts.

  Jo Moore
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he authorised the publication of the DTLR press release on(a) councillor allowances and (b) councillor pensions and the regional planning internal advice guidance for the south-west on 12 September; and what conversations he had with his special adviser, Jo Moore, concerning the publication of those press notices. [9192]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 98W, and to the answer I have given today.

  Air Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that if any UK carrier in receipt of state aid following 11 September has withdrawn services to a UK regional airport from either Heathrow or Gatwick, the slots used for such services will be given to an operator that is prepared to operate the route; and if he will make a statement. [9354]

  Mr. Spellar
  No UK airline has received direct Government subsidies. Short-term assistance was provided to UK airlines only when the insurance market 226W
  summarily limited third party war risks insurance. Without the temporary Government cover all airlines would have effectively been grounded. Slot allocation is the responsibility of an independent co-ordinator, Airport Co-ordination Ltd. (ACL) and is subject to EU Regulation 95/93.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will meet the cost of security charges at UK airports; if the Government will continue to provide UK airlines with war risk insurance cover beyond the original 30 day period; and if he will make a statement. [9347]

  Mr. Spellar
  The question of meeting the cost of security charges is under consideration. The Government will provide UK airlines with war risk insurance cover for a further 30 day period and will review the position towards the end of that period. This was announced in a press release by HM Treasury on 22 October.

  Planning Guidance
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when the Government office for the south-west completed the final draft of the final Regional Planning Guidance for the south-west; [9139]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the timing of the publication of the final Regional Planning Guidance for the south-west. [9138]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 19 October 2001]: I agreed the final text of the Regional Planning Guidance for the south-west on 1 August and at the same time agreed the proposed publication date of 5 September. As a result of production delays in the Stationery Office it became clear before the end of August that printed copies would not be ready in time. As a consequence it was agreed at that point to delay publication until 12 September. Copies were finally received in the Government office for the south-west on 10 September; these were posted to all participants in the Public Examination and other key regional stakeholders on the morning of 11 September in advance of the formal publication on the next day.

  Transport Assistance and Subsidies
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in each year since 1995 what the total value of Government assistance and subsidy was for(a) London Underground running costs, (b) London Underground capital costs, (c) London Transport, (d) each of the rail operators and (e) Railtrack; and if he will make a statement. [6950]

  Mr. Jamieson
  With regard to(a), (b) and (c), I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the then Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Keith Hill), to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 24W.

  With regard to (d), I refer my hon. Friend to pages 102–103 of the Strategic Rail Authority Report 2000–01.

  With regard to (e), I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 9 October 2001, Official Report, column 1315W.

  Departmental Staff
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate total staff costs for his Department and its agencies by nation and region of the UK; and if he will make a statement. [6799]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I should like to refer to the existing publication "Civil Service Statistics 2000", published on 31 August 2001, specifically to Table G (page 46). This gives an overall figure of staff, by salary band as at 1 April 2000, for the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR(C)) and its agencies before the machinery of Government changes. A copy of this already resides in the House of Commons Library. I am unable to give a more detailed breakdown by region as the information is not held in this form. Following the machinery of Government changes we are budgeting for approximately £336.2m expenditure on staff costs for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR(C)) and its Agencies.

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has for changing the area cost adjustment formula for local authorities. [8164]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We are looking at a range of options for the area cost adjustment as part of our current review of the grant distribution formulae. We are actively involving local government in this process. We have not yet reached conclusions on the best way forward, and the Government will consult widely before taking final decisions. Any change to the area cost adjustment would be implemented in the 2003–04 local government finance settlement.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 2001,Official Report, column 19W, on PFI, what the average saving is under PFI contracts awarded; and in which projects his Department has identified mistakes in the calculation of the public sector comparator after a PFI contract has been signed. [8141]

  Mr. Jamieson
  PPP/PFI deals go ahead only where they demonstrate clear value for money against a public sector comparator. The last survey, which was carried out by Arthur Andersen and the LSE, identified 17 per cent. savings by PPPs against a conventional public sector procurement. However, specific information about savings in PFI contracts can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  London Underground
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects all London Underground trains to have air conditioning. [9115]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is a matter for London Underground Ltd. Installing air conditioning on the Underground would be highly challenging, as most of the network is over 228W
  100 years old and was not designed to accommodate the bulky equipment necessary. As well as work on trains, air conditioning would require equipping many stations. However, new technology is being explored and the case for air conditioning, or for other means to provide a better travelling environment, is being reviewed by London Underground. Until this work is completed it is not possible to announce a time scale for equipping trains with air conditioning. In the meantime, the modernisation contracts require all new and refurbished trains to have improved airflow and ventilation.

  Best Value
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the number of building and maintenance departments of local authorities which have been externalised since the introduction of best value; if he will list the local authorities concerned and indicate(a) how many employees are involved (i) in each case and (ii) overall and (b) the name of the contractor who has taken over the delivery of those services in each case; and if he will make a statement. [9113]

  Dr. Whitehead
  This information is not held centrally. Local authorities have to report the outcome of best value reviews in their Best Value Performance Plans, but no co-ordination of these references has taken place, either on building maintenance or on any other work. The Best Value Inspectorate of the Audit Commission will consider whether the outcome of any particular review is likely to represent best value.

  Rail Projects
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects(a) Crossrail, (b) Thameslink 2000 and (c) the west coast main line to be completed. [8993]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government, with the Mayor and the Strategic Rail Authority, have commissioned project definition work on an east-west London rail link, often known as Crossrail. This is looking into possible routes and service patterns. At this stage it is too early to say when such a scheme, if it were to receive the necessary approvals, could be completed; the earliest date is late 2010.

  The Thameslink 2000 proposal is dependent on powers being granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992. The public inquiry into the scheme finished earlier this year, and the Inspector's report is expected next spring. If the scheme is approved, the earliest date that it could be operational is late 2007.

  At present, phase 1 of the west coast main line project is expected to be completed in 2002–3. Some elements of phase 2 of the project are dependent on powers being granted under the Transport and Works Act and are the subject of public inquiries. If powers are given for these elements of the project, the principal outputs of phase 2 could be completed in 2005, and the work could be fully completed by 2007. However, in recent discussions with Railtrack about its financial position, the company indicated that these dates are subject to some uncertainty.

  Rail Modernisation
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recommendations he has received from the Strategic Rail Authority about the level of investment needed to modernise the rail network. [8995]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority are due to publish their Strategic Plan by the end of November. The Strategic Plan will set out their priorities for enhancement to the network.

  Working Time Directive (Bus Drivers)
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has issued to transport authorities regarding the safe number of hours for urban bus drivers to work without a break. [8671]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Most urban bus drivers are subject to the UK drivers' hours rules. These rules, including the break requirements, are explained in a guide book issued by my Department entitled "Drivers' Hours and Tachograph Rules for Road Passenger Vehicles in the UK and Europe (PSV375)" which can be obtained free of charge from the Area Offices of the Vehicle Inspectorate or downloaded from the Departmental website.

  Central Trains
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the reliability and punctuality of train services between Worcester and Birmingham via Droitwich Spa; and if he will make a statement. [8985]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Performance statistics published by the Strategic Rail Authority show that 76.3 per cent. of Central Trains services arrived on time during the period 24 June to 21 July. This is a combined punctuality and reliability assessment. Services are deemed punctual if they arrived at their destination within five minutes of the timetable.

  Greater London Authority
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with the Greater London Authority in the last six months regarding(a) the financial settlement for London and (b) the GLA precept on council tax; and if he will make a statement. [8954]

  Mr. Byers
  I and my ministerial colleagues have regular meetings with the Mayor to discuss many issues about London, including the financial settlement for the capital. The level of precept levied by the Greater London Authority is a matter for the Mayor and Assembly to discuss in their budget setting process.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to license houses in multiple occupation. [8717]
  230W
  Ms Keeble
  The Government have a long-established commitment to legislate for the licensing of houses in multiple occupation. Our plans for legislation are well in hand following consultations on HMO licensing and a new Housing Health and Safety Rating System to replace the current fitness regime. We envisage that the proposed legislation will extend to the Selective Licensing of Landlords in areas of low housing demand—on which we have just issued a consultation document.

  Local Government (Graduate Recruitment)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage graduate recruitment in local government. [8637]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Local government plays a key role in delivering our public services, and the quality of its staff is critical to successful outcomes.

  The DTLR provides funding and support for the Local Government Employers' Organisation (EO) and the Local Government National Training Organisation (LGNTO). These organisations provide a number of products aimed at recruiting graduates, including:
  LG careers—a website which profiles many career areas, including those open to graduates;
  LG jobs—a website advertising vacancies at over 60 per cent. of councils in the UK. The site has a dedicated graduate section;
  LG graduates—a service generally promoting local government employment to students, and includes a popular TOP scheme which provides short summer term placements to undergraduates.
  We will continue to work with local government to identify key skill shortages and ways of addressing them. The Government's forthcoming White Paper on local government will reflect our conclusions.

  Public Drinking
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have byelaws which prohibit public drinking; how many interventions there have been by the police; and how many successful prosecutions arising from these interventions have been recorded in each of these local authority areas in each year since the introduction of the byelaw. [9108]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The local authorities that have bye-laws to regulate the consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places are listed. Information as to police interventions or prosecutions is not held centrally.

  Byelaws—consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places (118 authorities have adopted the alcohol byelaw as at 8 August 2001)

  Local authority

  Operative date of bye-law

  Alnwick district council

  27 June 1998

  Amber Valley borough council

  11 May 2000

  Barrow-in-Furness borough council

  8 July 1998

  Basingstoke and Deane borough council

  1 October 1996

  Bath city council

  15 March 1991

  Bedford borough council

  15 July 1994

  Berwick-upon-Tweed borough council

  10 June 2000

  Bodmin town council

  5 May 1999

  Bolton metropolitan borough council

  2 August 1993

  Bournemouth borough council

  23 November 1995

  231W

  Byelaws—consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places (118 authorities have adopted the alcohol byelaw as at 8 August 2001)

  Local authority

  Operative date of bye-law

  Blackpool borough council

  1 June 1998

  Blaenau Gwent county borough

  6 June 1997

  Breckland district council

  14 January 2000

  Brighton and Hove council

  23 August 2001

  Calderdale borough council

  22 June 2001

  Canterbury city council

  1 February 1998

  Caradon district council

  4 August 1995

  Caerphilly county borough council

  9 November 1998

  Carrick district council

  30 December 1995

  Cheltenham borough council

  1 August 1994

  Chester city council

  26 April 1991

  Conwy county borough council

  28 June 1999

  Corby district council

  20 July 1992

  Coventry city council

  1 November 1990

  Derby city council

  7 August 1995

  Devizes town council

  14 February 1998

  Dover district council

  26 September 1999

  Dunstable town council

  20 October 1997

  Easington district council

  27 January 1998

  10 August 2001

  East Devon district council

  9 March 2000

  22 June 2001

  Eden district council

  31 August 2000

  Edmundsbury borough council

  22 December 1997

  Exeter city council

  1 April 1995

  Falmouth town council

  30 December 1995

  Farringdon town council

  6 March 2000

  Gloucester city council

  4 August 2000

  Guildford borough council

  9 April 2000

  Halton borough council

  1 March 2001

  Hastings borough council

  25 August 2000

  Harlow district council

  6 March 2000

  Hart district council

  2 March 1998

  Hartlepool borough council

  14 August 1995

  Hereford city council

  22 June 1992

  Kennet district council

  1 November 1996

  Kerrier district council

  30 October 2000

  Kettering borough council

  13 August 1999

  Lancaster city council

  12 May 2000

  Leeds city council

  18 May 2001

  Liverpool city council

  27 March 2000

  14 July 2000

  London borough of Lambeth

  1 February 1999

  Ludlow town council

  1 August 1994

  Luton borough council

  21 January 1999

  Malvern Hills district council

  26 March 1998

  Manchester city council

  4 August 2000

  Market Lavington parish council

  20 April 2000

  Market Raisen town council

  30 September 1996

  Maulden parish council

  19 June 1997

  Melbourne parish council

  8 July 1998

  Mendip district council

  24 August 1992

  Newbury district council

  5 February 1997

  Newcastle city council

  9 August 2001

  Newport county borough council

  3 November 1997

  Nottingham city council

  8 January 2000

  North Cornwall district council

  5 May 1999

  North Devon district council

  19 May 1997

  North East Lincolnshire district council

  6 October 1997

  North Somerset council

  29 October 1998

  North Tyneside borough council

  24 May 1993

  North West Leicestershire district council

  2 January 1998

  North Yorkshire county council

  7 August 1995

  Norwich city council

  16 December 1996

  Pembury parish council

  26 February 1998

  Penwith district council

  1 February 1994

  Peterborough city council

  15 January 1997

  Plymouth, City of

  1 December 1997

  13 June 2001

  Pulloxhill parish council

  18 November 2000

  232W

  Byelaws—consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places (118 authorities have adopted the alcohol byelaw as at 8 August 2001)

  Local authority

  Operative date of bye-law

  Redcar and Cleveland borough council

  18 December 1996

  Redditch borough council

  23 April 1997

  Restormel borough council

  18 March 1991

  Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough council

  21 January 1997

  Rushmoor borough council

  14 November 1991

  Salisbury district council

  1 July 1993

  Scarborough borough council

  12 March 1991

  Sevenoaks town council

  25 October 1993

  Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council

  16 February 2001

  Somerton parish council

  14 May 1999

  South Bedfordshire district council

  20 October 1997

  South Derbyshire district council

  1 August 1997

  South Shropshire district council

  29 July 1998

  South Tyneside metropolitan borough council

  29 July 1998

  Southend-on-Sea borough council

  26 June 1997

  South Hams district council

  24 August 1996

  South Herefordshire district council

  1 January 1998

  South Shropshire district council

  1 August 1994

  South Lakeland district council

  1 December 1996

  Slough borough council

  16 October 1999

  Stockton-on-Tees borough council

  30 May 1991

  Stotfold town council

  15 January 1998

  St. Albans city council

  30 May 1998

  Suffolk coastal district

  1 October 1997

  Sunderland, City of

  24 March 1997

  Tameside metropolitan borough council

  16 April 1999

  Tamworth borough council

  10 July 1998

  Taunton Dean borough council

  4 January 2000

  Teignbridge district council

  7 September 1992

  Torbay district council

  10 April 1995

  Truro city council

  30 December 1995

  Tynedale district council

  5 August 1999

  Vale of White Horse district council

  4 February 2000

  Warwick district council

  1 June 1995

  West Wiltshire district council

  17 December 1999

  Weymouth and Portland borough council

  5 June 2000

  Windsor and Maidenhead, Royal Borough of

  20 March 2001

  Wirral, metropolitan borough of

  3 December 1999

  Woking borough council

  29 May 1998

  Worcester city council

  17 May 1998

  Wychavon district council

  1 February 1997

  Yarm town council

  1 December 1995

  Where two dates are shown against an authority's name, two separate alcohol byelaws are in operation in that authority's area.

  Construction Industry Safety
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the impact on safety in the construction industry of the Safety Summit; if she will make a statement on progress and plans in this area; what priority the Government accords to improving construction safety; and if she will make a statement. [9114]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Government remain committed to ensuring that the construction industry achieves a step change in its health and safety performance. At the Summit in February the industry adopted challenging targets to achieve this improvement, and through its various representative organisations published action plans to deliver those targets. At the Revitalising Heath and Safety in Construction Conference in London on 18 October the industry reviewed progress, and debated how to maintain the momentum of turning concern into
  233W
  positive action. The Summit was always recognised as the start of a long process and this recent conference was one step along the way. It is too early to judge whether the undoubted activity taking place with action plans will achieve results in terms of the targets industry has set itself, but Ministers maintain an active interest and have asked to be kept informed of developments.

  Antisocial Tenants
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions officials have had with Nottingham city council to discuss the speeding up of the process for eviction of antisocial tenants; and if he will make a statement. [9473]

  Ms Keeble
  My officials met Nottingham city council on 11 October to discuss possible approaches for speeding up the process of eviction of antisocial tenants. As part of taking this area of work forward they are setting up similar discussions with other local authorities.

  Heathrow
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his Department will publish the decision on the planning inquiry for Terminal 5 at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [9359]

  Ms Keeble
  The decision on the planning inquiry for Terminal 5 at Heathrow will be published as soon as possible, consistent with full and careful consideration of the Inquiry Inspector's Report, the results of the recent consultation on BAA's revised proposals for the diversion of two rivers around the proposed Terminal 5 site and other post-inquiry representations.

  Local Government Ombudsman
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will extend the remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to cover parish and town councils. [9251]

  Dr. Whitehead
  We have no plans to bring parish councils within the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman. In the case of parish councils there is a direct line of accountability provided by the right of local electors to raise any concerns about the business or conduct of their parish council at the annual public meeting.

  Cotswold Line
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the re-franchising of railway services operating on the Cotswold line between Oxford and Worcester. [9503]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Oxford-Worcester services are predominantly provided by Thames Trains. The current franchise is not due to expire until April 2004. On 16 July the Secretary of State asked the Strategic Rail Authority to consider how improvements for passengers could be secured within existing franchises, or by negotiating short extensions. The Strategic Rail Authority has reviewed 234W
  its franchise replacement programme in light of that statement and will announce its plans as agreed with Ministers in due course.

  Private Sector Housing Stock
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what initiatives he has taken to(a) renovate and (b) clear decaying private sector housing stock in (i) England and (ii) east Lancashire since 1997. [9388]

  Ms Keeble
  The responsibility for renovating or clearing decaying private sector housing lies primarily with local housing authorities. But in our Housing Policy Statement "The Way Forward for Housing", published last April, we set out a number of ways in which local housing authorities may make better use of their powers.

  "The Way Forward for Housing" announced relaxations to the rules governing the declaration of renewal areas and group repair schemes. These came into force immediately. The Housing Policy Statement also set out major new changes to allow authorities far greater freedom in renovating or clearing private sector stock. Subject to parliamentary approval of an order under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, local authorities will be given a new general power replacing the present detailed grant regimes. These reforms, planned to come into force in 2002, will broaden authorities' present loan-giving powers, enable payments to be made to third parties to lever in private finance, and enable help to be offered to people to move to a new home as an option to renovating their existing one.

  These reforms are in addition to a wide range of regeneration programmes pursued by this Government, including the Single Regeneration Budget, the New Deal for Communities and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which can be used for decaying private sector housing.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available. [9372]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

  South Central Rail Franchise
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects GoVia to take over the South Central rail franchise. [9066]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority announced the transfer of the South Central franchise to GoVia on 24 August. Negotiations are continuing between the two parties to put in place a new 20 year franchise as soon as possible.

  GoVia
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what
  235W
  assessment he made of the impact on the timetable and content of GoVia's recently awarded franchise and the timetable and content of GoVia's proposed new franchise of his decision on Railtrack before the announcements on its future. [9895]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The current condition of the rail network and the need for investment are clearly relevant to the future of the South Central franchise, and my right hon. Friend's announcement was intended to pave the way for those issues to be better addressed.

  Airport Security
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list(a) the promotional material relating to airport security prepared by his Department, its predecessors or agencies offered for potential broadcast on TV, radio or in cinemas since 11 September, indicating which have been broadcast by whom and when and (b) programmes, companies and organisations which have refused to broadcast such material; and if he will make a statement. [9467]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: No such material has been offered for potential broadcast on TV, radio or in cinemas.

  Area-based Initiatives
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish the report he commissioned on the impact of the Government's area-based initiatives. [9856]

  Ms Keeble
  I anticipate the report on "Collaboration and co-ordination in area-based initiatives" will be published in mid to late December 2001.

  Flight Paths (London)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the decision made after the events of 11 September to re-route flights away from central London. [8306]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: Following the tragic events in USA on 11 September, the Government took immediate steps to restrict flying over the United Kingdom as a precautionary measure while the new terrorist threat was evaluated. Two Restriction of Flying Orders were put in place. These measures were kept under constant review and as a consequence there was a gradual relaxation of restrictions. The first order banning all general aviation flying was lifted at midnight on Wednesday 12 September. The second order banning flights over central London was amended at midnight on 13 September to reduce the amount of London airspace restricted and enable London City airport to reopen (while still protecting central London including Canary wharf). Although this order lapsed at midnight on Saturday 16 September the Government continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to impose further restrictions should they become necessary.

  Housing Capital Resources
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the responses to the consultation paper on development of the needs indices, used in the allocation of housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords, will be published. [9903]

  Mr. Byers
  The responses received, which total around 80, are currently being analysed. They will be available for MPs and others to see when the announcement is made on how the proposals for changes to the needs indices will be taken forward. This announcement will be made shortly.

  West Quay Road, Southampton
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many sets of traffic lights there were on West Quay road, Southampton, between Mountbatten way and Weston Esplanade in(a) October 2001 and (b) 1997 for (i) westbound and (ii)) eastbound traffic; [9783]

  (2) what the average journey time was for (a) westbound and (b) eastbound traffic on West Quay road, Southampton, between the Westen Docks entrance and Town Quay in (a) October 2001 and (b) October 1997; [9785]

  (3) what assessment has been made of how the additional traffic lights in West Quay road, Southampton have contributed to improve traffic flows to and from destinations (a) in Southampton and (b) on the Isle of Wight; [9786]

  (4) what volume of traffic was carried by West Quay road, Southampton (a) westbound and (b) eastbound in (i) October 2001 and in (ii) October 1997; [9784]

  (5) what consultations took place with the Isle of Wight council before the (a) improvements to West Quay road, Southampton, and (b) approval by his predecessors of the most recent local plan for Southampton. [9907]

  Ms Keeble
  These are issues for Southampton city council to answer, as local planning authority and local transport authority. I have asked the council to write to the hon. Member. The Secretary of State does not approve local plans. They are adopted by the local planning authority, following a public inquiry. It is for local authorities preparing development plans to ensure they consult all those with an interest in the plan.

DEFENCE

  RAF Personnel Management Agency
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive, RAF Personnel Management Agency for financial year 2001–02. [10240]

  Mr. Ingram
  Key Targets have been set for the RAF Personnel Management Agency for the financial year 2001–02 and are as follows.
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  Percentage

  Performance indicator

  Target

  Key Target 1: Peacetime Manning

  The percentage of available trained personnel either filling established posts or on diversions for which there is an approved Manning and Training Margin

  93.0

  Key Target 2: War, Crisis and MOD Authorised Unestablished Commitments

  The Percentage manning level of war, crisis and MOD authorised unestablished tasks

  more than or equal to 98

  Key Target 3: Career Management

  The percentage of PMA's customers who are either satisfied or not dissatisfied with the service provided by the PMA

  80

  Key Target 4: Manpower Planning

  Percentage variation between actual trained strength and the authorised trained strength taken as an average over the financial year

  No greater than ±1

  Key Target 5: Finance, Efficiency and Business Practice

  Containment of operating costs within resources allocated

  Resource allocation not exceeded

  Training Group Defence Agency
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the chief executive, Training Group Defence Agency for financial year 2001–02. [10241]

  Target

  Key Target 1: Training Output1

  KT1a: Quantity of Output (ab initio flying training)

  Fast Jet Pilots

  65

  Multi-Engine Pilots

  57

  Rotary Wing Pilots

  33

  Fast Jet Navigators

  28

  Multi-Engine Navigators

  9

  Rotary Wing Navigators

  10

  Airman Aircrew

  104

  KT1b: Quantity of Output (ab initio ground training)

  Officer Initial Specialist Training

  273

  RAF Tradesman Training

  2,167

  RAF Regiment Gunner Training

  282

  Key Target 2: Training Places2

  KT2a: Training Places (Flying)

  Flying Training Courses—RN

  202

  Flying Training Courses—Army

  374

  RAF Flying Instructor Courses

  150

  RAF Refresher and Orientation Courses

  170

  RAF Specialist and Operational Courses

  240

  Flying Training (F&C)

  92

  KT2b: Training Places (Ground)

  Pre-Employment Training

  18,791

  Career Development Training

  7,106

  Key Target 3: Quality of Output

  Satisfaction with the quality of graduate trainees as measured by the Agency's customer satisfaction matrix:

  Reports from the Aircrew Training Standards Sub-Committees Quantitative reports from the Owners' Customer Advisory Committee Quantitative reports on the satisfaction level of graduate trainees

  Satisfactory rating

  Key Target 4: Cost Management

  Output based management

  Deliver an Agency wide prototype of the planned financial management and accounting system

  Key Target 5: Efficiency

  KT5a—Efficiency Index

  Deliver an Agency wide prototype of the planned financial management and accounting system to include efficiency

  KT5b—Efficiency Savings

  Deliver the savings (£4.399 million) that accrue from planned efficiencies

  1 The number of RAF trainees who graduate

  2 The number of training course places provided

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  Mr. Ingram
  Key Targets have been set for the chief executive of the Training Group Defence Agency for the financial year 2001–02 and are as follows.

  Nuclear Waste
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of intermediate and low level nuclear waste are stored at(a) HMNB Clyde Faslane, (b) the Rosyth Royal Naval Base, (c) Dounreay and (d) the Chapelcross Tritium Processing Plant. [9199]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: Quantities of intermediate and low level radioactive waste currently stored at HMNB Clyde; Rosyth Dockyard (a nuclear licensed site operated by Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd.); the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment, Dounreay; and the Chapel Cross Tritium Processing Plant are as follows:

  Quantity

  Intermediate level waste

  HMNB Clyde

  nil

  Rosyth Dockyard

  38.86m3

  Vulcan NRTE, Dounreay

  5.06m3

  Chapel Cross Tritium Process Plant

  11.14m3

  Low level waste

  HMNB Clyde

  16m3

  Rosyth Dockyard

  74m3

  Vulcan NRTE, Dounreay

  nil

  Chapel Cross Tritium Processing Plant

  32.26m3

  Full details of MOD radioactive waste are published in the NIREX United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory which is available through their website www.nirex.co.uk. The 2001 inventory is currently being compiled and is expected to be published in spring next year.

  Chemical and Biological Attacks (Contingency Plans)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent representations he has received regarding the availability and adequacy of assistance being afforded to the NHS by his Department in respect of preparations to deal with a chemical or biological attack; [9539]

  (2) what recent assistance has been sought by the NHS from his Department in order to prepare for a chemical or biological attack; [9542]

  (3) what assistance and expertise is being afforded to the NHS concerning preparations to treat victims of chemical and biological attack. [9540]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: I am not aware of any representations specifically on the issue of availability and adequacy of assistance being afforded to the NHS by my Department regarding preparations to deal with a chemical or biological attack.

  To date, there have been no chemical or biological attacks on the UK although a number of suspect packages have been identified. The Department of Health (DoH) has responsibility for the effect on public health of any attack, should it occur. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the DoH and other Government Departments and agencies, all of whom would contribute advice and expertise to any response to a chemical or biological attack or the consequent management of such an attack.
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  The DoH is fully aware of the capabilities and resources on which it could draw, from within the MOD and other Government Departments, should it be necessary. The exact nature of the Ministry of Defence contribution in response to a chemical or biological attack would be dependent upon the particular situation at the time.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) establishment and (b) strength is of each Territorial Infantry Battalion; and if he will make a statement. [R][9673]

  Dr. Moonie
  The latest available official figures as at 1 July show the establishment and strength of each Territorial Army Infantry Battalion as follows:

  Territorial Army Infantry Battalion

  Establishment

  Strength

  51 Highland Regiment

  637

  724

  52 Lowland Regiment

  454

  436

  3 Prince of Wales Royal Regiment

  358

  345

  Royal Rifle Volunteers

  455

  462

  London Regiment

  612

  606

  Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers

  422

  421

  Tyne Tees Regiment

  553

  632

  West Midlands Regiment

  550

  499

  Kings and Cheshire Regiment

  454

  464

  East of England Regiment

  549

  649

  Rifle Volunteers

  550

  548

  East and West Riding Regiment

  519

  538

  Royal Welsh Regiment

  457

  413

  Rangers

  240

  230

  4 Parachute Regiment

  324

  454

  The hon. Member will note that the strength figures are healthy—matching or exceeding the establishment in more than half of the battalions.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if soldiers in the Territorial Army are designated casual workers in respect of pension entitlement. [R][9391]

  Dr. Moonie
  The term "casual workers" is not used by the armed forces, and soldiers in the Territorial Army (TA) have not been formally designated as such. However, members of the TA are not eligible for membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme because of the terms of their employment. In the part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 service in the TA (as set out under sections 22 and 27 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996) is specifically excluded.

  None the less, since 8 October 2001 members of the TA have had the option of joining the Armed Forces Stakeholder Pension Plan. The Ministry of Defence has designated. Scottish Widows plc to provide this facility to all eligible members of the armed forces. MOD and Scottish Widows are involved in an exercise to inform all members of the armed forces of this new facility.

  Armed Forces (Overstretch)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support he will provide to the armed forces so that they do not suffer from overstretch. [8423]
  241W
  Mr. Ingram
  We remain determined to balance operational commitments. We will commit personnel to operations for no longer than is necessary to achieve the military aim. Recent operations in Macedonia demonstrated this well. We are introducing systems to monitor the amount of separated service undertaken by each individual in the armed forces which will help us to target our efforts on the most hard-pressed branches and trades. For operations overseas, a new and comprehensive package of welfare support was introduced worldwide in April 2001.

  Biological Warfare
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the threat from the use of genetically modified organisms for biological warfare purposes. [8623]

  Mr. Hoon
  We continuously monitor all threats to the UK and our armed forces. We judge there is currently no specific threat from biological warfare using genetically modified organisms. We are, of course, aware that biological warfare agents can be modified by methods such as genetic manipulation; such factors are taken into account in formulating our approach to biological defence.

  Otterburn
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Otterburn public inquiry report; and when the approvals for the future development of the training area will be given. [9269]

  Mr. Ingram
  I welcome the announcement of 4 October 2001 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) that he is minded to agree the development of Otterburn Training Area.

  We have now examined the detail of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's letter and the report and are content with them. We have therefore responded accordingly to the Government Office for the North East.

  Retirement Ages
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the outcome of the review of his Department's retirement age policy. [9648]

  Dr. Moonie
  We expect to conclude our review and make an announcement about its outcome before Christmas.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the possible uses of depleted uranium in respect of British Forces' engagements in the conflict in Afghanistan. [8238]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: No British forces currently engaged in operations around Afghanistan are armed with depleted uranium ammunition. However, we do not rule out the use of depleted uranium ammunition in Afghanistan, should its penetrative capability be judged necessary in the future.

  US Domestic Preparedness Programme
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with US counterparts regarding the implementation and capability of the US Domestic Preparedness Programme. [R][9670]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Ministry of Defence has, for a number of years, actively engaged with the US Administration on all aspects of homeland security. Following the events of September 11, we have continued our regular dialogue and have made clear that we stand ready to assist should the US require our help.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Integrated Inquiry Service
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the integrated inquiry service; how much has been spent on the system; and if he will make a statement. [7475]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The integrated inquiry service project was established to examine the feasibility of providing local authorities which administer housing benefit with wider access to the Department's benefit data. This would build on the existing data available through remote access terminals linking local authorities to the Department systems. Our aim is to speed up the processing of claims and improve customer service by reducing authorities' dependence on clerical processes.

  A software application was developed by the project and tested in seven local authorities at an estimated cost of £800,000. An evaluation of these trials showed that there remained substantial technical problems to overcome before the tested application could satisfy the Department's and local authorities' business requirements. No assured solutions to these problems could be identified and we have therefore closed the project.

  We have commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of an alternative solution.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the relative sales of(a) stakeholder pensions and (b) personal pensions in the first quarter of this financial year; and if he will make a statement. [8965]

  Mr. McCartney
  Figures from the Association of British Insurers show that 535,000 single premium and regular premium pensions were sold in the April-June quarter of 2001, of which over 200,000 were stakeholder pensions. The volume of regular premium pensions sold represented an increase of 55 per cent. over the same period last year, and the volume of single premium pensions sold represented an increase of 192 per cent. over the same period last year.

  Initial indications are that stakeholder pensions have made an encouraging start and that they are also helping to increase the overall coverage of private pensions provision, but it will be some time before the impact becomes clear.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available. [9365]

  Mr. Darling
  Records are not kept of individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the comparative values of pension funds of typical 60-year-old males each year since 1997, in cash and real terms. [9950]

  Mr. McCartney
  There are no available data on comparative values of pension funds of 'typical' 60-year-old males.

  Benefit Fraud
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Blyth Valley district council. [10553]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Blyth Valley district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The BFI first inspected Blyth Valley district council in October 1999 and found significant weaknesses in the administration of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and counter fraud work. At its follow-up inspection, in April 2001, inspectors confirmed substantial improvements, with progress and developments in the vast majority of areas.

  The report notes that through the commitment and enthusiasm of members, managers and staff, the council has achieved a significant improvement in performance in combating fraud and error. This is highlighted by the fact that 42 of the 44 recommendations from the first report have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.

  Inspectors consider that benefits administration and overpayment recovery now has the necessary resources and management information in place to enable the council to deliver an effective service, while the implementation of a comprehensive checking regime has enabled the council to identify and focus on priority issues and proactively manage its operations.

  The council has addressed the main issues identified in BFI's first report concerning its counter fraud activities. However, BFI considers it has focused too heavily on claiming Weekly Benefit Savings. It is now moving to a more sanction and deterrence based operation. As its Weekly Benefit Savings claims are fairly accurate, inspectors conclude there is a sound basis for this move, which will ensure the council provides a value-for-money deterrent to fraud.
  244W
  Blyth Valley is an excellent example of an authority responding positively and effectively to weaknesses identified by the BFI and thus providing a more secure and accurate benefits service to its community

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address remaining weaknesses and to further improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Kerrier district council. [10552]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Kerrier district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  During the inspection the council was implementing a new management structure and inspectors found a positive improvement in performance as a result. At the time of inspection, BFI found the longstanding backlog of work was significantly reduced.

  The report notes the standard of evidence in support of claims was variable. The council has now introduced the Verification Framework, which should address some of the previous weaknesses but inspectors consider management checking needs to be improved to underpin this.

  Inspectors report that the council failed to make payments of benefit on account where this was required and consider that improvements need to be made in the risk management of Housing Benefit claims, including the use of shorter benefit periods.

  BFI found evidence of improved performance in the work being carried out by fraud staff including tighter systems and management controls of investigation work. Inspectors found the council had implemented new procedures and set up a dedicated team resulting in high levels of overpayment recovery.

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea. [10554]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea was published on 21 August 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  BFI inspectors consider the standard of customer service provided by the council to those claiming benefit to be very good. Efforts are made to ensure that those

  245W
  who may be able to claim are identified and the council deals quickly with benefit callers. A customer satisfaction survey in July 2000 revealed an overall level of satisfaction of 82 per cent.

  Inspectors found no backlogs of work with 95 per cent. of claims paid within the timescale required by legislation. The BFI report notes that there is a high level of payment accuracy. The council is introducing the Verification Framework in stages to avoid a negative impact on performance.

  The report notes that the effectiveness of the management checks could be further improved if extended to cover all aspects of benefit processing.

  A number of weaknesses in the management and investigation of fraud work were identified by inspectors, but the report notes the council has recently taken steps to address these and has a good record of applying sanctions to those committing fraud.

  The BFI's report includes recommendations to help the council further improve its administration and counter fraud activity for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the borough of Broxbourne. [10555]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the borough of Broxbourne was published on 26 July 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  BFI's first inspection of the borough of Broxbourne in March 1998 found significant weaknesses in the administration of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and counter fraud work. The follow-up inspection, in October 2000, confirmed substantial progress and developments in many areas of work, although inspectors also found scope for further improvement.

  Inspectors consider the council's implementation of the Verification Framework has been comprehensive. BFI found the council improved public access to benefits information and assistance, and now has effective joint working with BA. The report notes, however, that the previous problems of backlogs of work and slow processing were still in evidence.

  Inspectors found that the council's IT system did not provide adequate information on the management of overpayments; however, the report does note that the council has made substantial progress in its administration of overpayments since the first BFI inspection.

  The report makes particular mention of the council's strong focus of counter fraud work on the quality of investigation and sanctions.

  Inspectors consider that the council has sufficient systems in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the housing benefit and council tax benefit administration and counter fraud work. The previous lack
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  of monitoring of the contractor has improved and inspectors conclude the council now has effective monitoring mechanisms in place.

  The report notes that since the BFI's last inspection, Members have been taking a close interest in the progress of the Housing Benefit section.

  The BFI's report includes recommendations to help the council further improve its administration and counter fraud activity for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Three Rivers district council. [10551]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of Three Rivers district council was published on 23 August 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The BFI report notes the council has been working towards meeting the standards of the Verification Framework since February 2000. BFI found that some areas of verification of claims were good, although inspectors identified other areas that needed improvement.

  The BFI report notes the council's counter fraud activity is effective, with a well-resourced fraud team. As a result, it is able to produce high quality investigations. In contrast, the housing benefit team does not have enough staff to meet customer expectations.

  Inspectors consider that the introduction of the Customer Services Centre did not help the performance of the Housing Benefit team as anticipated. The team is also hindered by poor management information.

  The council has taken steps to improve overpayments collection by utilising the debtors' module of its benefits system.

  Overall BFI concludes that the council have done much to eradicate fraud, but needs to improve the verification of claims and recovery of Housing Benefit overpayments. The council is planning to address a number of the weaknesses identified in the report and demonstrated its commitment to improve the administration of HB and CTB in Three Rivers district council.

  The BFI's report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration and counter fraud activity of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of East Lothian council. [10549]
  247W
  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the East Lothian council was published on 18 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library. This is the second report on East Lothian council by BFI.

  The BFI expressed major concern with the lack of demonstrable commitment at senior manager level to address issues highlighted by the first BFI inspection. Relatively few of the major recommendations from the first inspection had been fully implemented in areas such as the provision of management information, system security and overpayment recovery where long standing weaknesses were identified.

  The report finds the council had made little or no attempt to tackle serious shortcomings in benefit administration. Inspectors found that it was extremely difficult to assess performance in benefit administration and overpayment management because the council was unable to provide any reliable data for the previous two financial years. Additionally, the BFI was particularly concerned that a number of matters which had been reported to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (formerly Department of Social Security) as having been addressed were still found to be problematical. In particular, the report finds little evidence of sustained improvement in the council's strategic and operational management.

  The report recognises that some definite improvements have been made in areas such as day-to-day claims processing and fraud investigation. Also there is praise for the commitment of front line staff.

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London borough of Haringey. [10548]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the London borough of Haringey was published on 18 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Inspectors report that the council has made considerable improvements in many areas, particularly in re-designing processes to improve performance. Quality improvements have been less dramatic and the report recommends that the council should now focus on these areas to make further gains in the effectiveness and security of its service.

  The speed of processing new claims was found to be very good but weaknesses in verifying evidence were identified and a similar pattern was found with renewal claims.

  The council's counter-fraud efforts are meeting with some success but inspectors consider further work is needed in controlling and recovering over-payments. The
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  council had over £15 million in benefit over-payment debt which, at the time of the inspectors' visit, was continuing to rise. The report notes that there was evidence that serious efforts were being made to recover this. The Report makes recommendations that, when implemented, will strengthen these.

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London borough of Bromley. [10547]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the London borough of Bromley was published on 12 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Inspectors report variable standards of claim verification and identify improvements needed in this area and on the speed of processing claims. The report recommends more rigorous management and controls to improve the quality and consistency of checking and to ensure that guidance is followed.

  The report notes that the council has a strong culture of probity at officer and Member level and that it recognises the need to draw together existing policies on probity into a single fraud and corruption policy. The BFI's findings show that Bromley's performance in tackling fraud was found to be ineffective in its organisation and investigation quality. A number of recommendations to tackle this are contained within the report.

  The report notes the council welcomed the inspection as an opportunity to review and improve its benefit operations. The council has expressed its commitment to improving the security and integrity of the benefits system and modernising all its services using e-govenment.

  Since the inspection, Bromley has begun to implement recommended changes, such as increasing staffing in the client unit. Full implementation of the recommendations contained in the report should enable it to build a more secure and efficient benefits system.

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate into the Benefits Agency's closer working arrangements with local authorities. [10550]
  249W
  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the Benefits Agency (BA) was published on 28 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Inspectors report that their investigation took place at a time when significant changes were taking place in the organisation with the start of a major project to focus substantial resources on supporting the frontline delivery of services to customers. There was also a great deal of work underway to develop and improve the relationship with local authorities.

  BFI found areas where the BA needed to make improvements in order to ensure benefit payments were free from fraud and error. These include training BA staff in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit issues, improving the recovery of Housing Benefit overpayments, and better checking of identities and more effective exchange of information with local authority counter fraud staff.

  Inspectors consider there needs to be a higher profile on closer working with local authorities within BA.

  The report notes that changes made in BA should have a positive impact on counter fraud activity, especially the appointment of a Chief Investigation Officer and Head of Profession for counter fraud activity. The appointments should lead to a clearer strategic direction and raise the profile of closer working on counter fraud.

  Inspectors also consider the introduction of BA's Performance Improvement Action Teams to support equalisation of performance amongst BA offices should also have a positive impact on several of the areas of weakness identified in the report.

  We are determined that we take every measure to bear down on fraud and error and we want to ensure that the work of the best is duplicated right through the organisation.

  The report makes 49 recommendations to help the Benefits Agency address weaknesses and to improve its closer working arrangements with local authorities.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the Agency for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to enhance the role of regional development agencies. [9619]

  Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is continuing the process of enhancement of the RDAs started last year with the announcement of additional funding, more spending flexibility and a stronger economic focus. Implementation culminates on 1 April 2002 when the RDAs' existing programmes are brought together into a single, broader and more flexible programme managed through testing outcome and output targets.
  250W
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decisions she has made about the future membership of the boards of the regional development agencies outside London. [10239]

  Alan Johnson
  I have decided to implement a rolling programme of appointments to avoid a situation in future where all board appointments end on a common date. In order to achieve this I have re-appointed around two thirds of the membership of each board for periods of one, two or three years and asked one third of board members to stand down. I have also taken steps to ensure that business representation is strengthened on the boards. I have placed details of re-appointments in the Library of both Houses. Interviews are now being held in each region to find new members who will be appointed for a period of three years.

  Decisions on re-appointments have been made following consultations with RDA chairmen and key national and regional players. A similar consultation exercise will be undertaken before new appointments are made.

  Broadband Networks
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on which areas of the United Kingdom do not have access to broadband technologies. [9277]

  Mr. Alexander
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: Broadband services via leased line or satellite are widely available around the country. Around 66 per cent. of the population are able to access cable, ADSL or wireless technologies. A geographical breakdown can be found in "UK Online: the broadband future", published in February 2001.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans have been put forward by(a) the Scottish Executive, (b) the Welsh Assembly and (c) regional development agencies for the fund designed to develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks. [9278]

  Mr. Alexander
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: The devolved Administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the English regional development agencies, are all in the process of developing action plans for the £30 million fund, consulting with the Government and local stakeholders. The plans will be announced in due course.

  Marconi Transmission Centenary
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first successful wireless transmission across the Atlantic ocean to the Americas. [8714]

  Mr. Alexander
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: There are a number of celebratory events planned to commemorate the sending of the first transatlantic wireless transmission that was made on 12 December 1901 from Poldhu in Cornwall to St. John's in Newfoundland, by Guglielmo Marconi. The Government fully back these events, and have been in regular contact with those involved to assist with the arrangements. We have been instrumental in securing agreement from Her

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  Majesty The Queen that she will send a commemorative message, which will be transmitted by amateur radio between Poldhu and St. John's on 12 December using equipment donated by the Radiocommunications Agency. The Radiocommunications Agency has also produced a booklet, "100 Years of Radio 1901–2001", commemorating the achievement, highlighting developments in radio during the subsequent 100 years, including the agency's contribution to those developments.

  Post Office Closures (Sussex)
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) Crown post offices and (b) sub-post offices have closed in Sussex in each of the last 10 years. [9769]

  Mr. Alexander
  I understand from Consignia that data on the post office network are not held on a county basis.

  Ilisu Dam
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to make a decision on the Ilisu Dam project. [8309]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: No date has been set for a decision regarding ECGD support for the Ilisu Dam project.

  ECGD has commissioned consultants' reports on the environmental impact assessment report on the Ilisu Dam project and also on the resettlement action plan. These reports are being studied, together with the comments received from non-governmental organisations and the public. The reports and the comments received will be the subject of discussion with other interested Government Departments, in particular the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prior to any decision being taken regarding ECGD support.

  Business Recovery Fund
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance is available to businesses eligible for grants from the business recovery fund once the regional development agencies have utilised the initial funding made available. [7802]

  Alun Michael
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £24 million extension to the business recovery fund on 18 October 2001. This will enable RDAs to help hard hit but viable rural businesses in the worst affected areas survive the difficult autumn and winter period by helping eligible small businesses to adapt, restructure, access new markets and invest as part of a business recovery plan.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Financial Reporting
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she has for 252W
  introducing consistent financial reporting in the light of responses to the consultation issued by her Department on 30 March. [10238]

  Mr. Timms
  A consistent financial reporting framework for schools shall be introduced from April 2002, as proposed in the consultation document. The consistent financial reporting framework, and guidance on the headings in the framework, is available on the Department's value for money website. A summary of consultation responses has been placed in the Library.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students were(a) entered and (b) completed higher education courses in each year since 1996. [6107]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 16 October 2001]: The information requested is given in the following table. It is not possible to calculate completion rates from these figures because of the inclusion of part-time courses, which have variable course lengths. The latest figures published by HEFCE estimate that only 17 per cent. of students who started full-time first degree courses in the UK in 1997–98 will not obtain a qualification.

  In 2000, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a table comparing estimates of non-completion rates in member countries. They showed an average of around a third of university students failing to complete their courses in OECD countries. The UK had the second lowest non-completion rate among the 30 OECD countries.

  Higher Education Students1 in the UK

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–012

  Entrants3

  Postgraduate

  172.7

  180.9

  189.4

  197.9

  198.6

  Undergraduate

  541.9

  553.7

  549.5

  564.8

  597.0

  Completers4

  Postgraduate

  105.5

  110.5

  115.0

  116.7

  122.7

  Undergraduate

  312.7

  321.4

  322.6

  331.9

  337.8

  1 Includes UK domiciled and overseas students, full-time and part-time, including the Open University.

  2 Provisional.

  3 Based on a census count as at 1 December.

  4 Those gaining a qualification during the academic year.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students were participating in higher education in each year since 1990, broken down by social class. [9589]

  Margaret Hodge
  The available information on the social class of higher education students, as given in the following table, covers only those who apply to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and its predecessor organisations, the Universities Central Council for Admissions (UCCA) and the Polytechnic and Colleges Admissions Service (PCAS); data on the family background of students on postgraduate or part-time courses are not held centrally. Comparable figures for students entering in autumn 2001 will be released by UCAS in December.
  253W

  UK domiciled accepted applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses in the UK

  Thousand

  Year of entry

  Social class

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  I Professional

  26.5

  35.5

  37.0

  37.6

  38.7

  39.3

  39.6

  38.5

  38.9

  38.8

  II Intermediate

  78.9

  90.1

  96.7

  101.1

  103.4

  105.0

  117.4

  115.6

  115.7

  117.7

  IIIN Skilled non-manual

  19.7

  25.7

  28.1

  29.7

  30.3

  31.3

  37.3

  35.6

  36.3

  37.8

  IIIM Skilled manual

  23.3

  33.9

  39.3

  40.4

  42.5

  40.9

  44.8

  44.2

  44.5

  44.4

  IV Partly skilled

  12.7

  15.8

  17.4

  18.6

  19.8

  19.9

  23.5

  22.7

  23.1

  24.2

  V Unskilled

  2.1

  3.6

  4.3

  4.5

  5.0

  4.9

  5.6

  5.3

  5.5

  5.5

  Unknown

  37.9

  39.0

  35.2

  19.4

  25.8

  27.1

  35.0

  36.3

  39.1

  40.3

  Total

  201.2

  243.6

  258.1

  251.3

  265.5

  268.3

  303.3

  298.2

  303.1

  308.7

  Source:

  UCAS for the years 1994 to 2000, UCCA and PCAS for previous years. 1991 was the first year in which both UCCA and PCAS collected social class data

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have dropped out of(a) part-time and (b) full-time higher education course in each year since 1990. [9590]

  Margaret Hodge
  The available information on non-completion rates are taken from the latest "Performance Indicators in Higher Education" published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for England, which gives overall non-completion rates for students starting full-time first degree courses in the UK as follows:

  Percentage

  Students starting courses in

  Non-completion rate

  1997–98

  17

  1996–97

  18

  Non-completion rates for earlier years were calculated and published by the Department and are shown in the following table. These figures also cover students on full-time first degree courses but the methodology and institutional coverage used by the Department was different to that used by HEFCE, so the two sets of figures are not directly comparable. Neither HEFCE nor the Department have calculated non-completion rates for students on part-time courses. Non-completion rates for part-time courses are intrinsically more difficult to calculate because part-time students can take many years to complete their course.

  Percentage

  Students starting courses in

  Non-completion rate

  1995–961

  18–19

  1994–951

  17–18

  1993–941

  17–18

  1992–93

  17

  1991–92

  17

  1990–91

  15

  1 A range is given for these years because the introduction of a new data source in 1994–95 made it difficult to measure non-completion, as it was then calculated, accurately

  In 2000, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a table comparing estimates of non-completion rates in member countries. They showed an average of around a third of university
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  students did not complete their course in OECD countries. The UK had the second lowest non-completion rate among the 30 OECD countries.

  Post-16 Education
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the relationship is between the Learning and Skills Council and local authorities in the provision of post-16 education, with particular reference to(a) North Yorkshire county council and (b) City of York council. [8152]

  Margaret Hodge
  Local authorities are key partners of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). A local LSC must prepare a plan for each of its financial years, and, in so doing, must consult the local authorities (including local education authorities) within its area. The local LSC must also have regard to the local authorities' strategies for the promotion of economic, social and environmental well-being. Local LSCs must also have members who understand the needs of local communities through local authority experience, either as elected members or in an official capacity. In most cases both local authority members and officials already sit on local LSC boards.

  Each local LSC is responsible for approving the Adult Learning Plans provided by each local authority. These are then subject to national moderation. These Plans outline what each local authority will do with the funding provided by the local LSC in the provision of vocational and non-vocational education and training in the local area.

  Local LSCs will, from April 2002, be responsible for funding local education authorities for their sixth-form provision, including new LEA-maintained 16 to 19 institutions. Those funds must be passed on to the relevant schools in full.

  I can confirm that these arrangements apply to the North Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council in its relationships with the North Yorkshire county council and the York city council.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the mechanism by which Learning and Skills Councils are accountable to the local community. [8628]
  255W
  Margaret Hodge
  The Learning and Skills Council has been established to provide effective planning and funding of post-16 learning, focusing on individual, employer and community needs at national and local level. Local LSCs are accountable for delivery to their boards, whose members represent a broad cross-section of local interests. Local LSCs must have members who understand the needs of local communities through local authority experience, either as elected members or in an official capacity. In most cases both local authority members and officials already sit on local LSC boards. And when developing their strategic plans, local LSCs are required to consult with a wide range of local partners.

  Tuition Fees
  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if she intends to respond to the recommendations of the Rees report to abolish student tuition fees; and if she will make a statement; [8645]

  (2) what plans she has to take the conclusions of the Rees report on student finance into consideration in the Government's review of student finance; and if she will make a statement. [8646]

  Margaret Hodge
  I discussed the recommendations of the report with the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning at the National Assembly for Wales during the summer. We have since announced a review of student funding arrangements in England and Wales, which will consider specifically the balance between state funding and the contributions made by students and their families.

  It is for the National Assembly for Wales to respond to the recommendations in the report addressed to them.

  Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department during the summer recess. [9234]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: During the summer recess the Department issued the following:

  (a) 42 press notices;

  (b) 16 consultation documents.

  Copies of the press notices and consultation documents can be found on the DfES website www.dfes.gov.uk.

  Failing LEAs
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the value was, for each local education authority found to be failing by OFSTED, of additional payments from her Department to assist improvement of local education authority management in the last 12 months. [9908]

  Mr. Timms
  Between October 2000 and September 2001, the Department for Education and Skills has paid the following authorities the amounts shown as part of its response to an adverse report by OFSTED which resulted in formal DfES intervention.256W

  £

  1Amount

  Bradford

  680,419

  Bristol

  117,886

  Calderdale

  528

  Derby

  48,997

  Dudley

  66,390

  Hackney

  115,398

  Haringey

  721,773

  Islington

  202,021

  Leeds

  1,509,584

  Leicester City

  372,728

  Liverpool

  12,805

  Redbridge

  67,360

  Rochdale

  187,144

  Rotherham

  388,075

  Sheffield

  -22,222

  South Tyneside

  184,475

  Southwark

  744,804

  Walsall

  310,653

  Waltham Forest

  561,444

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest pound

  The payments relate to work such as specialist advice and interim managers sought to support the authorities during the intervention process. The cost of individual contracts for intervention work is commercial in confidence.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Properties
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number, value and location of properties newly leased in each of the last five years by his Department, including and distinguishing between the Department itself, its next step agencies and its non-departmental public bodies, differentiating between purchases made as a result of the creation of new bodies and those purchases made by established bodies. [7814]

  Mr. MacShane
  The only property newly leased by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the last five years is one floor of 89 Albert Embankment, London. The lease started in June 2000 and the annual rent is £274,069.

  For NDPBs, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy leased new offices at 125 Pall Mall in June 1999, rent £40,000 per year; the Britain-Russia Centre leased new offices at 9 Elms Lane, Vauxhall in July 1998, rent £64,000 per year; and the British Association for Central and Eastern Europe leased new offices at 10 Westminster Palace Gardens in September 2000, rent £24,700 per year.

  Security Council
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary-General of the UN concerning the timetable for reconfiguring the Security Council to allow for regional representation. [9387]

  Peter Hain
  The timetable for reform has not featured in recent discussions between Ministers and the UN Secretary-General and in any case is not the responsibility of the Secretary-General, but that of the UN General Assembly. In the General Assembly, we have continued
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  to press for expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, including new permanent seats for Japan, Germany and each of the regions of Asia, Latin America and Africa.

  While we believe the Security Council should be made more representative of the diversity of UN membership, it already contains members drawn from all of the UN's regional/electoral groups. Article 23 of the Charter of the United Nations lists equitable geographical distribution among the factors to be considered in the election of non-permanent members.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what departmental guidance is issued relating to maximum times for responding to hon. Members' correspondence by Ministers. [9250]

  Mr. Straw
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows the Cabinet Office good practice guide for handling correspondence for Members. The current target time for the FCO to reply to Members is 20 working days, as agreed with the Cabinet Office.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to President Mugabe to dissuade him from calling a state of emergency. [9435]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  There is no indication at present that President Mugabe intends to call a state of emergency. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to take the necessary steps to restore political and economic stability, to respect human rights and the rule of law, and to create an environment conducive to free and fair elections.

  Afghanistan
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the impact on relations with(a) Saudi Arabia and (b) Pakistan of the bombing of Afghanistan. [9260]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Saudi Arabia was quick to condemn the 11 September terrorist attacks in the US. It fully supports the international campaign against terrorism. Crown Prince Abdullah most recently reiterated this to the Prime Minister on 9 October. Saudi Arabia remains a close ally in the region and a long-standing friend of the UK.

  We also applaud Pakistan's decision to back international action against terrorism. We have underlined that the campaign in Afghanistan is against terror and not against Islam or the Afghan people. We recognise that this reassurance is important to Pakistan. Pakistan is a valuable ally. Its decision to support the coalition has served to strengthen our bilateral relationship.

  Pakistan
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the internal stability of Pakistan. [9261]
  258W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  We are aware that there have been demonstrations in Pakistan against coalition action in Afghanistan. However, when seen in the context of Pakistan's total (largely peaceful) population, we do not believe the recent disturbances pose a serious threat to Pakistan's internal stability.

  Burma
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent changes there have been to the EU Common Position on Burma. [10371]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Changes in Burma in the past nine months give grounds for cautious optimism, but the rapprochement between the regime and the domestic opposition remains fragile and reversible. Until Burma is firmly embarked on a return to constitutional, democratic rule it would not be appropriate to suspend or remove the core elements of the EU Common Position. The General Affairs Council of 8 October therefore decided to renew the Common Position for a further six months. The core elements of the Common Position are to remain unchanged, with the addition of required legal clarification that enables EU member states to fulfil their UN obligations by allowing Burmese Ministers to attend UN conferences in the EU.

  However, in recognition of the progress achieved to date and in expectation of further positive developments, the EU Council Conclusions on 8 October set out a modest first package of positive measures. We stand ready to consider what further measures might be appropriate if change in Burma accelerates significantly. Conversely, if progress were to stall or fail, UK/EU policy would need to be tightened again.

TREASURY

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to mitigate the impact of inheritance tax on those estates which are predominantly comprised of the value of the deceased's family home. [8681]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Even where property represents a high proportion of the total value, most estates also have sufficient liquid assets to satisfy all the inheritance tax which may be due. Executors can nevertheless defer payment of tax when a former home has not been sold by the time the tax on it would otherwise be due, if necessary by making instalments over as long as 10 years. Most eligible estates start in this way, but the overwhelming majority settle their tax before the 10 years is up, usually because the home is no longer in family use and has been sold.

  Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess. [9223]
  259W
  Ruth Kelly
  From 23 July until 12 October 2001, 25 press notices and a statement by the Chancellor were released by HM Treasury, or by the Treasury in conjunction with another Government Department. During the same time period the Treasury released three consultation documents on its public website.

  Aggregates Tax
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional cost has been factored into the 10 year transport plan to take account of the aggregates tax. [8854]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Any additional costs for transport infrastructure projects due to the Aggregates Levy were not identified in 10 Year Plan for Transport. However in appraising individual projects that are taken forward as part of the Plan, any such additional costs could be identified.

  British Waterways
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the ability of British Waterways to have some flexibility to borrow from the private sector. [8591]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 18 October 2001]: Borrowing from the private sector is normally more expensive than finance raised directly by Government. Therefore, on value for money grounds, all borrowing by British Waterways should normally be transacted through the National Loans Fund. The exception is PPPs in which value for money is achieved by transferring risk to the private sector.

  Married Couples Allowance
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the abolition of the married couples allowance will affect families whose joint taxable income falls short of the personal allowance figure, but just over the point where tax is levied. [8201]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 18 October 2001]: If a family's joint income is less than £4,535 (the personal allowance), the couple will pay no tax.

  Fiscal Variations
  Adam Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how long discussions have been continuing with the National Assembly for Wales on fiscal variations; what recent discussions have been held on the subject; and when he will announce conclusions. [9846]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Chancellor has discussions from time to time on a number of issues relating to the National Assembly for Wales. The Government announced in the 2000 spending review additional Objective 1 funding for Wales.

  North-East (Expenditure)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of spending per head in the north-east for the year 1999–2000 on(a) education, (b) health and social services, (c) roads and transport,
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  (d) housing, (e) law and order, (f) trade, industry, energy and employment, (g) agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry and (h) culture, media and sport. [9646]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information requested is available in chapter 8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2001–02 (Cm 5101), which shows total managed expenditure on services in 1999–2000, by Government office region and function of spending, on a per head basis.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the north-east's percentage share of(a) UK public expenditure, (b) UK population and (c) UK gross domestic product in each of the years from 1995 to 1999. [9647]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The Treasury publishes analyses of UK public expenditure by Government office region in chapter 8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses on an annual basis, the latest of which is PESA 2001–02 (Cm 5101).

  (b) The Office for National Statistics publishes UK population estimates by Government office region in their annual publication Regional Trends. UK population estimates by Government office regions for 1999 are published at www.statistics.gov.uk.

  (c) The Office for National Statistics published estimates of UK gross domestic product by Government office region in the First News Release dated 27 February 2001.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 16 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including their voting record; and if he will make a statement. [9364]

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

  The main theme of the meeting was the fight against terrorist financing. The council welcomed progress towards achieving agreement with the European Parliament on adopting the second money laundering directive. The directive has subsequently been agreed at conciliation.

  The council welcomed an EU presidency report on the fight against the financing of terrorism. I stressed the need for concerted international action and co-operation. We also noted a report from the European Commission on the air transport industry.

  The council approved terms of reference for a European Commission study on globalisation and development, which will report in February 2002 ahead of the UN Financing for Development Conference. The commission introduced its second report on the introduction of euro notes and coins and the council adopted a statement for reporting to the Ghent European Council.

  Finance Ministers noted the commission's draft employment package for 2001–02, which will be approved at the Laeken European Council. The package reviews member states' employment policies and proposes guidelines and recommendations for taking these policies forward. The presidency report on progress on the draft

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  directive on occupational pension schemes was noted by the council. There was also a preliminary discussion of the joint report on pensions, which is being prepared for approval at the European Council in Barcelona, with a progress report to be considered at the European Council in Laeken.

  No votes were taken at the meeting.

  Following the ECOFIN Council, I also attended the joint ECOFIN/JHA Council, with the Minister for Police, Courts and Drugs. The joint council agreed to take forward a further range of measures to combat terrorism, money laundering, economic crime and counterfeiting of the euro. In particular, the Protocol to the 2000 Mutual Legal Assistance Convention was adopted and signed. A copy of the joint council conclusions are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Service Delivery
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 2001,Official Report, column 22W, on public service delivery, how he has identified that targeted efficiency improvements cover more than half of non-transfers spending. [8142]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The assessment was made on the basis of Departments' performance against their efficiency targets, published in the spring 2001 departmental reports.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was raised in corporation tax in the past financial year at the(a) starting rate, (b) small companies rate and (c) main rate; and if he will list his prediction for the same figures in the current financial year. [7783]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Provisional estimates of corporation tax receipts in 2000–01 are given in the ONS publication "Financial Statistics". A forecast for the current year will be published in the pre-Budget report. Estimates of the amounts of taxable profits at the various rates of tax (and the rates of tax) are given on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats../s11corporatetaxation2.pdf.

  Pensioners (Tax)
  John Barrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to reduce the tax burden on old age pensioners. [9655]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Following our personal tax and benefit changes, pensioner households will be £600 a year better off on average compared to 1997. As a result of our policies, seven out of 10 pensioners pay either no tax, or pay tax only at the 10p rate. We have pledged to extend tax allowances further so that by 2003 no pensioner pays tax until their income reaches £127 per week.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Special Advisers and Press Officers
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) special advisers
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  and (b) press officers were employed (i) full time, (ii) part time and (iii) on a contract basis by her Department in each year since 1992. [6885]

  Tessa Jowell
  Details for my Department (previously the Department of National Heritage) are shown.

  Special Advisers

  A total of 18 special advisers have been employed under contract over different periods since 1992 (15 full-time and three part-time) to maintain a maximum complement of one post in the years 1992 to 1995 and two posts from 1996 onwards.

  Press Officers

  A total of 82 press officers have been employed under contract over different periods since 1992 (81 full-time and one part-time) to maintain a maximum complement of seven posts during the years 1992 to 1998 and eight posts from 1999 onwards.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding is available to local authorities with cases of foot and mouth disease in their district for the promotion of tourism. [8436]

  Dr. Howells
  Over £90 million each year is available to local authorities to promote tourism. Funding is allowed as part of the environmental protective and cultural services block of the rate support grant and it is up to individual local authorities to allocate their funds in accordance with statutory requirements and local needs and priorities.

  The regional development agency business recovery fund was established in April to provide targeted help for rural businesses, including funding for local and regional promotion and incentive schemes to encourage visitors to return.

  The English Tourism Council received £3.8 million in additional funding to run an advertising and promotion campaign and provide other support to help offset the effects of foot and mouth disease on the domestic tourism industry; £2 million of this funding went directly to regional tourist boards.

  In addition the British Tourist Authority received an extra £14.2 million to support a tactical marketing campaign to promote Britain as a great place for a holiday.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants are available to encourage tourism in areas affected by foot and mouth disease. [8437]

  Dr. Howells
  The regional development agency business recovery fund, established in April, was designed to provide targeted help for rural businesses, focused primarily on measures to enable them to develop in the medium term. The fund is one element in a package of recovery assistance for tourism that includes additional funding for marketing, business rate relief and deferral of tax payments. These measures and existing programmes will help to encourage tourism.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to help the tourist industry recover from the effects of foot and mouth disease and the events of 11 September. [9714]
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  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: Since 1 March, my Department has provided an additional £3.8 million to the English Tourism Council and £14.2 million to the British Tourist Authority. The regional development agency business recovery fund, established in April, is designed to provide targeted help for rural businesses, including tourism businesses, affected by the consequent implications of foot and mouth disease. On 18 October, the Government allocated a further £24 million to the fund, taking the total to £74 million. The fund is one element in a package of recovery assistance for tourism that includes business rate relief and deferral of tax payments.

  In-bound international tourism data for the month of September will not be available until November 2001. When these statistics are available, an assessment of the initial impact of the events of 11 September on tourism can be made.

  Tourism (Lake District)
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the state of the tourism industry in the Lake District following the foot and mouth outbreak and the events of 11 September; and if she will review the case for further Government assistance. [7516]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 18 October 2001]: Lord Haskins, appointed by the Prime Minister as rural recovery co-ordinator for Cumbria, has published his report on the effects of foot and mouth on Cumbria and we will be considering the need for further assistance in the light of this report.

  It is not yet possible to provide an estimate of the impact of the events of 11 September on tourism at this point in time. Official in-bound international tourism data for the month of September 2001 will not be available until November 2001. When these statistics are available, a more thorough assessment of the initial impact can be made.

  Football World Cup
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to meet representatives of the BBC and ITV to discuss the televising of the football world cup in 2002. [8760]

  Dr. Howells
  I have no such plans, but welcome the announcement made by the BBC and ITV on 18 October that they have signed an exclusive deal to broadcast the world cup finals tournament in 2002 and 2006.

  Communications White Paper
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will publish its response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's report on the Communications White Paper. [8672]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government will shortly be publishing their response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on the Communications White Paper.

  S4C
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent meetings she has had with S4C to discuss the company's financial arrangements. [8751]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no such meetings, but financial issues were raised during my visit to S4C in Cardiff on 10 July and I am due to meet the Chair of S4C again on 6 December.

  Regional Broadcasting
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings she(a) has had and (b) plans to have with the Independent Television Commission to discuss regional broadcasting. [9437]

  Dr. Howells
  None, but the Communications White Paper made clear our commitment to retain and strengthen the regional dimension to public service broadcasting, and ensure that it continues to meet the needs of different communities and cultural interests.

  Late-night Licences
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her response to the recent judgment on late-night flights into Heathrow; what impact this decision has had on her Department's policy on bar licence hours; and what her policy is on late-night noise disturbance in city centres. [9196]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: The Government are carefully studying the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Hatton and Others v. the United Kingdom, and its possible implications for a range of issues including our policy on alcohol licensing hours. If appropriate, it will be carefully taken into account before a Bill to reform the alcohol and public entertainment licensing laws is presented in Parliament.

  Permitted licensing hours for licensed premises in England and Wales are set out in the Licensing Act 1964. Our current policy on the reform of these laws provides that opening hours would be attached as a condition of individual premises licences. It also provides that local residents will have the right to object to the grant of a licence, or to apply for the hours of opening to be restricted, or to seek a review of an existing licence on grounds of public nuisance, including noise disturbance. Where the local authority denies such an objection, the objector would be entitled to appeal to the magistrates courts. In addition, on 1 December this year, we shall be bringing into force section 17 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which provides new powers in England and Wales for the police to close instantly for up to 24 hours licensed premises which are causing disturbance to the general public as a result of excessive noise emitted from the premises.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library the guidelines issued by her Department regarding noise abatement best practice in relation to conditions set by councils on late-night licence applications; and if she will make a statement. [9195]
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  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: Guidance on conditions which might be attached to public entertainment or late-night refreshment house or night café licences in England and Wales concerning noise abatement has not been issued by the Department or by the Home Office when it was responsible for this policy area. In the case of public entertainment licences, local authorities have a broad discretion to impose such conditions, terms and restrictions as they see fit. In the case of late-night refreshment houses and night cafés, conditions may be imposed to prevent unreasonable disturbance to local residents, and "closing orders" may be imposed to the same end. Some local authorities have sought agreements with parts of the licensed trade on standardised conditions which might be adopted in connection with public entertainment licences. From time to time local authorities publish advice on associated matters in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive. The majority of local authorities in making licensing decisions generally adopt similar standards to those which they adopt in enforcing the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Noise Act 1996.

  Alcohol licensing in England and Wales is the responsibility of licensing justices and not the local authority, and they have a broad discretion to refuse various extensions beyond normal permitted licensing hours to prevent unreasonable disturbance to people living in the neighbourhood.

  Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department during the summer recess. [9236]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: During the summer recess my Department released: (a) 43 press notices, and (b) two consultation papers; Review of the Museum on London/Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum; Review of the National Museum of Science and Industry. These are available on the DCMS website www.culture.gov.uk

  English Tourism Council
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to change the role of the English Tourism Council. [9715]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: The role of the English Tourism Council is set out in its three-year funding agreement with this Department, as signed on 4 June 2001 and deposited in the Library of this House. The impact of foot and mouth disease and the terrorist attacks of 11 September have necessitated a review of short-term tourism policy and, in the light of recent discussions with key players in the industry, efforts will be concentrated on data collection, improving quality and skills and domestic marketing. The English Tourism Council, other tourism bodies and the industry all have important roles to play in this strategy.

  Culture, Media and Sport Committee Report
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will implement the recommendations of the Fourth report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, HC 2000–01, 430. [9713]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: The Government response to the Fourth report was sent to the Committee as a Memorandum in August and presented to Parliament on 17 October as Command Paper 5279.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Foot and Mouth
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if her Department will respond to the Rural Task Force report, "Tackling the Impact of the Foot and Mouth Disease on the Rural Economy"; [10068]

  (2) if her Department will respond to Lord Haskins' report, "Rural Recovery after Foot and Mouth Disease". [10069]

  Alun Michael
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) on 18 October 2001,Official Report, column 1301.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she has put in place to cut the risk of foot and mouth being re-imported. [9430]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government take very seriously the need to have effective controls on imports of animal products, be they in personal baggage or commercial consignments. We in DEFRA are co-ordinating action across Government to ensure that the rules are enforced as effectively as possible at ports and airports.

  New arrangements have been introduced across all enforcement agencies involved to improve the sharing and analysis of information about known or suspected illegal imports. This is being used to target enforcement action and to make best use of available resources. Our national regulations have also been amended to assist local authorities in seizing suspected illegal imports when they are found at point of sale. The Food Standards Agency is also encouraging local authorities to ensure that checking for illegal imports is part of their routine inspection of food premises.

  Alongside this we have introduced improved publicity to ensure that travellers are aware of the restrictions on what may be imported. Posters have been placed at main airports and information is being provided to travellers by the travel industry and by British embassies abroad.

  We are keeping these measures under review and will make improvements as necessary. In addition, we will be looking at further options to ensure the rules on imports are enforced effectively and efficiently.

  On commercial consignments, all meat imported from third countries must be accompanied by veterinary certification. This must confirm that the meat is derived

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  from animals which have been subjected to an ante-mortem inspection during the 24 hours prior to slaughter at which the animal showed no signs of foot and mouth disease.

  If there is an outbreak of disease likely to present a risk to human or animal health such as foot and mouth disease, Community legislation allows us to take appropriate safeguard action, which may include a ban on imports of meat from all, or parts, of that country. Recent examples include Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, and within the EU, France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much meat was imported into the United Kingdom from countries(a) in which foot and mouth disease is endemic and (b) where there has been an outbreak in the preceding 12 months in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001 to date. [8342]

  Mr. Morley
  The table shows the amounts of meat from foot and mouth disease susceptible animals imported into the UK in 1999, 2000 and January to July 2001.

  Community legislation permits the importation of meat from certain countries where foot and mouth disease is present but only where the disease is restricted to specific areas. Imports are permitted only from parts of the country that are free of disease or under strict conditions that ensure the meat does not come from any animal that may have come in contact with foot and mouth disease before, during and after slaughter. These provisions are in line with the guidelines set out in the Office International des Epizooties International Animal Health Code 2001.

  If there is an outbreak of disease likely to present a risk to human or animal health such as foot and mouth disease, Community legislation allows us to take appropriate safeguard action, which may include a ban on imports of meat from all, or parts, of that country. In the last 12 months this includes Argentina. Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Uruguay and Zimbabwe, and within the EU, France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.

  UK imports of meat from FMD susceptible species1 from countries where FMD is endemic and which have had outbreaks in 1999, 2000 and 2001 (January to July)

  Country

  Total tonnes

  1999

  Argentina

  2,083

  Botswana2

  5,538

  Brazil2,3

  11,158

  France

  31,767

  Greece

  113

  Irish Republic

  114,232

  Namibia2

  6,635

  Netherlands

  64,002

  South Africa2

  224

  Swaziland2

  320

  Uruguay

  5,757

  Zimbabwe2,3

  5,055

  Total

  246,883

  2000

  Argentina3

  2,317

  Botswana2

  5,511

  Brazil2,3

  18,427

  France

  30,217

  Greece3

  261

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  UK imports of meat from FMD susceptible species1 from countries where FMD is endemic and which have had outbreaks in 1999, 2000 and 2001 (January to July)

  Country

  Total tonnes

  Irish Republic

  125,122

  Namibia2,3

  5,727

  Netherlands

  59,320

  South Africa2,3

  133

  Swaziland2,3

  582

  Uruguay2

  5,601

  Zimbabwe2

  5,436

  Total

  258,654

  2001

  Argentina3

  1,116

  Botswana2

  6,908

  Brazil2,3

  10,315

  France3

  18,300

  Greece

  0

  Irish Republic3

  62,614

  Namibia2

  4,027

  Netherlands3

  29,241

  South Africa2,3

  29

  Uruguay3

  2,942

  Zimbabwe2,3

  4,004

  Total (January-July)

  139,497

  1 Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and reindeer. There were no imports of reindeer meat in 2000–01.

  2 Countries where FMD is endemic.

  3 Countries where there have been outbreaks.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on farm incomes of restrictions on the movement of animals. [8157]

  Mr. Morley
  We are aware that movement restrictions increase the costs of many livestock producers and others in the food chain. However, the restrictions were imposed to prevent the spread of disease and to speed its eradication. We have commissioned research to consider the costs to the agricultural industry of maintaining movement restrictions as a means of preventing disease spread in the future.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she next plans to visit Westmorland and Lonsdale to discuss the foot and mouth outbreak. [9625]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no plans for the Secretary of State to visit Westmorland and Lonsdale in the near future.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value of financial assistance from Government to the farming industry in England has been since the start of the foot and mouth crisis. [6068]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 15 October 2001]: Since the first case of foot and mouth disease was confirmed on 20 February 2001, the Government have announced financial assistance worth £164.4 million to the farming industry (see table for cost breakdown). This supplements payments to date of £1,016 million1 in compensation for compulsory slaughter of stock, £26.2 million1 in compensation for seized or destroyed items, and a further £185 million2 paid to date to farmers in respect of the

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  livestock welfare disposal scheme. UK farmers are also expected to receive around £3 billion in support under the Common Agricultural Policy in 2000–01.

  In addition, some farmers will be benefiting from the range of other measures we have put in place to help enterprises affected by foot and mouth, such as targeted trade development and marketing activities and the Countryside Agency's scheme to provide matched funding to voluntary organisations for the relief of distress. The hon. Member will also be aware that the revenue departments have been asked to take a sympathetic view, on a case-by-case basis, of businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. They have so far helped over 18,000 businesses by agreeing to defer tax, national insurance contributions and VAT for periods of mainly between three and 12 months.

  £ million

  Initiative

  Coverage3

  Funding

  Rural stress action plan

  England

  0.4

  Farm business advisory service

  England

  46

  Agriculture development scheme

  England

  2

  Agrimonetary compensation

  UK

  156

  Total

  164.4

  1 As at 9 October 2001.

  2 As at 3 October 2001.

  3 Information is not held on a regional basis for all schemes, so it is not possible to provide figures for England alone.

  4 Supplemented by £4.4 million in unspent provision from 2000–01, carried forward.

  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the total amount of compensation that will be paid as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. [7667]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 15 October 2001]: Our current estimate of the cost of compensation that will be paid because of the foot and mouth disease outbreak is £1.216 billion. This figure includes £1.152 billion compensation for compulsory slaughter of affected livestock and £0.064 billion compensation for items seized and destroyed such as hay, feed, fodder and semen straws.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria the Government used to decide the method used for lifting the D notice restrictions in Herefordshire. [6664]

  Mr. Morley
  The criteria for lifting Form D notices are governed by EU rules for the control of foot and mouth disease (FMD). This requires a clinical inspection of all stock on premises within three kilometres of an infected premise, commencing at least 21 days after preliminary cleansing and disinfection of the premise.

  There is also a requirement for serological testing of all premises with sheep and goats for evidence of FMD infection. This may commence 21 days after slaughter of the animals and preliminary disinfection. If all the inspections and blood tests prove negative for FMD and more than 30 days have elapsed since slaughter and preliminary disinfection, the Infected Area restrictions may be lifted.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans are in place for tackling foot and mouth disease in the late autumn period. [6499]
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  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 October 2001]: Contingency plans are held and regularly reviewed by the Regional Operations Directors who have been put in place to deal with the current foot and mouth disease outbreak. The plans are kept under review and updated as necessary in the light of the latest disease situation. They are based on the continued adherence to and rigorous enforcement of the existing control strategies, including tight biosecurity, and take the form of working documents that have to be refined in the light of any new developments including up to date epidemiological advice.

  Fox Hunting
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the independent veterinary risk assessment commissioned by her Department into the resumption of fox hunting following the foot and mouth outbreaks. [9468]

  Alun Michael
  The veterinary risk assessment on the possible resumption of hunting with dogs in England and Wales is currently being considered by Ministers. The assessment will be published on the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/ and copies will be made available in the Libraries of the House.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a decision on whether she will be drawing down agrimonetary compensation for this year. [9529]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 October 2001]: The Government are considering the case for payment of the agrimonetary compensation that is currently available for the arable sector, and have until 31 October to notify the European Commission of any intention to make these payments.

  Flooding
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to provide further assistance to protect existing homes from flooding; and if she will make a statement. [9012]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 October 2001]: I plan to reduce the risk of flooding by investing in effective flood warning arrangements and in flood defences in the highest risk areas. Funding for the Department's programme is increasing from £66 million in 2000–01 to £114 million in 2003–04. Further increases are planned in funding delivered through local authorities.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the shortfall in North Yorkshire's flood defence levy for the period 2002–03 is made up to at least the amount allocated for 2001–02. [8143]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency's flood defence programme is funded mainly by levies paid by county councils, metropolitan boroughs and unitary authorities. These levies, and other flood defence expenditure, are taken into account in determining each council's flood defence standard spending assessment (SSA) for the following year.
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  North Yorkshire county council's flood defence SSA for 2001–02 was £2,423,000; the council paid a levy to the Environment Agency of £2,469,192 and I understand that they have no other flood defence expenditure. However, this has to be seen against an historic failure of some local authorities, including those in Yorkshire, to invest adequate sums to maintain and renew defences over many years.

  The Government can compensate authorities collectively for expenditure up to the aggregate 4.2 per cent. increase provided for in Spending Review 2000 but to do otherwise would mean unfairly limiting the increase in other parts of the Environment, Cultural and Protective Services SSA block. Of course a local authority is able to utilise the funds provided for those services it judges a priority.

  The Government have recently made additional funds available to the Environment Agency to meet flood defence expenditure in the current year. Alongside funds made available during the previous year, Government have now met almost all the emergency response and repair costs that the Agency incurred in the autumn/winter 2000 floods. In addition for both years it has met the design and feasibility costs of river flood defence schemes in order to accelerate their implementation. This represents a substantial contribution to the exceptional costs arising from those floods and the Yorkshire region is a major beneficiary. These additional funds have the effect of reducing the levy increase necessary to deliver the appropriate flood defence service in the region; we now expect the local authorities to make a proportionate contribution.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to prevent individuals importing meat into the United Kingdom. [9431]

  Mr. Morley
  Personal imports into the UK of meat from countries outside the EU are restricted to one kilogram per person of meat in a hermetically sealed container. People travelling from other EU countries can bring with them up to 10 kg of meat products per person, for their own consumption. However, if there is an outbreak of disease likely to present a risk to human or animal health such as foot and mouth disease (FMD), appropriate safeguard action is taken, which may include a ban on imports of meat from all, or parts, of that country. In those circumstances, personal imports may effectively be prohibited.

  We have introduced improved publicity to ensure that travellers are aware of the restrictions on what may be imported. Posters have been placed at main airports and information is being provided to travellers by the travel industry and by British embassies abroad.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of controls to limit the import of meat and meat products into the UK that could carry contamination with(a) foot and mouth disease and (b) other animal diseases. [8988]
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  Mr. Morley
  If any third country experiences an outbreak of disease likely to present a risk to human or animal health (such as foot and mouth disease) European Community legislation allows us to take appropriate safeguard action. This may include a ban on imports of meat from all, or parts, of that country. We have recently taken such action in respect of Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Uruguay and Zimbabwe. EU law lays down the protection measures to be implemented by a member state if they experience such a disease outbreak. These include a ban on the movement of susceptible animals, export restrictions on their products and the slaughter of infected animals.

  All meat and meat products imported from third countries, must be accompanied by veterinary certification. This must confirm that the meat is derived from animals which have been subjected to an ante-mortem inspection during the 24 hours prior to slaughter at which the animal showed no signs of foot and mouth disease or any notifiable disease.

  All meat and meat products imported into the UK from third countries must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) where they are subject to veterinary inspections. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments undergo physical checks. These ensure import conditions are met and that the products remain in a satisfactory condition during transport.

  No matter what level of import controls are in place, it will never be possible to guarantee that no exotic disease could be imported into this country. It remains vital that farmers take effective precautions to minimise the possibility of spread of any disease that may occur, whatever its source.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on proposals announced recently by the Countryside Agency to build more social housing in rural areas. [8541]

  Alun Michael
  [holding answer 18 October 2001]: I launched the Housing Corporation's Rural Policy Statement this month which builds upon the commitment in the Rural White Paper to achieve a higher proportion of affordable homes in both market towns and small villages. It illustrates the close co-operation between DEFRA Ministers and the Ministers at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who also strongly support the statement. It also demonstrates the close co-operation between the corporation and the Countryside Agency which has also welcomed the announcement of the new policy. The agency has confirmed its intention to work closely with the Housing Corporation to assist in 'rural proofing' its policies.

  Throckmorton Mass Burial Site
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress in meeting claims for compensation for(a) nuisance and (b) loss of property value by individuals with homes adjacent to the Throckmorton mass burial site in Worcestershire. [8982]
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  Mr. Morley
  The main nuisance complained of by the residents of Throckmorton was that of smell that was being created by Government activity in containing and eradicating foot and mouth disease. As this activity was being carried out lawfully, there is no liability on the Government to pay compensation.

  I am aware of the hon. Member's interest in the issue and will be writing to him very shortly.

  Farmers (Tourism)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding is available to assist farmers to diversify into tourism. [8438]

  Alun Michael
  The main source of funding to assist farmers to diversify into tourism is the Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES), which is a part of the England Rural Development Programme, measures are available in Objective 1 areas. The total RES scheme budget is £152 million for the period 2001–06. Another fund which

  Year

  Introduction of milk quotas.

  1984

  Introduction of binding agricultural budgetary guidelines limiting the growth of CAP expenditure to 74 per cent. of the growth of the budget.

  1988

  Structural funds reformed. Quotas extended. Set-aside measures designed to encourage the use of less intensive production techniques and to diversify away from products already in surplus introduced.

  1989–91

  Introduction of the MacSharry reforms, which cut some support prices, introduced direct income compensation, and made set-aside and other production control measures a central feature of the CAP.

  1992

  Completion of the Uruguay Round Agricultural Agreement brought agriculture for the first time fully within the multilateral trade mechanism: in that framework, the EU accepted the principle of tariffication (the conversion of all forms of tariff and non-tariff barriers into fixed tariff equivalents, the progressive reduction of tariffs and certain types of domestic farm support, and limits on the volume of subsided exports and the value of export subsidies.

  1995

  Agenda 2000 package of CAP reforms agreed in Berlin. The package included cereal and beef price reductions, milk prices to be cut and quotas increased and creation of the "2nd pillar", the Rural Development Regulation. When reforms fully implemented (2008), price reductions will reduce annual food bill for family of four of around 2 per cent.

  1999

  Review of sugar, olive oil, hops and cotton regimes recently completed. Review of rice and sheepmeat regimes on-going.

  2001

  (b) Responsibility for presenting proposals to reform the CAP rests with the European Commission. We expect proposals to issue next year for a number of key CAP commodity regimes. We will continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states to drive forward the reform agenda to achieve a more economically rational CAP which contributes to the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the industry and rural economy.

  Food (Terrorist Biological Attacks)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration she has given to the possibility of terrorist biological attacks being made on the UK through food supplies; and if she will make a statement on foot import controls in the UK. [7770]

  Mr. Morley
  Her Majesty's Government are alert to the potential threat to the UK from terrorist activities. The most effective defence against a terrorist threat is good
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  can be used to assist farm-based tourism is the regional development agencies' Redundant Buildings Grant scheme.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the reforms to the CAP(a) made since May 1977 and (b) that Her Majesty's Government are proposing. [7297]

  Mr. Morley
  (a) The formal objectives of the CAP have remained as laid down in the treaty of Rome in 1957. However, while the treaty provisions supporting the CAP have remained substantially unchanged, the policy itself has evolved and developed over recent years. This has been particularly so during the period since the mid 1980s—when it was evident that agricultural production in a number of major sectors (cereals, milk, beef, wine) was running well ahead of consumption and export opportunities. This gave rise to structural surpluses and budgetary pressures. The principal adjustments to this policy since 1997 include:

  intelligence, efficient procedures to control the entry of people and materials into the UK, and the means to respond effectively to incidents. Contingency plans are maintained by the Government to minimise the consequences in the event of an attack.

  All food for sale, whether it is produced in the UK or in other countries, must meet the necessarily high standards of hygiene and safety required to protect public health. Imports of food not of animal origin such as fruit and vegetables from countries outside the EU are subject to UK checks by local food authorities based on an assessment of the risk to health at the point of import.

  All products of animal origin imported into the UK from third countries must enter at designated UK Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) where they are subject to veterinary inspections. Consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and may also be subject to physical checks. These ensure import conditions are met and that the products remain in a satisfactory condition during transport.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the consultation paper on nuclear waste; and if she will make a statement. [7706]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mrs. Lawrence) on 22 October 2001,Official Report, column 25W.

  Farm Leavers
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers have left the industry in 2001 to date. [7732]

  Alun Michael
  The latest information available comes from the 2000 Agricultural Census for England. The figures indicate that there were 1,300 fewer farmers, and associated partners, directors and their spouses in June 2000 than in June 1999. This is a net figure and is the balance of farmers, associated partners, directors and spouses joining and leaving the industry. Figures on the number leaving the industry are not separately available. It is not possible to give a separate figure for "farmers". June 2001 figures will be available later this year.

  Correspondence
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter sent to her on 1 August by the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. [9711]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: A response to the hon. Member's letter of 1 August was sent on 22 October 2001. I apologise for the time taken to respond to this letter.

  Green Belt
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to publish proposals to modify green belt planning policies. [9167]

  Ms Keeble
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are at present no plans.

  Minor Roads
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase the amount of Government money available to councils for the improvement of minor roads; and if she will make a statement. [9015]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 19 October 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are committed to halting the deterioration in local road condition and to eliminating the backlogs in carriageway, footway, bridge and street lighting maintenance. We will provide the necessary funding, £30 billion, through our Ten-Year Plan for Transport. This is a real increase of 23 per cent. above funding levels in the previous 10 years. And we are
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  promoting several initiatives to help local authorities to optimise their road maintenance programmes and improve the quality of roads.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Distress for Rent
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will publish the results of her consultation on the Enforcement Review Consultation Paper 5: Distress for Rent; and if she will set out her timetable for the abolition of distress for rent in residential property. [9165]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  LCD are currently analysing responses to this consultation which ended on 3 August 2001. We received approximately 150 responses from a wide range of individuals, private companies and professional enforcement organisations. We expect to publish a summary of responses in due course.

  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary announced the publication of the Green Paper, "Towards Effective Enforcement", by way of a written answer on 19 July 2001, Official Report, column 451W. The closing date for responses was 3 October 2001. Because of the strong link between distress for rent and bailiff law in general, the responses to the distress for rent consultation will be taken into account along with the bailiff law issues arising from the Green Paper.

  We hope to take forward distress for rent proposals when parliamentary time allows.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Chorley Police Station
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide resources for the improvement of the police cells at Chorley Police Station in order to meet health and safety requirements. [9100]

  Mr. Denham
  It is for chief constables, in consultation with their police authorities, to decide how best to deploy available resources taking into account operational priorities and objectives.

  I am informed by the chief constable that the cell complex at Chorley was taken out of routine use as part of the rationalisation of the custody facilities within the Division. Improvements were made at the two remaining divisional custody sites at Leyland and Skelmersdale.

  The force has confirmed that the rationalisation has enhanced the quality of the division's custody service, improving the supervision, care and control of offenders.

  The cells at Chorley remain available to the division if necessary.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to return all passports and original documents by recorded delivery or registered post. [8068]
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  Angela Eagle
  The Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD) in Croydon deals with the majority of passport and document returns to applicants and their representatives throughout Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). This year they began returning passports and original documents to applicants by recorded delivery.

  However, ICD' s Nationality Group in Liverpool ceased this service five years ago on the basis that the increased cost would add significantly to the cost of applications. Furthermore, the great majority of passports returned by ordinary post would reach their destination safely. However, any applicants who are concerned about the return of their documents can send in recorded delivery or registered post envelopes at their own expense.

  Security Checks
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will monitor the length of time the security services take to complete security checks on those applying for(a) settlement in the UK and (b) naturalisation. [8099]

  Angela Eagle
  The Integrated Casework Directorate's (ICD) Nationality and General Group already monitor the length of time the Security Services take to complete checks on those applying for settlement in the United Kingdom and naturalisation.

  Mr. Alan Bayle
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what correspondence he has received from Mr. Alan Bayle concerning his decision to resign from the Metropolitan Police Service; and what measures he has taken to address professional representations concerning training and supervision of the collection of forensic evidence. [8079]

  Mr. Denham
  My Department has not received any correspondence from Mr. Alan Bayle concerning his decision to resign from the Metropolitan Police Service.

  In England and Wales, the collection of forensic evidence is the responsibility of Crime Scene Examiners and Assistant Crime Scheme Examiners, who are also responsible for forwarding such evidence to other departments or agencies as appropriate.

  Training is provided in-force or at specialist centres such as the National Training Centre for Scientific Support in Durham, or the Metropolitan Police Service Scientific Support College.

  Training and deployment are operational matters for individual chief constables and not ones in which it would be appropriate for Ministers to intervene.

  Police Working Conditions
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his proposals for reform of police working conditions. [9723]

  Mr. Denham
  The police reform programme is about making the police service more effective in catching criminals and reducing crime and the fear of crime. To help ensure that the police service has the support it, managers and officers need to deliver these outputs, we are today presenting the Police Negotiating Board (PNB)278W
  with the outcomes we wish to achieve in respect of relevant police conditions so that it can explore and agree how best to deliver them. I have placed a copy of the outcomes paper presented to PNB in the Library.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the role of special constables. [8566]

  Mr. Denham
  As part of the police reform process the Government are looking at measures to increase the size of the special constabulary. We are also currently looking at means of improving the management of special constables to ensure that they are deployed effectively to provide an increased visible police presence in our communities.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many special constables there were in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; [7716]

  (2) how many special constables there were in Wales in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [7743]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of serving special constables in England and Wales from 30 September 1997 to 30 September 2000 is set out in the table.

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Total strength1

  19,163

  17,296

  15,727

  13,487

  Strength in Wales

  1,140

  1,047

  940

  811

  1 England and Wales

  Home Office funded research into the premature wastage of special constables, completed last year, found that the primary reasons for leaving were often external to the service. However, the research identified some underlying management factors contributing to the decision to resign.

  Recommendations aimed at reducing the wastage included making improvements to: the flexibility of duties and hours offered; the management structure within which specials operate; the quality of training provided locally; and local efforts to monitor and prevent wastage.

  The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and as part of the police reform process we are looking at radical improvements in the management, welfare and deployment of special constables.

  Refugees
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of refugees into the EU from(a) Iran, (b) Iraq and (c) Afghanistan entered the UK in (i) 1990, (ii) 1995 and (iii) 2000. [8241]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not possible to provide information on how many refugees entered the United Kingdom in any given period, because some refugees arrive clandestinely and subsequently claim asylum in-country rather than claiming on arrival at United Kingdom ports. Information on the numbers of application for asylum in the United Kingdom from the specified nationalities as a percentage of European Union (EU) applications is given
  279W
  in the table. However, only a minority of applications results in the granting of refugee status under the 1951 United Nations (UN) Convention.

  Applications for asylum to the EU and UK from nationals of Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, 1990, 1995, 20001

  1990

  19952

  20003

  Afghanistan

  EU

  n/a

  10,965

  24,510

  UK

  215

  715

  6,835

  UK (Percentage)

  n/a

  7

  28

  Iran

  EU

  n/a

  8,800

  22,155

  UK

  560

  755

  6,905

  UK (Percentage)

  n/a

  9

  31

  Iraq

  EU

  n/a

  13,405

  33,120

  UK

  1,215

  1,140

  9,205

  UK (Percentage)

  n/a

  9

  28

  1 All data are provisional and rounded to nearest five. Dependants have been estimated where necessary.

  2 EU excludes Austria, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Greece.

  3EU excludes Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Greece.

  Source:

  IGC Secretariat

  "Welcome to the Asylum"
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his response is to the recommendations contained in "Welcome to the Asylum" by Harriet Sergeant; and if he will make a statement. [8464]

  Angela Eagle
  We have studied the report "Welcome to the Asylum", and its four recommendations, and we have noted its conclusions and recommendations. The Government have clear immigration and asylum policies which are based on honouring our international obligations, and dealing quickly and firmly with those who have no right to be here. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State intends to make an announcement on asylum policy later this month.

  Fugitives
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases foreign Governments have asked for assistance in returning fugitives resident in the UK(a) generally and (b) for terrorist offences in each of the last five years. [9621]

  Angela Eagle
  Reliable records are available for only the last four years. In those years, the number of extradition requests received by the United Kingdom is as follows:

  Number of requests received

  1997

  107

  1998

  111

  1999

  101

  2000

  78

  It is not possible to say with precision how many of those cases involved charges of terrorism. That is because the fugitive may have been accused of non-terrorist
  280W
  charges committed in furtherance of alleged terrorist acts. Of requests currently outstanding, nine involve suspected terrorist activity.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make funding available to voluntary bodies for the costs of starting up and administering a registered body disclosure service with the Criminal Records Bureau. [9606]

  Mr. Denham
  Having announced that standard and enhanced disclosures will be issued free of charge to volunteers, we are in the process of considering representations which have been received on the case for financial support for bodies involved in administering the disclosure service. We will announce our conclusions as soon as possible.

  Police Officers
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement outlining comparisons in the number of police officers on duty in W1 between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. with figures for other UK cities, including if available Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Cardiff; and what are the figures for on duty police officers available per licensed premises for each city as compared with W1. [9137]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 19 October 2001]: The information sought is not collected centrally.

  Graffiti
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many graffiti artists have been prosecuted in the last 12 months. [9379]

  Mr. Denham
  The statistics collected centrally do not include the circumstances of the offence so that offences committed by graffiti artists cannot be distinguished from other offences of criminal or malicious damage.

  Corruption
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the response to his Department's consultation on reform of the criminal law of corruption in England and Wales (Cm 4759). [9482]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 25 June 2001,Official Report, column 47W.

  Extradition
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the responses to his Department's consultation document, "The Law on Extradition: A Review". [9483]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The "Law on Extradition: A Review" was published as a consultation document on 12 March 2001. Copies of the review were sent out to a large number of consultees which included the Houses of Parliament and interested parliamentary groups; the judiciary/magistracy and legal associations; the prosecuting authorities; civil liberties' groups, extradition practitioners, all our extradition partners and interested

  281W
  parties in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The consultation document was made available on the Home Office website.

  There were 22 written responses to the proposals contained in the document, seven of which requested that their responses should not be published. I am arranging for the 15 responses to be placed in the Library, they will also be made available on the Home Office website. I have also provided a detailed summary of the comments made by respondents in relation to the individual recommendations of the review, which I have also placed in the Library.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those in jail in Britain subject to an extradition request from a foreign Government(a) by name, (b) by country of origin, (c) by date of first request for extradition and (d) by date of any subsequent request for extradition. [7828]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  There are currently 59 fugitives held in extradition custody. The power of provisional arrest means that in some cases the fugitive will have been remanded into custody before receipt of the formal extradition request. In some cases, the fugitive may be serving a domestic sentence, pending completion of which, no surrender can be ordered or take place. The table therefore provides the date of arrest in respect of each requesting jurisdiction. We are not aware of any case involving a supplementary or subsequent request. It is not policy or practice to list the names of those who are the subject of extradition proceedings.

  Date of request

  Requesting jurisdiction

  1. July 1995

  USA

  2. July 1998

  USA

  3. October 1998

  USA

  4. November 1998

  USA

  5. February 1999

  USA

  6. September 1999

  USA

  7. September 1999

  USA

  8. September 2000

  USA

  9. September 2000

  USA

  10. October 2000

  USA

  11. October 2000

  USA

  12. January 2001

  USA

  13. January 2001

  USA

  14. May 2001

  USA

  15. May 2001

  USA

  16. August 2001

  USA

  17. September 2001

  USA

  18. October 2001

  USA

  19. July 1997

  Italy

  20. July 1998

  Italy

  21. June 1999

  Italy

  22. April 2000

  Italy

  23. June 2001

  Italy

  24. July 2001

  Italy

  25. August 2001

  Italy

  26. July 2001

  Switzerland

  27. September 2001

  Switzerland

  28. September 2001

  Switzerland

  29. September 2001

  Switzerland

  30. September 2001

  Switzerland

  31. September 2001

  Switzerland

  32. August 1998

  Germany

  33. March 2000

  Germany

  34. September 2001

  Germany

  35. September 2001

  Germany

  36. September 1999

  Belgium

  37. July 2001

  Belgium

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  Date of request

  Requesting jurisdiction

  38. September 2001

  Belgium

  39. September 2001

  Belgium

  40. September 2001

  Belgium

  41. February 2001

  Czech Republic

  42. April 2001

  Czech Republic

  43. April 2001

  Czech Republic

  44. August 2001

  Czech Republic

  45. November 1995

  France

  46. June 1998

  France

  47. April 2000

  France

  48. May 2001

  France

  49. September 1996

  South Africa

  50. November 1997

  South Africa

  51. August 1999

  South Africa

  52. October 1998

  Canada

  53. September 2001

  Canada

  54. June 1996

  Turkey

  55. February 1997

  Finland

  56. August 1999

  Greece

  57. June 2000

  Netherlands

  58. April 2001

  Spain

  59. July 2001

  Estonia

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries have sought the extradition of(a) Abu Qatada, (b) Yasser-al-Siri and (c) Abu Hamsa; and if he will make a statement. [8659]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  It is long-standing Home Office policy never to confirm or deny whether extradition requests in respect of particular individuals have been made or received.

  Proceeds of Crime Bill
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the responses to his Department's consultation on the draft Proceeds of Crime Bill (Cm 5066). [9484]

  Mr. Denham
  A copy of the responses has been placed in the Library.

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow housing associations and other public bodies to apply for antisocial behaviour orders; and if he will make a statement. [9479]

  Mr. Denham
  I recently announced my intention to look at the possibility of allowing public bodies, such as housing associations, which are or should be part of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, to apply for antisocial behaviour orders. I will consult with interested parties on the feasibility of this option before any moves to legislate in this area.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many antisocial behaviour orders have been imposed to date; and if he will make a statement; [9487]

  (2) how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in respect of (a) juveniles and (b) adults; and if he will make a statement; [9475]

  (3) how many antisocial behaviour orders have been imposed in the south-east region since the beginning of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [9474]
  283W
  Mr. Denham
  There is known to have been some under-recording of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) in a few police force areas. With the co-operation of Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) we are therefore undertaking a one-off reconciliation exercise to establish any differences between the numbers of ASBOs known to the police and the data from court returns. I will write to the hon. Member when the information becomes available.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to require sentences to state, when passing sentence,(a) the existence of and (b) the potential effect on the date of earliest release of the home detention curfew scheme; and if he will make a statement. [9489]

  Beverley Hughes
  In January 1998 the then Lord Chief Justice issued a practice direction to the courts requiring them to explain the practical effect of the custodial sentences they imposed. This aimed to ensure transparency in sentencing for the benefit of the defendant, any victim and the public.

  The practice direction does not prescribe a form of words in which the court's explanation should be given. It does, however, provide models to be adapted as necessary. These models do not cover the possibility of home detention curfew (HDC) since they pre-date its introduction, but the direction does make it clear that they are based on the statutory provisions in place on 1 January 1998 and will require modification if those provisions are materially amended. Since HDC can clearly be considered a "material amendment" it is appropriate for inclusion in the court's explanation. However, a sentencing court is not in a position to know whether the offender before it will be eligible for consideration for HDC or, if eligible, whether it will be granted. I am satisfied that this practice direction is adequate to promote transparency in sentencing and that legislation is not necessary.

  Child Curfew Orders
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child curfew orders have been imposed since the start of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [9486]

  Mr. Denham
  No applications have been received to impose child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Sections 48 and 49 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which took effect on 1 August 2001, have recently extended the upper age limit to 15 and allowed the police, as well as local authorities, to initiate schemes. Local areas are assessing the implications of these changes.

  Police Resources (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of Lancashire on the deployment of her resources in the Southern Division. [6806]
  284W
  Mr. Denham
  I have had no such discussions. The deployment of available resources to the territorial Divisions and other Headquarters based specialist units are operational matters for the professional judgment of the Chief Constable.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that asylum seekers will he removed from unconverted Prison Service accommodation by 25 December 2001, and if he will make a statement. [9451]

  Angela Eagle
  We are currently using 500 surplus remand spaces for immigration detainees in seven local prisons in England and Wales on a temporary basis until new dedicated immigration detention centres come on stream later this year. We are committed to cease using one of those prisons, Cardiff, by Christmas and to cease using the other six local prisons by the end of January 2002.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an asylum seeker detained in a prison is considered a prisoner; and if he will make a statement. [9118]

  Angela Eagle
  Persons detained in prison solely while their application for asylum is being considered, or where awaiting removal following a failed asylum application, or deportation by order of a court following the completion of a prison sentence of more than 12 months are immigration detainees. They are held under the same conditions as unconvicted prisoners with the same rights and privileges.

  Asylum seekers who are serving a prison sentence following conviction by a court are treated accordingly.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to(a) prioritise and (b) speed up decisions on asylum seekers' applications where delay would have serious detrimental social or medical consequences for the asylum seekers themselves or members of their families; and if he will make a statement. [9125]

  Angela Eagle
  We are investing substantial resources to speed up the asylum process for all applicants. Where there are genuine and compelling medical or other reasons for prioritising individual applications, we endeavour to do so.

  Metropolitan Police
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support he has provided to help Metropolitan police officers and civil staff purchase homes; and if he will make a statement. [9112]

  Mr. Denham
  The Home Office has worked closely with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) on the starter homes initiative (SHI), which will assist key public sector workers to buy their first homes. On 6 September my right hon. Friend
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  the Secretary of State announced the first allocations from the SHI. We expect around 550 police officers and civil staff in London to be helped over the next three years.

  Immigration Status
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the immigration status of(a) Abu Qatada and (b) Yasser-al-Siri; and if he will make a statement. [8658]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not Home Office policy to disclose details of a person's immigration status to a third party. Both these men are known to the authorities and statements made by them are being monitored to establish whether any offences are being committed.

  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and convicted at all courts for the given offence and by year, England and Wales

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Principal statute

  Offence description

  Proceeded against

  Convicted

  Proceeded against

  Convicted

  Proceeded against

  Convicted

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991—Indictable offences

  Sec. 3(1)

  Owner or person in charge allowing dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place injuring any person

  259

  121

  434

  239

  449

  262

  Sec. 3(3)

  Owner or person in charge allowing dog to enter a non-public place and injure any person

  22

  5

  28

  13

  34

  19

  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991—Summary offences

  Sec. 1(2)a

  Breeding or breeding from a fighting dog

  1

  —

  6

  5

  1

  —

  Sec. 1(2)b

  Selling, exchanging, offering advertising or exposing for sale a fighting dog

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sec. 1(2)c

  Giving or offering to give a fighting dog

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Sec. 1(2)d

  Allowing a fighting dog to be in a public place without muzzle or lead

  12

  8

  7

  2

  11

  6

  Sec. 1(2)e

  Abandoning, or allowing to stray, a fighting dog

  3

  2

  —

  —

  2

  1

  Sec. 1(3)

  Possession without exemption of a Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa or other designated fighting dog

  15

  9

  23

  8

  12

  5

  Sec. 3(1)

  Owner or person in charge allowing dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, no injury being caused

  175

  88

  248

  125

  254

  126

  Sec. 3(3)

  Owner or person in charge allowing dog to enter a non-public place causing reasonable apprehension of injury to a person

  10

  4

  12

  8

  9

  5

  Total of above

  497

  237

  758

  400

  772

  424

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; and if he will make a statement. [8660]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for dangerous dog legislation has now passed to me at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. We have no plans to review the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

  Police Pension Rights
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that his Department's

  Dangerous Dogs Act
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were(a) brought and (b) successful under (i) section 1 and (ii) section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [8663]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The available information, taken from the Home Office court proceedings database, is shown in the table.

  It shows, for 1997, 1998 and 1999, the number of defendants proceeded against and those found guilty of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in England and Wales.

  Information for 2000 has not yet been published.

  changes to terms and conditions of service for police officers include the granting of pension rights to cohabiting partners. [8674]

  Mr. Denham
  Police pension arrangements are being reviewed in the coming months in the context of the police reform programme.

  Drugs
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the statutory provisions which allow him to give a direction prohibiting a doctor from prescribing controlled drugs have not been used since November 1997. [8636]
  287W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 18 October 2001]: The statutory provisions which give rise to such directions (known as the Misuse of Drugs Tribunal) have been seldom used since the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was introduced. They are cumbersome, time consuming and inflexible.

  In its response to the report of the independent inquiry into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, set up by the Police Foundation, the Government accepted the recommendation that the tribunal system should be abolished with reliance henceforth placed on the revised procedures of the General Medical Council to provide an effective remedy.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of users of(a) all illegal drugs, (b) cannabis, (c) class A drugs and (d) class A drugs excluding heroin are graduates; and if this affects drug education programmes. [8648]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The statistics available at present do not provide information on the percentage of graduates using illegal drugs.

  One of the aims of the Government's anti-drug strategy is to reduce the number of young people reporting the use of Class A drugs. All decisions concerning drug education programmes are taken at a local level, based on guidance provided by the Department for Education and Skills.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in drug use among those of Indian heritage. [8649]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government have been concerned about not only the increase in drug use among ethnic minority groups but also the quality of the delivery of drugs prevention and drug treatment services to them. We have commissioned a study to look at the whole area of drugs and ethnicity which was undertaken by Kamlesh Patel from the University of Central Lancashire and Michael Shinner from Goldsmith's College. A report has been submitted to the Home Office which will be published in January and will help to inform a wider diversity strategy on drugs.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the steps his Department is taking to reduce drug dependency in Worcestershire. [8626]

  Transaction/Project title

  Estimated cost saving1 (£ million)

  Outstanding payments

  2001

  Rainsbrook (Onley) Training Centre Expansion

  10.5

  Heat Energy Services Tranche 2

  3.73

  2—

  2000

  Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Ryehill

  55.0

  HMP Dovegate

  51.0

  Quantum

  128.0

  Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

  3—

  IT2000 (Sinus Programme)

  50

  Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP)

  130.0

  1999

  —

  288W
  Mr. Denham
  My Department continues to support and fund the local drug action team in Worcestershire. The drug action team has taken numerous steps in support of the Government's four aims under the drugs strategy relating to young people, treatment, communities and availability. In 2000–01 these have included implementing arrest referral and Drug Treatment and Testing Order schemes in the county, developing 'parenting communication programmes', and developing drug enforcement activity within the West Mercia Policing Plan.

  Mr. Hussain Ahmed
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will postpone the removal of Mr. Hussain Ahmed (Home Office Ref: A570495) until after his wife gives birth to their child. [8728]

  Angela Eagle
  Lord Rooker responded to my hon. Friend by letter on 5 October 2001.

  Fingerprint Evidence
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the standards used in determining fingerprint evidence. [8606]

  Mr. Denham
  I have no plans to review the standards used in determining fingerprint evidence. Following extensive consultation with the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney-General and other criminal justice system stakeholders, the Association of Chief Police Officers introduced the change in fingerprint evidential standard from 16 points to a non-numerical system from Monday 11 June 2001.

  PFI
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many PFI transactions have been overseen by his Department in each of the last 10 years; what his estimate is of the cost savings made in each of these transactions in comparison with the public sector alternative; what the outstanding payments to be made in relation to these transactions are for each of the next 15 years; and if he will make a statement. [5732]

  Beverley Hughes
  From the best information available, I list the PFI transactions overseen in the last 10 years:
  289W

  Transaction/Project title

  Estimated cost saving1 (£ million)

  Outstanding payments

  1998

  Rainsbrook (Onley) Secure Training Centre

  25.2

  Hassockfield (Medomsley) Secure Training Centre

  29.5

  HMP Forest Bank

  30.0

  Her Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS) Heat Energy Services Tranche 1

  3.3

  Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution (HMYOI) Ashfield

  19.0

  Passport Application Support System-Front End

  4—

  Passport Application Support System-Back End

  4—

  1997

  Medway (Cookham Wood) Secure Training Centre

  521.9

  1996

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) Casework Programme

  6—

  HMP Parc

  53.0

  HMP Lowdham Grange

  30.0

  1995

  HMP Altcourse

  1.5

  1994

  —

  1993

  —

  1992

  —

  1 Published guidance on Public Sector Comparators notes that: "Accounting Officers should not rely solely on a straight comparison of a Private Finance Initiative (PEI) bid to its Public Sector Comparator (PSC), which should never be regarded as a pass/fail test but instead as a quantitative way of informing judgment". (Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No. 5: How to construct a public sector comparator).

  2 Details of individual payments to Contractors under Private Finance Initiative contracts are usually regarded as commercially confidential. Aggregate figures of estimated payments under all Private Finance Initiative contracts for the years 2001–02 to 2025–26 were published in Table C18 of the Budget 2001 "Red Book".

  3 The value of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) contract and therefore that of outstanding payments, is entirely dependant on demand and so cannot be forecast with any greater accuracy. At this stage, before the Bureau has become fully operational, estimated cost savings cannot be calculated.

  4 It is unlikely that there will be any savings compared with the previous passport production operation. Following the passport problems of 1999, United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) embarked on a large number of initiatives to improve the service. These resulted in major changes to the system and associated hardware and the requirement of the PEI partners to increase all their resources to match capacity. The delay to the implementation of the system at all offices has delayed the income stream for both partners.

  5 A PSC was not calculated on the grounds that this was not necessary for projects which would not have gone ahead otherwise, because public sector capital provision was not available. The reasonableness of the bid was tested by comparing it with the nearest public sector example, ie the cost per place of local authority secure accommodation. The estimated cost saving has been calculated by deducting the Net Present Value (NPV) from the average of the PSCs for Rainsbrook and Hassockfield Secure Training Centres (STCs) (both 40 place STCs, similar to Medway).

  6 No PSC constructed. The directorate decided that it would be unrealistic to construct a conventional PSC. Detailed plans for a conventional solution were not available and the bids received proposed packages of risks, costs and benefits which were different from each other and from the ideas for a conventional solution which had emerged from a 1994 review by SEMA.

  Police Wildlife Liaison Officers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police forces with at least one wildlife liaison officer. [8005]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 October 2001]: There is a widespread network of police wildlife liaison officers across police forces but it is for each force to determine how, and to what extent this work is undertaken. Every force has a wildlife liaison capability of some sort although this varies from force to force.

  Work recently completed by the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in July 2001 resulted in the publication of a "Directory of Information Sources" which lists police wildlife liaison officer contacts. Details are recorded for more than 500 officers from forces in England and Wales.

  Trenchard House
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make representations to the Metropolitan Police Authority to overturn their decision to sell off Trenchard House in Soho. [7938]

  Mr. Denham
  The decision to sell Trenchard House rests with the Metropolitan Policy Authority. I have no plans to make representations.

  Airline Passengers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken at British airports to examine more closely the documentation of transit passengers into and out of the UK; and what guidance he gives relating to screening luggage of such passengers on arrival and departure. [7431]

  Angela Eagle
  Large numbers of passengers who transit the United Kingdom do not pass through United Kingdom immigration controls if they are proceeding without delay on a flight from the same airport.
  291W
  At times of heightened security airport authorities are required by aviation security directions to route all passengers through immigration controls. This happened for six days after the attacks on the United States of America on 11 September.

  Those passengers who are transiting the United Kingdom but depart from another airport or the next day are presented to the United Kingdom immigration controls where they are examined by an immigration officer before being allowed into the United Kingdom.

  That examination includes checking personal details against the immigration service warnings index. The warnings index computer system is the primary tool for providing information to staff operating the immigration entry control. All immigration service staff at control points have access to the warning index and portable equipment is available for use elsewhere when needed. All arriving non-European economic area (EEA) passengers are checked against the system.

  Aviation security is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and I am advised that the Department does not require screening of incoming baggage on arrival in the United Kingdom. I am, however, advised that all airlines flying from the United Kingdom are directed to screen all departing baggage whether from any passenger transferring through a United Kingdom airport or an originating passenger. In addition, at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration, all passenger baggage on transit flights to the United States of America and Canada is screened at United Kingdom airports.

  The Government are putting forward new legislation to counter the threat from international terrorism, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on Monday 15 October 2001, and are looking at the existing legislation on the collection of passenger information and the sharing of that information between the law enforcement agencies.

  Race Relations
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will bring forward secondary legislation under section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976. [10242]

  Angela Eagle
  I have today laid two Orders under Section 71 of the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000).

  The Orders bring into effect the proposals set out in the consultation document on implementation of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 which was published on 22 February this year.

  The first Order brings some 300 additional bodies (or groups of bodies) within the scope of the general duty to promote race equality. The second imposes specific duties on the policy and service delivery functions of key public bodies to which the general duty applies, to ensure their better performance of the general duty. Separate duties are placed on schools and other educational bodies. It also places duties on the employment functions of bodies to which the general duty applies.

  The Orders will come into force on 3 December 2001.

PRIME MINISTER

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the personal prerogative powers exercised by the Queen. [8096]

  The Prime Minister
  Most of the prerogative powers under the Crown are exercised on the advice of Ministers. A small proportion are personal powers of the Sovereign where he or she may or must act without ministerial advice, such as, in certain circumstances, the power to refuse a dissolution of Parliament. The exercise of powers under the prerogative has evolved over many years, and a precise list is not possible.

  MOX Plutonium Plant
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what role he played in making the decision to permit British Nuclear Fuels to operate its MOX plutonium fuels plant; and what considerations underlay the decision to announce the decision on 3 October. [8871]

  The Prime Minister
  The decision to permit the manufacture of mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel was made by the Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Health having considered all relevant information, including the responses to their public consultation. The timing of the announcement was a matter for those Ministers and they made it at the earliest opportunity.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Cabinet Secretary has established an investigation into civil service procedures and relations with special advisers. [9637]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish new guidance to special advisers on their relations with officials and the media. [9638]

  The Prime Minister
  No. The new "Code of Conduct for Special Advisers" already sets out special advisers' responsibilities in relation to the permanent civil service and their contacts with the media. All civil servants, including special advisers, who work on media and publicity-related issues, are also covered by "Guidance on the Work of Government Information Service".

  Minister for Local Government and the Regions
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he last spoke to the Minister for Local Government and the Regions; [9635]

  (2) if he has communicated with the Minister for Local Government and the Regions concerning the latter's 12 September press release on councillors' allowances; [9636]

  (3) on 'what occasions he has spoken to the Secretary of State for Transport since 10 September; and what matters were discussed. [9632]
  293W
  The Prime Minister
  I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects, and will continue to do so. As with previous Governments it is not my practice to provide details of confidential discussions.

  News Management
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will issue guidance to Ministers to ensure that the practice of timing the release of information with a view to minimising coverage of that information is discontinued. [8768]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 October 2001]: No. The Ministerial Code already makes it clear that Ministers should be as open as possible with Parliament and the public. The published guidance on the work of the Government Information Service and the GICS Handbook sets out clear principles and guidance for all those who support Ministers in this role.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Summer Recess (Departmental Publications)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess. [9237]

  Mr. Leslie
  For the period of the summer recess, 20 July to 15 October inclusive, 18 press notices were issued on behalf of the Department. All press notices are published on the Cabinet Office website and are freely available to the public. The Cabinet Office (including the HMSO) issued eight consultation documents during the same period.

  Cabinet Office consultations issued during recess included:
  The Transport and Social Exclusion Consultation, issued on 25 July:
  The Future of Emergency Planning in England and Wales, issued on 7 August: and
  Licensing of Crown Copyright (HMSO), issued on 12 October.

  The three documents can be accessed via the Department's own website register of consultations or on the central Government UKOnline register.

  The figures also include five 'GovTalk' consultation documents issued during recess. GovTalk.gov.uk is a website which enables the public sector, industry and other interested participants to work together to develop and agree policies and standards for e-government.

  Departmental Running Costs
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the total annual running costs for buildings used, owned or rented by his Department for each nation and region of the UK, and estimate the average cost per square metre for properties used by his Department as a whole, and by region and nation of the UK. [6783]

  Mr. Leslie
  Estimates for the total running costs (in total and on an average cost per metre basis) for the financial year 2000–01 in respect of buildings used, owned or rented by my Department are as follows.294W

  Country/region

  Total running cost (£000)

  Average costs per m2 (£/m2)

  Scotland

  25

  606

  Wales

  14

  92

  London

  26,405

  409

  South West

  95

  238

  South East

  3,298

  237

  North West

  104

  262

  East of England

  75

  221

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  90

  210

  East Midlands

  49

  269

  North East

  41

  162

  West Midlands

  103

  233

  Total England

  30,260

  374

  The figures in the table exclude:

  (a) Running costs totalling some £523,000, mainly in respect of the Emergency Planning College in Yorkshire, where building costs on a square metre basis are not currently available.

  (b) Some £34,000 in respect of running costs incurred by the Central Office of Information on accommodation in Wales, Scotland and the South West where cost on per square metre basis is not known.

  (c) Figures in respect of the Government Offices for the Regions and the Regional Co-ordination Unit, which have been included in the answer supplied by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  (d) Accommodation that the Cabinet Office owns but is occupied by another and those buildings that were vacant during the above period.

  (e) VAT.

  "Government Opportunities"
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of the(a) production and (b) distribution of the publication "Government Opportunities". [8978]

  Mr. Leslie
  "Government Opportunities" is a publication issued by a private publisher at no cost to the Government.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Palestine
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to tackle poverty among Palestinians. [6119]

  Clare Short
  Poverty among the Palestinian people has deepened greatly during the last year when closures of the West Bank and Gaza have become more frequent and severe. The key to tackling poverty is to find a just and lasting solution to peace in the Middle East. The Government are working to try to establish practical steps forward.

  Since 1994 we have provided technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority to help prepare for Palestinian statehood.

  To help cope with the current crises we have increased our contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees. We have recently committed £6 million to support emergency assistance to deal with the current crises.

  Africa
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to prevent violent conflict in Africa. [6121]

  Clare Short
  Violent conflict remains one of the biggest barriers to development in Africa. More than 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are currently affected by or recovering from violent conflict and 20 per cent. of the continent's population live in countries affected by armed conflicts.

  We are also working jointly with the FCO and MOD to improve the effectiveness of the UK contribution to conflict prevention and resolution in Africa through a new joint funding arrangement. Our joint paper on the causes of conflict in Africa will be published shortly.

  The UK Government are strongly committed to bringing the conflict in Sierra Leone to an end and promoting development for the people of Sierra Leone. It is essential that we do not have another failed UN peacekeeping operation in Africa.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to support Africa's development efforts. [6139]

  Clare Short
  The Government are strongly committed to enhance international effort to promote development in Africa. We have in the past four years built strong programmes on a range of issues from conflict reduction to HIV/AIDS and education, to support for anti-corruption strategies. We are also leading the way in formulating innovative and new ways of disbursing funds, for example, providing direct budgetary support to those African countries with the most development focused policies.

  This is a vitally important moment in the development of Africa. Not only have African countries recently joined together to agree the New African Initiative, but the Prime Minister has also signalled his own personal commitment to Africa in this Parliament, ensuring that it has also become a focus of the G8 for this year as well.

  The New African Initiative is an African led movement to articulate what Africans themselves need to do, and the help they need from donors and the international community, in order to lift themselves out of poverty. DFID have been working closely with the leaders of the NAI to ensure that our response to it is based firmly on the priorities identified by African Governments.

  India
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her development priorities for India. [6122]

  Clare Short
  The UK was providing £60 million in aid to India in 1997. This figure is projected to increase to over £300 million by 2003–04 in acknowledgement of the fact that one third of the poor of the world live in India.

  Our programme in India is aimed at helping government, at both national and state level, to deliver pro-poor policies and services. We are working closely with four partner states committed to poverty reduction, including on their programmes of fiscal and public sector
  296W
  reform. We are also working on increasing access to basic health, education, and water and sanitation services for the poor, on promoting better management of the natural and physical environment, and on promoting greater empowerment of the poor, especially women and the marginalized.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work her Department is undertaking in respect of the aftermath of the Gujarat earthquake. [6130]

  Clare Short
  In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake my Department's priority was to ensure that survivors received humanitarian assistance until normal services could be restored. Subsequently the Indian Government have developed plans for rehabilitation and reconstruction, largely funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The UK makes contributions to both of these institutions. We have also offered assistance to the Indian Government to strengthen disaster preparedness arrangements across the country.

  China
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she plans to have with the Chinese Government about human rights in China following the 2008 Olympics decision. [6123]

  Clare Short
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office leads for the British Government on the issue of human rights and raises this regularly and in depth with the Chinese Government. I have no specific plans to discuss human rights with the Chinese Government but would do so if an opportunity arose, as it did during my last visit to China in October 2000. DFID's expanding programme in China is focused on improving economic and social rights, ensuring that poor people benefit from China's economic growth.

  Tibet
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to help the people of Tibet. [6124]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development supports two projects in Tibet that are implemented by Save the Children UK. The goal of these projects is to provide basic services to poor Tibetan communities to improve their access to education, clean water and sanitation facilities. Our funding allocation for these projects is currently £1,227,500.

  Global Health Fund
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the new Global Health Fund to combat malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in developing countries. [6125]

  Clare Short
  The Global Health Fund is being designed to make available more and better drugs and commodities for the prevention and treatment of malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS in the poorest countries. It will also provide some associated health systems strengthening to ensure supplies are delivered safely, effectively and equitably.
  297W
  Senior officials from my Department met with other donors, developing countries and multilateral agencies on 11–12 October in order to agree details so that the fund can be launched into operation by 1 January 2002. The UK has pledged US $200 million over five years. Total pledges to date amount to US $1.8 billion.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Lammy
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's activities in Sierra Leone. [6126]

  Clare Short
  In Sierra Leone, my Department is promoting security, by giving substantial support to the police, helping to make the country's Ministry of Defence democratically accountable, and reintegrating ex-combatants from all sides who wish to return to civilian life, providing budgetary support, to help meet the direct costs of running the country and delivering government services, strengthening governance, including by supporting the newly created Anti Corruption Commission, reforming the judiciary, and helping the Government prepare for the elections due next year, and providing substantial support to meet the ongoing humanitarian needs of those displaced by the conflict.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support the Government are giving to(a) democracy building and (b) conflict resolution in Sierra Leone. [6132]

  Clare Short
  We are one of the principal donors providing technical and other support to the National Elections Commission, to help ensure that the elections scheduled for next May are conducted freely, fairly and fully in accordance with democratic principles. Much of the rest of our development programme promotes democracy indirectly, by strengthening the processes of governance. Examples include our work to increase the accountability of the agencies responsible for security (police, army, and intelligence services), our support for judicial reform, for reform of governance in the paramount chiefdoms, the anti-corruption commission, and for strengthening the ability of civil society and the media to scrutinise government policy. Conflict resolution is being addressed by our support to the processes of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of ex-combatants. Here we are providing logistical assistance and other funding to the implementing agency, as well as funding a reintegration programme in Port Loko with the specific purpose of encouraging local communities to accept returning ex-combatants.

  Indebtedness
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she has made in reducing the debts owed by the poorest countries to G7 countries. [6127]

  Clare Short
  The UK has encouraged other donors, including our G7 partners to provide substantial relief on their bilateral debts. All the G7 countries are now providing 100 per cent. relief on their bilateral debts for countries that have qualified for relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative.
  298W
  The UK Government go further than is required under the HIPC and provide 100 per cent. debt relief to countries when they qualify for HIPC relief. The UK Government have also announced that they would hold all debt payments received from HIPC countries in trust, and return those payments to countries when they qualify for HIPC relief. The policy covers all debts owed by Governments in these countries to ECGD and CDC, freeing up more resources for poverty reduction.

  Kosovo
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the welfare of children in Kosovo. [6128]

  Clare Short
  Following the crisis in 1999 we provided £4.5 million to UNICEF for support to schools. Since then we have collaborated with UNMIK and the World Bank in a wide-ranging review of social policy in Kosovo. We are now working jointly with them on social policy reform, which includes the provision of social assistance to families and children in need and social services for the protection of children. We have funded the development by the World bank of a living standards measurement survey for Kosovo, which assesses the situation of families to assist the design and monitoring of social services and benefits. In parallel with this, we are providing support to UNMIK for the strengthening of the Institute of Social Policy which will set standards and quality assurance for children's services across Kosovo. We are also supporting UNMIK with a review of cash benefit systems.

  Third-world Debt
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on relieving third-world debt. [6129]

  Clare Short
  Twenty-three countries have now qualified for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, with three countries Bolivia, Mozambique and Uganda having completed the HIPC process. More than $53 billion of debt relief has been agreed for those countries, which together owe $74 billion, so a major part of their debt has been written off. The money released is spent on poverty reduction.

  The impact of that debt reduction means that social expenditure (primarily on health and education) in those countries is projected to rise by $1.7 billion per year. On average, these countries are expected to spend more than three times as much on social sectors in 2001–02 as on debt service. We hope that a further three countries—Ghana, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone—will reach their Decision Point this year. But the prospects of the 11 remaining eligible countries qualifying for relief in the near future are slim, as they are affected by conflict or have yet to demonstrate their commitment to reform. Greater progress on conflict resolution is needed so that these countries can qualify for debt relief.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she has made in working with her counterparts in(a) Europe and (b) other western nations to reduce the burden of debt in less developed countries. [6120]
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  Clare Short
  The international community continues to emphasise its commitment to reducing the debt burden of the poorest indebted countries, so that additional resources could be released for poverty reduction. At Genoa, the G8 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Also, the Paris Club of Official Bilateral Creditors, which brings together its 19 permanent members from Europe and elsewhere, have agreed to participate fully in the HIPC process, delivering debt relief to countries that have qualified for HIPC.

  Twenty-three countries have now qualified for HIPC relief, with three countries Bolivia, Mozambique and Uganda having completed the HIPC process. More than $53 billion of debt relief has been agreed for those countries, which together owe $74 billion, so a major part of their debt has been written off.

  We hope that a further three countries—Ghana, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone will reach their Decision Point this year. But the prospects of the 11 remaining eligible countries qualifying for relief in the near future are slim, as they are affected by conflict or have yet to demonstrate their commitment to reform. Greater progress on conflict resolution is needed so that these countries can qualify for debt relief.

  The UK is playing a key role in the development of the new Global Health Fund which is designed to make available drugs and commodities for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in the poorest countries. We have committed £125 million to this initiative which will benefit the poor in Africa and elsewhere.

  In addition, the Government are exploring the potential of a number of options for increasing the long-term affordability and availability of treatment for HIV/AIDS and related infections, while maintaining a focus on the development of sustainable health systems which is needed to deliver them.

  GATS
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to ensure that developing nations benefit from negotiations on the General Agreement on Trade in Services. [6131]

  Clare Short
  The current negotiations on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) offer developing countries the potential to gain access to new markets overseas and to benefit from more efficient and competitive services at home. Developing countries are particularly interested in the liberalisation of sectors where they have the greatest export potential. At present these are tourism and the temporary movement of people to work outside their home countries.

  My officials are working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ensure that UK and EU policy on trade in services takes development considerations into account.

  We are also working with the UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on a £350,000 project to strengthen developing country involvement in the services negotiations in Geneva.

  Women's Education
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in what ways her Department contributes to improving the education of women in the poorest countries. [6133]

  Clare Short
  Education is a precondition for development and poverty reduction. Investment in education for girls has been shown consistently to be one of the most important determinants of development, with positive implications for all other measures of progress. We are strongly committed to the international development targets of achieving universal primary education (UPE) by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary schooling by 2005. My Department's education strategy paper, "The challenge of universal primary education", recognises that achievement of UPE requires unwavering commitment to gender equality. Developing country Governments need to mainstream gender through all their policies and practices and have a real and sustained commitment to change. Since 1997 we have committed over £600 million to support sustainable primary education programmes, all with a strong focus on gender equality. We will do more. Our paper on "Poverty elimination and the empowerment of women" also indicates our commitment to stronger collaboration and co-ordination for the achievement of gender equality among donors, including the European Union, the UN system, the World bank and other international financial institutions.

  AIDS (Africa)
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to help southern African countries combat HIV/AIDS. [6135]

  Clare Short
  HIV/AIDS is the major development challenge in Southern Africa, and a priority for my Department's funding in that region.

  Building on previous (primarily health) HIV/AIDS initiatives which we have supported in South Africa, I have recently approved the design phase of a £40 million over four years HIV/AIDS Multisectoral Support Programme, the aim of which is to reduce the number of new HIV infections and the impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals, families and communities.

  Also under way is the Regional HIV/AIDS Programme, a commitment of £7.5 million over four years channelled through the SADC Health Sector Co-ordinating Unit, with coverage to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. The aim of this programme is to develop the capacity within each country, and across the region, to mount an effective response to the HIV epidemic.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what further assistance she proposes to deal with AIDS in Africa. [6134]

  Clare Short
  HIV/AIDS is the single most important development challenge in Africa. The epidemic is undermining economic growth and fundamentally threatens social and economic development in many countries. We know what needs to be done to tackle the
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  disease, and I strongly believe that commitments by the international community must now be transformed into a world wide effort to contain the spread of the disease.

  My Department continues to give greatest priority to prevention, but we also place great emphasis on reducing the personal, social and economic impact of illness and death caused by the disease.

  As national strategic plans to tackle the epidemic improve, we have begun to place our support within the framework of those plans. For example, we have recently approved significant HIV/AIDS related programmes in support of the national response in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe totalling over £60 million, £25 million for Ghana and a £20 million programme is being designed to support Mozambique. A major new multi sectoral HIV programme for South Africa is also planned for this year. We have also committed £25 million to support the International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa, and £7.5 million to a regional initiative on HIV/AIDS with the Southern Africa Development Community. We are providing £65 million in support of the Nigerian Government's efforts to control the spread of HIV.

  Developing Countries (Governance)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she next plans to meet representatives of the World bank to discuss governance in developing countries. [6136]

  Clare Short
  I have had discussions with the president of the World bank, James Wolfensohn, and his senior officials on a number of occasions throughout the year and, among other topics, have discussed governance.

  My Department considers good governance to be crucial to achievement of the international development targets, and has recently published a Governance Target Strategy Paper. This sets out our agenda for building the capability of the state in developing and transitional countries, to govern in ways that promote poverty eradication. Copies of this document are available in the House of Commons Library and on our website.

  An important priority in our governance strategy is to work in close collaboration with other development agencies, including the World bank, to promote and support a more coherent approach to making government work for poor people. My officials are pursuing this goal with colleagues in the World bank in the context of the Poverty Reduction Strategy framework, on a number of governance-related areas, including public financial management, public sector reform, and judicial reform.

  Turkey
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had regarding the Ilisu Dam project in south-east Turkey. [6137]

  Clare Short
  I have had no discussions on this project.

  Corruption
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to help developing countries fight corruption. [6138]
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  Clare Short
  Our bilateral programmes provide a wide range of assistance depending on the particular needs of each country. This includes support for national anti-corruption strategies (including support for specific anti-corruption agencies); strengthening capacity for public sector budgetary and financial management procurement, accounting and audit; reforming civil service management, enhancing public oversight through strengthened parliamentary committees, developing measures to reduce judicial corruption and supporting civil society to promote transparency and accountability in public life.

  We are also providing support to the UK National Criminal Intelligence Service, as current secretariat to the Egmont Group of national Financial Intelligence Units, to assist developing countries in developing financial intelligence systems to counter money laundering and are working closely with the Home Office to strengthen arrangements for mutual legal assistance, including providing practical guidance to developing country Governments to help them access the UK system.

  The Department is also collaborating with other bilateral development agencies and contributing to multilateral efforts, in particular through supporting the implementation of international conventions against bribery in international trade and strengthening regional anti-money-laundering mechanisms.

  United Nations Agencies
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the United Nations agencies in respect of which her Department acts as the United Kingdom lead Ministry. [6140]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development is the lead Ministry for the following United Nations Agencies:

  United Nations Development Programme

  United Nations Children's Fund

  Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

  International Fund for Agricultural Development

  United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

  United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT)

  United Nations Population Fund

  World Food Programme

  UNAIDS—Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS

  United Nations Development Fund for Women

  United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the New East

  United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

  We work closely with the FCO in respect of the following two agencies, where we take the lead on specific issues relating to our work:

  Office of the UN High Commission for Refugees

  Office of the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

  Forced Labour
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress member states have made in ratifying and implementing the provisions
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  of the conventions relating to the elimination of forced and compulsory labour covered by the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. [8072]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  I have been asked to reply.

  Out of a total of 175 member states, 159 have ratified ILO Convention 29 (Forced Labour), and 155 have ratified ILO Convention 105 (Abolition of Forced Labour). Member states which have ratified the Conventions must report to the ILO on implementation every two years, and member states which have not ratified must report on progress towards ratification every four years.

  Sustainable Development Summit
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultation she(a) has had and (b) will have with (i) the Department for the Environment and (ii) non-governmental organisations regarding the UK's proposals for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. [8312]

  Clare Short
  My Department is closely involved, at both official and ministerial level, in planning and agreeing HMG objectives for the summit. DFID is also in close touch with development NGOs. We will make available a briefing note on the UK position well in advance of the summit. WSSD is one of the three themes for the 2002 series of Development Policy Forums which take place across the UK in the first six months of next year.

  Microcredit Programme
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the Government will(a) support the Microcredit programme and (b) propose an increase in the level of UN funding for it; and if she will make a statement. [9029]

  Clare Short
  Microcredit has a very important role to play in achieving the Millennium Development Goal to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.

  Poor people need continuous access to appropriate savings, credit and other financial services. Put together, these services help poor people take advantage of opportunities to increase their incomes and build more secure livelihoods.

  For this reason, DFID has made multi-year investments totalling some £100 million, strengthening micro-finance institutions throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. Its bilateral programmes and partnerships with many other agencies support the development and dissemination of best practice in micro-finance. DFID collaborates with many expert institutions in this field. They include the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest, a coalition of donors and micro-finance practitioners developing new tools and approaches to improve delivery of micro-finance services all over the world.

  DFID has also collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme in the Micro-Start programme, and the jointly funded micro Save Programme in East Africa that pilots and replicates new pro-poor savings methodologies. DFID also works with the International
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  Labour Organisation to further the spread of post-conflict micro-finance. We support the allocation of further financial support to this sector, based on the principles of enhancing and replicating best practice, and accessing quality financial services to millions of poor families worldwide.

  Russia
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much economic aid has been given to Russia in the last three years; and in what programmes her Department is involved in that country. [9027]

  Clare Short
  In 1999 the international community provided $1.816 billion in net official assistance to Russia. This year, my Department plans to provide approximately £40 million, of which £26 million will be through our direct programme and most of the balance through the EC. The purpose of DFID assistance to Russia is to support the Government's economic and social modernisation programme in order to reduce poverty, as set out in our country Strategy Paper 2001–05 a copy of which is available in the Library. Current priorities include support to WTO accession, public administration reform and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what percentage of the sexually active population in(a) Botswana and (b) Namibia is infected with HIV/AIDS; how many and what percentage are being treated with anti-retroviral drugs; and if she will make a statement. [9064]

  Clare Short
  The best data available are derived from annual surveys of pregnant women seeking ante-natal care. Extrapolations from the 2000 data suggest that up to 306,000 people aged 15 to 49 in Botswana and 190,000 in Namibia are HIV positive. This means that 38.5 per cent. of 15–49 year olds in Botswana and 22.3 per cent. of this group in Namibia are infected. At present, no one in either country receives free anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) from the Government. The Government of Botswana plan to introduce a comprehensive scheme to provide free ARV treatment to all who are HIV positive by the end of the year. Botswana has a national Mother to Child Transmission programme that includes the provision of a single dose of Nevirapine to reduce the risk of peri-natal and ante-natal transmission of HIV.

  Swaziland
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effects on the sugar industry in Swaziland of sugar imports from the EU. [8616]

  Clare Short
  We have not recently made any detailed assessment of the sugar industry in Swaziland.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that more routes for humanitarian aid convoys into Afghanistan are opened up as soon as possible. [8776]
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  Clare Short
  My Department is actively supporting the endeavours of the UN agencies—including the UN World Food Programme, the Red Cross and non-governmental organisations to deliver as much food as possible through existing land convoy routes into Afghanistan.

  We are also encouraging the opening of new land convoy routes by backing the representations of international humanitarian agencies to the Governments of neighbouring countries, requesting that they open their borders to allow the transportation of vital relief supplies into Afghanistan. The funds that we are channelling through international aid agencies working in the region are being used to stockpile relief goods in neighbouring countries for assistance to Afghan refugees and for onward transportation into Afghanistan as conditions allow.

  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been allocated since 11 September for humanitarian relief in Afghanistan; and how it has been distributed. [8781]

  Clare Short
  We have set aside £40 million to respond to the current crisis affecting Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. About £22 million has already been allocated to agencies for their work in the region: approximately £14 million to UN agencies; £3 million to the Red Cross movement; and around £5 million to non-governmental organisations.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of the bombing campaign on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan; [9074]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the desirability of a temporary cessation in military action in Afghanistan to enable humanitarian aid to be provided. [9075]

  Clare Short
  A temporary cessation in military action would not remove our difficulties in getting supplies into Afghanistan which have been difficult for a long time and were halted after September 11 before the military campaign began.

  The UN has recently increased its delivery of food although this is still short of what is required to lay down sufficient stocks for the winter. The World Food Programme has reported delivery of 6,644 tonnes of food to Afghanistan in the first half of this month. We continue to work with WFP to increase the rate of delivery.

HEALTH

  Spinal Injuries
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will ask the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to consider the use of methylprednisolone in the emergency treatment of spinal cord injuries; and if he will make a statement; [6746]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent of the use of methylprednisolone in the immediate treatment of spinal cord injuries; and if he will make a statement. [6748]
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  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 15 October 2001]: There has been a recent review of the evidence, in the journal Spinal Cord 2000, "High Dose methylprednisolone in the management of acute spinal cord injury—a systematic review from a clinical perspective." Their conclusion was that,
  the evidence produced by this systematic review does not support the use of high dose methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injury to improve neurological recovery. A deleterious effect on early mortality and morbidity cannot be excluded by this evidence.

  We are committed to keeping all interventions and treatment regimes under scrutiny and will consider commissioning guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence if we believe the treatment will have a significant impact on patient care, National Health Service resources, Government health related policies or the ability to add value, for example by resolving uncertainty over the appropriate use of the technology.

  Pharmacists Remuneration
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid, in 1990 values, to pharmacists for each prescription dispensed in each year since 1990–91. [7268]

  Jacqui Smith
  Remuneration paid to pharmacies is intended to cover the generality of the National Health Service pharmaceutical services they provide. The scope of these services is not restricted just to dispensing prescriptions and has changed over time. The total remuneration to be paid in any given year is distributed through a system of fees and allowances, some of which relate directly to the number (and type) of prescriptions dispensed, some of which do not. However, if the total remuneration paid to pharmacies in each year is divided by the number of dispensing fees paid, the result is as set out in the table.

  Value of payments made to community pharmacies, in England and Wales, per dispensing fee received—1990–91 to 2000–01 (in 1990–91 prices):

  £

  Year

  Value in 1990–91 prices

  1990–91

  1.39

  1991–92

  1.42

  1992–93

  1.33

  1993–94

  1.27

  1994–95

  1.24

  1995–96

  1.21

  1996–97

  1.18

  1997–98

  1.13

  1998–99

  1.09

  1999–2000

  1.08

  2000–01

  1.05

  Trolley Waits (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time on a trolley before admission to Leicestershire hospitals in the last 12 months. [8523]

  Mr. Hutton
  In the 12 months from the beginning of July 2000 to the end of June 2001, 15,690 patients were
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  admitted as an emergency through the accident and emergency department at University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service Trust.

  Sudden Death Syndrome
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the different methods available for screening young people for the conditions constituting sudden death syndrome. [8860]

  Jacqui Smith
  Sudden adult death syndrome is not one single condition but a group of conditions which result in the sudden and unexpected death of apparently healthy young adults.

  Many of the deaths in this syndrome appear to be caused by cardiomyopathies. Our policy is that the relatives of a family with a known high risk of contracting this disease should receive regular cardiovascular examinations.

  The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (NSC) advises Ministers, the devolved National Assemblies and the Scottish Parliament on all aspects of screening policy. The NSC does not currently recommend screening for cardiomyopathy but is keeping its position under review.

  The Department is working closely with the medical profession and voluntary organisations with a view to producing clear clinical guidance, which will play a key role in raising awareness, and in improving the diagnosis and testing of people at risk.

  Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest estimate of the number of people who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. [8861]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected, although data can be provided on hospital in-patient care.

  The figures in the table are taken from the hospital episode statistics database, which contains details of patients admitted to and treated in national health service hospitals in England.

  The number of finished consultant episodes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the 1999–2000 data year are as follows:

  Number

  Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  454

  Other hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  172

  A finished consultant episode is a period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. These figures do not represent the number of patients as a person may have more than one episode within the year.

  National Strategy for Alcohol
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in publishing and consulting on a national strategy for alcohol. [8867]
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  Jacqui Smith
  The broad timetable for the strategy is set out in the NHS Plan, which was published in July 2000. The plan said that the Department would be implementing the strategy by 2004. The Department expects to publish a consultation paper in due course.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the steps his Department is taking to reduce drug abuse in Worcestershire. [8627]

  Mr. Hutton
  Worcestershire health authority has a countywide strategy for substance misuse which has been agreed by all the relevant agencies. The health authority is leading on the following initiatives included in the action plan for March 2001 to April 2002:To set up a community drug team in the south of Worcestershire
  To increase and improve existing needle exchange provision
  To improve access to and provision of services for women, including pregnant women
  To assess the treatment and care needs of ethnic minority groups to improve access to services
  To further promote and encourage general practitioner liaison and shared care
  Working with community pharmacies and the local pharmaceutical committee to pilot supervised methadone consumption schemes in 2–3 local pharmacies, and review the results.

  The multi-agency drug action team is currently working to implement the strategy across the county.

  In addition, the health authority received £1.14 million (for 2001–02) from the Department to reduce drug abuse in Worcestershire.

  Keyworker Accommodation
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that all vacant National Health Service property suitable for use as National Health Service keyworker accommodation will be considered for that use in priority to any other use. [9502]

  Mr. Hutton
  As set out in the Department's estate-code section on priority purchase, it is our policy that surplus National Health Service property will be made available for other healthcare users, and this includes the provision of key-worker accommodation in appropriate locations. The Department is further required to follow Government accounting principles in the disposal of surplus NHS property to ensure value for money.

  Schizophrenia
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the findings of the Zito Trust report "The Practice Gap in Schizophrenia"; and if he will make a statement. [9504]

  Jacqui Smith
  The publication of the Zito Trust report "The Practice Gap in Schizophrenia" was welcome, timed as it was to be relevant to the work that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is carrying out for us to advise on the clinical and cost effectiveness of the use of
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  atypical antipsychotic drugs in treatment of schizophrenia relative to conventional antipsychotics. This technology appraisal will contribute to the ongoing development of a guideline on the management of schizophrenia which should be published in 2002.

  Hip Operations
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip operations have been carried out in Leicestershire in each year since 1992 and for the last year for which figures are available. [9084]

  Mr. Hutton
  Finished consultant episodes (FCE) where a hip replacement operation was performed at national health service hospitals in the Leicestershire health authority area from 1992–93 to 1999–2000 are set out in the table. 1999–2000 is the latest year for which official figures are available.

  Year

  Number

  1992–93

  817

  1993–94

  817

  1994–95

  732

  1995–96

  936

  1996–97

  966

  1997–98

  791

  1998–99

  968

  1999–2000

  979

  Notes:

  An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year. Data in this table are adjusted for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data, except for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  NHS Patients (Europe)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who authorises sending NHS patients for surgery in Europe. [9427]

  Mr. Hutton
  Under the E112 scheme provided by European Community law for referral of individual patients for hospital treatment within the European Economic Area (EEA) authorisations are made by the Department on behalf of England, Wales and Scotland, generally after obtaining the agreement of the patient's national health service consultant and health authority. Northern Ireland operates its authorisation scheme independently.

  Following recent rulings of the European Court of Justice NHS bodies now have the power to commission treatment for their patients in EEA countries, as part of wider efforts to reduce waiting times.

  Kington Hospital (Herefordshire)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in building Kington Hospital in Herefordshire. [9043]

  Mr. Hutton
  Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and Herefordshire county council are working in partnership with an independent sector provider, Blanchworth Care, to improve health and social care services in Kington.
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  Blanchworth Care will build a new health facility in Kington, to which all of the services provided in the existing Kington Hospital will be relocated.

  Contract discussions are at a very advanced stage with all parties expecting to be able to conclude an agreement and sign a contract soon. Blanchworth Care has already secured a site for the new facility and will be in a position to commence work as soon as the contract is completed.

  Social and Care Workers
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to recruit and retain social and care workers. [9266]

  Jacqui Smith
  On 19 October 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £1.5 million recruitment campaign, which is designed to increase the number of people interested in careers in social work and social care work in England. As well as this action to tackle recruitment problems, the Department is also working with the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services to help employers implement policies to improve recruitment and retention of staff.

  Auxiliary Nurses (Pay)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pay increases have been awarded to auxiliary nurses each year since April 1997. [10214]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  Pay increases awarded to A and B grade nurses since 1997

  Year

  Grades A and B

  1997

  4.1 per cent, from 1 December 1997

  (2.0 per cent, from 1 April 1997)

  1998

  3.8 per cent, from 1 December 1998

  (2.0 per cent, from 1 April 1998)

  1999

  4.7 per cent.

  2000

  3.4 per cent.

  2001

  3.7 per cent.

  Note:

  All staged settlements are shown in full with the date of implementation first, followed by initial payment and date.

  Source:

  Advance letters, report of review body for nursing staff, midwives and health visitors

  NHS Delayed Discharges
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate has been made of the financial effect on the NHS of delayed discharge problems in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [9716]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS as a result of delayed discharges from hospitals in the last 12 months. [9718]

  Jacqui Smith
  Patients who have their discharge from an acute hospital bed delayed may be awaiting transfer to other national health service care (such as intermediate care), transfer to a nursing or residential care home or for a package of care and support to allow them to return
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  to their own home. It is not possible to calculate a meaningful overall monetary cost to the NHS of this delay.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds have been occupied in each health authority area in England and Wales in each of the latest nine months for which figures are available as a result of delayed discharges. [9717]
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  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Prior to June 2001 only data on delays to patients over 75 were collected centrally. From June 2001 figures have been collected for all adult patients, as well as those over 75, in order to give a more comprehensive picture of the reasons for delayed discharges.

  Provisional IRA: Alleged Security Force Collusion in the Irish Republic
  Provisional IRA: Alleged Security Force Collusion in the Irish Republic
  Provisional IRA: Creation
  Provisional IRA: Creation
  Northern Ireland: Deaths since 1969 as a Result of the Security Situation
  Northern Ireland: Deaths since 1969 as a Result of the Security Situation
  Republic of Ireland: Arms Dumps
  Republic of Ireland: Arms Dumps
  Northern Ireland: Police Recruitment Policy
  Northern Ireland: Police Recruitment Policy
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Written Answers
  Written Answers
  Yvonne Ridley: Release
  Yvonne Ridley: Release
  EU Common Position on Burma
  EU Common Position on Burma
  Armed Forces: Retention of Medical Officers
  Armed Forces: Retention of Medical Officers
  Armed Forces: Healthcare
  Armed Forces: Healthcare
  Operational Welfare Package: Personnel on Exercise Saif Sareea II
  Operational Welfare Package: Personnel on Exercise Saif Sareea II
  Radar Data: Retention
  Radar Data: Retention
  Race Relations Act 1976: Section 71 Orders
  Race Relations Act 1976: Section 71 Orders
  Passenger Aircraft: Evasive Action
  Passenger Aircraft: Evasive Action
  Railtrack: Thameslink 2000 Costs
  Railtrack: Thameslink 2000 Costs
  M6: Lighting
  M6: Lighting
  Abandoned Vehicles
  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr Alun Evans
  Mr Alun Evans
  National Football Stadium
  National Football Stadium
  Historical Manuscripts Commission: Annual Review 2000–01
  Historical Manuscripts Commission: Annual Review 2000–01
  Import Inspections
  Import Inspections
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Cost to Public Funds
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Cost to Public Funds
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Vaccine Tests
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Vaccine Tests
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Foreign Veterinarians
  Foot and Mouth Disease: Foreign Veterinarians
  Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food
  Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food
  Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship Framework Curriculum
  Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship Framework Curriculum