Written Answers of 11 April 2002

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to dispose of L5A7 plastic baton rounds; and how many have been retained for future use. [17763]

  Jane Kennedy
  All stocks of L5A7 baton rounds held by the police in Northern Ireland have been disposed of to the Ministry of Defence and none have been retained for future use.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those public bodies that are not designated for the purposes of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [38295]

  Mr. Browne
  Under section 75(3)(a) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has the authority to designate "any department, corporation or body listed in Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967…"

  The most recent list of bodies under Schedule 2 to the 1967 Act totals 237. Of these, 26 have been designated and a further 39 remain under consideration. These are:

  Alcohol Education and Research Council

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Boundary Commission

  Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship

  Committee on Standards in Public Life

  Commonwealth Institute

  Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom

  Community Development Foundation

  Consumer Council for Postal Services

  Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research

  Councils Economic and Social Research Council

  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Food Standards Agency

  494W

  Gas and Electricity Markets Authority

  General Social Care Council

  HM Treasury

  Home Office

  Information Commissioner

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Medical Research Council

  Ministry of Defence

  National Biological Standards Board (UK)

  National Care Standards Commission

  National Radiological Protection Board

  National Savings (part of the Treasury)

  National Environment Research Council

  Office of the Director General of Fair Trading

  Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council

  Pensions Compensation Board

  Post Office Users' Council for Northern Ireland

  Postal Services Commission

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  UK Passport Agency (part of the Home Office)

  United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board

  War Pensions Agency (part of the Department for Work and Pensions)

  War Pensions Committees.

  Of the remainder, 130 have no remit in Northern Ireland. It is not appropriate to designate a further 42 as they have no scope to affect equality in Northern Ireland (for example because their role is purely advisory). These are listed below:

  Bodies with no remit in Northern Ireland

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees

  Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales

  Agricultural Wages Committees

  Apple and Pear Research Council

  Arts Council of England

  Benefits Agency

  Britain-Russia Centre and the British East-West Centre

  British Association for Central and Eastern Europe

  British Museum British Potato Council

  British Tourist Authority

  Cabinet Office

  Central Office of Information

  Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations

  Charity Commission

  Child Support Agency

  Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

  Civil Justice Council

  Coal Authority

  Commission for Health Improvement

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Commission for the New Towns (English Partnerships)

  Committee of Investigation for Great Britain

  Competition Commission

  Construction Industry Training Board

  495W

  Consumers' Committee for Great Britain under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958

  Countryside Agency

  Court Service

  Crafts Council

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

  Crown Estate Office

  Department for Education and Skills

  Department for International Development

  Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

  Department for Work and Pensions

  Department of Health

  Development Corporations for new towns

  Disability Rights Commission

  Docklands Light Railway

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  Driving Standards Agency

  Education Transfer Council

  Employment Service

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

  English Heritage (Historical Buildings and Monuments Commission for England)

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  English Nature

  English Partnerships (Urban Regeneration Agency and Commission for the New Towns)

  English Sports Council

  English Tourist Board

  Environment Agency

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Fleet Air Arm Museum

  Football Licensing Authority

  Forestry Commission

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  Gas and Electricity Consumer Council

  Geffrye Museum

  Health and Safety Commission

  Health and Safety Executive

  Higher Education Funding Council for England

  Highways Agency

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Prison Service

  Horniman Museum and Gardens

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  Horticultural Development Council

  Housing Corporation

  Imperial War Museum

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee

  Land Registry

  Legal Services Commission

  Local Government Commission for England

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

  Meat and Livestock Commission Milk Development Council

  Museum of London

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  496W

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  National Army Museum

  National Consumer Council

  National Employers' Liaison Committee

  National Film and Television School

  National Forest Company

  National Gallery

  National Maritime Museum

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  National Portrait Gallery

  Natural History Museum

  Office for National Statistics

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England (OFSTED)

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland

  Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

  Office of the Director General of Water Services (OFWAT)

  Oil and Pipelines Agency

  Ordnance Survey

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales

  Parole Board

  Police Information Technology Organisation

  Public Record Office

  Rail Passengers' Committees

  Rail Passengers Council

  Regional Development Agencies (other than the London Development Agency)

  Remploy Ltd

  Residuary Bodies

  Royal Air Force Museum

  Royal Armouries Museum

  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

  Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (now merged with English Heritage)

  Royal Marines Museum

  Royal Naval Museum

  Royal Navy Submarine Museum

  Sir John Soane's Museum

  Strategic Rail Authority

  Tate Gallery

  Teacher Training Agency

  The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses

  The Corporation of the Trinity House of Deptford Strond

  UK Sports Council

  Urban Development Corporations established for urban development areas wholly in England

  Urban Regeneration Agency (English Partnerships)

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  Wallace Collection

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy

  Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

  Bodies with no scope to affect equality

  Advisory Board on Family Law

  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes

  Advisory Council on Public Records

  497W

  Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board

  British Educational Communications and Technology Agency

  British Film Institute

  British Hallmarking Council

  Building Societies Commission

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work

  Consumer Panel

  Design Council

  Electoral Commission

  Food Advisory Committee

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Gene Therapy Advisory Committee

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

  Immigration Services Commissioner

  Investors in People UK

  Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  Lord President of the Council's Office

  Medical Practices Committee

  Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee

  Millennium Commission

  National Debt Office

  National Lottery Commission

  New Millennium Experience Company Ltd

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA)

  Registry of Friendly Societies/Friendly Societies Commission

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

  Royal Mint

  Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health

  Sea Fish Industry Authority

  Simpler Trade Procedures Board

  Standing Dental Advisory Committee

  Standing Medical Advisory Committee

  Standing Nurse and Midwifery Advisory Committee

  Standing Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee

  The Great Britain-China Centre Treasure Valuation Committee

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

  Women's National Commission.

  Under section 75(3)(d) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Secretary of State can designate "any other person". This is not a finite list and it is not, therefore, possible to list those bodies not designated under 75(3)(d).

  Litigation
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases(a) his Department and (b) its agencies have defended in (i) industrial tribunals and (ii) the courts in each year since 1997; how many were concluded in their favour; and what the total cost to his Department of litigation was in each year. [41109]

  Dr John Reid
  Northern Ireland Office did not defend any industrial tribunal cases in the years concerned.
  498W
  The information in respect of court cases is not held in the format requested. However, between 1997 and 2002, 12 cases were defended, four of which were concluded in the Department's favour.

  The return for Agencies is as follows:

  year

  Cases Defended

  Concluded in favour of Agency

  Industrial Tribunals

  1997

  1

  1

  1998

  3

  3

  1999

  1

  1

  2000

  -

  -

  2001

  1

  1

  2002

  -

  -

  Courts

  1997

  13

  9

  1998

  22

  20

  1999

  19

  15

  2000

  30

  19

  2001

  20

  10

  2002

  -

  -

  Police Service
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 9 November 2001,Official Report, column 485W, in what manner the PSNI activity data collection will break down activities of the police; what the objectives and terms of reference for this exercise are; and in what way the results of such analysis will be made public. [29809]

  Jane Kennedy
  The PSNI activity analysis collection will break down activities in accordance with the ACPO National Police Activity Based Costing Model. This model is focused on the District/Basic Command Unit and encompasses the total cost of policing a given geographical area. It includes all of those policing services which are delivered by DCU staff, and includes contributions from Headquarters operational or organisational support units. The six core areas of policing activity to be analysed are crime, road traffic, public order, public reassurance, call management and prisoner handling. Each of these core areas are broken down into Incidents (and by association incident related activities) and Non-incident Related Activities. For example, Crime is broken down into Violence (sexual offences, robbery, violence against the person), Burglary (dwelling, other), Theft of or from a Motor Vehicle, Theft other (shoplifting), Criminal Damage, Drugs (Class A), Other Crime and Crime Desk/Telephone Investigation Bureau.

  The objectives of the Activity Analysis/Activity Based Costing Project are as follows:
  To provide complete, accurate and timely activity information through user friendly, on-line access to relevant systems;
  To make transparent the full cost of providing policing services, including by way of activity based costing;
  To assist in the delegation of operational and financial decision-making to the lowest level consistent with strategic direction and control;
  To link Activity management with Corporate Planning, Performance, Best Value and Inspection and Review.
  499W
  The main outputs from the Project will be as follows:
  Standard classification of policing activities linked to organisational objectives;
  Develop and conduct activity analysis programmes;
  Carry out research into other GB Forces' activity based costing and activity sampling systems and make appropriate recommendations;
  Identification of overheads;
  Development of overhead apportionment rules; Develop interfaces with other PSNI systems as required;
  Activity based costing extracted from existing computer systems;
  Activity sampling;
  Internal and external benchmarking;
  Trading accounts for Administration Departments;
  Costed Service Level agreements for Administration Departments.

  The analysis will be made public to enable informed decisions to be made about the allocation of scarce resources. Activity analysis will also help inform future funding debates and make explicit how resources are allocated across core police functions.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the number of complaints received by the Police Ombudsman by(a) perceived community origin, (b) gender and (c) other recorded categories of complainant. [43890]

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Reg

  Ftr

  Reg

  Ftr

  Reg

  Ftr

  Reg

  Ftr

  Reg

  Ftr

  Reg

  Ftr

  A

  557

  256

  536

  237

  536

  227

  522

  235

  514

  219

  480

  198

  B

  447

  374

  455

  344

  445

  378

  427

  350

  413

  342

  412

  327

  D

  721

  356

  713

  327

  727

  326

  720

  317

  712

  306

  721

  286

  E

  404

  374

  401

  364

  414

  372

  412

  355

  406

  335

  377

  310

  G

  290

  165

  295

  156

  300

  154

  307

  153

  313

  149

  296

  139

  H

  368

  230

  373

  203

  352

  210

  343

  205

  324

  188

  322

  172

  J

  266

  146

  267

  131

  277

  133

  284

  129

  299

  135

  285

  123

  K

  241

  141

  263

  139

  239

  140

  227

  140

  228

  125

  231

  114

  L

  434

  238

  428

  211

  413

  217

  406

  204

  412

  192

  396

  174

  N

  369

  215

  387

  197

  380

  203

  358

  192

  351

  176

  352

  169

  O

  295

  167

  307

  158

  292

  163

  301

  163

  291

  155

  287

  137

  P

  266

  109

  270

  106

  278

  109

  291

  101

  290

  96

  275

  85

  Total

  465

  277

  469

  257

  465

  263

  459

  254

  455

  241

  443

  223

  8

  1

  5

  3

  3

  2

  8

  4

  3

  8

  4

  4

  Jane Kennedy
  The numbers of regular and full-time reserve members of the Police Service in Northern Ireland in 2002, following the replacement of Divisions with District Commond Units (DCUs), are as follows:

  2002 (as at 15 March 2002)

  Ftr

  Reg

  N BMEN DCU

  108

  23

  N BMON DCU

  60

  14

  N COLE DCU

  109

  43

  N FERM DCU

  188

  82

  N FOYL DCU

  223

  83

  N LARN DCU

  68

  22

  N LIMA DCU

  63

  28

  N MFEL DCU

  88

  54

  500W
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many recipients there are of pensions paid(a) for their service and (b) by virtue of their husband's service in the Royal Irish constabulary including Auxiliaries. [44658]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are(a) no recipients of pensions paid to former officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary including Auxiliaries and (b) four recipients of pensions paid to widows by virtue of their husband's service.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions are under way against members of the Police Service in respect of activity carried out by them in the course of their duties in the period up to May 1998. [43434]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Chief Constable has advised that there is no record of any prosecutions underway against members of the Police Service in respect of activity carried out by them in the course of their duties from 1996 to May 1998. Records prior to 1996 are held in a form which is not readily retrieved.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) reserve members of the Police Service there were in each police division in Northern Ireland in each year since 1996. [43433]

  Jane Kennedy
  The numbers of regular and full-time reserve members of the Police Service in each police division in Northern Ireland in each year from 1996 to 2001, are as follows:

  2002 (as at 15 March 2002)

  Ftr

  Reg

  N MOYL DCU

  24

  11

  N OMAG DCU

  118

  41

  N STRB DCU

  100

  56

  S ARDS DCU

  121

  51

  S ARMA DCU

  124

  62

  S BANB DCU

  80

  29

  S COOK DCU

  84

  37

  S CRAI DCU

  165

  71

  S DAST DCU

  166

  72

  S DOWN DCU

  153

  85

  S NEWM DCU

  174

  87

  U ANTR DCU

  99

  54

  U BELE DCU

  196

  126

  501W

  2002 (as at 15 March 2002)

  Ftr

  Reg

  U BELN DCU

  334

  109

  U BELS DCU

  276

  142

  U BELW DCU

  254

  205

  U CFER DCU

  70

  52

  U CREA DCU

  104

  72

  U LISB DCU

  197

  112

  U NABB DCU

  129

  26

  U NDOW DCU

  139

  88

  Total

  4,014

  1,925

  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people identified as(a) Protestant and (b) Rzoman Catholic who have applied to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (i) were found to be suitably qualified and (ii) were not offered a position within the Police Service. [45756]

  Jane Kennedy
  In the first Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment competition, 419 candidates identified as non-Catholic and 173 candidates identified as Catholic were found to he suitably qualified.

  To date 245 candidates from the non-Catholic group have been informed that the Chief Constable cannot offer them an appointment, in accordance with Section 46 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. No candidate in the Catholic group has to date been refused an appointment.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenditure has been made on the refurbishment of the police Land Rover fleet in Northern Ireland in each year since 1995; what tendering processes were held for the award of the contracts; and what the benefit to the public purse will be of using low cost substitute Land Rover components in the refurbishment work. [46032]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Chief Constable has advised me that expenditure made on the refurbishment of the Police Landrover fleet since 1995 is as follows:

  Business Year

  Expenditure & Number

  Cost (New)

  Saving

  1995–96–97–98

  0

  0

  0

  1998–99

  £1250k (50 x vehicles)

  £2,250k

  £1,000k

  1,999–00

  £1,300k (50 x vehicles)

  £2,350k

  £1,050k

  2,000–01

  £980k (35 x vehicles)

  £1,645k

  £665k

  502W

  Business Year

  Expenditure & Number

  Cost (New)

  Saving

  2001–021

  £510k (15 x vehicles)

  £900k

  £390k

  Totals

  £4,040k (150 x vehicles)

  £7145k

  £3105k

  1 Phase 3 TD5 Land Rover approved power-train conversion.

  The refurbishment engineering programme was originally tendered through the Government Puchasing Agency and ratified via the Support Services Committee of the Police Authority.

  Later programmes have been tendered through the Government Purchasing Unit and ratified via Police Transport Policy Committee.

  The refurbishment programme includes the utilisation of discounted and approved Land Rover parts, which include a warranty period of 12 months. It is not possible to quantify separately the savings arising from the use of these component parts.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he expects the 2002 target for ethnic minority representation in the Home Civil Service Senior Civil Service Group will be met on time. [45988]

  Dr. John Reid
  In its 2001 Departmental Report, the Northern Ireland Office declared its continued commitment to progressing Home Civil Service (HCS) targets for increased ethnic minority representation in the Senior Civil Service. The aim is to have 5 per cent. ethnic minority representation by the end of 2002.

  Currently, 4.3 per cent. of the Home Civil Service Senior Civil Service Group are from an ethnic minority background.

  Crime
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the strategy and quantified targets for tackling crime were published by March 2001. [45999]

  Jane Kennedy
  Quantified targets for tackling crime were set out in the Annual Policing Plan 2001–02 published by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland in April 2001. The RUC Crime Strategy published in April 2000 remained valid for the year commencing April 2001.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press officers there were in his Department on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) the latest available date. [46889]

  Dr. John Reid
  Information is not held in the format requested.

  Statistics relating to the number of Information Officers in the Northern Ireland Office is as follows:

  (a) at 1 April 1997 there were 11 Information Officers; and

  (b) at 27 March 2002 there were 13 Information Officers.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of staff who have been seconded to his Department from the private sector since May 1997, indicating(a) the names of the organisation from which each has come, (b) their responsibilities and Civil Service grades within his Department, (c) the organisation responsible for paying their salary and (d) the start and end dates of their secondment. [35831]

  Dr. John Reid
  No staff have been seconded to this Department from the private sector since May 1997.

  Fraud
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the cost to its budget since 1 May 1997 of fraud; and if he will make a statement. [27299]

  Dr. John Reid
  The cost of fraud to the Northern Ireland Office budget, since 1 May 1997, is £51,728.65, however the Department has recovered £11,187.09 of this amount.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Departmental Functions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the functions of his Department that have been(a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case. [42997]

  Dr. Whitehead

  (a)

  Only those services in part (b) have been market tested in the last five years

  (b)

  Internal Press Cuttings Distributions

  (i)23.5k

  (ii) 100 per cent.

  DTLR Mailing Database

  (i)10.0k

  (ii) 75 per cent.

  Design Drawing and Print Services

  (i)443.8k

  (ii) 47 per cent.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many members of staff at his Department are justices of the peace; and if he has a strategy for his Department to encourage members of staff to become justices of the peace. [44558]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The DTLR does not keep a centralised record of those members of staff who are justices of the peace.

  My department supports members of staff who wish to become justices of the peace and provides special leave with pay in order to assist staff in their role.

  Equal Opportunities
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and 504W
  age have been commissioned by his Department since August 1997 to the Latest date for which information is available. [46494]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer Tuesday 26 March 2002]: In DTLR, two statistical series incorporating the specified variables have been commissioned in the time period in question. These are two household surveys, the survey of English Housing and the National Travel Survey. All four variables have been collected on the Survey of English Housing since before 1997 and ethnicity was included in the National Travel Survey in 2001.

  Part-time Employees
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are part-time employees. [47156]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 10 April 2002 [Ref 47193].

  Railtrack
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions pursuant to his statement of 25 March,Official Report, column 586, if he will give the reasons underlying his statement that a company limited by guarantee would be a good successor body to Railtrack plc in administration; [48166]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195W–197W.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the Railtrack Plc administrator to make available a prospectus to prospective bidders. [47989]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: This is a matter for the Administrator.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the likely outcome of an interim review for Railtrack. [47387]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 6 March 2002,Official Report, column 370W.

  Sony Display Screens (Swanwick)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in relation to the Health and Safety report of 15 March into the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 of the equipment at NERC Swanwick, what he is doing to ensure that all the defects mentioned in the report are rectified and in what time scale; for what reason the Health and Safety Executive relied on information
  505W
  supplied by NATS in relation to the size of the characters on the Sony display screens; and if they will take their own measurements. [47654]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has asked NATS to set out in writing the action it proposes to take on each of the items raised in the report together with a proposed timetable. HSE will consider what if any further action needs to be taken once it has received those proposals and will continue to monitor the situation.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, how many safety reports have been made by planning and tactical air controllers as a result of confusion of reading alpha numeric data on the Sony screen at NERC Swanwick. [47653]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for NATS.

  Public Service Obligations (Airports)
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations his Department has received concerning the imposition of public service obligations on regional airports with London; and what its response to these representations has been. [47955]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: The Scottish Executive has requested that a Public Service Obligation should be imposed on Inverness-Gatwick air services. The government expects to announce its decision shortly.

  Special Purpose Vehicles
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if it is his policy to raise private sector investment in the railways through special purpose vehicles. [47396]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Special purpose vehicles are expected to be an option for securing private sector investment in infrastructure projects. But private sector investment in the railways may also be secured by other means, and special purpose vehicles will not be suitable for all infrastructure projects.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed transfer of special purpose vehicles to Railtrack's successor after construction. [47394]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 728W.

  Network Rail
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the state aid rules as they apply to Network Rail; [48188]

  (2) if state aid rules will apply to the standby loans to Network Rail. [48189]
  506W
  Mr. Jamieson
  If Network Rail's offer for Railtrack plc's shares is successful any financial support provided to the company by Government would be notified to the European Commission as a potential state aid.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Network Rail will be able to replace commercial debt with standby loans from the SRA at a later date. [48187]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether his Department is statutorily obliged to meet additional costs resulting from an interim review of Railtrack's finances. [47398]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 January 2002,Official Report, column 783W.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who holds responsibility for deciding whether Network Rail takes over the network. [48184]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is for Railtrack Group to consider, with its shareholders, the proposal from Network Rail for the purchase of its shares in Railtrack plc. If the proposal is accepted, the Secretary of State would in due course need to consider the exercise of his powers under the change of control provisions in the existing network licence held by Railtrack plc. In addition, the Court would need to order, on an application by my right hon. Friend, that the Railways Administration Order should be discharged. It is for the Administrators to decide how to continue with their process in the light of their responsibilities and the proposal that has been made.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the funding of Network Rail or another successor to Railtrack for Control Period 3. [48183]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 956W.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the directors and putative directors of Network Rail and their previous experience(a) in the railway industry and (b) in business. [47121]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The details of its proposals are a matter for Network Rail.

  Channel Tunnel
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he last spoke to his French counterpart about rail freight carriage through the Channel Tunnel. [47512]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Ministers maintain regular contacts with their Friends counterparts on this issue.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with(a) the EU Transport Commissioner and (b) the French Transport Minister on the indefinite suspension of the Channel Tunnel rail

  507W
  freight facilities; what assessment he has made of the impact on his rail freight target of the indefinite suspension of the Channel Tunnel rail freight facilities; and if he will make a statement. [47915]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department, and others, are in regular contact with both the European Commission and the French Government on this matter.

  We will be producing a review of the 10 Year Plan in July this year.

  South West Trains
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the upgrades to the South West Trains routes will be transferred from a special purpose vehicle into operation when they are completed in 2004. [47397]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 4 February,Official Report, columns 728W and 729W, as well as my right hon. Friend's answer to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 18 March, Official Report, column 21W.

  London Underground
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason the public sector comparator with the London Underground PPP includes the management costs associated with the administration of the private sector contracts. [47511]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Public Sector Comparator does not include any London Underground management costs associated with managing the private sector PPP contracts. It is London Underground's view that any public sector alternative would incur similar contract management costs in aggregate. As a result, such costs have been excluded from the value for money analysis, because they would not differentiate between the options.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the draft comfort letters that he is intending to issue in respect of the London Underground PPP. [48293]

  Mr. Byers
  I have decided to extend the consultation period for the comfort letters laid before this House on 20 March. This will provide the customary notification period.

  Brownfield Developments
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans there are to(a) cut taxes on brownfield developments and (b) introduce incentives to encourage builders away from green fields. [48589]

  Ms Keeble
  Budget 2001 introduced a tax relief for cleaning up contaminated land, 100 per cent. capital allowances for developing flats over shops and a number of VAT reliefs to encourage conversions and the renovation of empty property. From 30 November 2001, land and property transactions worth up to £150,000 in the UK's most deprived communities have 508W
  also been exempt from stamp duty. The aim of this fiscal package is to encourage and create incentives for the re-development of brownfield land and re-use of empty property, helping to protect greenfield sites.

  Any further changes to taxation policy are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

  Housing (VAT)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans there are to(a) abolish VAT on the renovation and conversion of existing houses and (b) to introduce VAT on building new houses. [48590]

  Ms Keeble
  Budget 2001 reduced the rate of VAT to 5 per cent. on the renovation of dwellings empty for three years or longer and on residential conversions that result in a change in the number of dwellings. Budget 2001 also introduced an adjustment to the zero rate of VAT to provide relief for the sale of renovated houses that have been empty for 10 years or more.

  Any further changes to VAT policy are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what conclusion he has drawn from the research by TRL on the effect of mobile phones on driver concentration; and if he will make a statement. [48194]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]. The report confirms advice given in the Highway Code that drivers should never use hand-held phones while driving and that using a hand-free phone is also likely to distract a driver's attention from the road.

  Airport Security
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what extra security measures his Department has taken at(a) London City Airport and (b) Gatwick Airport since 11 September 2001. [47375]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: Following the attacks on 11 September, heightened aviation security measures were introduced at all UK airports, including London City and Gatwick, and for all airlines operating from the UK. Security remains at an enhanced level, with the measures applying equally at all UK airports. We do not discuss the details of our aviation security requirements.

  Inquiry Costs
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the cost was of the(a) inquiry into the Clapham Rail Crash on 12 December 1998, (b) Sheen Inquiry into the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster on 6 March 1997, (c) Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry after the collision of 5 October 1999, (d) Marchioness Inquiry, (e) Piper Alpha Inquiry and (f) Southall Rail crash Inquiry. [48031]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The cost of the public inquiries are as follows:
  509W

  (a) Clapham Inquiry——figures could only be retrieved at disproportionate cost

  (b) Herald of Free Enterprise Inquiry——figures could only be retrieved at disproportionate cost

  (c) Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry——£7.0 million

  (d) Marchioness Inquiry——£5.1 million

  (e) Piper Alpha Inquiry——a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  (f) Southall Rail Inquiry——£2.25 million.

  Malicious Fires
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many malicious fires and incidents of abandoned vehicles there were in(a) London Borough of Havering and (b) Romford in (i) 1997, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001; and what steps he is taking to effectively tackle these problems. [47314]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Data on malicious fires are only available at Fire Brigade level. In 1997 the London Fire Brigade reported 6,388 malicious fires, of which 2,971 (47 per cent.) occurred in road vehicles. Provisional figures for 2000, the most recent year for which data are available, show there were 9,419 malicious fires of which 6,098 (65 per cent.) occurred in road vehicles.

  Information obtained form the London Borough of Havering shows that in 2000 the Borough reported 2,995 abandoned vehicles; the number for 2001 was 4,505. No information is available for 1997.

  No information on abandoned vehicles is available for Romford.

  The problem of abandoned cars is one part of a more general problem——the existence of a hard core of more than a million cars in the United Kingdom that are unlicensed and for which it is difficult to trace an owner. Not only are these vehicles at the heart of the problem of abandoned vehicles: they are untaxed, uninsured, have no MOT certificate, and in many cases it is not possible to trace their current owners when they are involved in accidents, parking and motoring offences and wider crime.

  Regulations made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to reduce the notice periods after which local authorities can remove abandoned cars to 24 hours in many cases came into effect on 9 April. Furthermore, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a package of related measures on 10 April which will enable local authorities, the police and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to tackle the problem of abandoned cars more effectively.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48399]
  510W
  Mr. Raynsford
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in future Departmental Annual Reports.

  School Transport (Safety)
  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to help local partnerships finance safe transport to school. [44492]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government is providing increased levels of funding through local transport plans to enable authorities, in partnership with transport operators, schools and local people to improve children's safety on the journey to and from school.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the per capita aggregate external funding is for the Sedgefield District and Durham county councils for the most recent year for which information is available. [48384]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Sedgefield Borough Council and Durham County Council have reported the following figures.

  Aggregate External Finance (AEF per capita for Sedgefield Borough Council and Durham County Council (2000–01 Outturn)

  Figures in £000s unless stated

  Durham County Council

  Sedgefield Borough Council

  Revenue Support Grant

  163,866

  3,447

  Redistributed Non-Domestic Rates

  126,543

  3,400

  Ring-fenced Grants inside AEF

  30,375

  303

  Total AEF

  320,784

  7,150

  Population figures (thousands)

  506

  89

  AEF per capita (£'s)

  634

  80

  Source:

  Revenue Summary return.

  Notes:

  AEF is central government support towards total standard spending. It comprises of Revenue Support Grant, Redistributed Non-domestic rates, and certain Ring-fenced grants.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the per capita aggregate borrowing permission is to Sedgefield district and Durham county councils in the most recent year for which information is available. [48386]

  Dr. Whitehead
  In 2000–01, per capita aggregate borrowing permission to Sedgefield District Council and Durham County Council respectively was £32.27 and £35.40.

  Source: Capital Outturn Return (COR4) for 2000–01. Mid-year population estimate for 2000 (ONS).

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Goverenment and the Regions what per capita aggregate capital grant is paid to the
  511W
  Sedgefield district and Durham county councils in the most recent year for which information is available. [48385]

  Dr. Whitehead
  In 2000–01 the per capita aggregate capital grant from central Government sources, paid to Sedgefield District Council and Durham County Council respectively was £5.34 and £16.15.

  Source: Capital Outturn Return (COR4) for 2000–01. Mid-year population estimate for 2000 (ONS).

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what Band D council tax is payable by householders in Sedgefield district to their district and county councils. [48387]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The average total Band D council tax payable in the area of Sedgefield Borough Council is £1,194. This is made up of:

  £145 for parish and town councils:

  £157 for Sedgefield Borough Council;

  £828 for Durham County Council; and

  £64 for Durham Police Authority.

  The figure of £1,194 per Band D property in Sedgefield is equivalent to £784 per dwelling. The difference is due largely to the fact that almost 90 per cent. of dwellings in the area that are liable to pay council tax are in Bands A, B or C.

  Local and Unitary Development Plans
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he plans to publish a report on progress on adoption of area wide local plans and unitary development plans. [48707]

  Ms Keeble
  A report on the progress made by local authorities in England in preparing and reviewing their Local Plans and Unitary development plans will be published in May.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to tackle low housing demand and abandonment. [48708]

  Mr. Byers
  Nine areas, where streets of boarded up and abandoned homes have led to a spiral of decline and misery for thousands of local residents, will get the opportunity to work with Government to establish pathfinder projects. Their aim will be to provide lasting solutions for communities blighted by derelict homes through investment and innovation. The lessons learnt can then be applied to other areas.

  Pathfinders will be formed in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, East Lancashire, Oldham and Rochdale, South Yorkshire, Humberside (Hull), Tyneside, North Staffordshire (Stoke), and Birmingham and Sandwell. The size of the pathfinders will be significant ranging from 40,000 to 120,000 properties.

  I am clear that the pathfinder projects will have to make some radical decisions in order to regenerate these areas. It is not sufficient to tackle the housing problem alone. Local authorities must work closely together with
  512W
  their partners——the police, the health authority, the Regional Development Agency, Housing Corporation and private sector——to rejuvenate our towns and cities.

  Low demand and abandoned housing is a major problem. But it also provides a unique opportunity to restructure and rebuild our cities for the twenty first century. We must now seize that opportunity. The Government will work with local people to deliver the change necessary and bring hope to those communities.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to publish directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority; and if he will make a statement. [49013]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today published directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House and are available on my department's website at: www.railways.dtlr.gov.uk.

  The directions and guidance set the SRA two main objectives: to work with the rail industry to achieve substantial lasting improvements in performance; and to work within its statutory framework to deliver the key targets for rail in our Ten Year Plan. The SRA also has other objectives, especially in relation to: leadership for the rail industry; driving up standards of punctuality, safety and comfort across all franchised services; and a much clearer and focussed approach to franchising.

  A response to the consultation on the draft directions and guidance has been published today and is available on my department's website.

  Cullen Report
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what date he estimates the recommendations of Lord Cullen's report will be fully implemented. [47517]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Lord Cullen recommended that all his recommendations be fully implemented within three years of the publication of his final report, ie by September 2004.

  The Health and Safety Commission will publish regular reviews of progress, including implementation dates.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff have been employed by her Department in each of the last 10 years. [42453]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 19 March(Official Report, column 295W).

  Human Rights Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cases have been brought
  513W
  against her Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost to public funds to date in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments. [45093]

  Dr. Howells
  Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge. The department is involved in comparatively little litigation. However, it has been involved to date in three cases where proceedings have been brought which raise issues under the Human Rights Act 1998. It is often difficult to attribute costs specifically to the human rights aspects of cases, so it is not possible to give an aggregate figure for legal costs defending human rights points. The department has not to date made any compensation payment associated with a Human Rights Act case.

  Independent Television Commission
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what costs the ITC has incurred in advising her Department on the creation of OFCOM. [46594]

  Dr. Howells
  This is a matter for the ITC

  Ofcom
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations her Department has received from the ITC on the issue of preparation for OFCOM; and what form they have taken. [46591]

  Dr. Howells
  The ITC has welcomed the proposals to establish OFCOM and has been closely involved, along with the other regulators who will go to make up OFCOM, in the early preparations for creating the new body.

  Underspend
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the(a) capital and (b) revenue underspend in her Department is expected to be in the financial year 2001–02. [47804]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: Estimated outturn figures for 2001–02 will be published in the Budget Report on 17 April.

  DCMS Public Appointments

  Sponsored body

  No. of members

  Remuneration range—— board (per annum unless stated)

  Remuneration chair (per annum unless stated)

  Within remit of Commissioner for Public Appointments

  Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  3

  31,800

  Yes

  Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites

  13

  Yes

  Advisory Council on Libraries

  1

  7,730

  32,010

  Yes

  Alcohol Education and Research Council

  15

  Yes

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  10

  No

  Arts Council of England

  12

  Yes

  British Broadcasting Corporation

  12

  14,930–26,250

  77,590

  Yes

  Chair of British Film Institute

  1

  No

  British Library Board

  14

  Yes

  British Museum

  25

  Yes

  British Tourist Authority

  6

  7,883–8,120

  41,930

  Yes

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  12

  16,310–38,530

  50,990

  Yes

  Churches Conservation Trust

  7

  No

  Channel 4 Television Corporation

  8

  8,330–18,260

  59,310

  No

  Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment

  14

  5,000–8,000

  30,000

  Yes

  The Community Fund

  17

  25,000

  Yes

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many times Ministers in her Department have travelled abroad at taxpayers' expense since March 2001; what countries they visited; and what the total cost of each visit was. [47108]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: Since 1999 this Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. The 1999 list contained information on all such visits undertaken from 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Details for travel undertaken in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

  Appointments
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list all the boards, committees and trustees that(a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department are wholly or partly responsible for appointing members to, listing for each one (i) the total membership of each board, committee or trustees, (ii) the procedure for making each appointment, (iii) the remuneration made and (iv) the term of office. [48376]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: The bodies for which I am wholly or partly responsible for the appointment of members are set out in the following table. This includes appointments made by other Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on my behalf and appointments made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, or through him, by Her Majesty The Queen, on which I advise. The table also includes bodies where appointments are the responsibility of others, but where I have an approving role. There are also bodies where I am responsible for making some appointments but where I have no role in others. Appointments which fall under the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments follow procedures which meet the requirements of her Code of Practice. For other appointments, the spirit of the Commissioner's Code is encouraged. Appointments to DCMS sponsored bodies are usually for terms of between three and five years.
  515W

  DCMS Public Appointments

  Sponsored body

  No. of members

  Remuneration range—— board (per annum unless stated)

  Remuneration chair (per annum unless stated)

  Within remit of Commissioner for Public Appointments

  Crafts Council

  1

  No

  English Heritage

  17

  2,235–5,000

  54,000

  Yes

  English Tourism Council

  7

  7,880

  37,440

  Yes

  Film Council

  15

  2,100

  Yes

  Football Licensing Authority

  8

  5,000

  Yes

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  5

  16,447

  Yes

  Geffrye Museum

  12

  Yes

  Historic Royal Palaces

  9

  Yes

  Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust

  11

  Yes

  Horserace Betting Levy Appeals Tribunal for England and Wales

  3

  187–265 per day

  48,250

  No

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  3

  14,900–19,800

  83,552

  Yes

  Horserace Totalisator

  9

  9,613

  33,026

  Yes

  Imperial War Museum

  22

  Yes

  Independent Football Commission

  1

  Yes

  Independent Television Commission

  11

  19,900–26,250

  77,590

  Yes

  Millennium Commission

  9

  Yes

  Museum of London

  17

  Yes

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  12

  Yes

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  14

  1,800–2,700

  22,660

  Yes

  National Gallery

  14

  Yes

  National Heritage Memorial Fund

  15

  4,440–17,590

  32,132

  Yes

  National Lottery Commission

  5

  6,378

  Yes

  National Maritime Museum

  16

  Yes

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  18

  Yes

  National Portrait Gallery

  16

  Yes

  Natural History Museum

  12

  Yes

  New Millennium Experience Co.

  11

  11,110

  Yes

  New Opportunities Fund

  13

  8,309–12,500

  24,133

  Yes

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  8

  Yes

  Public Lending Right Registrar

  1

  48,706

  Yes

  Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team

  6

  41,020

  Yes

  Radio Authority

  9

  14,930–19,690

  58,180

  Yes

  Chair of Culture South West

  1

  Yes

  Chair of East Midlands Regional Cultural Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Chair of East of England Regional Culture Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Chair of North East Regional Cultural Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Chair of North West Regional Cultural Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Chair of South East Regional Cultural Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Chair of West Midlands Regional Cultural Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Chair of Yorkshire and Humber Regional Cultural Consortium

  1

  Yes

  Resource

  17

  Yes

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Arts

  8

  Yes

  Royal Armouries

  11

  Yes

  Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

  18

  Yes

  Royal Opera House

  15

  No

  Royal Parks Advisory Board

  9

  No

  S4C

  8

  8,300

  44,480

  Yes

  Science Museum

  17

  Yes

  St. John Soane's Museum

  9

  Yes

  South Bank Centre Board Ltd.

  16

  No

  Spoliation Advisory Panel

  11

  5,631

  Yes

  Sport England

  19

  2,220–15,195

  25,205

  Yes

  Tate Gallery

  12

  Yes

  Theatres Trust

  15

  No

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  6

  Yes

  UK Sport

  16

  1,220

  36,705

  Yes

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  19

  Yes

  Wallace Collection

  8

  Yes

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list all the individuals that(a) she and her predecessors and (b) Ministers in her Department and their predecessors have appointed to boards, committees and trustees since 2 May 1997. [48378]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: The information you requested is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The list shows people who have been appointed or reappointed since 2 May 1997 by myself or by predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Chris Smith). This includes appointments which have been made by Ministers in my Department on my behalf. It
  516W
  does not include appointments made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister or, through him, by Her Majesty The Queen, on which I advise.

  Digital TV
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the methods employed by her Department to calculate the take up of(a) digital terrestrial, (b) digital satellite and (c) digital cable in the United Kingdom. [48374]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: My Department mainly uses information on subscriber figures from platform operators to give an indication of the take up figures of digital pay television for different platforms.
  517W
  The Office for National Statistics' omnibus survey has recently included a question which asks how households in Great Britain access digital television, which will enable us to assess take-up across individual platforms. We expect that this will give a more accurate figure in the light of increasing numbers of non-subscription digital viewers.

  BBC Accountability
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the means by which the British Broadcasting Corporation is accountable to Parliament. [48371]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: The BBC's accountability to Parliament is reflected primarily through the Royal Charter and Agreement. The Royal Charter is debated by Parliament before it comes into force and the Agreement is subject to formal approval by this House. In addition, the BBC's Annual Report and Accounts are laid in Parliament and Members have the opportunity ti ask the BBC Chairman and Governors questions at an open event on the day of publication. The BBC is also subject to inquiry by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which in recent years has held hearings on the BBC's Annual Report, and the Secretary of State is often required to answer questions in this House concerning the BBC. Under the 1991 transfer of responsibilities agreement between the BBC and the Home Office, when the Corporation assumed responsibility for administering the television licensing system, the BBC is accountable to the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee for the value for money of the collection and enforcement arrangements.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will list the dates on which(a) she, (b) Ministers, and (c) officials of her Departmen t have met (i) the Director General and (ii) other members of the Executive Committee of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the last 12 months; [48381]

  (2) if she will list the dates on which (a) she, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in her Department have met (i) the Chairman, (ii) the Vice Chairman anti (iii) other members of the Board of Governors of the British Broadcasting Corporation. [48331]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer Wednesday 10 April 2002]: I, Ministers and officials have met members of the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee regularly in the course of business both at formal meetings or at other functions.

PRIME MINISTER

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the conclusions of his Performance and Innovation Unit on the existing structure of institution involved in United Kingdom energy policy-making and delivery. [48687]

  The Prime Minister
  The PIU's conclusions on the 518W
  existing structure of institutions involved in United Kingdom energy policy-making and delivery are set out in Chapter 8 of the Energy Review. For the status of these conclusions and future government action, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Mann) on Thursday 14 February, Official Report, column 613W.

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Prime Minister when the Performance and Innovation Unit will publish its report on privacy and data-sharing. [49043]

  The Prime Minister
  The Performance and Innovation Unit's report"Privacy and Data-Sharing: The Way Forward for Public Services" is being published today. The report is important in the continuing development of customer-focused public services and sets out a strategy for improving the use of personal data in the public sector, while still safeguarding individual's privacy, including:
  (i) Making better use of technology to deliver more secure, more joined-up services——using technology to ensure data is secure at all times and to enable more joined-up, more personalised service delivery:
  (ii) Improving data quality——ensuring that the data held for public service delivery is good quality and up-to-date;
  (iii) Building public trust——ensuring that clear prinicples govern the way that personal information is used across the public sector and that there is greater oppenness in the interactions between public services and their consumers; and
  (iv) Addressing legal problems——ensuring that public services are clear about how the law regulates data-sharing, together with consultation on possible options for legislative changes.

  There are a number of recommendations in the report where we need a proper debate before final decisions are made. On those recommendations——set out in the report——the Government is seeking views from all interested parties. For the other recommendations, the Government wants to see early progress in taking them forward as part of the strategy in delivering the overall objectives.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Vote Office a nd the Libraries.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  South Middlesbrough Academy
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on a funding agreement between her Department and the proposed South Middlesbrough Academy. [48638]

  Mr. Timms
  My Department has been supporting the development of plans for a City Academy in South Middlesbrough. I welcome the commitment of the sponsors and Middlesbrough Council to establish an Academy which will raise standards in the area and meet the needs of local pupils and the wider community. I expect soon to be in a position to consider whether to enter into a funding agreement with the Academy.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Television
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the President of the Council if he will list the number of subscriptions to(a) digital terrestrial, (b) digital satellite and (c) digital cable television held by his Department for services in any departmental building from which Ministers work, stating for each subscription its (i) cost and (ii) purpose. [48361]

  Robin Cook
  My Department does not subscribe to(a) digital terrestrial, (b) digital satellite or (c) digital cable television. However, my Department does own a number of Sky Digiboxes to receive free-to-air digital channels.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Council how many times special advisers have accompanied Ministers on overseas visits in each of the last five years; which countries were visited; and what the total cost of each individual visit was. [47139]

  Robin Cook
  The information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Country

  No. of special advisers

  Overall cost of trip £

  October 2000

  Mexico

  1

  16,012.17

  September 2000

  Switzerland and Germany

  1

  6,697.21

  January 2001

  America1

  1

  48,387.01

  1The office of the Leader of the House was then responsible for the Business Co-ordination Unit which has since been transferred to the Cabinet Office.

  The cost of these visits attributed to Special Advisers is not available.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Council how many times Ministers in his Department have travelled abroad at taxpayers' expense since March 2001; what countries they visited; and what the total cost of each visit was. [47114]

  Robin Cook
  None.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask President of the Council if he will take steps to improve the response time to parliamentary questions. [47724]

  Robin Cook
  In its response to the Public Administration Select Committee's Second Report of Session 2000–01 on Ministerial Accountability and parliamentary questions, the Government made clear its commitment to providing prompt and accurate answers to parliamentary questions. This continues to be the Government's position.

  My Department will continue to improve on its performance. Arrangements are being made for additional training to be given to officials in my Department who provide draft replies.

WALES

  Foot and Mouth
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales w hat discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the Welsh Assembly on expenditure levels in(a) Wales arid (b) England on measures to alleviate FMD problems in 2001. [34911]

  Mr. Murphy
  [holding answer given on 11 February 2002.]: I have met the First Minister and the Rural Affairs Minister of the National Assembly for Wales regularly throughout 2001 and subsequently. A wide range of issues connected to FMD were discussed, including measures to alleviate FMD problems through compensation to farming businesses and measures to assist businesses (including tourism) affected by FMD.

  Additionally, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State was a member of the Rural Task Force set up to e Gamine and alleviate the effects of FMD on rural areas and rural businesses. The National Assembly for Wales was also a member of this group.

  Health and Safety (Computers)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees in his Department who regularly use computers have taken up the provision of a free eye test; and how this service is advertised to(a) current and (b) new staff. [36692]

  Mr. Murphy
  The Assembly operates this scheme for the Wales Office and maintains a log of applications, which is not broken down by operational unit. Hence, an aggregate figure for Wales Office is not readily available. To date about 420 Assembly staff have rrxeived a free eye test, some of these would have been Wales Office staff.

  The scheme is widely advertised through an induction questionnaire, induction course, on-line computer training package and Health and Safety bulletin board. Soon the scheme will be advertised through an intranet Health and Safety page, which is currently under development.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the(a) percentage and number of rail journeys undertaken on first class tickets, (b) average cost of a first class journey by rail and (c) total cost of rail travel in each of the past four years broken down by grade of civil servant. [37503]

  Mr. Murphy
  My staff undertake official rail journeys in line with the guidance and principles set out in section 8 of the Civil Service Management Code and departmental staff handbook.

  The information on (a) is not held centrally and collating it would involve disproportionate costs.

  In case of (b) the commonest rail journey is that between Cardiff and London for which the average first class return fare is around £140.
  521W
  Information on (c) is not available in the form requested. However, spending on UK travel by the Wales Office during 1999–2000 (since 1 July 1999) was £117,000, in 2000–01 £62,000 and in 2001–02 (to end of January 2002) £55,000.

  Television Sets
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) analogue and (b) integrated digital television sets his Department has purchased in each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement. [38174]

  Mr. Murphy
  My Department has bought thrt e analogue television sets in the last 24 months.

  As with all procurement decisions, officials ai e expected to find the most cost-effective solution to meet the expressed need.

  Capita Contracts
  Mr. Boris Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many contracts the Department has wit It Capita; and how much they are worth; [38372]

  (2) if he will list the contracts that have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department. [39341]

  Mr. Murphy
  None.

  European Union Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the European Union directives and regulations relating to his Department that have been implemented in each of the last four years, specifying(a) the title and purpose of each, (b) the cost to public funds of each and (c) the cost to businesses of each. [39121]

  Mr. Murphy
  My Department has not had responsibility for the implementation of any European Union directives and regulations since its creation in July 1999.

  Cynon Valley
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on recent discussions with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales about the plans of the National Assembly for Wales for the NHS in the Cynon Valley. [40533]

  Mr. Touhig
  My right hon. Friend and I have not recently discussed with the First Minister or Health Minister of the National Assembly for Wales Assembly plans for the NHS specific to the Cynon Valley. However, I understand that the Assembly have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing areas of health deprivation in all parts of Wales by endorsing the Townsend report with a view to starting the implementation process in April 2003.

  Gender Pay Gap
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the extent of the gender pay gap amongst staff in his Department. [40991]
  522W
  Mr. Murphy
  The permanent civil servants in my Department are all secondees from elsewhere and so their home departments determine their salaries. However, the Assembly who supply most of the secondees work closely wit the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and has assisted in the development of an equal pay model to allow employers to carry out pay audits. It has conducted pay audits for the past two years and will be doing so again this year.

  In carrying out the equal pay audit and reforming their pay system, the Assembly have taken particular note o f the EOC Task Force report "Just Pay". They have developed several initiatives to close the gender pay gap including no penalty for mothers who take career breaks to raise families, that is they return to the pay scale point they would have been on had they continued working.

  Working Conditions and Practices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the extent of job sharing in his Department. [41010]

  Mr. Murphy
  Job sharing is only one of a number of alternative and flexible working patterns that staff at the Wales Office are welcome to take up. The flexibility of the pattern is decided in consultation with management to suit an individual's need and the needs of their work.

  At the present time the Wales Office has eight staff out of 40 who work a flexible pattern, none of these job-share.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are(a) job sharing, (b) term working and (c) engaged in another form of flexible working. [42416]

  Mr. Murphy
  At the present time the Wales Office does not have any job share or term working staff. However, out of the 40 staff at the Wales Office eight enjoy alternative and flexible working patterns.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of staff were employed by the Wales Office on secondment from non-Governmental organisations in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [45221]

  Mr. Murphy
  One staff member was seconded to the Wales Office from a non-Governmental organisation in the year 2001. There were none in 1999 or 2000.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [35936]

  Mr. Murphy
  Work related stress has only been separately identified as a cause of absence for the last six months. During this period there is no record of any member of Wales Office staff having been absent for work related stress.
  523W
  Wales Office staff have available to them the resources of the Assembly in tackling stress. These include a new draft policy on stress and will shortly include a Health, Safety and Welfare intranet site providing guidance on stress at work, including details of stress awareness training.

  Press Office
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total cost of running the Department's press office was in(a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [46807]

  Mr. Murphy
  [holding answer given on 10 April 2002]: My Department's press office consists of three full-time people; its running costs are not separately identified.

  The Wales Office was created in July 1999; figures for 1996–97 would therefore relate to the much larger predecessor department and would not be comparable.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the journeys made to Wales by(a) him and (b) the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his official capacity over the last 12 months; what the purpose of each visit was; and what mode of transport was employed. [48609]

  Mr. Murphy
  Both myself and my hon. Friend live in Wales and so any travel from home on official business originates in Wales. Furthermore, a substantial amount of our time is spent on official duties in Wales. Due to the very large number and routine nature of the journeys made to, from and within Wales no separate record is kept of either their frequency or mode, though all journeys are made within the terms of the ministerial code.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including g(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48396]

  Mr. Murphy
  No Wales Office projects have been sponsored since the Department's creation in July 1999.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Future of Europe Convention
  Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will place in the Library a verbatim report of the proceedings of the European Convention on the Future of Europe. [46256]

  Peter Hain
  The Convention does not provide verbatim reports of each plenary session. It is, nevertheless, committed to making its proceedings transparent. Plenary sessions are open to the public and broadcast live on the Convention's website (http://524W
  etiropean-convention.eu.int). It also contains summary records of these sessions, details of its future work pr ogramme, and all documents submitted in the course of its work.

  Burma
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 435W, on Burma, what assessment he has made of measures taken in partnership with the EU designed to promote human rights, national reconciliation and democracy in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [46379]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I very much welcome the EU's united position and involvement in Burma. In recent weeks there has been an EU Troika delegation visit to Burma, joint action over forced labour in Burma at the International Labour Organisation, an EU demarche to press for the reinstatement of a planned visit to Burma by the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Burma, and we are currently preparing a resolution on Burma for adoption at the United Nations C ommission on Human Rights.

  I remain gravely concerned about the overall situation in Burma. Although there has been some very niodest political progress there in the past 16 months, we now need to see evidence of substantive change if confidence in the political process in Burma is to be maintained.

  Community Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost will be to the EU in 2002 of the CAP(a) in cash terms a rid (b) as a percentage of the overall EU budget; how much each EU member state will receive from the CAP; and if he will make a statement. [46136]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: I have been asked to reply.

  The cost to the EU budget of the CAP in 2002 is forecast to be 44,480 million euro, which is 46.5 per cent. of the budget. The following table gives CAP receipts for each member state in 2001, since there are no forecasts available for these receipts in 2002.

  Member State

  Euro (million)

  Austria

  1,052

  Belgium

  934

  Denmark

  1,112

  Finland

  815

  France

  9,221

  Germany

  5,858

  Greece

  2,612

  Ireland

  1,584

  Italy

  5,324

  Luxembourg

  29

  Netherlands

  1,104

  Portugal

  874

  Spain

  6,176

  Sweden

  780

  United Kingdom

  3,997

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Spain was invited to attend the recent talks under the terms of tile Brussels Process before an invitation was extended to the Government of Gibraltar. [47406]

  Peter Hain
  The Brussels Process, involving the UK and Spanish governments, was established in 1984 with the aim of overcoming both government's differences over Gibraltar and promoting co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis.

  We informed the Chief Minster of Gibraltar in June 2001 of our intention to re-launch the Brussels Process. We and the Spanish Government made clear from the outset that Gibraltarian engagement would be an important element in carrying the process successfully forward.

  The Chief Minister of Gibraltar has been invited to attend al the Brussels Process meetings since then. The offer remains open for him to participate in future meetings, having his own and distinct voice on the British side of the table: as the formula "three voices two flags".

  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis European Union funds are not made available for the economic development of Gibraltar. [48307]

  Peter Hain
  Gibraltar has access to European Union Structural Funding. For the period 2000–06 Gibraltar has been allocated €8 million of Objective 2 funding (assisting regions affected by the decline of traditional industries), and €7 million of Objective 3 funding (combating long-term unemployment and promoting the integration of young people into the labour market). In addition, Gibraltar is involved in three INTERREG III programmes, with an allocation of €425,000 for each.

  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the British Government will formally seek the views of the Government of Gibraltar on proposals being discussed with the Spanish Government before agreeing any such proposals with a view to these the being placed before the people of Gibraltar for referendum. [48308]

  Peter Hain
  The aim of the current Brussels Process talks between the UK and Spanish Governments is to produce a set of proposals offering a framework for a secure, stable and prosperous future for Gibraltar. We want Gibraltar to have a voice in the talks. That is why we and the Spanish Government have invited the Chief Minister to participate with his own voice on the British side of the table, a formula known as: "three voices two flags". The offer stands and we continue to hope the Chief Minister will take it up.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the date for the next round of talks between Britain and Spain on the future status of Gibraltar. [47317]
  526W
  Peter Hain
  A further Ministerial meeting under the Brussels Process will be held in the coming months. The date has not yet been fixed. Our aim remains to conclude a comprehensive agreement by the summer.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether Gibraltar's social tax status would be a barrier to integration into the UK. [47315]

  Mr. Hain
  None. The Government does not regard integration with the UK as an option for any of the British Overseas Territories.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to encourage the United States Administration to ratify the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty; and what information he has in respect of the shortfall in payments made to the CTBT organisation in Vienna. [48079]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. John McDonnell) on 10 December 2001,(Official Report, column 711W.)

  In previous years, payments to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organisation have averaged over 95 per cent. of the annual approved budget.

  By 3 April this year, the organisation had already received over 50 per cent. of its current budget contributions. This compares favourably with this time last year, when the figure stood at 45 per cent. The US have contributed US$16.6 million for 2002, which represents more than 95 per cent. of their assessed contribution.

  Mike Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proceeds from the sale of the former Cambodian Embassy in London. [48825]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The proceeds from the sale of the former Cambodian Embassy premises and subsequent interest thereon, amount in total to £2.6 million, were transferred to the Foreign Ministry of Cambodia on 21 March. We hope the Cambodian Government will use these funds to establish a permanent diplomatic presence in the UK.

  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what goods subject to strategic controls have recently been approved for export to Iraq. [48826]

  Mr. MacShane
  Following consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved a licence to export laboratory equipment for use by secondary schools in Northern Iraq. The export included 6.25kg of sodium sulphide which is subject to the Dual-Use Items (Export Control) Regulations 2000 as amended. The UN Iraq Sanctions Committee approved this export to Iraq under the Oil for Food programme (OFF). Under OFF Iraq is allowed to export unlimited quantities of oil to fund the
  527W
  purchase of humanitarian goods. The export is consistent with the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.

  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for April and (b) major European Union events for the period between 30 April and September. [48827]

  Peter Hain

  April 2002

  5–6——Brussels——Luxembourg——Migrations Council (ASEM Informal)

  8——Luxembourg——Fisheries Council

  13–14——Luxembourg——ECOFIN (Ministerial Informal)

  15–16——Luxembourg——General Affairs Council

  22–23——Valencia——Euromed Conference

  22–23——Luxembourg——Agriculture Council

  25–26——Luxembourg——Justice and Home Affairs Council

  27–30——Luxembourg——Agriculture Council (Ministerial Informal)

  The following are the principle events in the EU between 1 May and September 2002 (certain relevant events are also included: the list is based on the information available at the date of issue).

  May

  2——Washington——EU/US Summit

  3–4——Brussels——Tourism Council (Ministerial Informal)

  6——Brussels——Eurogroup (Evening)

  7——Brussels——ECOFIN

  8——Madrid——EU/Canada Summit

  9——Europe Day

  13——Brussels——General Affairs Council and Defence Ministers Meeting

  17–18——Madrid——EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit

  21——Brussels——Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council

  23——Brussels——Culture and Audio-visual Council

  24–26——Brussels——Environment Council (Ministerial Informal)

  27–28——Brussels——Agriculture Council

  30——Brussels——Development Council

  30——Brussels——Education and Youth Council

  31–1 June——Brussels——Transport Council (Ministerial Informal)

  June

  3——Brussels——Employment and Social Affairs Council

  3——Brussels——Eurogroup (Evening)

  4——Luxembourg——ECOFIN

  6–8——Brussels——Foreign Affairs Council (ASEM Ministers)

  6–7——Brussels——Industry and Energy Council

  10–11——Brussels——General Affairs Council

  10–11——Brussels——Agriculture Council

  528W

  11——Brussels——Fisheries Council

  13–14——Brussels——Justice and Home Affairs Council

  17–18——Brussels——Transport and Telecoms Council

  17–18——Brussels——General Affairs Council

  21–22——Seville——European Council

  24——Brussels——General Affairs Council (Evening)

  24–25——Brussels——Environment Council

  25——Luxembourg——ECOFIN

  26——Brussels——Health Council

  July

  6——Copenhagen——ASEM Ministers for Finance

  12——Brussels——ECOFIN

  12–13——Kolding——Meeting of Employment and Social Policy Ministers (Informal)

  15–16——Brussels——Agriculture Council

  19——Brussels——Budget Meeting

  19–21——Arhus——Environment Ministers Meeting (Informal)

  22–23——Brussels——General Affairs Council August

  31–1——Elisnore——Gymnich (Ministerial Informal) September

  6——Brussels——ASEM Economic Ministers Meeting

  6–8——Copenhagen——ECOFIN (Ministerial Informal)

  8–10——Nyborg——Agriculture Council (Ministerial Informal)

  12–13——Copenhagen——Justice and Home Affairs Council (Ministerial Informal)

  22–23——Copenhagen——ASEM Meeting

  23–24——Brussels——Agriculture Council

  26——Brussels——Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Tourism Council

  27——Tent——ACP-EU Ministers Meeting

  30——Brussels——General Affairs Council

  30——Brussels——Research Council

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the International Criminal Court. [48828]

  Mr. Straw
  This is an historic day or international justice and for the human rights of every citizen of the world. Today, at the United Nations in New York, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Ireland, Mongolia, Romania and Slovakia deposited their instruments of ratification to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These ratifications
  529W
  bring to 63 the number of states to have committee I themselves to this landmark Convention and therefore activates the Statute, which will enter into force on 1 July 2002.

  The ICC will try those individuals accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, irrespective of their rank or position. In future, tyrants will know that their actions are not beyond the reach of international justice. The victims of their crimes will, for the first time, be able to look forward to the prospect of real justice. The culture of impunity, which has shrouded human rights violations for too long, will be over.

  This government has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the Court. It is our belief that the global rule of law is stronger than the local rule of tyrants. We played a major part in drafting the Statute, and worked hard to secure the passage of the International Criminal Court Act through this Parliament and the Scottish Parliament, to enable us to be amongst the first 60 states to ratify. I pay tribute to my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook), and to all those who have worked to see establishment of the ICC.

  The ICC will be a permanent court acting as a permanent deterrent for all potential tyrants. In time, this will be the law which transcends borders and embodies global values. As ever with all institutions of the law, its practice will be as important as its founding principles. We are committed to ensuring that it does its job fairly and impartially. We hope shortly to nominate a British candidate to be one of the judges of the Court.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48404]

  Mr. MacShane
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report form the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Criminal Damage
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost has been of criminal damage to her Department's buildings in each of the last four years. [44832]
  530W
  The Solicitor-General
  [holding reply 25 March 2002]: In relation to my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, so far as I am aware, there have been no instances of criminal damage to the Department's building in each of the last four years.

  In relation to those Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible, details are as follows:

  Crown Prosecution Service

  The Crown Prosecution Service does not maintain a database in respect of incidents or costs arising from criminal damage to its buildings. The Crown Prosecution Service could not obtain such information without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  None of the Treasury Solicitor's Department's premises have suffered criminal damage over the last four years.

  Serious Fraud Office

  The Serious Fraud Office has not suffered any criminal damage over the last four years.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor General how many people employed by her Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently(a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits. [45091]

  The Solicitor-General
  My Own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, is a small one and the staff are all seconded from other Government Departments. It has not, therefore employed any staff under the New Deal schemes during the last four years.

  In the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible, details are as follows:

  Crown Prosecution Service

  The Crown Prosecution Service has not employed anyone specifically under the New Deal for Young People scheme over the last four years.

  However, two people within the Young People scheme age group were employed by the Department under a general New Deal recruitment scheme. Both employees were placed on one year fixed term contracts (unsubsidised). One person was released after a couple of months, as the outcome of the pre-employment enquiries proved unsatisfactory. It is not known whether this person returned to claim jobseekers' allowance or any other benefits. The second person resigned after a year to commence a college course.
  531W
  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  The Treasury Solicitor's Department has never specifically allocated vacancies to be filled by New Deal applicants, although where the Department has recruited at Administrative Officer level and below, it has always circulated these vacancies on the New Deal Network, through the local Job Centre.

  Two Support Grade Band 2s were recruited in May 2000, who were New Deal registered. These employees were offered permanent posts from the outset and therefore no subsidies were claimed.

  Serious Fraud Office

  The Serious Fraud Office has not employed any staff under the New Deal Schemes during the last four years.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor General, what recent assessment she had made of whether the PSA target to increase by March from 93 per cent. to 100 per cent. the proportion of prosecution witness expenses sent no later than 10 working days from receipt of a correctly completed claim form will be met. [47813]

  The Solicitor General
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Law Officers' 2002 Departmental Report.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts were let by her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to(a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen for consultancy services for the financial years (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–00, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration in each case. [33847]

  Ms Hewitt
  Information from the Department's systems indicate that contracts let by core DTI to PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers are as follows:

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  No. contracts

  Total value £

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  9

  354,657

  1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  16

  636,623

  1 April 2001 to 4 January 2002

  13

  870,199

  Contracts let by core DTI to Ernst & Young are as follows:

  Ernst & Young

  No. contracts

  Total value £

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  3

  407,165

  1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  58

  829,043

  1 April 2001 to 4 January 2002

  10

  879,679

  532W
  Contracts let by core DTI to Deloitte & Touche are as follows:

  Deloitte & Touche

  No. contracts

  Total value £

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  6

  1,265, 252

  1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  6

  1,839,428

  1 April 2001 to 4 January 2002

  4

  4,489,189

  Contracts let by core DTI to KPMG Touche are as follows:

  KPMG

  No. contracts

  Total value £

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  1

  11,642

  1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  4

  30,009

  1 April 2001 to 4 January 2002

  3

  92,131

  Information is not held centrally for the earlier years and could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.

  For contracts let to Andersen I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr on 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 62W where exceptionally information was given for earlier years.

  The Department's Executive Agencies will be responding separately.

  Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about the number and value of consutlancy services commissioned by NWML in recent years in respect of PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst and Yong, Deloitte Touche, KPMG and Andersen.
  NWML has not engaged any of these organisations during the period specified.

  Letter from David Irwin to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  I set out below details of contracts issued by the Small Business Service since its inception on 3 April 2000, together with its predecessor directorates, to two of the companies listed in your question to Mrs. Hewitt.

  Company

  Financial Year

  Number of contracts

  Value (£)

  KPMG

  1997–98

  1

  19,387

  1998–99

  1

  254,232

  2001–02

  Secondee

  35,000

  Ernst & Young

  1997–98

  2

  75,719

  No contracts were issued to PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte & Touche, or Andersen.

  Letter from Chris de Grouchy to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Parliamentary Question about contracts let to various companies.
  In 1999–2000 the Agency let one contract to KPMG. Remuneration for the work amounted to £1,522,460 ex-VAT.
  533W
  Letter from Dr. Roger Heathcote to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  You tabled a Parliamentary Question on 4 February 2002 to Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, concerning how many contracts were let by her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to (a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen for consultancy services for the financial years (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration made in each case.
  The Employment Tribunals Service awarded one contract Lo Deloitte & Touche for (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available. The remuneration made was is follows:
  Financial year 2000–01 payment of £21,319.20 was made on 22 February 2001;
  Financial year 2001–02 payment of £10,184.90 was made on 12 April 2001; and
  Financial year 2001–02 payment of £21,576.53 was made on 19 July 2001.
  The Employment Tribunals Service awarded this contract to Deloitte & Touche as a result of a competitive tender. The contract was funded from the Civil Service Reform Fund and both the work and payment spanned the financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  I refer to your written Parliamentary Question 2001/2674 I have been asked to respond for Companies House.
  A contract was let to PricewaterhouseCoopers in June 1998, via a mini-competition using SCAT suppliers, for consultancy advice related to procurement of a Millennium-compliant accounti ig system, at a cost of £127K.

  Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question as to how many contracts were let by The Insolvency Service to (a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen tor consultancy services for the financial years (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–00, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration made in each case.
  The Insolvency Service has had no consultancy contracts with these firms during the specified years.

  Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 April 2002:
  I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question 2674 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry relating to contracts let to PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte & Touche, KPMG and Andersen for consultancy services for each of the financial years from 1997 to 2001.
  No contracts have been let by the Patent Office to any of the above for consultancy services in any of the financial years from 1997 to 2001.

  ECGD Assistance
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list by name and location, the fossil fuel power projects that have been built with the involvement of UK companies in receipt of ECGD assistance since(a) 1992 and (b) 1997; and which of those are coal-powered. [44620]
  534W
  Ms Hewitt
  The tables below list the project name, country and fuel type for which ECGD has provided guarantees since 1992 and 1997.

  In addition, ECGD has provided Overseas Investment Insurance and other insurances for 11 fossil fuel power projects. These projects are not disclosed, since such cases are treated as commercial in confidence.

  For most of the projects listed, the UK exporter is one of several contractors and ECGD is guaranteeing only part of the total project financing.

  Table 1: Power Projects Supported by ECGD 1992–1997

  Project Name

  Country

  Fuel Type

  Balagarh

  India

  Coal

  Budge Budge

  India

  Coal

  Fuzhou

  China

  Coal

  Nantong

  China

  Coal

  Dalate

  China

  Coal

  Fushan City

  China

  Coal

  Gao Bei Dian

  China

  Coal

  Omblin

  Indonesia

  Coal

  Dalian

  China

  Coal

  Dandong

  China

  Coal

  Majuba

  South Africa

  Coal

  Shaijao

  Hong Kong

  Coal

  Hare and Munyati

  Zimbabwe

  Coal

  Shandong

  China

  Coal

  Sual

  Philippines

  Coal

  Doha East

  Kuwait

  Oil

  Pulau Seraya Stage III

  Singapore

  Oil

  Outer Island

  Indonesia

  Oil

  Manah Power Station

  Oman

  Gas

  Blackpoint

  Hong Kong

  Gas

  Tetouan

  Morocco

  Gas

  Samarinda

  Indonesia

  Gas

  Manjung

  Malaysia

  Gas

  Kakinda

  India

  Gas

  Table 2: Power Projects Supported by ECGD since 1997

  Project Name

  Country

  Fuel Type

  Shandong

  China

  Coal

  Bulawayo

  Zimbabwe

  Coal

  Munjung

  Malaysia

  Coal

  Naptha Jhakri

  India

  Coal

  Afsin——Elbistan

  Turkey

  Coal

  AK Enerji

  Turkey

  Gas

  Bilkent

  Turkey

  Gas

  Manzanillo

  Mexico

  Gas/Oil

  St Kitts Power

  St Kitts and Nevis

  Oil

  Elege Alimentos

  Brazil

  Oil

  Anguilla Electricity

  Anguilla

  Oil

  Ghubrah

  Oman

  Oil

  San Pedro

  Dominican Republic

  Oil

  Magnesita

  Brazil

  Oil

  Outer Islands Power

  Indonesia

  Oil

  Economic Reform
  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how she intends to pursue the Lisbon agenda of economic reform after the Barcelona Summit. [47975]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government view the Barcelona Summit as a significant success. The conclusions registered solid progress on economic reform and, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister
  535W
  stressed in his post-Summit Press Conference, it "symbolised an important change of gear for Europe's economy and its economic policy".

  The Lisbon agenda is a 10 year programme and there is still much to be done. We wait to ensure that individual Councils make a practical reality of the Barcelona conclusions on the liberalisation of energy markets, the availability of Broadband, final agreement on a Community Patent and the adoption of an EU R&D Framework. Member states will also need to work closely with the European Commission in its work on an Entrepreneurship Green Paper, reform of state aids policy and exploiting biotechnology.

  In taking this work forward, both Ministers and officials will continue to be constructively engaged with the Commission, our opposite numbers in other member states and the European Parliament, as well as ensuring that the voice of UK and European business is listened to by all key EU players.

  Pay (Heywood and Middleton)
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to commission data on the gender pay gap in Heywood and Middleton constituency. [48634]

  Alan Johnson
  The Office for National Statistics publishes data on the gender pay gap in the New Earnings Survey. However, in the case of the Heywood and Middleton Constituency, the data is not sufficiently reliable for publication.

  Current trends in women's individual incomes have been explored in two studies published last year by the Women and Equality Unit (WEU). Copies of these reports are available on the WEU website (http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/research/publications/research-and-publications.htm).

  WEU Gender Briefing, which provides statistical briefing on the position of women compared with men in the labour market, is also available on the website (http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/research/gender-briefing/home.htm).

  There are no plans to commission further research into the gender pay gap in Heywood and Middleton.

  Oil and Gas Industry
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made on the

  UA or LA Ward

  Criterion for inclusion

  Index of multiple deprivation on 1998 lowest decile?

  Population 19961

  Un-employed census 1991

  Working age census 1991

  Hastings

  Maze Hill

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  4,300

  219

  2,105

  Mount Pleasant

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  5,800

  249

  3,220

  Old Hastings

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  4,100

  192

  2,314

  Ore

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  5,100

  221

  3,000

  West St. Leonards

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  6,500

  236

  3,615

  Castle

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  3,600

  315

  2,257

  Central St. Leonards

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  4,500

  381

  2,555

  Dover

  Sandwich

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  4,900

  123

  2,601

  Thanet

  Cecil

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  2,300

  148

  1,338

  Central Eastcliff

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  6,400

  525

  3,623

  Ethelbert

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  2,100

  222

  1,328

  536W
  Department's review of the oil and gas industry's code of practice dealing with the negotiations for access to oil and gas infrastructure. [48852]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House recommendations to industry to consider limited bi tt worthwhile changes to its Infrastructure Code of Practice. The proposed changes are intended to improve the transparency and conduct of negotiations for third party access to UKCS pipelines and processing facilities. This is the final element of the Departmental response to its consultation on Oil and Gas Infrastructure: Access Provisions and Voluntary Arrangements, which included a review of the effectiveness of the voluntary Code. The recommendations build on views expressed and suggestions made in response to that consultation.

  Mineworkers
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for giving mineworkers a greater share of the surplus from their pension fund; and if she will make a statement. [44495]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the Member for Barnsley Central on 17 January,Official Report, column 403W.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the wards in the South arid South East of England which have EU objective 2 status, in the grouping which enabled them to qualify for objective 2 status, listing for each grouping its(a) position relative to the lowest decile of deprivation indices, (b) population, (c) unemployment according to the last census, (d) average income per head according to the most recent information available, (e) population of working age and (f) county. [48389]

  Alan Johnson
  Groups of wards were submitted to the European Commission for consideration for Objective 2 status according to the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999. The table shows the groups for wards in the South West and South East of England, and shows which NUTS 3 and 4 areas the wards were in. The table shows(a) whether the ward was ranked in the tenth lowest wards according to the 1998 index of deprivation, (b) the population as estimated for 1996, unemployment according to the 1991 census, the population of working age according to the 1991 census.

  No information is available on average income per head for wards.
  537W

  UA or LA Ward

  Criterion for inclusion

  Index of multiple deprivation on 1998 lowest decile?

  Population 19961

  Un-employed census 1991

  Working age census 1991

  Minster Parish

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  3,300

  94

  1,901

  Newington

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  5,000

  359

  2,843

  Northdown Park

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  6,300

  401

  3,357

  Pier

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  2,500

  266

  1,439

  St. Lawrence

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  4,500

  141

  2,365

  St. Peters

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  6,000

  180

  3,146

  Salmestone

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  4,800

  198

  2,615

  Southwood

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  4,700

  182

  2,576

  Thanet Parishes

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  1,800

  48

  1,057

  Bristol

  Ashley

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  12,800

  1,315

  7,943

  Easton

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  11,500

  711

  6,721

  Filwood

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  11,000

  900

  6,091

  Lawrence Hill

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  12,900

  1,275

  7,129

  Windmill Hill

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  14,400

  885

  8,680

  North Devon

  Bishop's Nympton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  57

  1,025

  Bishop's Tawton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  38

  983

  Bratton Fleming

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  48

  1,112

  Braunton East

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,800

  111

  2,218

  Braunton West

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,800

  101

  1,980

  Chittlehampton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,900

  56

  1,138

  Chulmleigh

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  57

  1,121

  Combe Martin

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,200

  133

  1,777

  Fremington

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  7,500

  216

  4,100

  Georgeham

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  42

  826

  Heanton Punchardon

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,700

  67

  1,691

  Ilfracombe Central

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,900

  275

  2,113

  Ilfracombe East

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,100

  175

  1,888

  Ilfracombe West

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,100

  176

  2,317

  Instow

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  45

  949

  Landkey

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,600

  79

  1,543

  Longbridge

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  75

  927

  Lynton and Lynmouth

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,900

  54

  1,120

  Marwood

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  55

  1,110

  Mortehoe

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,300

  84

  1,369

  Newport

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,900

  148

  2,236

  North Molton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  29

  825

  Pilton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,000

  92

  2,441

  St Mary's

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,300

  160

  1,953

  South Molton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,300

  117

  2,386

  Swimbridge

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,100

  60

  1,286

  Tawstock

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,200

  51

  1,230

  Trinity

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,900

  265

  2,869

  Witheridge

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  48

  1,044

  Yeo

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,500

  200

  2,077

  South Hams

  Avon and Harbourne

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  64

  1,239

  Avonleigh

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  40

  889

  Bickleigh and Shaugh

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,500

  133

  3,082

  Brixton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  34

  759

  Charterlands

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  62

  1,121

  Cornwood and Harford

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,200

  31

  722

  Dartington

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  68

  958

  Dartmouth Clifton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,900

  87

  1,498

  Dartmouth Hardness

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,000

  96

  1,620

  Dart Valley

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,900

  60

  1,108

  Eastmoor

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,200

  35

  750

  Erme Valley

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  29

  828

  Garabrook

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  40

  1,022

  Ivybridge

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  9,800

  252

  6,030

  Kingsbridge

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  5,200

  145

  2,747

  Kingswear

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,300

  44

  736

  Malborough

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  27

  749

  Marldon

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  59

  1,166

  Modbury

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  32

  776

  Newton and Noss

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  46

  989

  Salcombe

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,200

  48

  1,135

  Saltstone

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  40

  835

  Skerries

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  27

  721

  South Brent

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,900

  74

  1,573

  Sparkwell

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,100

  40

  692

  Stoke Gabriel

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,300

  27

  714

  Stokenham

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  45

  943

  Thurlestone

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  39

  892

  Totnes

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,700

  220

  2,614

  Totnes Bridgetown

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,500

  103

  1,291

  Ugborough

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  62

  930

  Wembury

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,000

  60

  1,811

  West Dart

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  45

  927

  Yealmpton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,100

  79

  1,242

  538W 539W

  UA or LA Ward

  Criterion for inclusion

  Index of multiple deprivation on 1998 lowest decile?

  Population 19961

  Un-employed census 1991

  Working age census 1991

  Torridge

  Appledore East

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,200

  67

  613

  Appledore West

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,100

  27

  594

  Bideford East

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,000

  150

  2,214

  Bideford North

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,600

  207

  2,532

  Bideford South

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  5,100

  187

  2,861

  Broadheath

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  27

  848

  Clovelly Bay

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  43

  868

  Coham Bridge

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  34

  875

  Forest

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  34

  880

  Great Wood

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,300

  51

  722

  Hartland Point

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  57

  958

  Heanton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,900

  58

  1,110

  Holsworthy

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,800

  57

  1,467

  Kenwith

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  47

  955

  Melbury

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  65

  1,044

  M once

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  36

  939

  Northam Central

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  44

  781

  Northam North

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  89

  936

  Northam West

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  65

  670

  Orchard Hill

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,300

  33

  674

  Rolle

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  40

  954

  Stafford

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,300

  35

  725

  Tamarside

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  51

  813

  Torrington

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,700

  157

  2,629

  Waldon

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  51

  866

  Westward Ho

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  95

  809

  Winkleigh

  Rural article 4(96)

  No

  1,600

  41

  892

  West Devon

  Bere Ferrers

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  3,000

  104

  1,676

  Bridestowe

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  41

  884

  Buckland Monachorum

  Rural article 4(96)

  No

  3,600

  74

  2,000

  Burrator

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  58

  917

  Chagford

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  38

  753

  Courtenay

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  38

  951

  Drewsteignton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  29

  780

  Exbourne

  Rural article 4(96)

  No

  1,000

  30

  599

  Hatherleigh

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  70

  956

  Lew Valley

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  42

  830

  Lydford

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,800

  82

  1,119

  Mary Tavy

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,700

  50

  982

  Milton Ford

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  44

  852

  North Tawton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,600

  43

  893

  Okehampton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,700

  126

  2,645

  South Tawton

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,200

  36

  671

  Tamarside

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  50

  894

  Tavistock North

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  4,600

  160

  2,698

  Tavistock South

  Rural article 4(9h)

  No

  5,800

  172

  3,150

  Thrushel

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,500

  56

  883

  Walkham

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,900

  103

  1,744

  Plymouth

  Budshead

  Industrial article 4(5)

  Yes

  12,900

  783

  7,144

  Compton

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  11,000

  463

  6,461

  Drake

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  12,400

  770

  7,369

  Efford

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  12,700

  649

  7,359

  Estover

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  16,400

  512

  9,496

  Ham

  Industrial article 4(5)

  Yes

  12,000

  816

  6,781

  Honicknowle

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  13,000

  642

  6,882

  Keyham

  Industrial article 4(5)

  Yes

  14,100

  933

  9,067

  Mount Gould

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  10,600

  687

  6,507

  St Budeaux

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  12,500

  625

  6,893

  St Peter

  Industrial article 4(5)

  Yes

  11,900

  1,209

  7,031

  Southway

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  14,200

  602

  8,828

  Stoke

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  12,700

  827

  7,475

  Sutton

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  10,600

  853

  6,212

  Trelawny

  Industrial article 4(5)

  No

  10,300

  402

  5,556

  Torbay

  Blatchcombe

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  10,300

  516

  5,496

  Cockington-with-Chelston

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  10,300

  363

  5,718

  Furzeham-with-Churston

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  9,100

  317

  4,530

  St Peter's-with-St Mary's

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  10,000

  442

  5,395

  Tormohun

  Urban article 4(7)

  Yes

  10,400

  718

  6,099

  Torwood

  Urban article 4(7)

  No

  9,500

  611

  5,202

  West Somerset

  Aville Vale

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  700

  22

  341

  Dulverton and Brushford

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,900

  34

  970

  Exmoor

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  800

  20

  492

  Haddon

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  900

  40

  547

  Holnicote

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  700

  18

  405

  Old Cleeve

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  2,000

  57

  989

  Porlock and Oare

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  1,400

  39

  690

  Quarme

  Rural article 4(9b)

  No

  900

  26

  504

  1 Population estimates were made by DTI

  540W

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of her Department's projects halve received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the dale of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48393]

  Ms Hewitt
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

  EU Structural Funding
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 26 Marc h 2002, ref. 44277/44278, what percentage of the population of(a) each NUTS 2 area and (b) each shire county, unitary authority London borough or metropolitan borough which is not terminous with a NUTS 2 area lies within an area holding EU objective 2 status. [48388]

  Alan Johnson
  The information requested is available for NUTS areas 1–4, and has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) amount and (b) proportion of the current overall EU Objective 2 budget for the UK has been (i) committed and (ii) spent in each of the U K Objective 2 regions. [45816]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The information requested is not held centrally.

  As soon as the information has been collated I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Insolvency Service, in its corporate Plan 2001–04, includes the objective to "develop policy and legislative solutions needed to support and underpin a modern commercial and financial infrastructure and which reflect both national and global changes in economic and business dynamics, and perceptions and expectations of society".

  In addition, the Insolvency Service undertakes or commissions research to inform both the development of policy and the formulation of operational strategy.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the objectives are of the Insolvency Service; [42083]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the development of the Insolvency Service's research function, including its role in (a) policy formulation and (b) operational strategy formulation. [42079]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Insolvency Service objectives are set out in its published Corporate Plan 2001–04 a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Merchant Ships (Steel)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will ban the use of grade A steel for the construction of merchant ships. [47571]

  (2) if she will reappraise the use of high tensile steel in the construction of merchant vessels. [47572]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The toughness grades of steel used in shipbuilding are regulated by the International Association of Classification Societies through their unified requirement UR S6. The current version of UR S6 permits limited use of grade A mild steel, as well as grade AH high tensile steel, in structures contributing to overall strength.

  This standard limits the use of grades A and AH steels according to their rolled thickness and mean air temperatures in expected area of operation, requiring grades with a higher standard of fracture toughness for high thickness and low temperature.

  There are no plans to ban the use of grade A mild steel or to reappraise the use of high tensile steels for merchant ship construction, given the fracture toughness now achieved with grades A and AH.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Human Rights Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in(a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments. [45057]

  Mr. Wills
  We do not collect central records of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied on. Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge. We do monitor centrally those cases which we consider may be of particular significance to this department. We have recorded 29 cases to date.

  We do not collect separate information centrally about the costs to public funds, legal fees or compensation payments in cases which include a human rights issue. In most cases it will be difficult to identify costs referable to the human rights element.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will answer the quesion tabled by the hon. and learned Member for Harborough on 26 February regarding the closure of courts. [45686]

  Mr. Wills
  I am sorry that your question tabled on 26 February was not answered. You ask how many(a) county courts, (b) crown courts and (c) magistates' courts have been closed in each year since 1 May 1997. Based on the latest survey information the numbers of courts closed since that date are:

  543W

  Year

  Magistrates' Courts

  County Courts

  Crown Court Centres

  19971

  16

  7

  0

  1998

  24

  6

  0

  1999

  8

  2

  0

  2000

  13

  4

  0

  2001

  29

  1

  0

  20022

  0

  0

  0

  Totals

  90

  20

  0

  1 from 1 May 1997

  2 to date of answer

  Specific details of the Magistrates' courthouses and county courts closed are given in the attached tables.

  Court Closures 1997–2002

  Court

  Date of Closure

  Post Closure Jurisidiction

  Andover2

  30 June 1997

  Basingstoke, Salisbury, Winchester

  Braintree+

  1 December 1997

  Chelmsford, Harlow and Colchester

  Bishop's Stortford

  1 December 1997

  Cambridge, Harlow and Hitchin

  Alnwick +

  15 December 1997

  Morpeth

  Blyth

  15 December 1997

  Morpeth

  Berwick upon Tweed1

  15 December 1997

  Amalgamated with Morpeth

  Bridlington+

  24 December 1997

  Scarborough

  Rochdale

  7 September 1998

  Oldham and Rawtenstall

  Holywell*

  7 September 1998

  Rhyl and Chester. * (Caller Office formally closed wef 17 January 2002)

  Camborne and Redruth+

  24 December 1998

  Penzance

  Hemel Hempstead+

  24 December 1998

  Aylesbury, Luton and Watford

  West Bromwich

  24 December 1998

  Birmingham, Dudley and Walsall

  Loughborough

  31 December 1998

  Derby, Leicester and Nottingham

  Corby+ (local sittings on trial basis to July 1999)

  1 March 1999

  Kettering and Peterborough

  Bridgewater+

  20 December 1999

  Taunton

  Great Yarmouth+

  31 January 2000

  Lowestoft and Norwich

  Grays Thurrock

  31 January 2000

  Basildon

  Lichfield

  3 July 2000

  Burton on Trent, Stafford, Tamworth and Walsall

  Caerphilly

  30 November 2000

  Cardiff and Blackwood

  Workington

  2 January 2001

  Whitehaven

  Chepstow+

  1 April 2002

  Newport, Hereford and Gloucester

  Monmouth

  1 April 2002

  Newport, Hereford and Gloucester

  218 courts left when Chepstow and Monmouth courts closed.

  1 courts with caller office status

  2 courts where Circuit Administrators have undertaken to continue local District Judge sittings in suitable accommodation subject to demand

  544W

  Magistrates' Courts

  Magistrates' Courthouse

  Closure Date

  Bromsgrove

  31 May 1997

  Ledbury

  31 May 1997

  Hebburn

  5 June 1997

  South Shields (Kepple Street)

  5 June 1997

  Bargoed Chippenham (Market Place)

  30 June 1997

  Monmouth

  30 June 1997

  Pontlottyn

  30 June 1997

  Pontypool

  30 June 1997

  Ashton under Lyne (Manchester Road)

  31 August 1997

  Duckinsfield

  31 August 1997

  Thorne

  31 August 1997

  Braintree

  31 December 1997

  Clacton on Sea

  31 December 1997

  Saffron Walden

  31 December 1997

  Stokesley

  31 December 1997

  Malton

  6 February 1998

  Appleby

  31 March 1998

  Bishop's Stortford

  31 March 1998

  Chertsey

  31 March 1998

  Farnham

  31 March 1998

  Hatfield

  31 March 1998

  Hitchin

  31 March 1998

  Market Rasen

  31 March 1998

  Marlborough Street

  31 March 1998

  Oxted

  31 March 1998

  Lutterworth

  31 July 1998

  Ripon

  1 August 1998

  Barnard Castle

  31 December 1998

  Clerkenwell

  31 December 1998

  Corwen

  31 December 1998

  Diss

  31 December 1998

  Felixstowe

  31 December 1998

  Haverhill

  31 December 1998

  Lytham

  31 December 1998

  Newmarket

  31 December 1998

  Saxmundham

  31 December 1998

  Sheerness

  31 December 1998

  Stowmarket

  31 December 1998

  West Malling

  31 December 1998

  Abingdon

  31 March 1999

  Christchuch

  31 March 1999

  Henley on Thames

  31 March 1999

  Morley

  31 March 1999

  Pudsey

  31 March 1999

  Windsor

  31 March 1999

  Stow on the Wold

  30 June 1999

  March

  31 December 1999

  Apmthill

  1 January 2000

  Biggles wade

  1 January 2000

  Apmthill

  1 January 2000

  Dunstable

  1 January 2000

  Leighton Buzzard

  1 January 2000

  Lichfield

  31 March 2000

  Keighley

  1 April 2000

  Keswick

  30 April 2000

  Appleby

  31 May 2000

  Windermere

  31 May 2000

  Wigton

  31 May 2000

  Gravesend

  9 June 2000

  Wootton Bassett

  2 October 2000

  Abergele

  31 December 2000

  Alfreton

  1 January 2001

  Ashbourne

  1 January 2001

  Bakewell

  1 January 2001

  Matlock

  1 January 2001

  Leigh

  31 March 2001

  Middleton

  31 March 2001

  Leek

  31 March 2001

  Worcester

  31 March 2001

  Macclesfield Park Green

  1 April 2001

  Warrington Patten Hall

  1 April 2001

  Bideford

  30 April 2001

  Exmouth

  30 April 2001

  545W

  Magistrates' Courts

  Magistrates' Courthouse

  Closure Date

  Kingsbridge

  30 April 2001

  South Molton

  30 April 2001

  Teignmouth

  30 April 2001

  Tavistock

  30 April 2001

  Axminster

  4 May 2001

  Tiverton

  4 May 2001

  Newquay

  30 June 2001

  Womborne

  31 August 2001

  Southampton (Commercial Road)

  31 August 2001

  Gillingham

  30 September 2001

  Bridlington

  9 November 2001

  Brough

  9 November 2001

  Driffield

  9 November 2001

  Hull (Guildhall)

  9 November 2001

  Hull (Lowgate)

  9 November 2001

  Pocklington

  9 November 2001

  Withernsea

  9 November 2001

  Code of Practice on Access to Government Information
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what the recommended time is for departments to decide the results of an internal appeal under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [48611]

  Mr. Wills
  It is for individual bodies subject to the Code to make their own arrangements for the procedure used to review cases internally where information has been refused and the applicant has made a complaint. Appendix 5 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information Monitoring Report for the year 2000, published in September 2001, sets out the target times adopted by bodies subject to the Code for deciding the results of an internal appeal. The majority have adopted a target of 20 working days or less. The target for decision on an internal appeal within this Department is 20 working days.

  Freedom of Information
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will place in the Library copies of each version of the guidance distributed to officials to advise them on how to answer subject access requests under the Data Protection Act 1998. [48612]

  Mr. Wills
  A circular (IT Security News) was issued to staff in November 1999 about the Data Protection Act. I have placed a copy of IT Security News, Issue 6 in the House Library. No separate guidance has been issued since then. I expect to be able to make an announcement on central guidance on handling subject access requests shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor will reply to the letter to him dated 18 February for the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A. Wellings. [47768]

  Mr. Wills
  The Lord Chancellor wrote in reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton's letter of 18 February on 27 March 2002.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including details of(a) the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48406]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

  Fraud (Dentists)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many dentists have received custodian sentences since 1997 arising from a conviction for fraud against the NHS. [43813]

  Ms Blears
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since 1997, of all National Health Service fraud and corruption cases involving dental contractors, there have been eight cases, which have been successfully prosecuted. Of these five received a custodial sentence. There are currently six cases awaiting court proceedings and 34 alleged cases of fraud and corruption under investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service.

SCOTLAND

  Catering Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was of(a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by her Department in each of the last four years. [38929]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.

  In buildings where the department is the sole occupier, there are no in-house canteen or catering services. In accommodation shared with the Scottish Executive, catering services are provided by that department as the major occupier.

  Equipment Leasing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by her Department in each of the last four years; and what the cost to public funds in each case is. [38935]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.

  No equipment leasing arrangements have been made by the Department since that date.

  Accommodation Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was of hotel accommodation for departmental staff working away from home in each of the last four years. [41063]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Accountancy Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the contracts agreed by her Department with the five largest accountancy firms since May 1997; and what was the total value of contracts with each. [42110]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.

  The Department has had no contracts with accountancy firms since that date.

  Energy Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on energy costs incurred by her Department in each of the last 10 years. [42435]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  PFI/PPPs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the(a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed. [44882]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department has no private finance initiative or public private partnership projects.

  Criminal Damage
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost has been of criminal damage to her Department's buildings in each of the last four years. [44828]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.

  There have been no cases of criminal damage to the Department's buildings since that date.

  Secondments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of staff were employed by her Department on secondment from the private sector in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [45259]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No staff employed by my Department were seconded from the private sector between 1999 and 2001.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of staff were employed by the Scotland Office on secondment from non-Governmental organisations in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [45223]
  548W
  Mrs. Liddell
  One member of staff was seconded to the Scotland Office from a non-governmental organisation ir. 2001.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of her Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48394]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards on Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

  Crèche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what crèche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost. [44859]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No creche facilities are provided by my Department.

  PFI/PPPs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General if she will list the(a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed. [44889]

  The Advocate-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Crèche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General what crèche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost. [44857]

  The Advocate-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Criminal Damage
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General what the cost has been of criminal damage to her Department's buildings in each of the last four years. [44830]

  The Advocate-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Value for Money
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Advocate-General, pursuant to her answer of 19 March 2002,Official Report, column 181W, on value for money, what specific measures she has put in place to provide for efficient operation and a contribution towards securing bet ter value for money. [45782]
  549W
  The Advocate-General
  My office, like the rest of the Scotland Office, has been in existence for less than three years and, in developing suitable working systems, officials have sought to ensure that the work is done in a way which makes the most efficient use of staff and other resources.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Government Agencies and Quangos
  Andrew George
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2002,Official Report, column 876W, what assessment he has made of (a) the total number of Government agencies and quangos operating in each of the regions and (b) their annual budgets. [42260]

  Mr. Leslie
  In respect of(a), I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green on Wednesday 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1070W.

  In respect of (b), information on the total gross expenditure of individual non-departmental public bodies, and information on the funding of this, is set out in the annual publication "Public Bodies", copies of which can be found in the Libraries of the House. Information on annual budgets of executive agencies is set out in each Agency's Annual Report and Accounts.

  Secondments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many members of staff were employed by the Cabinet office on secondment from non-Governmental organisations in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [45235]

  Mr. Leslie
  The number of secondees employed in the Cabinet Office from non-governmental organisations for the period 1 April 1999 to date are as follows:

  Period

  Number of Staff

  1 April 1999–31 March 2000

  41

  1 April 2000–31 March 2001

  37

  1 April 2001 to date

  35

  Note: This data only includes Governnment Offices for the Regions for 2001–02 as they joined the Cabinet Office in June 2001.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently(a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned lo jobseekers' allowance or other benefits. [45079]

  The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State
  Cabinet Office.

  Three people employed by the Cabinet Office, initially under the New Deal for Young People (one in 1998 and two in 2000), have subsequently been employed by the Cabinet Office on permanent contracts following fair and open competition. We do not hold information on people employed under the scheme who have not left the Department.
  550W
  Cabinet Offices Agencies and Government Offices of the Regions

  (i) Government Car and Despatch Agency

  No staff employed by the GCDA under the New Deal arrangements have subsequently been employed by the GCDA on permanent contracts. GCDA do not hold information on people employed under the scheme who have now left the Department.

  (ii) Central Office of Information

  COI have not employed anyone under the New Deal for Young People, However, the Department has employed one person under the New Deal for Lone Parents who was subsequently employed by the Department on a permanent contract.

  (iii) Government Offices for the Regions

  No staff employed by the GO under the New Deal arrangements have subsequently been employed by the Government Offices on permanent contracts. GO do not hold information on people employed under the scheme who have now left the Department.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people have been employed by his Department in each of the last three years under(a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents, and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds. [44927]

  The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State

  Cabinet Office

  Since April 1999 11 people have been employed by the Cabinet Office under the New Deal arrangements and are categorised as follows:

  Young People

  Lone Parents

  Over 50's

  1999

  4

  -

  -

  2000

  4

  1

  -

  2001

  2

  -

  -

  2002

  -

  -

  -

  The average cost per placement was £17,833 (which is made up of basic salary, Employers National Insurance and Pensions Contributions).

  Cabinet Office Agencies and Government Offices of the Regions

  (i) Government Car and Despatch Agency

  The Government Car and Despatch Agency has employed 1 person under the New Deal for Young People for one week in 2001.

  The cost of this placement was £220 inclusive of Employers National Insurance and Pensions Contributions.

  (ii) Central Office of Information

  Since the New Deal began in COI, the Department has employed one person. This person was employed under the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  The cost of this placement was £7,320 (which is made up of part-time basic salary, Employers National Insurance and Pensions Contributions.
  551W
  (iii) Government Offices of the Regions

  The Governement Offices for the English Regions have been taking people under unsubsidised New Deal arrangements since October 2000. Since October 2000 the GOs have employed 4 people.

  Young People

  Lone Parents

  Over 50's

  1999

  -

  -

  -

  2000

  2

  -

  -

  2001

  2

  -

  -

  2002

  -

  -

  -

  1 The average cost per placement was £17,045 (which is made up of basic salary and employers NI).

  Criminal Damage
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost has been of criminal damage to his Department's buildings in each of the last four years. [44843]

  Mr. Leslie
  Figures requested are as follows:

  £

  1998–99

  1,600

  1999–2000

  2,000

  2000–01

  1,100

  2001–02

  1,000

  1 There has been no lasting damage done to the fabric of any of the department's buildings.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what new initiatives his Department has taken in 2001–02 to assist in achieving its Public Service Agreement targets. [47183]

  Mr. Leslie
  Progress on/against PSA targets will be reported and published in the Cabinet Office's annual Departmental Report for 2002.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many special advisers there were in his Department; and what their salaries were in each of the last five years. [46944]

  The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State
  At 9 April 2002, there were four special advisers in my office, including two part-timers.

  On salaries, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10 April. Official Report, column 11W.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times Ministers in his Department have travelled abroad at taxpayers' expense since March 2001; what countries they visited; and what the total cost of each visit was. [47100]

  The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State
  Since 1999 this Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet 552W
  Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government has also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. The 1999 list contained information on all such visits undertaken from 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Details for travel undertaken in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

  All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which or his Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48405]

  Mr. Leslie
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many serving magistrates live in(a) St. Helens, South constituency and (b) St. Helens Metropolitan Borough. [46987]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Merseyside, has provided the following information.

  There are 50 magistrates serving on the St. Helens Bench who live in the St. Helens South constituency.

  There are 93 magistrates serving on the St. Helens Bench who live in the Metropolitan Borough of St. Helens which covers the constituencies of St. Helens North and St. Helens South.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Pensions
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to compel pension trustee boards to appoint independent chairmen. [43953]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  We have no plans to compel pension trustee boards to appoint independent chairmen.

  We believe that requiring independent chairmen for trustee boards would discourage employers from continuing to provide occupational pension schemes, would be difficult to implement in practice, and would make little difference to the way schemes are run.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money has been spent to date on the New Deal for Young People. [44898]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Up to March 2001 £1,063 billion was spent on the New Deal for Young People, of which £860 million was funded from the Windfall Tax and £203 million from the Department's own resources. Forecast expenditure for 2001–02 will be published in the Departmental Report in May this year.

  IT Projects
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work arid Pensions if he will list the IT Projects being undertaken by his Department; and which companies have been awarded the contracts. [46317]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding reply 26 March 2002]: Our main IT suppliers are:
  EDS——for our Employment Service modernisation programme;
  Affinity, (led by EDS with IBM UK, PricewaterhouseCoopers and AT Kearney)——for our Department for Work and Pensions modernisation programme (major contracts include Child Support Reform, Strategic Outsourcing and some elements of the Department's Early Office Infrastructure programme);
  Arcway, (led by BT Syntegra with Bill Information Systems and Schlumberger Sema)——for the new network needed to support our modernisation programme.

  Incomes
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the latest figures on households below average incomes to be published. [49445]

  Mr. Darling
  Today I have published Households Below Average Income for 1994–95 to 2000–01. This is a report published under National Statistics arrangements with results that cover Great Britain. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The report shows the position during the financial year 2000–01. Consequently, it does not reflect the full impact of policies introduced part way through that year, or the changes introduced since——for instance the Children's Tax Credit or enhancements to tax credits and benefits made in 2001.

  Nonetheless the report shows that this Government's policies are working. The new economic stability has delivered strong income growth since 1996–97 that is consistent across the whole income distribution. Furthermore our priority to target help to those most in need has delivered real improvements for those on the lowest incomes. There have been significant falls in the numbers of people below "absolute" low-income lines (1996–97 low-income thresholds in real terms). There are now 1.4 million fewer children and 1.1 million fewer pensioners below 60 per cent of 1996–97 median income in real terms (after housing costs).

  Against this backdrop of rising prosperity across the income distribution, we are still reversing the long-term trend of rising relative income poverty for children that we inherited. There are now around half a million fewer children living in households below 60 per cent of contemporary median income.

  Jobcentre-Plus Offices
  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been made of the impact of the decision to remove screens from the pilot Pathfinder offices; and if he will make a statement. [45507]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding reply 25 March 2002]: The Pathfinder offices are delivering the new Jobcentre Plus service in a predominantly unscreened environment. In every Jobcentre Plus area there remains screened provision for dealing with those customers and transactions known to give rise to particular risk.

  Fifty-six Jobcentre Plus Pathfinder offices are open and operating effectively——with positive feedback from staff and customers. For each of these offices a risk assessment has been conducted and its recommendations implemented in full. These assessments will be regularly reviewed in light of experience.

  Pensioner Poverty
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to tackle pensioner poverty. [45912]

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he is taking to ensure that pensioners share in the nation's prosperity. [44516]

  Mr. McCartney
  We are committed to tackling pensioner poverty. In 2001–02 around £5 billion extra has been spent on pensioners as a result of our policies since 1997. In 2002–03 this will rise to £6 billion a year. This includes £2.5 billion more on the poorest third of pensioners.

  This government introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee and is committed to raising this in line with earnings throughout this Parliament, ensuring that pensioners share in rising prosperity. From April, around 1.8 million of the poorest pensioner households will be over £1,000 a year better off in real terms as a result of the Government's tax benefit reforms.

  From 2003 the Pension Credit will ensure that it pays to have saved, with those entitled standing to gain an average of around £400 a year.

  Advertising/Public Relations
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list each(a) public relations and (b) advertising firm that has been employed by his Department since 1997, indicating the (i) subject area and (ii) campaign they worked on in each case. [33628]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The Department of Work and Pensions is a new department formed in June 2001. Since that time the following PR and advertising agencies have been employed in the subject areas and on the campaigns indicated:

  PR company

  Subject area and campaign

  Geronimo

  New Deal/Age Positive

  Media Moguls (ethnic specialists)

  New Deal

  555W

  Advertising agency

  Subject area and campaign

  Publicis

  New Deal for Disabled People

  A national campaign to launch NDDP, covering press advertising in national and regional titles, supported by a help line, website and publicity material.

  St Lukes

  New Deal 50 Plus

  A regional campaign to encourage more of the over-50s into work and to increase their awareness of the local help available.

  St Lukes

  New Deal 25 Plus

  A national campaign to inform the public about changes to the programme through radio advertising, a video and printed materials, supported by research.

  Ogilvy & Mather

  Work Incentives

  Advertising campaign on local radio to raise awareness of the range of financial initiatives available to those moving from benefits into employment if they meet the qualifying criteria.

  Delaney Lund Knox Warren & Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Voelkel

  Pension Education

  A publicity campaign to encourage people to save for their retirement and understand the pension options available to them.

  Ogilvy & Mather

  Winter Fuel Payments

  Information for people aged 60 plus and advisers about winter fuel payments and activity reminding them to claim and telling them how to claim for winter 2002 and relevant previous winters.

  D'Arcy

  Targeting Fraud

  A national advertising campaign on television, radio, press and posters to deter dishonest behaviour, reinforced by regional press advertising showing that benefit fraudsters are regularly caught and punished.

  D'Arcy

  Disability Discrimination Act Awareness

  A national, regional and trade press advertising campaign to raise the public's awareness of the DDA and specifically to encourage service providers to ensure that disabled people have access to their services.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the Public Service Agreement targets which have been revised and those which have been introduced since the publication of the 2001 departmental report. [43248]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Following machinery of Government changes in June 2001, the Public Service Agreement targets for the Department of Social Security were carried forward with the addition of the target shown below which was transferred from the Department for Education and Employment.

  "A continued reduction in the number of unemployed people over the age of 18 over the three years to 2004, taking account of the economic cycle."

DEFENCE

  Defence Medical Agencies
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the quinquennial review of the defence medical agencies; and if he will make a statement. [46935]

  Dr. Lewis Moonie
  As indicated in my written answer on 15 December 2000,Official Report, columns 274W–275W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) the Review has covered the functions and organisation of the Ministry of Defence's four medical agencies——the Defence Secondary Care
  556W
  Agency (DSCA), the Defence Dental Agency (DDA), the Defence Medical Training Organisation (DMTO) and the Medical Supplies Agency (MSA)——and other aspects of medical provision. I announced the results of the initial phase of work in my written answer of 17 October 2001, Official Report, columns 1223W–1224W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr. Wright).

  The Review Team has now completed its work, and I am today placing a summary of its conclusions in the Library of the House. In brief, the main points are that:

  There must be a clearer focus on delivery of the two key Defence medical outputs——deployable operational medical capability, and timely appropriate healthcare for Service personnel;

  Accountability for the delivery of these outputs by both central and single-Service authorities must be defined unambiguously, as part of a clear tri-Service strategy and plan;

  The Surgeon General (SG), working to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff, will be empowered to undertake effective oversight and direction of the DMS in meeting the key output requirements, including those elements which remain under single-Service management;

  A stronger partnership will be established between the DMS and the National Health Service;

  Management capabilities throughout the DMS will be strengthened, drawing on expertise from the parent Services and, where relevant, the NHS;

  The Defence Medical Services will be re-aligned and restructured to focus more effectively on the two key Defence medical outputs. The DSCA will be disestablished on 31 March 2003, with its training-related functions transferring to an expanded medical training agency, and healthcare commissioning being undertaken by a new group within the Surgeon General's staff. The MSA has now transferred into the Defence Logistics Organisation as of 1 April 2002.

  The review has provided an important opportunity to take stock of the progress that has been made since the announcement of the New Strategy for the DMS at the end of 1998. It is no surprise that it has concluded that while much has been done over the last three years there are further steps to be taken——and changes to be made—— that will help the process of restoring DMS capability and ensuring that key Defence medical outputs are delivered. The Government is committed to achieving those aims and, subject to the normal consultative process, to implementing the outcome of the review.

  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence What progress has been made with the quinquennial review of the medical agencies; and if he will make a statement. [8603]

  Dr. Moonie
  I am pleased to say that the review team have completed the first phase of its studies. As indicated in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) of 15 December 2000,Official Report, column 275W, the team has covered medical arrangements for personnel in Germany and Northern Ireland; and the inter?relationships between primary and secondary care as

  557W
  well as the functions and organisation of the Ministry of Defence's four medical agencies——the Defence Secondary Care Agency, the Defence Dental Agency, the Defence Medical Training Organisation and the Medical Supplies Agency.

  I have endorsed the broad lines of the review team's report on the first phase of its studies and have agreed a package of further work to underpin and confirm its provisional conclusions. A paper summarising the main features of the team's initial report and the phase 2 work, which will take place between now and the end of the year, is being placed in the Library of the House. As the paper indicates, this further work will result in

  detailed report which will form the basis of full consultation.

  Property Protection
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence What new measures his Department took in 2001–02 to protect its property from theft or damage. [472511]

  Dr. Lewis Moonie
  [holding reply Wednesday 10 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 February 2002, (Official Report, column 682) which gave details of new and existing measures to deter and detect fraud and theft. It is a prime feature of delegated line management responsibility to operate procedures protecting assets from theft and damage. These procedures are always subject to review. They are enhanced where possible through central initiatives directed at the deterrence and detection of fraud and theft and the introduction of resource accounting arrangements. Recent developments include the promulgation of a policy statement on fraud and theft and the development of a programme of fraud and thef t awareness training across the department. Key controls, such as the maintenance of asset registers requiring a physical description of assets, spot checks and random searches, authorisation to remove assets from sites and physical security are underpinned by published guidance and direction.

  Joint Services Group
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Joint Services Group was formed; what its mission is; how many soldiers are assigned to it; what ranks are represented in its leadership; and to whom its commanding officer reports. [48026]

  Mr. Ingram
  I am withholding this information under Exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (information whose disclosure would harm national security or defence).

  Warships
  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his written answer of 25 March 2002,Official Report, column 562W, on warships, if the companies mentioned will be involved with nuclear material as part of their contract; and if he will make a statement. [481781]

  Mr. Ingram
  Babcock Naval Services Limited at the Clyde and Devonport Management Limited at Devonport will be required to provide direct support to 558W
  Royal Navy nuclear powered submarines and this will involve nuclear material. Both of these companies are already engaged in work of this type.

  Celebrations
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to celebrate(a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how his Department celebrated St. David's Day. [42298].

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 11 March 2002]: The hon. Member is referred to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport (Tessa Jowell) to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Tim Yeo) on 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 58W, in respect of her Department's responsibility for supporting and facilitating the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

  The Home Office flies the Union flag on St. George's Day arid St. David's Day, and this year will also be flying the flag on Coronation Day-2 June 2002.

  Staff will benefit from an additional bank holiday which will take place on Monday 3 June 2002 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

  The Home Office issues a calendar of religious and cultural festivals each year and the Saints' days are included in that. Managers are encouraged to be flexible where possible and to make a reasonable accommodation for staff wishing to take leave for religious observance and festivals.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  James Ashley
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral statement of the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) of 11 February 2002,Official Report, columns 49–54, on James Ashley, what progress has been made in conducting disciplinary proceedings in relation to the police officers involved in the shooting of James Ashley. [43299]

  Mr. Denham
  One superintendent and two chief inspectors are facing a number of disciplinary charges. One officer has obtained leave for judicial review of his suspension. All three officers are seeking leave for judicial review of the chief constable's decision to proceed with disciplinary charges. It is unlikely that any disciplinary hearings will take place until those matters have been resolved.

  Court Hearings
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the performance of contractors in delivering prisoners to magistrates courts in the West Midlands in good time for court hearings. [43425]
  559W
  Beverley Hughes
  Premier Prison Services, who operate the court escort contract in the west Midlands and mid Wales, are required to deliver prisoners to magistrates courts in their area 30 minutes before court start time. In the six months to February 2002 over 20,000 prisoners have been escorted by Premier Prison Services to those courts and of these approximately 82 per cent. have arrived by the time stated in their contract. A further seven per cent. have arrived before court start time.

  All failures to meet the obligations placed on Premier Prison Services by the contract are examined by the Prison Service court escort monitor for the area and, where they are considered to be at fault, penalty points are imposed. If these exceed a prescribed level then financial remedies may be applied. Not all late deliveries are the direct fault of Premier Prison Services. Late discharges from prison, long journeys occasioned by the general population pressures on the prison estate and circumstances beyond the control of the parties involved may all be contributory factors in any individual case.

  Sex Offender Treatment Programmes
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on availability of sex offender treatment programmes in prison. [42891]

  Beverley Hughes
  There are five versions of the accredited Sex Offender Treatment Programmes (SOTP) delivered in prisons: a core programme for all except those with learning difficulties and those at low risk of re-offending; an adapted programme for those with learning difficulties; an extended programme for those at high risk of re-offending; a rolling programme for those at low risk of re-offending; and a booster programme for those who have completed other versions of the programme and are preparing for release.

  The Prison Service's targets for numbers of prisoners completing versions of the programme in 2002–03 and 2003–04 are 950 and 1,240 respectively. Versions of the programme are currently delivered at 25 prisons. This is planned to rise to 27 prisons in 2002–03 and 28 in 2003–04. Prisoners may need to be transferred in order to undertake the programme.

  It is not possible to be precise as to whether provision exactly meets demand. For example, the programme is also delivered to those serving sentences for other offences but who have previous histories of sexual offending; and some offenders have to be excluded from treatment temporarily or permanently because clinical assessment at the start of the programme is that they are unlikely to be responsive. However, the Prison Service keeps the programme under review to ensure its availability to all eligible prisoners with sentences long enough to complete it.

  Premier Prison Services, who operate the court escort contract in the West Midlands and Mid Wales, are required to deliver prisoners to magistrates'courts in their area 30 minutes before court start time. In the six months to February 2002 over 20,000 prisoners have been escorted by Premier Prison Services to those courts
  560W
  and of these approximately 82 per cent. have arrived by the time stated in their contract. A further seven per cent. have arrived before the court start time.

  All failures to meet the obligations placed on Premier Prison Services by the contract are examined by the Prison Service Court Escort Monitor for the area and, where they are considered to be at fault, penalty points are imposed. If these exceed a prescribed level then financial remedies may be applied. Not all late deliveries are the direct fault of Premier Prison Services. Late discharges from prison, long journeys occasioned by the general population pressures on the prison estate and circumstances beyond the control of the parties involved may all be contributory factors in any individual case.

  Prisons
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on overcrowding in prisons. [42893]

  Beverley Hughes
  At the end of February 2002, a total of 13,963 prisoners were held in overcrowded conditions. This is 20 per cent. of the prisoner population.

  Most overcrowding is attributable to the numbers held two in a cell designed for one, commonly known as doubling. Within the total overcrowding figure above, 12,516 prisoners were held doubled. The average rate of doubling for the current year to the end of February is 17 per cent. which remains below the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) target for 2001–02 18 per cent or less.

  Data are provisional and subject to validation by prisons.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to address overcrowding in women's prisons. [43536]

  Beverley Hughes
  The female prison population on 15 March 2002 was 4,229. This was 146 below the total certified operational capacity of 4,375 for the same day. The Government sets no target for the prison population as it is for the courts to determine who is sent to prison. The Government will provide the places necessary to accommodate safely and securely those sentenced by the courts. New prison capacity is opening this year for female prisoners. Buckley Hall, a 350 place prison near Rochdale, will change function shortly from male to female use. Female capacity will increase by 80 places later this year when two ready use units are opened at Morton Hall in Lincolnshire. A further 810 places will be provided by 2004, in new prisons at Ashford (near Heathrow) and at Peterborough.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what aftercare is made available to women prisoners with mental health problems after they have been released. [43558]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Care Programme Approach (CPA), which is intended to address the health and social care needs of individual service users, applies to those women with mental health problems who leave prison in the same way that it applies to other mental health service users. It is intended to deliver care through a care plan to meet the individual needs of the
  561W
  service user, and is an effective co-ordination process. Most women prisoners with a serious mental illness should leave prison on enhanced CPA.

  Women prisoners with mental health problems should be able to access a full range of the community supports they need in order to promote their recovery and integration back into society through their CPA care co-ordinator or general practitioner. This should include housing, education, employment and leisure and the establishment of appropriate links with the benefits agency and probation service.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what ratio of prison officers to inmates is provided for(a) female and (b) male prisoners. [43539]

  Beverley Hughes
  On 31 January 2002, the ratio of prison officer grades to prisoner was——within public sector prisons:

  1:2.54——female prisoners;

  1:2.73——male prisoners,

  within privately managed prisons:

  1:2.18——male prisoners only.

  The definition of prison officer grades differs within the public and private sector. On 31 January 2002, no privately managed prison accommodated female prisoners.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if they Pay Review Board's recommendations for pay increases for prison offices will be met in full. [44420]

  Beverley Hughes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend (Huw Edwards) on 21 March 2002,Official Report, column 480W.

  Timber
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the companies from which his Department has obtained timber and wood products and the total spent with each firm over the last five years. [43407]

  Angela Eagle
  Current data capture systems do not enable the information to be reported in the format requested. From April 2001 the Department has instructed procurement staff to record information on timber and timber-based purchases by volume per species but there have been difficulties in obtaining the data. The Department proposes to review its capture of information on timber and wood purchases once cross government guidelines have been agreed.

  Knife Crime
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics his Department has collated on the incidence of knife crimes in Falmouth and Camborne. [43419]

  Mr. Denham
  The requested information is not collected centrally.

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prison workshops are in use at Wandsworth Prison. [44633]

  Beverley Hughes
  Workshops currently in use at Wandsworth prison are a Laundry, Data Entry Shop, Brush Manufacturing Shop, Textile Shop, Tailoring Shop and Contract Services Workshop.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates at Wandsworth Prison are working gin prison workshops(a) full-time and (b) part-time, as at 15 March 2002. [44622]

  Beverley Hughes
  263 prisoners were employed in prison workshops at Wandsworth prison on 15 March 2002. Of these, 121 were employed full-time and 142 part-time.

  Arrest Statistics
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made, broken down by police force area, in each year since 1997. [44460]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the0 reply I gave the hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (James Paice) on 26 February 2002,Official Report, column 1246W.

  Golden Jubilee
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 622W, if his Department is planning to apply for a special grant to pay for additional police officers and other exceptional additional costs which could not be met from within existing budgets for the Queen's Golden Jubilee; what the procedure is for applying for such a grant; how much money the Department anticipates requesting; and if he will make a statement. [44570]

  Mr. Denham
  Where it can be demonstrated that exceptional additional costs could not be met from existing police authority budgets or reserves it is open to forces to apply for a special grant. Any such application would be considered within existing Departmental provision for special grants.

  In general terms we would expect police authorities to meet the additional costs of policing Golden Jubilee events from within their existing budgets or reserves. Criteria for consideration of a special grant application were agreed in 2000 between the Home Office, Association of Chief Police Officers and Association of Police Authorities. Under those criteria police authorities are normally expected to meet additional costs up to 1 per cent. of the force budget set by the policy authority. Grant would be considered in relation to the balance of cost above that 1 per cent.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Department has spent on the Queen's Jubilee in each of the past three years; how it has been allocated; and if he will make a statement. [44571]
  563W
  Angela Eagle
  There was no Home Office expenditure in connection with the Golden Jubilee in 1999–2000. In 2000–01, £72,375.15 was spent on the administrative costs of setting up the Golden Jubilee Unit, which is co-ordinating the arrangements for the Jubilee celebrations

  Responsibility for the Golden Jubilee Unit was transferred to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport following the General Election. Funding had passed through the Home Office accounts in February 2002: up to that point £721,861.53 was spent by the Golden Jubilee Unit. This comprised £594,824 on the Unit's work in co-ordinating arrangements for the celebrations, £95,110 in grants and £31,927 on providing information about how to stage the jubilee events. Of the grant expenditure, the majority £50,000 was given to the "London String of Pearls" (as a contribution to the costs in opening up buildings to the public during Jubilee) and the rest to the Commonwealth Institute (to help towards the cost of its role in the planned national parade).

  Yarl's Wood
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if prison officers were called to attend at Yarl's Wood during the recent riot. [44418]

  Beverley Hughes
  Yes. At the request of Group 4 and in accordance with the Prison Service's protocol with the Immigration and Nationality Department, prison officers were deployed to assist in restoring order at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre on 14 and 15 February 2002.

  Wellingborough Prison
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the number of prison officers at Wellingborough Prison attending prison visits. [44417]

  Beverley Hughes
  Management Consultancy Services (MCS) carried out a staffing and regimes review of Wellingborough Prison during October 2001. The MCS report contained recommendations about staffing levels required to supervise domestic visits. The report will now be discussed by MCS, management of the prison and the relevant staff associations.

  Greater Manchester Police
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community police officers there are in Greater Manchester, broken down by constituency. [42844]

  Mr. John Denham
  [holding answer 19 March 2002]: The information in the table has been provided by the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (David Wilmot). The number of community police officers is shown for each police division. A breakdown by Parliamentary constituency is not available.

  Division

  Community Police Officers1

  North Manchester Division

  54

  South Manchester Division

  100

  The City of Salford Division

  75

  564W

  Division

  Community Police Officers1

  Tamside Metropolitan

  34

  Borough Division

  Stockport Metropolitan

  53

  Borough Division

  Bolton Metropolitan Borough Division

  66

  Wigan Metropolitan Borough Division

  53

  Tafford Metropolitan Borough Division

  38

  Bury Metropolitan Borough Division

  32

  Rochdale Metropolitan

  47

  Borough Division

  Oldham Metropolitan Borough Division

  36

  Total

  588

  1 Greater Manchester police have defined a 'community police officer' as an officer who dedicates their duties to working within the community in partnership with other agencies, examples are a hool liaison officers and youth offender officers.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for review of notification of determination by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority there have been in each of the last three years; and what percentage of these requests subsequently result in a changed decision. [43990]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 19 March 2002]: he Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority have provided the following information:

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Review requests

  19,891

  20,521

  18,002

  % Decision changed

  16

  15

  12

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for review of determination by the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority there have been in the current financial year; what the waiting time is for allocation of review requests; and what the average time is for completion of the review. [43991]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 19 March 2002]: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advise that 15,792 review requests were received in the period 1 April 2001 to 14 March 2002. The waiting time for allocation of review requests is currently 14 weeks and falling, and the average time for a completed review in the 2001–02 financial year is 439 days.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many determinations by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on which the application for compensation is declined due to the applicant refusing to give evidence in court there have been in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total number of determinations were(a) approved and (b) declined. [43989]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 19 March 2002]: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advice that the number of applications rejected on account of the applicant's failure to give evidence in court was 236 in 1998–99, 158 in 1999–2000 and 274 in 2000–01. In the

  565W
  same three years, the percentages of all determinations approved were 54,52 and 53, and of those rejected were 46,48 and 47.

  Stolen Equipment
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2002,Official Report, column 834–5W, on stolen equipment, whether the computer equipment stolen from his Department was (a) new and unused and (b) used; and what was the nature of the data stored on such items in each case. [42642]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 20 March 2002]: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the target time will be in 2002–03 for(a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon.

  Percentage of positive tests from random MDT

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–021

  Cannabis

  17.2%

  14.5%

  10.2%

  7.5%

  6%

  Opiates (including heroin)

  4.3%

  4.5%

  4.3%

  4.7%

  4.7%

  Cocaine (including crack)

  0.2%

  0.3%

  0.2%

  0.2%

  0.2%

  All drugs

  20.8%

  18.3%

  14.2%

  12.4%

  11.4%

  1 Figures are based on the year to date——to 31 January 2002.

  No central record is kept of the amount of alcohol use in prisons. However, the best available indicator is the number of punishments handed down to prisoners for knowingly consuming alcohol. Between 1997 and 2000 these were:

  1997–297

  1998–524

  1999–632

  2000–547

  Alcohol-related Crime
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces in England and Wales keep records of alcohol-related crime. [44001]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: The term alcohol-related crime potentially covers any criminal act where the perpetrator may have been drinking alcohol prior to, or at the time of, the offence. While the relevant offence may be recorded, there is at present no requirement on police forces to record whether or not the offender had been drinking. Many forces do, however make their own assessment of alcohol-related crime problems, to inform their operational policing decisions.

  The suite of Best Value Performance Indicators for the police for 2002–03 include both a measure of violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises and a measure of violent offences under the influence of
  566W
  Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public. [44956]

  Angela Eagle
  For 2002–03 the Home Office targets for replying to letters will continue as follows:

  (a) Ministers to reply to 95 per cent. of MPs correspondence about the Prison Service within 20 working days, and within 15 working days on all other matters.

  (b) Officials to reply to 95 per cent. of correspondence from the public within 20 working days.

  Drug Use (Prisoners)
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Deparment what (1) the rate of testing for cannabis use among prisoners has been in each of the past five years. [45076]

  (2) what estimates his department has made of the use of (a) cannabis, (b) heroin, (c) crack cocaine, (d) all drugs, including alcohol among prisoners in each of the past five years. [45077]

  Beverley Hughes
  The most reliable indicator of drug misuse in prisons is data from the random mandatory drug testing (MDT) programme. National figures are given in the table.

  an intoxicating substance. This will provide a consistent measure of alcohol-related violence across all police forces in England and Wales.

  Special Urgency Provisions
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2002,Official Report, column 1100W, if he will list the occasions on which his Department has applied the special urgency provisions of circular 18/84 (Development by Government Departments), stating (a) the date, (b) the nature of the development and (c) a description of local consultations conducted. [45560]

  Angela Eagle
  Crown land is exempt from statutory planning control. Under the provisions of Circular 18/84 Government Departments instead must consult with local planning authorities before proceeding with Crown developments. In the event of an objection to the proposed development the matter may be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Stephen Byers), who may arrange for a non-statutory public local inquiry to be held. A decision will then be issued to all interested parties.

  Paragraph 22 of the Circular permits Departments to seek responses from local planning authorities within just 14 clays, instead of the normal eight weeks. Unlike the normal procedure there is no obligation on the local planning authority to seek third party views. If no

  567W
  response is received after 14 days the Department can proceed with the development by the service of notice on the authority.

  The special urgency provisions of circular 18/84 have been applied in the following cases:
  Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London SW1;
  Date: January 1999;
  Nature of development: New London Passport Office——removal of asbestos and stripping of the interior (Phase 1), redevelopment of the building, change of use and construction of a two-storey side extension (Phase 2);
  Description of consultations: Consultations took the form of meetings between retained consultants and Westminster City Council.
  Yarl's Wood Immigration Detention Centre;
  Date: May 2000;
  Nature of development: Redevelopment and use of the site for an immigration detention centre;
  Description of consultations: Consultations included public meetings in Clapham and Milton Ernest village halls on 6 and 8 June 2000 respectively.
  Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre;
  Date: May 2000
  Nature of development: Redevelopment of the site to provide an immigration detention centre, with associated hearing centre, administration building, visitors centre and car parking.
  Description of consultations: An application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis.
  Formerly Her Majesty's Prison Aldington (Immigration Detention Centre);
  Date: June 2000
  Nature of development: Construction of a 300-place immigration detention centre
  Description of consultations: Consultations took place with the local planning authority and three public meetings and an exhibition were held. This scheme has not been implemented.
  Logford House Removal Centre (Harmondsworth 2);
  Date: December 2001
  Nature of development: Development and use of the site as a second immigration detention centre.
  Description of consultations: An application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis.
  Langhurst House, Horsham;
  Date: February 1999
  Nature of development: Construction of single-storey laboratory facility
  Description of consultations: An application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis.

  The special urgency provisions have also been used for 120-place blocks at the following prisons:
  Her Majesty's Prison Garth, Chorley (June-July 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Holme House, Stockton-on-Tees (July 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison New Hall, Wakefield (June-October 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Bullingdon, Bicester (June-July 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Wetherby, Leeds (November 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Moorland, Doncaster (June 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Styal, Macclesfield (June 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Wymott, Chorley (July-August 1996)
  568W
  Her Majesty's Prison Onley, Daventry (June 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Guys March, Dorset (June 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Rangy, Ranby (August-October 1996).

  The special urgency provisions were also used for 40-place living units at the following prisons:
  Her Majesty's Prison Stocken, Rutland (November 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Norwich (November 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Downview, Banstead (November-December 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Kirklevington, Stockton-on-Tees (November-December 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Wayland, Thetford (November-December 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Haverigg, Millom (October-November 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Kirkham, Fylde (October 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Littlehey, Huntington (November 1996)
  Her Majesty's Prison Ashwell. Rutland (November 1996)

  In the period since the answer of 13 March 2002 special urgency provisions were applied in respect of 40-place rapid modular units at the following prisons:

  Her Majesty's Prison Acklington, Morpeth

  Her Majesty's Prison Eventhorpe, Brough

  Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution Hatfield, Hatfield

  Her Majesty's Prison Haverigg, Millom

  Her Majesty's Prison Highpoint, Stradishall

  Her Majesty's Prison Hollesley Bay, Woodbridge

  Her Majesty's Prison Leyhill, Wot ton-Under-Edge

  Her Majesty's Prison Lindholme, Hatfield Woodhouse

  Her Majesty's Prison North Sea Camp, Boston

  Her Majesty's Prison Prescoed, Usk

  Her Majesty's Prison Ranby, Ranby

  Her Majesty's Prison Standford, Eastchurch

  Her Majesty's Prison Stocken, Stretton

  Her Majesty's Prison Spring Hill, Grendon Underwood

  Her Majesty's Prison Wayland, Thetford

  Her Majesty's Prison Wealstun, near Weatherby (clearance received in April 2002)

  Finally, special urgency provisions were applied in March 2002 in respect of a 40-place ready-to-use unit at the following prison:
  Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Morton Hall, Swinderby (clearance received in March 2002)

  In the case of all prison developments an application letter and drawings were sent to the local planning authority and subsequent consultations were undertaken on an informal basis.

  Animal Experiments
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on animal experiments. [45920]

  Angela Eagle
  The use of animals in experiments and other scientific procedures is strictly regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which is widely regarded as the most rigorous piece of legislation of its type in the world. It offers a high level of protection to animals whilst recognising the need to use animals in
  569W
  research. It also requires the latest ideas and technology to be taken into account when deciding whether the use of animals is justified.

  We are working to ensure that the highest possible standards of animal welfare are applied and that animals are used only where it is fully justified. To this end, the Home Office has developed and put in place a strategy to ensure that policy is reviewed continuously as scientific and ethical considerations evolve, checking that the costs to animals are minimised and remain outweighed by the potential benefits of the work; compliance and high standards are reinforced through consistently applied inspection, training, guidance and (if necessary) infringement procedures; the advice of the Inspectorate, other welfare and scientific expertise, and the products of local ethical review processes is harnessed in ensuring that there are no alternatives which either replace animal use entirely, reduce the number of animals needed or refine the procedures to minimise suffering (the 3Rs). It also ensures that these are rigorously applied in every case and that the highest standards of animal welfare are implemented.

  It is also our strategy to encourage the development and use of alternatives and relevant databases through research funding and education, and through support for the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM); to take a lead in formulating European policies, standards and targets which neither disadvantage the United Kingdom nor drive work abroad to countries where lower standards apply; to liaise actively with legitimate interest groups and encourage the Animal Procedures Committee to take a more public role and offer broadly based and independent advice to Ministers; and to seek to make the administration of the 1986 Act as transparent as possible.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will estimate the cost of converting the Centrex Site at High Ercall, Shropshire to a centre for housing asylum seekers; [45165]

  (2) what discussions he has had with (a) Angel Development Corporation and (b) other interested parties on the suitability of the Centrex site at High Ercall, Shropshire, for housing asylum seekers since 27 November 2001. [45164]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 25 March 2002]: The Angel Group is under contract to the National. Asylum Support Service to provide accommodation for asylum seekers. I can confirm that no discussions have taken place with the Group or other interested parties into the possibility of using the Centrex site at High Ercall as a centre for housing asylum seekers. Since no discussions have taken place I am unable to estimate the cost of converting the site.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent changes have been made to the asylum support system. [49015]

  Angela Eagle
  Amendments to the Asylum Support Regulations 2000 came into effect on 8 April 2002. From that date levels of support provided to asylum seekers 570W
  and their dependants under Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 have been increased. Also from 8 April all payments will be paid in cash.

  In addition, the Regulations have been amended to extend the prescribed period for discontinuing the support of asylum seekers whose claims have been fully determined. From 8 April when the Secretary of State notifies the claimant that he accepts the asylum claim, or notifies the claimant that the asylum claim is rejected but at the same time gives him limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or where an appeal by the claimant against the Secretary of State's decision has been disposed of (within the meaning of Section 94(4) of the Act by being allowed, the period is increased from 14 days to 28 days. In any other case, the period is increased from 14 days to 21 days.

  Amendments to the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999 have also been made. These extend the duration of the Regulations until 5 April 2004; amend the prescribed period for asylum seekers supported by local authorities in the same way as for those supported under Section 95 of the 1999 Act and remove the restrictions on the payment of subsistence support in cash.

  The new rates of support for the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) supported asylum seekers are shown in the table:

  Levels of cash subsistence support for NASS supported asylum seekers and any dependants from 8 April 2002

  Rates

  Qualifying couple

  £59.26

  Lone parent aged Qualifying couple 18 or over

  £37.77

  Single person aged 25 or over

  £37.77

  Single person aged at least 18 but under 25

  £29.89

  Person aged at least 16 but under 18 (except a member of a qualifying couple)

  £32.50

  Person aged under 16

  £33.50

  Criminal Justice System Annual Report
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the criminal justice system annual report for 2000–01. [49014]

  Mr. Blunkett
  My noble and learned Friends the Attorney General, the Lord Chancellor and I will today be publishing jointly an annual report for the criminal justice system for England and Wales.

  The document is a formal report back on the criminal justice system strategic and business plan, which was published in May 2000.

  Copies of the Report will be placed in the Library.

TREASURY

  Euro
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he expects to complete his five economic tests for determining whether the UK should adopt the euro. [44499]
  571W
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I have made clear on a number of occasions to this House that the Treasury will complete the assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to present to Parliament regular progress reports on the preliminary technical work on the assessment of the five economic tests on the euro. [44519]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government has said that it will complete the assessment within two years of the start of this Parliament. Once the assessment is complete, the Government will publish the conclusions and the report.

  Tourism Exports
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the level of tourism exports in the last five years from each region of the country. [44518]

  Ruth Kelly
  Figures on incoming tourists by UK region, alongside estimates of their expenditure, are contained in Table 4.11 of the Office for National Statistics 2001 Travel Trends publication (ISBN 0 11 621477 55). This covers years up to and including 2000. Figures for 2001 will be published in the Autumn.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on what action his Department is taking to reach its goal on lifting children out of poverty in this Parliament. [44521]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This Government is committed to abolishing child poverty within a generation and halving it by 2010. As part of this commitment, we recently published a strategy document entitled "Tackling child poverty: giving every child the best possible start in life" which will inform the Budget and Spending Review 2002. As a result of tax and benefit changes announced in the last Parliament, there are now 1.2 million fewer children in poverty than there would otherwise have been.

  As part of the next stage of tax and benefit reform, a new tax credit for families with children——the Child Tax Credit——will be introduced from 2003, building on the foundation of universal Child Benefit. It will bring together the strands of support for children in Children's Tax Credit, Working Families Tax Credit, Disabled Person's Tax Credit and Income Support/Job Seekers' Allowance, and will be a seamless and transparent system of support for children, paid to the main carer, whether the family is in or out of work. Decisions on rates and thresholds will be set out in Budget 2002.

  National Insurance
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the revenue implications of aligning the national insurance upper earnings limit with the higher rate of tax threshold. [44522]
  572W
  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 31 October 2001,Official Report, column 742W.

  NHS Funding
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with Derek Wanless regarding the contents of the final Wanless report. [44524]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for New Forest West (Mr. Swayne).

  Sports Clubs
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received to implement separate tax proposals for community amateur sports clubs in the 2002 Budget. [44525]

  Mr. Boateng
  A range of responses to the "Promoting Sport in the Community" consultation document has been received. Decisions on the best way forward will be made with regard to these responses and in the context of subsequent meetings with sports' representative bodies and the Charity Commission. A summary of responses will be made publicly available at the time of any announcement.

  Manufacturing
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of trends in tax receipts from manufacturing industry in the south-west since January 2001. [44526]

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the changes in tax receipts from the manufacturing sector in the south-east of England during 2001. [44534]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information requested is not available. This is because the difficulties involved in apportioning taxes between different regions and sectors mean that the estimates would not be robust.

  Climate Change Levy
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from industry on the climate change levy. [44527]

  Mr. Boateng
  As part of the normal process of contact with business, the Chancellor and the Treasury Ministerial team have met with a variety of business organisations and individual companies, and have heard a variety of representations on Climate Change Levy, and on other matters.

  Privy Council Silverware
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the Privy Council silverware. [44528]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18 March,Official Report, column 46W.

  Oil Prices
  Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the economy of the recent rise in oil prices. [44529]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government will publish updated forecasts for the UK economy in the Budget on 17 April, taking into account all recent developments and risks.

  Unemployment (North-East)
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on measures being taken to reduce unemployment in the north-east. [44530]

  Ruth Kelly
  Figures recently announced show that the employment level is at 28,232 million, and the claimant unemployment level stands at 951,000. Claimant unemployment stands at 5.3 per cent in the North East and in North Durham it is down by 44 per cent. since 1997. The New Deal has been a contributing factor to these reductions in unemployment.

  In particular New Deal for young people has been successful in its four years of operation; it has placed over 340,000 18–24 year olds into work. 27,858 individuals have been placed into work in the North East. The New Deal for 25 plus and the enhanced programme (since April 2001) has helped a further 92,000 long-term unemployed people into work. For the North East region, 4,934 individuals have moved into employment and since the enhanced programme 1,616 individuals.

  Action teams are in place to help individuals into employment, as well as Employment zones. For instance, within the North East region these have been launched in Stockton and Middlesbrough RC.

  To build on this performance, the Government has introduced further measures to increase the effectiveness of the New Deal and other employment programmes, including:
  Piloting greater flexibility in the Options section of NDYP from November 2001 to give personal advisers more freedom to tailor the provision of support to meet the needs of the individuals, local employers and local labour markets;
  Establishing a pilot mentoring scheme from January 2002 to assess how mentoring can best be used to improve employment chances and job retention under the New Deal;
  Step-up a new programme of transitional employment pilots will, from April 2002 target our hardest to help clients who have not been able to find a job through the New Deal are going to be in place for instance in, Knowsley and Lambeth areas. People who take up these jobs will receive individual support so that they can eventually make the transition to unsupported jobs in the open labour market;
  To support those communities affected by large-scale redundancies, the Government is allocating additional resources to strengthen the Job Transition Service over the next two years; and
  The Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) is helping to make work pay for low to middle income families' with children. Nearly 1.3 million families with children are currently receiving the WFTC, around 400,000 more than received its predecessor, Family Credit. On average these families are receiving £35 a week more on WFTC than under Family Credit.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Lammy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the results of his welfare to work proposals in deprived areas. [44531]

  Ruth Kelly
  Figures recently announced show that the employment level is at 28,232 million, and the claimant unemployment level stands at 951,000. Claimant unemployment in Tottenham is down by 44 per cent. since 1997. The New Deal has been a contributing factor to these reductions in unemployment.

  In particular New Deal for young people has been successful in its four years of operation: it has placed over 340,000 18–24 year olds into work. The New Deal for 25 plus and the enhanced programme (since April 2001) has helped a further 92,000 long-term unemployed people into work.

  To build on this performance, the Government has introduced further measures to increase the effectiveness of employment programmes in deprived areas, which include:
  Tackling the obstacles to employment in some of the worst affected regions in Britain, the Government has established 63 Action Teams in England, Scotland and Wales that suffer from particularly high levels of inactivity and long-term unemployment. Action Teams are a dynamic and innovative resource to tackle some of the UK's most deep-seated and protracted employment problems. So far 6,934 people have moved to work through Action Teams;
  The Government has PSAs targets for increasing employment in the most deprived areas within the UK. The employment rate for these 30 areas currently stands at 63.2 per cent. (Autumn 2001) up from 60.2 per cent. in Spring 1997;
  Step-up a new programme of transitional employment pilots will, in deprive areas such as Knowsley and Lambeth from April 2002 target our hardest to help clients who have not been able to find a job through the New Deal. People who participate in Step-Up will receive individual support so that they can eventually make the transition to unsupported jobs in the open labour market;
  The Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) helps to make-work pay for low to middle income families' with children. Nearly 1.3 million families with children are currently receiving the WFTC, around 400,000 more than received its predecessor, Family Credit. On average these families are receiving £35 a week more on WFTC than under Family Credit.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what preparations his Department has made to call for the acceleration of debt cancellation under the HIPC process to the level required to help achieve international development targets set at the bank April meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. [44532]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government continues to press for rapid implementation of the HIPC debt relief initiative to ensure that all eligible countries benefit and achieve sustainable debt levels.

  The cost of achieving the International Development Targets has been estimated at an additional US$50 billion per annum, equivalent to a doubling of current global aid. Debt reduction under the HIPC initiative can therefore be only one element of the additional finance required. For this reason the Government has been calling for substantial increases in aid and has welcomed

  575W
  recent commitments by the US and EU, announced in advance of the UN Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey, of an US$12 billion per annum increase in aid levels.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department plans new bilateral loans to(a) the heavily indebted poor countries and (b) other countries. [45188]

  Hilary Benn
  I have been asked to reply.

  All DFID bilateral assistance to heavily indebted poor countries and to other developing countries is in the form of grants.

  Employment Tax Credit
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his proposals for an employment tax credit. [44533]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In April 2003 the Government are planning to introduce the Working Tax Credit to help make work pay and tackle in-work poverty. The Working Tax Credit will replace the adult elements of the Working Families' Tax Credit, Disabled Person's Tax Credit and the Employment Credit 50 +. It will also extend the principle of Working Families Tax Credit to workers aged over 25 without children or a disability. The Working Tax Credit will be complemented by the Child Tax Credit. The rates and tapers of the Working Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit will be announced in Budget 2002.

  VAT
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the costs to small businesses of administering VAT. [44535]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) on 26 November 2001,Official Report, columns 630W and 631W.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48407]

  Ruth Kelly
  This information is not held centrally, and could only be assembled at disproportionate cost.

  Exports
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the level of UK exports if the pound fell 10 per cent. against the euro; and if he will make a statement. [44536]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 696W.

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent steps have been taken by the Treasury concerning the planning and control of health expenditure. [44517]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  These are matters for consideration by the Chancellor prior to the Budget and Spending Review.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Secretary of State for Health to discuss planned levels of health spending after 2003–04. [44520]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Chancellor meets with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to discuss a variety of issues on a regular basis.

  Arthur Andersen
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2002, Ref. 37050, with reference to Clause 19 of the Cabinet Office Guidance to Departments on Sponsorship of Government Activities, if he will place the written agreement between his Department and Andersen in the library; and if he will make a statement. [39615]

  Ruth Kelly
  The commercial arrangements for the "Creating Knowledge: Creating Wealth" conference on 14 April 1999 were as follows. The Treasury paid £15,500.85 (including VAT) for the hire of the conference facility, catering, staging and audio/visual equipment. Arthur Andersen incurred costs of £5,499.15 for the preparation of conference packs and for graphic design.

  Arthur Andersen's role was to help identify speakers and with the administration of the event. I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of a letter from my officials dated 25 November 1998 setting out these arrangements.

  PFI/PPPs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed. [44880]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information is as follows:(a) PFI Projects Delayed
  Inland Revenue——Archer House project, Stockport. The delay was due to a proposed site change and an interim change of specification.
  (b) There have been no delayed PPP projects.

  Scottish Transport Group
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date his Department was first informed of the level of Scottish Transport Group pension scheme's surplus. [48168]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The wind up of the STG pension scheme is being taken forward by the Scottish Executive following privatisation. The Scottish Executive
  577W
  announced in December 2000 how the surplus was being distributed following agreement with Treasury Ministers.

  Scottish Bus Group
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules in respect of double taxation are applicable to the Scottish Bus Group employee pension fund. [48284]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A surplus from a pension fund scheme can carry a tax liability. A tax charge is provided for under section 601 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. It applies to all payments to an employer from the funds of an exempt approved pension scheme, as the Scottish Transport Group schemes are. The current rate at which the tax is charged is 35 per cent. in accordance with Section 74 of the Finance Act 2001. The tax payable on payments to pensioners will depend on the personal tax circumstances of the individual. Payments have yet to be finalised.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what legal advice his Department has obtained in relation to the distribution of the Scottish Bus Group employee pension funds; under what statutory provisions these funds are liable to public general taxation; to what extent ex-gratia payments made to former members of the fund are liable to tax; to what extent this applies in respect of payments in excess of £30,000; and at what rate. [48282]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Scottish Executive is taking forward the wind up of the STG pension schemes. The tax position is set out in the answer I am today giving to another question of the hon. Lady's ref. 48284.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new initiatives his Department has taken in 2001–02 to assist in achieving its Public Service Agreements targets. [47186]

  Ruth Kelly
  Information about the measures put in place to achieve the Treasury's PSA targets will be published in the Treasury's 2002 Departmental Report.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his overseas visits since 7 June 2001. [46173]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer my hon. Friend the answer given by the Deputy Prime Minister on 4 February,Official Report, column 707W.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2002, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison),Official Report, columns 1142–43W, on tax credits, what the average penalty imposed on each person who has been subjected to a penalty as a result of an investigation into a WFTC or DPTC claim is, broken down into each financial year. [40509]
  578W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The average penalty imposed as a result of an investigation into a WFTC/DPTC claim is as follows:

  October 1999–March 2000

  April 2000–March 2001

  April 2001–December 2001

  Average penalty

  £481

  £521

  £593

  Widows' Pensions
  David Burnside
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the difference in the treatment for tax purposes of the attributable pension awarded to war widows and widows of disabled service personnel. [46410]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: Specific rules mean that pensions paid under the War Pensions Scheme to widows or widowers in respect of the death of their spouses are exempt from tax. Pensions paid to widows or widowers of service personnel under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme are taxable in the normal way.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the Treasury of collecting capital gains tax. [47635]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The cost of collecting Capital Gains Tax in 2000–01 was £43 million. This equates to 1.33 pence for every pound of Capital Gains Tax collected.

  The figure relates mainly to costs arising from gains to individuals and trustees but some other costs (mainly of land valuations for companies) that cannot be separately identified are included in the collection costs of capital gains tax.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the income from capital gains tax was in each of the last five years. [47655]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Receipt of capital gains tax in each of the last five years are given on the Inland Revenue website at: http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/tax-receipts/g-t02-1.htm.

  Research and Development
  Rob Marris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what financial measures the Government have implemented since 1997 to stimulate research and development, and production, in the sectors of medical technology and of pollution control. [44493]

  Mr. Boateng
  In Budget 2000 the Government introduced the R&D tax credit for small and medium sized companies. In Budget 2001 consultation was announced on two further measures supporting R&D:extending R&D tax credits to all companies; and
  a tax credit for research into drug and vaccines for killer diseases——TB, malaria and some strains of HIV/AIDS——primarily affecting people living in developing nations.
  579W
  The Chancellor confirmed on 25 March that a wider volume based R&D tax credit, applying to spending on or after 1 April 2002, would be introduced.

  Budget 2001 introduced enhanced capital allowances for investment in energy efficient technologies, allowing companies to immediately write off the full cost of qualifying investments against taxable profit. In Pre-Budget Report 2001 the Government announced proposals under the Green Technology Challenge to introduce further enhanced capital allowances to tackle climate change and improve air quality, and to reduce water use and improve water quality.

  Small Landlords
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the tax system to assist small landlords. [44494]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keeps all taxes under review and any changes will be announced in the Budget Report.

  Vocational Training
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2002,Official Report, column 578W, on vocational training, if he will provide a breakdown of the courses being followed by the claimants of vocational training relief in 1998–99. [48639]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is not available.

  Family Incomes
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to increase the take-home pay of families of those in low paid work. [44504]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Over the last Parliament this Government introduced the following measures to make work pay:

  National Minimum Wage

  Working Families Tax Credit and Childcare Tax Credit

  The 10 pence and 22 pence rates of income tax; and

  Reforms to National Insurance Contributions.

  As a result of these measures families with children in the poorest fifth of the population are on average £1,700 a year better off in real terms.

  In April 2003 the Government is planning to replace Working Families Tax Credit with the Working Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. The Child Tax Credit will provide a seamless stream of support for families, paid direct to the main carer, building on the foundations of universal Child Benefit.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the advisory cost limit of £550 for answering written parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement. [49257]

  Ruth Kelly
  The advisory cost limit was last increased in 2000,Official Record, 15 May 2000, column 47W and is to be further increased to £600 from today.
  580W
  The purpose and application of the advisory cost limit remains unchanged. It is intended to act as a threshold for disproportionate cost parliamentary questions (PQs). Any written PQ where the marginal cost of preparing the answer is considered likely to exceed the threshold may be refused in whole or in part on the grounds of disproportionate cost. Alternatively the Minister may decide that the PQ is to be answered irrespective of cost. There is no advisory limit for oral PQs.

  The advisory limit continues to be based on eight times the average marginal cost for written PQs, which is now £75, rounded down to the nearest £50 for convenience of application.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the cost of answering(a) a written parliamentary question and (b) an oral parliamentary question. [49258]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at April 2001, the average cost of answering a written parliamentary question and an oral parliamentary question was £129 and £299 respectively.

  Monterey Conference
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions took place at the Financing for Development Conference in Mexico on the reform of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers to take into account (he financial resources required to reach the 2015 development targets. [46657]

  Hilary Benn
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UK delegation to the Conference was not aware of any specific discussions at Monterrey about the need to reform the PRSP process to take into account the financial resources required to reach the 2015 development targets. UK policy is to support improvements to poor countries' public expenditure management systems so that poverty reduction policies and programmes can be clearly costed and prioritised in PRSPs. We also support the work of the World Bank and UNDP which looks at the costs for individual countries to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  BSE
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make available the latest progress report prepared by her Department on bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [49671]

  Mr. Morley
  A further Progress Report on BSE in Great Britain was placed in the Library of the House today.

  The report outlines the measures which have been taken to protect public health since June 2001 and includes the latest EU requirements for testing and surveillance.

  There is also a section on the protection of animal health which covers controls on animal feed.
  581W
  The epidemiology section shows that the epidemic of BSE in Great Britain continues to decline.

  The report is also published on the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/bse/index.html.

  Livestock Movements
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when th.; Government will end the 20-day standstill rule for livestock. [48193]

  Mr. Morley
  The interim rules for livestock movements, which we announced on 5 February, allow greater flexibility for farmers to move their animals. The 20 day standstill rule has been waived for some types of movement, subject to conditions and we will continue to keep these arrangements under review. However, veterinary advice is that the 20 day standstill needs to remain in place for the time being as a disease control measure. A copy of a document explaining the Veterinary basis for the Interim movement rules has been placed in the Library of the House and is available on the DEFRA website.

  Oil Seed Rape Contamination
  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the report being prepared by the Canadian seed authorities on the possible causes of the GM contamination or hybrid oil seed rape exported to the UK in the spring or 2000 has been received. [49672]

  Mr. Meacher
  The report to which my hon. Friend refers has recently been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. I have arranged for copies to lx placed in the House Libraries.

  Risk Transfer
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department intends transferring forms of risks associated with farm businesses to farmers. [46748]

  Mr. Morley
  My officials are currently discussing with the livestock and insurance industries a number of options on the transfer, to farmers, of some of the costs of animal diseases.

  Regulations
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department plans to help farmers rationalise regulations. [46746]

  Mr. Morley
  My plans were set out at paragraph 4.61 of "Sustainable Food and Farming: Working Together", published on 26 March, which reads:

  "The Government accepts that there is a need to find better ways for farmers, DEFRA and the regulatory bodies to work together to achieve improvements in standards without imposing unnecessary burdens. This need arises on a wide range of issues——including animal health and welfare, food safety, employee health and safety and nature conservation as well as environmental regulation. On 26 March my right hon. Friends, the
  582W
  Prime Minister and the Secretary of State announced that DEFRA would give high priority to work on new approaches to regulation, including the need for DEFRA and the regulators to consider the cumulative effects of regulatory requirements on the farm business as a whole. These commitments reflected a new approach to regulation in which DEFRA promised to:
  be open with industry——consulting early and often;
  minimise the bureaucracy of regulation, using Regulatory Impact Assessments in a joined up way to assess impacts in the round (across regulatory regimes), and to cut duplication of effort;
  provide advice and information easily and up front——to help farmers comply, not just punish them for failure;
  join up government and join up the regulators——provide business advice and regulatory advice as a package;
  ensure regulations are risk-based and proportionate.

  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, also said that shy will press hard for better integration between the agricultural and environmental agendas at the European level, and called on the farming industry to play a bigger role in helping to devise environmental legislation within the EU."

  LGC
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 29 January 2002,Official Report, column 240W, on genotype test errors, if she will list the contracts that her Department and its predecessor Department has had in the last five years with LGC. [33776]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 February 2002]: The following are the contracts undertaken by LGC in the last five years:
  Specia Lion, bioavailability, biopotency and functional markers for D vitamers;
  Development of methods to detect protein standardisation of cows' drinking milk;
  Methods for the detection of rectified grape and apple juice in fruit juices;
  The immunological determination of meat content;
  Evaluation of a DNA Method for Meat Species Identification;
  A novel method for the detection of neuronal tissue from beef by the identification of tissue specific DNA modification;
  Differentiation of species of meat in particular cooked products by DNA methods;
  Evaluation of a suite of methods to distinguish cheese analogues from genuine cheese;
  Optimisation and validation of DNA assay for detection of select non-muscle tissues in meat products using tissue specific DNA modification;
  Vitamin B6 improvements in extraction and determination——Resolving inaccuracy and bias from its measurement;
  Development and validation of two analytical procedures for the quantitative determination of fatty acids;
  Further studies on the determination of heme and non-heme iron;
  Develop and validate a routine HPLC method for the determination of folates and folic acid in foods;
  development and validation of rapid viable pathogen testing and enumeration by a simple and low cost new method;
  An improved analytical method for gellan gum;
  Development and validation of procedures to detect and quantify the use of dimethyl dicarbonate in non-alcoholic drinks;

  583W
  Biomarker assessment of benzoate consumption;
  A regiospecific immunoassay screening test for contaminants from food contact plastics;
  Develop a novel molecular typing method for comparison of foodbourne pathogens using VTEC as a model organism;
  Efficacy testing of disinfectants used in the food industry against a range of pathogens including E-coli 0157;
  Processing LINK Offers of Grant;
  Organochlorine residue in poultry resulting from the use of hyperchlorinated water in poultry washes;
  Chain of custody audit at Institute of Animal Health;
  Development of a Sensitive and Specific Molecular Typing Method for the Epidemiological Study of Salmonella;
  Investigation of glufosinate residue analysis in potatoes, soya products, legume and maize;
  Development of methods for the determination of thyreostats in poultry and bovine livers;
  BSE Testing in Cattle: Analytical Work on Veterinary Residues in Foodstuffs of Animal Origin;
  National Scrapie Plan "Blood Sampling";
  Feasibility Study of the Determination of Oestrone, etc. in Drinking Waters;
  Analysis of Oestrone, Oestradiol and Ethynyl Oestradiol——Supervision of Performance Tests;
  Investigation of Solvent Contamination Incidents and Provision of Scientific Advice on Drinking Water Quality and Health Issues;
  Leaching of Lead from Approved u-PVC Water Supply Pipes;
  Consolidate two GCMS methods for the determination of three oestrogen steroids in water and review of the potential for determining the same steroids using LCMSMS;
  Exposure to chloropropanol isomers via polyamines.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of St ate for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she uses to decide which letters from(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public will receive an answer signed by herself. [7562]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 15 October 2001]: A range of criteria——including the position held by the individual concerned, the subject matter and the background to the correspondence——is used to determine whether my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State responds to letters from hon. Members or asks one of her Ministerial team to reply on her behalf. By convention, Privy Councillors only receive replies from fellow Privy Councillors, unless they have expressly written to another Minister.

  Similarly, whether or not my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State replies in person to letters from members of the public depends on whether the letter-writer holds a particular position in public life, or if he or she is known personally to the Secretary of State and on the nature and content of the letter.

  The hon. Member may be interested to know that since the beginning of January 2002, DEFRA Ministers have received over 4,200 letters from hon. and right hon. Members, and in excess of 45,000 letters from members of the public. The majority of these were addressed to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.
  584W
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the correspondence from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed dated 20 June 2001 relating to the future prospects of livestock auctions. [33877]

  Mr. Morley
  A reply was sent on 8 April to the right hon. Member.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter of 6 August from the hon. Member for North Shropshire concerning his constituent Ms J. Vernon. [12632]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 November 2001]: I am sorry for the delay in replying to the hon. Member's letter. A reply was sent on 26 March.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Prime Minister regarding(a) the future of farming and (b) the future prospects of small family farms; and if she will publish he record of those discussions. [16394]

  Margaret Beckett
  On 9 August the Prime Minister announced the setting up of the Independent Policy Commission on farming and food. Government asked it to advise on how we create a sustainable, competitive and diverse farming and food sector within a thriving rural economy which advances environmental, health and animal welfare goals and is consistent with the Government's aim for CAP reform, enlargement of the EU and increased trade liberalisation.

  Following the publication of the Policy Commission's Report on 29 January, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister and I met leaders of farming, food, rural, environmental and consumer bodies to discuss how to take the recommendations forward. The outcome of that meeting was published in a News Release (No 117/02), issued by my Department on 26 March.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list, for 1997–98 and for each subsequent financial year, the amount spent(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad by (i) her Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) its non-departmental public bodies on (1) providing mobile telephone equipment, including handsets and other associated equipment, (2) telephone calls made using such equipment and (3) telephone calls made using privately owned mobile telephones but subsequently reclaimed by (x) Ministers and (y) staff. [34413]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government are introducing to curb the importation of illegal meats. [35710]
  585W
  Mr. Morley
  On 28 March the Government published an action plan which commits it to a range of measures to reduce disease risks presented by illicit imports of animal products. A copy of the plan is being placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress has been made with investigations into the feasibility of using x-ray machines to detect illegal meat imports; and if she will make a statement; [47912]

  (2) What progress has been made with the pilot scheme for dogs to sniff out meat which is being brought into the country illegally; and if she will make a statement; [47913]

  (3) What plans she has to make the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1996 more effective; and if she will make a statement; [47914]

  (4) What material is issued to inform people travelling to the UK of the regulations regarding personal imports of meat and the penalties for importing meat illegally. [48390]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government has published an action plan, the aim of which is to reduce the risk of exotic animal and plant diseases entering the country. The plan takes account of recent discussions the Government has had with stakeholder interests on the priorities and actions for the coming year to tackle the issue of illegal imports. A copy of the plan has been placed in the library of the House. It contains a range of measures, including those listed in these questions.

  We are gathering information to help examine the potential benefits of using x-ray equipment to scan containers and personal baggage to detect illegal imports, leading if successful to a trial. On the use of dogs, we are working towards commencing a pilot this summer.

  Enforcement officers will be given new powers (already available to customs officers) in April to search baggage, etc for illegal imports of animal products. The central and local government agencies involved in importation of food and other goods are working closely together to achieve effective inter-agency co-ordination of checks, and which will include discussions about how these search powers will be used.

  Information about our import rules has been provided to Embassies to publicise locally through travel agents and when visas are issued. Posters have been put on display in the arrival baggage halls at UK airports advising of the penalties for smuggling animal and plant products. Information on restricted produce is also contained in HM Customs' Guide for travellers entering the UK, and which can be viewed on-line at http://www.hmce.gov.uk/forms/notices. Further publicity measures will be developed.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what outbreaks of disease in animals in Britain have been linked to the import of illegal meat products in the past five years. [46789]
  586W
  Mr. Morley
  We cannot be certain as to the precise origin of the Classical Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks in 2000 and 2001. However, absence of any evidence that these diseases were introduced through the import of live animals suggests infected meat or meat products are the source. The precise route for introducing infection is likely to remain unknown, though the controls in place for legal imports point to an illegal or inadvertent introduction.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the role of her Department has been in checks on illegal meat imports at airports in the last two years; and if she will make a statement. [46383]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA has lead responsibility for animal health controls on imports of meat, working with the Food Standards Agency which has responsibility for public health aspects, and HM Customs, the devolved administrations, and Local and Port Health Authorities. The last two years has seen greater co-operation between these authorities.

  The Department held a meeting on 21 March with all the public enforcement authorities, the ports, airports, airlines, agriculture and food industry to intensify efforts to reduce illegal meat imports.

  Refrigerators (Disposal)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Ministers and officials attached to her Department were directly involved in discussions with the European Commission concerning the implementation of EU regulation 2037/2000 in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [40365]

  Mr. Meacher
  I negotiated the draft Regulation at the EC Environment Council meeting in December 1998, and the Council adopted a common position at the meeting in February 1999. Negotiations at official level took place in the Environment Working Group of the Council and the Committee of Permanent Representatives. At official level, further discussions with the European Commission and other Member States on introduction and implementation took place at regular Management Committee meetings on both the previous legislation, EC Regulation 3093/94, and EC Regulation 2037/2000.

  Animal Medicines
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps the Government are taking to ensure that animal owners are not limited to buying animal medicines from veterinary surgeons under EU directive 2001/82/EC; [39300]

  (2) what assessment she has made of likely employment effects of the implementation of EU directive 2001/82/EC. [39299]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 March 2002]: Directive 2001/82/EC consolidated a number of Directives concerning veterinary medicinal products into a single text. Its purpose was not to introduce any substantive changes to the controls on veterinary medicines that

  587W
  previously existed. Therefore there are no likely effects on employment as a consequence of its implementation. Nor is there anything in Directive 2001/82/EC that would limit animal owners to buying veterinary medicines from veterinary surgeons.

  However, the European commission has proposed amendments to Directive 2001/82/EC, one of which would require medicines for food-producing animals to be supplied only in accordance with a veterinary prescription. Under UK legislation veterinary medicines for which a prescription is required may be supplied by veterinary surgeons or registered pharmacists. In its present form this particular proposal could result in UK farmers having to pay more by incurring veterinary surgeons' fees when obtaining those medicines that are currently available without veterinary intervention. Furthermore, it could restrict the number and types of veterinary medicines that may be supplied by registered agricultural merchants and saddlers, to a limited range of products for dogs and cats. This could have significant adverse effects on those businesses.

  In considering this proposal the Government has taken account of its likely impact on the supply of veterinary medicines and has agreed that, during negotiations, UK officials should seek to modify the proposal to enable a flexible approach to the distribution of veterinary medicinal products that takes advantage of existing national practices, so long as consumer protection and animal welfare can be demonstrably assured.

  The proposed amendments to Directive 2001/82 do not change the current arrangements for selling medicines for companion animals.

  Ministerial Private Offices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the running costs were of(a) her Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff and (b) her Department for each year from May 1997 to the nearest date for which the information is available. [41036]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has only been in existence since June 2001. Forecast running cost expenditure on Ministers' private offices for 2001–02 is £2.2 million. This includes £1.5 million for staff costs. The 2001–02 Administrative Cost budget for the whole Department is £653.6 million.

  Manpower
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff have been employed by her Department in each of the last 10 years. [42455]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. M ember to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Christopher Leslie) on 19 March,Official Report, column 295W.

  Celebrations
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what 588W
  arrangements her Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how her Department celebrated St. David's Day. [42197]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 11 March 2002]: In Connection with celebrations to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media And Sport to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Tim Yeo) on 11 February, Official Report, column 58W/59W.

  On flag flying, the Department and its Executive Agencies routinely follow central guidance from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on flying the Union flag from its buildings on "named days". They will similarly observe any agreed Union flag flying protocol for the Golden Jubilee but the flag will fly routinely on Coronation Day (2 June) as this is a "named day".

  Staff in the Department and its Agencies will benefit from the additional public holiday granted on 3 June to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

  Pig Farms
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice the Department has issued to farmers regarding the legality of continued use of the stall and tether pig housing system in the UK. [45155]

  Magaret Beckett
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: Legislation originally introduced in 1991 to ban close-confinement stalls for breeding sows came into full effect from January 1999. During the eight year phase-out period advisory material was issued and a video showing alternative systems produced.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports the Chief Veterinary Officer has received from(a) animal welfare organisations, (b) members of the public, (c) Farm Assurance scheme inspectors, (d) other Government officials and (e) other persons that animal welfare had been compromised in pig units at (i) Oldlands Farm, Wiltshire and (ii) Shoddesden, Hampshire. [45149]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: No complaints were received about either unit before allegations made by Sky News in June 2001.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what investigations have been made by the Government into use of sow stall and tether housing systems on the pig units of(a) Oldlands Pig Unit, Wiltshire and (b) Shoddesden Pig Unit, Hampshire since 1999. [45154]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: There have been veterinary inspections of both of these units. Allegations that illegal stall and tether systems were in use on these units after the ban was not substantiated.
  589W
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to investigate the treatment of pigs at(a) Oldlands Pig Unit, Wiltshire and (b) Shoddesden Pig Unit, Hampshire. [45156]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: There are no plans to investigate the treatment of pigs at these units as there are currently no pigs on either unit. Previous complaints were investigated and no breach of welfare regulations were found.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when(a) Government ministers and (b) Government officials were first informed of the possibility that animal welfare had been compromised on pig units in (i) Oldlands Farm, Wiltshire and (ii) Shoddesden, Hampshire since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [45148]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: Sky News first made allegations of poor welfare conditions on both units in June 2001. Allegations made in the media were fully investigated at the time and various claims made could not be substantiated by veterinary inspection.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) unannounced and (b) pre-arranged welfare inspections have taken place at the pig units of (i) Oldlands Farm, Wiltshire and (ii) Shoddesden, Hampshire since 1996. [45151]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: There have been six welfare inspections of these units since April 1996. Whether the visits were pre-arranged or unannounced was not recorded in all cases, but the most recent visits in June 2001 and January 2002 were pre-arranged in order to have a responsible person on site to facilitate inspection and respond to enquiries.

  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance she will give to pig farmers following the ban on feeding swill. [45386]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 March 2002]: The Government does not consider that financial assistance is appropriate for producers who have been required to change the feeding regimes of their animals. However, assistance was provided at the time of the introduction of the swill ban in the form of advice on alternative methods of feeding and alternative feeds that would be acceptable.

  Pollution (Irish Sea)
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on co-operation between the UK Government and the Irish Government on monitoring pollution in the Irish Sea. [44005]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 21 March 2002]: There has been extensive co-operation in recent years, including shared research programmes, between the UK and the Irish Government on the pollution of the Irish Sea, particularly in the production of the Quality Status Report (QSR) for the Celtic Seas in 2000.
  590W
  This report, which is available in the Library, forms part of a wider assessment made within OSPAR, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic. It concluded that ecosystem effects due to pollution are generally confined to urbanised estuaries and that environmental effects of most contaminants routinely monitored appear to be either stable, or decreasing, with the main problem being caused by tributyl tin.

  Co-operation continues through the joint work undertaken in the OSPAR Monitoring and Assessment Committee.

  Although there is no specific co-operation on monitoring of radioactivity in the Irish Sea, officials from the UK and the Irish Government meet on a bi-annual basis in the form of the UK/Irish Contact Group on Radioactivity where information on monitoring of the Irish Sea is passed to the Irish side.

  Brucellosis
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what checks are made by the State Veterinary Service on imports of cattle from France as part of re-stocking schemes following foot and mouth disease; how many cattle have been found to be carrying the disease brucellosis; when the last case of brucellosis was reported in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [46384]

  Mr. Morley
  Post import checks for the following diseases are carried out by the State Veterinary Service on cattle imported from France:

  Enzootic bovine leucosis

  Brucellosis

  Warble fly

  Since imports were allowed to restart following foot and mouth disease, no imported cattle have been confirmed as carrying brucellosis. Although initial blood tests on a consignment of cattle imported in February gave a single positive and four inconclusive results, subsequent tests have proved negative and brucellosis was not confirmed.

  The last case of brucellosis reported in Great Britain was in Anglesey in 1993.

  Nitrates
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the regulations governing the spreading of farms'(a) own manure and (b) brought-in manure on set aside land under the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Directive. [46389]

  Mr. Meacher
  Under the Nitrates Directive 1991, Action Programme measures operate in existing Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) which were designated in 1996 and currently cover around 8 per cent. of England's land area.

  The Action Programme measures for spreading organic manure currently apply to all land within an NVZ, irrespective of whether the manure is a farm's own or imported from another farm. Spreading organic manure is prohibited when:

  591W
  Soil is waterlogged, flooded, frozen hard or snow-covered.
  Fields are steeply sloping.
  Applying slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge on sandy or shallow soils between:
  1 August–1 November (arable land)
  1 September to 1 November (grassland or arable land with an Autumn-sown crop).

  Certain other detailed requirements also apply, described in the DEFRA booklet PB5505 "Guidelines for Farmers in NVZs", available through DEFRA publications (08459 556000) or the internet (via a web link at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate).

  Under the Arable Area Payments Scheme Regulations, the storage and application of manure on set-aside land is restricted to manure produced on the farmer's own holding between 15 January and 31 August each year. DEFRA is currently considering whether any change to this set-aside rule could be justified.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on ground phase hydrological cycle water quality of the four specific months during which manure is not to be spread as defined in the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Directive in those areas to which the Directive is applied. [46387]

  Mr. Meacher
  Scientific studies such as "Strategies to Encourage Better Use of Nitrogen in Animal Manures" contained in MAFF Booklet PB4401 "Tackling Nitrate from Agriculture——Strategy from Science", available from DEFRA publications (08459 556000), demonstrate that autumn months are the most crucial ones for reducing the risk of nitrate pollution.

  Under the Nitrates Directive 1991, farmers inside Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) follow Action Programme measures detailing closed periods which prohibit the spreading of slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge on sandy or shallow soils between 1 August to 1 November (arable land) or 1 September to 1 November (grassland or arable land with an autumn-sown crop).

  These closed application periods are carefully targeted at those manures containing a higher proportion of available nitrogen when applied to soils which are prone to nitrate leaching.

  On uncropped land there is no crop uptake of nitrate in the autumn so the closed period during August, September and October aims to prevent applications of slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge on sandy or shallow soils between harvest and 1 November. August application of these manures on grassland and land sown with autumn sown crops allows time for uptake of nitrate by growing crops; the closed period is limited to September and October where the risk of nitrate leaching remains high. Applications after 1 November entail a lower risk of nitrate leaching because conversion of manure nitrogen to nitrate in the soil is limited by lower soil temperatures in most winters.

  Details of Action Programme measures are described in DEFRA booklet PB5505 "Guidelines for Farmers in NVZs".

  River Aire
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she will take to address pollution in the River Aire at Skipton. [45793]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency received a report of pollution entering the River Aire from a closed landfill site in March 2000. The incident was investigated and was categorised as a minor incident which has a limited effect on water quality. Their enquiries showed the cause of the incident to be a malfunctioning pump carrying leachate from a decommissioned landfill site to the public foul water sower. North Yorkshire County Council is responsible for maintaining the pump and is taking steps to gain access to the land, which is controlled by a tenant farmer, in order to carry out the necessary work.

  The River Aire at Skipton is routinely monitored for chemistry and biology at two sampling points——Carleton and Cononley. The most recent results recorded for Carleton are class B (good) for both chemistry and biology.

  At Cononley the chemistry has improved from D (poor) to B (good) over the last 10 years. Biology has improved from E (poor) to C (fairly good) in the same period.

  Overall, there has been a continuing trend of improving quality to this stretch of the Aire in response to improvements at Snaygill (Skipton) sewage treatment works. Results for 2001 are not yet available.

  Traffic Noise
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has collated on the(a) health consequences and (b) public nuisance arising from traffic noise pollution; and if she will make a statement. [45943]

  Mr. Meacher
  The government has supported a number of studies into the health effects of various sources of noise. A number of these consider road traffic noise including: "Health Effects based Noise Assessment Methods: A Review and Feasibility Study", which is available on the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk), and "The effects of relieving traffic congestion on noise exposure, noise annoyance, wellbeing and psychiatric morbitdity: annex to the by-pass study" which is available from the Department of Health. The government is also contributing to the European study: "Road traffic and Aircraft Noise exposure and Children's cognition and Health" (RANCH).

  Road traffic noise does not generally fall within the legal definition of a public nuisance and, as such, there are no figures available relating to this. The government does, however, take the issue of noise seriously and periodically records people's attitudes to noise. This exercise established that in 1991 29 per cent. of respondents who reported hearing road traffic noise stated that they were adversely affected by it. This survey has recently been repeated and the results are expected to be published in May.
  593W
  The repeated survey and the development of the Ambient Noise Strategy, which includes establishing the number of people exposed to road traffic noise, will build on the work already carried out to address noise from this source.

  Energy Efficiency
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the percentage improvement of energy efficiency is of each Governmental department from 1990 levels; and whether these improvements are in line with the objectives laid out in the Model Policy Statement for Greening Government Operations. [45790]

  Mr. Meacher
  Details of the improvements in departmental energy efficiency for Government Departments for the years between 1990–91 and 1999–2000 can be found in Tables 1 to 4 of Part 2 of the Greening Government Third Annual Report 2001. Copies are available via: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/gm2001/part2/search.asp?choose Section = 5.1 or in the Library of the House. For convenience the relevant data, without the footnotes, are reproduced in Tables 1 to 3. Positive figures represent an improvement in performance.

  Data for 2000–01 will be published in the next Green Ministers Report in Autumn 2002.

  The Government's targets to achieve a 20 per cent. improvement in energy efficiency over 1990 levels by 31 March 2000 was included within Objective 7(a) of the Model Policy Statement for Greening Government Operations. Until 1998–99, steady progress had been made towards meeting the targets with an overall improvement of around 19 per cent. compared with 1990. In 1999–2000, however, performance slipped back to an overall improvement of around 17 per cent. compared with 1990. Paragraphs 5.7 and 5.8 of the Greening Government Third Annual Report 2001 give a fuller explanation of this situation. Copies are available via http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/gm2001/part1/05a.htm or in the Library of the House.

  Government Estate Energy Efficiency Performance 1990–91 to 1999–2000

  Table 1: Civil Departments recent performance in improvements in Energy Efficiency relative to 1990–01

  Department or Agency

  Adjusted for estate size changes and weather correction 1999–2000 Percentage

  MAFF (Main Estate)

  24

  MAFF (Laboratories)

  21

  Cabinet Office

  15

  Culture, Media and Sport

  28

  Customs and Excise

  -8

  DfEE

  -11

  DfEE (Employment Service)

  -10

  DETR

  11

  Health and Safety Executive

  22

  QEII Conference Centre

  -10

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  -26

  Health

  -77

  Home Office

  0

  HO (Prisons)

  2

  Inland Revenue

  17

  DfID

  18

  LCD

  15

  594W

  Table 1: Civil Departments recent performance in improvements in Energy Efficiency relative to 1990–01

  Department or Agency

  Adjusted for estate size changes and weather correction 1999–2000 Percentage

  National Savings

  n/a

  Northern Ireland

  4

  Scottish Office

  n/a

  Scottish Court Service

  30

  Scottish Prison Service

  2

  Social Security

  10

  Trade and Industry

  47

  Treasury

  -23

  National Assembly for Wales

  -24

  Total

  8.3

  Table 2: MoD recent performance in improvements in Energy Efficiency relative to 1990–01

  MoD Department or Agency

  Adjusted for estate size changes and weather correction 1999–2000 Percentage

  Civil

  0

  Navy

  33

  Army

  20

  RAF

  22

  Procurement Executive

  -7

  DERA

  -4

  MOD Total

  21.1

  Table 3: Total Government Estate, recent performance in improvements in Energy Efficiency relative to 1990–01

  Adjusted for estate size changes and weather correction 1999–2000 Percentage

  Civil Departments Total

  8.3

  MoD Total

  21.1

  Civil and MoD Total

  17.1

  Environmentally and Socially Responsible Investment
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps(a) her Department and (b) the Government have taken to encourage environmentally and socially responsible investments in least developed countries. [46561]

  Mr. Meacher
  There is an increasing understanding by institutional investors and financial service providers of the benefits of environmentally and socially responsible investment. The demand for more disclosure by investors on social and environmental policy has been stimulated by the disclosure requirements of the 2000 amendment to the Pension Act, and the debate about replicating these requirements in other areas.

  The Department has taken the lead in working with the UK financial services sector on the "London Principles——finance and insurance for sustainable development". The Principles encompass three key areas: pricing asset and exercising ownership; providing new finance; and risk management. The Principles will be launched later this year as part of the UK's contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. We hope that they will serve as a model for resolutions on financial sustainability at the World Summit.
  595W
  We and the Department for International Development are also working with the FORGE consortium of banks and insurance companies to develop management and reporting guidelines on corporate social responsibility for the sector, to follow up on their environmental management guidelines published last year.

  The Department for International Development has also undertaken several studies and consultations to identify those tools which most effectively encourage equitable and sustainable investment in developing countries, and the best ways to mainstream them in the investment community. An example is the Just Pensions project which is concerned with encouraging trustees to use their influence to persuade fund managers to invest in socially responsible investment.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the diseases and infections for which imported livestock is checked; and how many(a) positive results, (b) negative results and (c) dangerous contacts were identified through livestock tests in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [45841]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 March 2002]: Livestock are inspected by an official veterinarian of the exporting country immediately prior to export in order to certify that the animals are free of the diseases mentioned in the export health certificate.

  Post import checks on livestock are carried out for the following diseases and exposure to infections:

  Cattle

  Foot and Mouth Disease;

  Enzootic bovine leucosis;

  Brucellosis;

  Warble fly; and

  Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia.

  Sheep and goats

  Contagious agalactia;

  Brucella ovis;

  Brucella melitensis;

  Bluetongue.

  Pigs

  Aujeszky's disease;

  Swine vesicular disease;

  Classical swine fever.

  Other ungulates

  Trypanosoma;

  Caprine arthritis-encephalitis syndrome;

  Internal and external parasites;

  Leptospirosis;

  Johnes's disease;

  Malignant catarrhal fever;

  Piroplasmosis;

  Yersiniosis.

  Tests for other diseases may additionally be made if the veterinarian carrying out the post-import check suspects the presence of other diseases.
  596W
  The total number of positive test results on livestock imported into Great Britain for the period 22 March 2001 to 21 March 2002 was 14.

  The total number of negative test results on livestock imported into Great Britain for the period 22 March 2001 to 21 March 2002 was 11,207.

  No figures are available for dangerous contacts but all suspicious animals are isolated and placed under movement restriction.

  All figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Unpaid Advisers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names of the unpaid advisers appointed by her and her predecessors since June 1997, stating in each case(a) the date of their appointment, (b) the duration of their appointment and (c) the project or projects on which they have been engaged. [43385]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 March 2002]: For details of unpaid appointments made by this Department to task forces, review groups and other ad hoc advisory groups, I refer the right hon. Member to the Answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Christopher Leslie) on 16 November 2001, Official Report, column 958W.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the interested parties with whom she discussed the measures necessary to allow for practical co-existence of GM and non-GM crops. [46623]

  Mr. Meacher
  DEFRA officials have had preliminary discussions on this issue with the National Farmers Union, the Soil Association, the National Consumers Council, the British Retail Consortium, national bee-keeping groups, Organic Farmers and Growers Limited, the Food and Drink Federation and the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the change in the external costs of agriculture which would be achieved if 30 per cent. of all agricultural land in the UK was converted to organic. [46625]

  Mr. Morley
  It is not possible to make reliable estimates of the reduction in the external costs of agriculture arising from organic farming, however, the Department has commissioned the University of Cambridge to carry out an evaluation of the "Organic Farming Scheme" which will provide information on the environmental impacts of the scheme. We expect this to be completed in April 2002 and it will be published on tile Department's website.
  597W
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what powers the proposed new advisory body on organic standards will have; [48056]

  (2) What plans she has to disband the UK register of organic standards; what it will be replaced by; with whom she has held discussions on her proposals; and what representations she has received from the Food Standards Agency on the UK register of organic standards; [48054]

  (3) What powers the proposed new UK accreditation service will have in respect of organic standards; [48057]

  (4) What representations she has received front organic producers on her proposals to disband the UK register of organic standards. [48055]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The consultation period on the Quinquennial Review of the UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) ended on 31 March. A summary of responses will be available shortly and will be placed on the Department's website www.defra.gov.uk. The Government has made no proposals on whether the Review's conclusions should be accepted, and no decisions have been taken.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average dairy farm income was for each of the last 10 years in(a) the parliamentary constituency of the Ribble Valley, (b) Lancashire, (c) the North West of England and (d) England. [48606]

  Mr. Morley
  The average net farm income for full-time dairy farms in England is given in the table.

  Average net farm income (£ per farm)

  1992–93

  29,300

  1993–94

  34,900

  1994–95

  30,300

  1995–96

  36,200

  1996–97

  30,400

  1997–98

  19,800

  1998–99

  11,700

  1999–2000

  9,400

  2000–01

  14,000

  2000–02 (prov.)

  32,000

  Source: Farm Business Survey

  1This information is not available for the North West of England, for Lancashire nor for the parliamentary constituency of the Ribble Valley.

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what average payments per hectare from the Common Agricultural Policy's production subsidies are received by(a) non-organic farmers and (b) organic farmers. [46627]

  Mr. Morley
  Subsidies to production are available, either as direct payments per hectare or per head of livestock, or as support to prices through market support mechanisms. No distinction is made between organic and non-organic production for determining the eligibility of these subsidies.
  598W
  Data is not available to calculate the average payment per hectare for organic and non-organic farmers.

  Environmental Protection
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role her Department has played in discussions relating to(a) the Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Environment Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context and (b) the Kiev Ministerial Conference in 2003; and if she will make a statement. [46571]

  Mr. Meacher
  Responsibility for matters relating to the UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (The "Espoo" Convention) rests with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The Department has participated in two preparatory meetings for the Kiev Environment for Europe conference where discussion has focussed on the identification of possible themes and the likely agenda. This includes the possibility of reaching agreement on several protocols under discussion by their respective Conventions, one of which is the proposed protocol on strategic environmental assessment currently being negotiated under Espoo.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role her Department has played in developing and implementing(a) the United Nations Secretary-General's Global Compact Initiative, (b) the UNEP Global reporting Initiative and (c) the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. [46562]

  Mr. Meacher
  (a) The Global Compact was a special initiative by the Secretary-General which is implemented directly with companies. However, officials from my Department remain in touch with the Compact Secretariat in New York.

  (b) The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) was launched by the Coalition of Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES). It is now affiliated to the Global Compact. The GRI is a welcome initiative but is most suited to larger companies already experienced in environmental reporting. My Department has, therefore, developed and published jointly with the Department for Trade and Industry simpler guidance which is very similar to the environmental elements of the GRI. These guidelines should help any business to report on their environmental impacts, and have been endorsed by the CBI, which has sent copies to all of its members including all of the FTSE 350 leading companies.

  (c) The Department played a full role in formulating the UK position during negotiations on the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which were concluded in June 2000. Since then officials from my Department have worked with the UK National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines, based in the Department of Trade and Industry, to help ensure that the Guidelines are taken into account in relevant parts of my Department's work, for example the promotion

  599W
  of the Guidelines to the UK water industry and in preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken in response to the UNEP Governing Council Decision 21/21; and if she will make a statement. [46566]

  Mr. Meacher
  Decision 21/21 of the UNEP Governing Council in February 2001 established a Working Group to review international environmental governance. The UK funded a meeting of international experts in Cambridge in May 2001 to contribute to the debate. I represented the UK at two meetings of the working Group, and the other three were attended by DEFRA senior officials, I chaired the contact group which agreed the final report of the working group at the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Cartagena in February.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps have been taken to strengthen UK commitments to multilateral environmental agreements; and if she will make a statement. [46557]

  Mr. Meacher
  Along with other EU Member States the UK is committed to early ratification of international instruments on climate change, biosafety, persistent organic pollutants and prior informed consent. The UK is fully committed to meeting its global environmental responsibilities.

  Forests
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps have been taken to(a) promote sustainable management and (b) strengthen conservation of use of forests. [46558]

  Mr. Morley
  The sustainable management of forests, including conservation, is a cornerstone of our forestry policy, and it was then the main issue discussed at the United Nations Forum on Forests which I attended in New York last month. This event provided an international stage to promote sustainable forest management, and in my speech to the Forum I highlighted the lead being taken by the UK, including our joint work with industry and NGOs, the development of a forest business sectoral sustain ability strategy, and the introduction of a UK Standard for independent certification of forests.

  It was, of course, this work on certification which led to the Forestry Commission recently being awarded the World Wide Fund for Nature's Gift to the Earth Award. The UK is, in fact, the only country where the entire state forest area has achieved creditable certification to an independent Standard recognised by the Forestry Stewardship Council. Many private owners are now following suit.

  Sustainable forest management will feature prominently at the World Summit for Sustainable Development later this year in Johannesburg. We are currently working in partnership between government, business and NGOs in the forestry sector to ensure that
  600W
  we demonstrate the progress being made in this country and also press for more action to be taken globally. As part of our preparations for the Summit, we will be publishing a new Statement on Sustainable Forestry. This will be one part of our National Forest Programme, drawing together the actions we have taken since Rio and addressing the challenges for Johannesburg and the future.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps have been taken by the Government since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to(a) set goals on environmental protection and (b) improve eco-efficiency and resource productivity relating to forestry issues; and what these (i) goals and (ii) improvements have been. [44382]

  Mr. Meacher
  The management, conservation and sustainable development of forests was one of the key issues at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. The main outcome for forests was the adoption of a Statement of Forest Principles which included a commitment by countries to publish national forest programmes. In 1994 the UK set out its aims for forestry in Sustainable Forestry——the UK Programme. In 1999, we published our strategy for sustainable development for the UK, A Better Quality of Life. This includes a section on forests and woodlands setting out the contribution that forestry can make to meeting sustainable management of forests in the UK. We also facilitated the development of the UK Woodland Assurance Standard for forest certification and environmental labelling of wood products. About 40 per cent. of the UK's woodlands have now been certified, including the entire public forest estate.

  The UK has made considerable progress on forestry issues by increasing timber production and the environmental and social outputs from forests. These outputs are reported in British Timber Statistics and Forestry Commission Facts and Figures, which are in the Library of the House. Following consultation with stakeholder groups and the public, the Forestry Commission will be publishing a new set of indicators of sustainable forestry in the UK. These will make an important contribution to the monitoring processes set out in A Better Quality of Life and the UK Forestry Standard.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the(a) number and (b) total cost of television licences paid for by her Department. [48340]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The Department does not hold centrally a record of its television licences. Records are, though, held centrally for televisions in the Department's London buildings. For these my Department holds three television licences each of which are priced at £104.00 per annum, totalling £312.00.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the number of subscriptions to(a) digital terrestrial, (b) digital satellite and (c) digital cable television held by

  601W
  her Department for services in any departmental building from which Ministers work stating for each subscription its (i) cost and (ii) purpose. [48341]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: DEFRA Ministers and their private offices operate solely from Nobel House, Smith Square, London. There are currently no subscriptions to any digital services into the building. All cable services are currently provided as analogue.

  Warden Bay, Kent
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has taken to protect the cliffs at Warden Bay, Kent, from disintegration; and what plans she has to use concrete structures to protect the cliffs at Warden Bay. [48551]

  Mr. Morley
  This Department provides funding for capital flood and coastal defence works which meet set criteria but operational responsibility rests with the local operating authorities, normally the Environment Agency and local councils, who decide which projects to promote and their timing. I understand that Swale Borough Council is currently undertaking a scoping study at Warden Bay but at present has no plans for works to protect the cliffs there.

  Departmental Policy
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department will ensure that the interests of the food and farming industries are taken into account across the range of Government policy. [46739]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA's Ministerial team and officials already take full account of the interests of the food and farming industries in developing and delivering Government policy, in liaison and co-operation with others in Government. The creation of DEFRA signalled our intention to deal with and balance the needs of these industries, the wider rural economy and communities, and the urban and rural environment in the round. The Prime Minister and Secretary of State's seminar on 26 March with leaders of farming, food, rural, environmental and consumer bodies exemplified this approach. The seminar served to initiate a comprehensive process of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. This process will help inform the construction of a new strategy for sustainable food and farming to be launched this autumn.

  Consultants
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many management consultants have been used by her Department since its creation; and how much they have cost. [34354]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: The information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  602W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost to her Department was of the use of external consultants in each of the last four years. [35024]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the value of all payments made under each project heading to(a) Arthur Andersen, (b) Ernst and Young, (c) Deloitte and Touche and (d) PricewaterhouseCoopers in each financial year since 1996–97. [44032]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contracts were let by her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to(a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen for consultancy services for the financial years (i)1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration in each case. [33845]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Christopher Leslie) on 14 February,Official Report, column 564W.

  Accountancy Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the contracts agreed by her Department with the five largest accountancy firms since May 1997; and what was the total value of contracts with each. [42104]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Stakeholders
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list her Department's stakeholders, as referred to in "Waiting for the Essentials of Life". [46731]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA has many stakeholders, indeed our work embraces issues that have a direct affect on the lives c f everyone in Britain and many overseas too. In producing"Working for the Essentials of Life" we wanted to produce a statement of our work that was accessible to many people. The document was circulated to over 4,800 businesses, public interest, community, representational and other groups who constitute DEFRA's organisational stakeholders. I have deposited a list of these in the Library of the House.

  Beef Exports
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what
  603W
  representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the French Government to remove its illegal ban on beef produced in the United Kingdom. [48302]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has repeatedly raised this issue with her French counterparts at Agriculture Councils. The Prime Minister also raised the issue at the highest level at the recent EU summit in Barcelona.

  Action to enforce the Judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) lies with the Commission which wrote to the French Government on 20 March seeking observations on France's failure to comply with the ruling. This is the first stage in a process which may lead to a further ECJ case against France.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the PSA target for the level of UK beef exports in 2001 will be met in 2002. [47907]

  Mr. Morley
  The target will not be met for several reasons including that progress towards re-establishing beef export markets has been severely hindered by the Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic and the continuing illegal French import ban. The conditions of the Date-based Export Scheme have also discouraged potential exporters which is why we are pressing for a relaxation of the Scheme requirements to permit establishments to be dedicated to export on certain days rather than full time.

  Climate Change
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the parties involved in the Kyoto agreement on climate change have ratified the protocol; and when the remaining parties will complete the ratification process. [47048]

  Mr. Meacher
  As at 19 March 2002, 50 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change had ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

  The UK and other EU Member States intend to complete ratification of the Protocol by early June in time for entry into force by the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

  It is not possible at this stage to say for certain which other Parties will ratify the Protocol and when they will complete the necessary procedures. However, for the Protocol to enter into force, 55 countries accounting for at least 55 per cent. of greenhouse gas emissions by industrialised countries in 1990, must ratify. To secure this, both Japan and Russia need to ratify as well as the EU.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will ratify the Kyoto protocol on climate change. [47046]

  Mr. Meacher
  The UK intends to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in time for it to enter into force by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in September. A European Community decision to ratify Kyoto was adopted on 4 March. This paved the way for the UK and the other EU Member States to complete their own 604W
  ratification procedures. On 7 March, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made a statement to the House setting in motion the process of UK ratification. Once the Parliamentary process is complete, the Foreign Secretary will be in a position to sign the ratification instrument. For legal and presentational reasons, the European Community and each of its Member States have agreed to deposit their instruments of ratification with the UN Depository simultaneously. Since entry into force of the Protocol will occur only 90 days after the prescribed number of ratification instruments have been deposited, the aim is to do this by early June at the latest.

  Horticultural Labour
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the availability of labour to pick and pack horticultural crops. [47594]

  Mr. Morley
  Growers and packers of horticultural crops have access to labour within the domestic and EU labour markets. In addition growers and on farm packers have access to labour through the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) which is operated by the Home Office. Under SAWS students from outside the EU are allowed to come to the UK to undertake seasonal agricultural work between March and November.

  The number of students allowed to enter the UK is governed by a work card quota. The quota for 2001 was 15,200 work cards. However on 29 January my right hon. Friend Lord Rooker announced that the quota would increase to 18,700 in 2002 and to 20,200 in 2003.

  In addition the Government's nationality, asylum and immigration White Paper Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain, published on 7 February, acknowledges that there is a need for short term labour in the UK and in respect to agriculture and horticulture it makes a commitment to review the operation of SAWS to see how the scheme might better meet the needs of those sectors. This review is being taken forward by officials at the Home Office and it will involve consultation with the principal stakeholders in the agricultural and horticultural industries.

  Rural Payment Claims
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to accelerate payment of IACS claims. [48018]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: I am very mindful of the effects that delays in IACS payments have on the farming community and can assure you that R PA is doing all that it reasonably can to make payments as quickly as possible.

  By the payment deadline of 31 January, 94 per cent. of claims had been paid and by 18 March all processible claims had been paid.

  Agri-environment and livestock payments have also been affected but, although RPA has had to upgrade computer software to reflect regulatory changes on the bovine schemes and to carry out cross-checks on claims

  605W
  where holdings were affected by FMD, we expect to make all the payments within the regulatory timescales. Some advance payments have however been made rather slower than normal.

  Looking ahead the Rural Payments Agency is in the process of modernising the way in which CAP schemes are administered by taking full advantage of more modern information systems and the benefits of electronic service delivery.

  However, this is a major Change Programme and it will be 2004 before most of the new systems and structures are in place, and the benefits can be fully realised.

  Animal Health
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of trading standards officers for monitoring the washing of lorries used for the transport of farm animals. [46792]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has not made any such assessment of the numbers of local authority inspectors. The level of resourcing to meet Local Authorities' duty in enforcing animal health legislation is a matter for the individual authorities.

  Nevertheless, my department has in place procedures for the monitoring of cleansing and disinfection of vehicles at markets and slaughterhouses using the services of the Meat and Livestock Commission and the Meat Hygiene Service who will inform local authorities of any breaches of vehicle hiosecurity discovered.

  As we are aware of the need to monitor cleansing and disinfection of vehicles, the department is about to undertake a survey of cleansing and disinfection at markets and slaughterhouses.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department will make at the Convention on Biodiversity in the Hague on 7 to 19 April about trade in bushmeat. [48143]

  Mr. Meacher
  At the previous Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biodiversity in May 2000, the United Kingdom secured agreement for the inclusion of bushmeat in a COP Decision on forest biological diversity (Decision V/4). This requested a subsidiary body of the Convention to consider the impact of, and propose sustainable practices for, the harvesting of non-timber forest resources, including bushmeat.

  The forthcoming COP in The Hague will consider the adoption of the forest biological diversity work programme. This takes forward the issue of bushmeat under the objective of "Preventing losses caused by unsustainable harvesting of timber and non-timber forest products." The United Kingdom will be pressing for action on this objective and for continuing collaboration on the issue between the Biodiversity Convention, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and other relevant members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests
  606W
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of trials to establish the links between badgers and bovine tuberculosis in(a) Worcestershire, (b) Herefordshire, (c) Gloucestershire and (d) Shropshire. [47592]

  Mr. Morley
  Three "triplets", namely A, D and I, of the badger field trial are located in parts of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Trial operations which included surveying for badger activity and, in some trial areas, badger culling were suspended during the foot and mouth disease emergency. Surveying for badger activity recommenced in January this year. Further details of progress in all "triplets" are available on DEFRA's website on http://defraweb/animalh/tb/. No badger field trial operations are being undertaken in Shropshire.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on badger culling. [48588]

  Mr. Morley
  All badger culling which once formed part of the strategy for controlling TB in cattle has been suspended. The only culling presently undertaken is that conducted in connection with the "Krebs" field trial.

  TB in cattle is one of the most difficult animal health problems that we face and the Government is determined to look at the full range of factors, including the role of badgers, that might be involved. The Government has put in place a wide-ranging research programme of which the field trial is part. It is designed to determine once and for all the role of badgers in cattle TB and whether culling them is an effective way of reducing the disease. The trial will provide much other data including the spatial relationship between TB in cattle and badgers.

  By ensuring that future policies to control cattle TB are underpinned by sound science the Government is seeking to ensure that healthy cattle and badgers can live side by side in the countryside.

  Biological Diversity
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the members of the UK's delegation to the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Hague on 7 April and indicate who will be leading the delegation. [48159]

  Mr. Meacher
  The United Kingdom delegation to the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity on 7–19 April at The Hague will be led by myself. Officials from my Department will stand in to lead the delegation when I am absent from the meeting. The United Kingdom delegation is also comprised of officials and advisers from a wide range of government departments and biodiversity organisations, reflecting both our commitment to the Convention and the breadth of issues covered by the Convention and the agenda to this meeting.

  Office Relocation (Scotland)
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to relocate executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies under the remit of her Department to Scotland. [48046]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: There are no plans to relocate any executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies to Scotland.

  Fish Farming
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will seek a meeting with officials of the European Commission to discuss the future of the Scottish aquaculture industry and measures which the EC might take to promote the sustainable development of the industry. [48045]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The future of the Scottish aquaculture industry is principally a matter for the Scottish Executive. The Executive has not asked Officials from This Department to arrange discussions with officials from the European Commission on Scottish aquaculture, and no such discussions are in prospect.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what investment her Department has made in fish farming in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02, broken down into expenditure headings. [48047]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Departmental expenditure on fish and shellfish farming for the three years in question was as follows:

  1999–2000——£1.9 million;

  2000–01——£1.5 million; and

  2001–02——£1.2 million.

  The bulk of this expenditure relates to research and development work but it also includes relatively small sums paid out under the Agriculture Development Scheme and FIFG Structural Funds.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to promote the fish farming industry. [48049]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: In March 2000 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food hosted a seminar entitled "Future Strategies for the Farmed Trout Industry" involving all sectors of the industry in England. That seminar and a subsequent study considered ideas for improving competitiveness including generic promotion. In the light of this, the industry is considering its strategy for future development and we expect to be involved in discussions on this and on how this Department might help the industry to achieve its developmental goals.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with other European countries which operate national compensation schemes for losses 608W
  incurred by fish farmers as a result of the compulsory slaughter of farmed fish; and what information she collates about such schemes. [48044]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: To date this Department has had no such discussions; no information has been collated about the operation of national compensation schemes by other European countries.

  Agricultural Competition
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she will(a) grant and (b) seek aid under article 4 of the EEC (Council Regulation No. 26 of 1962 on rules of competition in agricultural products in respect of potatoes. [48069]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: No. The UK potato industry has not sought assistance under this Regulation and we have no plans to offer financial aid to an industry which has traditionally been self-sufficient.

  Land Management
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what education and information on land management is given to farmers participating in(a) the Farm Biodiversity Action Plan programme and (b) the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. [48543]

  Mr. Morley
  Farm Biodiversity Action Plans are provided commercially by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and are not implemented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  Education and information about the land management required under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme is provided to farmers through the comprehensive Scheme Handbook and through advice and visits by technical staff from DEFRA's Rural Development Service. Similar advice and guidance is also available from. FWAG and other partner organisations.

  To ensure farmers achieve the environmental objectives of the Scheme, very detailed specifications for the different types of land management required are set out in Stewardship agreements.

  General Agreement on Trade in Services
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent contributions her Department has made to negotiations on the General Agreement on Trade in Services. [47969]

  Mr. Morley
  Negotiations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Department has not played a part in those negotiations, although we have contributed to the UK Government's general position and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Environment, was present during WTO trade negotiations in Doha last November.

  Underspend
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) capital and (b) revenue underspend in her Department is expected to be in the financial year 2001–02. [47809]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Estimated outturn figures for 2001–02 will be published in the Budget Report on 17 April.

  User Consultation
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what new steps her Department took in 2001–02 to consult the users of its services about their wishes and expectations; and if she will publish the findings. [47309]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: In 2001–02 DEFRA consulted widely on the development of its new aim and objectives. The Department also consulted on a range of issues related to policy development.

  The responses to all these consultations have been published on the DEFRA website at: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/default.asp.

  Service Reviews
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of whether the target to review 60 per cent. of departmental services by March 2003 will be met. [47909]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has reviewed around £200 million of departmental services to date but has reported some slippage, due to the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease and the creation of a new Department. The target will be reviewed as part of the 2002 Spending Review process.

  Poultry Welfare
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of changes in the mortality rates which would be achieved by a move from conventional to enriched cages. [48078]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: We have commissioned research to improve our scientific and practical knowledge of "enriched" cages; mortality rate is being evaluated as part of this research project.

  Property Protection
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what new measures her Department took in 2001–02 to protect its property from theft or damage. [47325]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Further to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 5 February 2002, I can confirm that during 2001–02 the Department continued to ensure that adequate security measures were in place at all its sites. Every effort is made to introduce measures which are proportionate to the degree of risk and the value of assets (ie staff, equipment,
  610W
  information and property) on site. Site security is checked by means of a programme of audits and in the event of an incident, measures would be reviewed and updated as necessary.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people from ethnic minorities are employed in(a) her Department, (b) the Countryside Agency and (c) the Environment Agency. [48204]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: In common with all other Government Departments, DEFRA is currently conducting a re-survey of all staff. As at 15 March 4,889 (70 per cent.) of the core Department's workforce had declared their ethnic origin. Of these 384 are from ethnic minorities. This is equivalent to 7.9 per cent. of those who have declared their ethnic origin, or 5 per cent. of all staff in the Department.

  The Countryside Agency do not at present compile this information, although they are planning to introduce a personnel database in the near future that will hold such information.

  As at 28 March 2002, all bar 109 of the Environment Agency's 10,824 employees had declared their ethnic origin. Of these, 178 (1.64 per cent.) are from ethnic minorities. The Agency has in place a Diversity policy, with action plans being developed to improve the attractiveness of the Agency to members of the ethnic minority communities.

  Rural Payments Agency
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the levels of pay within the Rural Payments Agency. [48198]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Pay increases to staff within the Rural Payments Agency are subject to an annual yearly review and negotiations with the representing Trade Union body.

  For the forthcoming pay settlements in 2002 and 2003 the Rural Payments Agency will adopt the pay settlements agreed by its parent department, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of her Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48402]

  Mr. Morley
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than 5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what lessons have been learnt and incorporated into her Department's standard operating procedures based upon the outbreak of foot and mouth. [46750]

  Mr. Morley
  The independent inquiries put in place by the Government will make recommendations on lessons learned for the future. However, the Department has already taken on board some lessons learned in order to be better prepared should there be any recurrence of FMD before the outcome of the inquiry process. Details are set out in the FMD interim Contingency Plan published on 12 March and in part 3 of the Government Memorandum to the Lessons Learned Inquiry.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost is of the claims, broken down by company, which remain to be paid by her Department arising from work in connection with foot and mouth. [44295]

  Mr. Morley
  The information cannot be provided at this time for reasons of legal and commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent talks she has had with(a) farmers and (b) the insurance industry about farmers obtaining insurance against future outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [46785]

  Mr. Morley
  My officials lead the animal disease insurance working group which includes representatives from both the insurance and farming industries. The group has met on 6 March and is meeting again on 9 April and 8 May.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the application of the 20 day standstill period introduced following the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and if she will make a statement. [48077]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The interim rules for livestock movements, which we announced on 5 February, allow greater flexibility for farmers to move their animals. The 20 day standstill rule has been waived for some types of movement, subject to conditions and we will continue to keep these arrangements under review. However, veterinary advice is that the 20 day standstill needs to remain in place for the time being as a disease control measure. A copy of a document explaining the Veterinary basis for the Interim movement rules has been placed in the Library of the House and is available on the DEFRA website.

  PFI/PPPs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the(a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed. [44885]

  Mr. Morley
  The Private Finance Initiative projects which have been delayed are:

  Pevensey Bay Sea Defences;

  Broadland Flood Alleviation Scheme;

  612W

  Brooklands Avenue Cambridge——Redevelopment of office accommodation.

  The Public Private Partnership projects which have been delayed are:

  British Waterways P4;

  British Waterways Water Grid.

  Environmental Impact Assessment
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will conduct an environmental impact assessment across the supply chain to assess whether the aggregates levy meets the Government's sustainable development objectives; and if she will publish the results of this assessment in the library. [46428]

  Mr. Paul Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  The aggregates levy will be subject to environmental evaluation in due course, as part of the Budget process. Given that the levy was only introduced on 1 April 2002 it is currently too early to assess its impact.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Aggregates Levy
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the effect the aggregates levy will have on the ability of SME type quarry operators to compete with large vertically integrated companies. [46477]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the aggregates levy was published at the time of Budget 2000. A copy is available in the Library and can be accessed from the Customs and Excise website.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  World Poverty
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards the 2015 targets for reducing world poverty. [44496]

  Hilary Benn
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Richmond Park on 4 July 2001.

  In addition at the UN conference on Financing for Development in Mexico, the European Union announced a commitment to increase average Official Development Assistance as a proportion of gross national income to 0.39 per cent. by 2006 an increase of $7 billion.

  Project Sponsorship
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of her Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including(a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project,

  613W
  (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal. [48401]

  Hilary Berm
  In line with the Government's commitment in its response to the Sixth Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, details of individual amounts of sponsorship valued at more than £5,000 will be disclosed in departmental Annual Reports.

  DFID projects do not receive sponsorship. We do, however, support other organisation's projects, which may in turn have received sponsorship from other sources.

  British Overseas Territories
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on how much aid has been given to the British Overseas Territories in each year since 1997. [46985]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government's assistance to the Overseas Territories has declined gradually from £52.6 million in 1997–98, when the Montserrat volcanic crisis was at its height, to £39.6 million in 2000–01. The British Virgin Islands graduated last year from the need for our support; and programmes in Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands are now limited to technical assistance. Financial aid, however, continues to be provided for both St Helena and Montserrat. Our ultimate goal, which is shared by the Overseas Territories, is to increase local self-sufficiency to levels where our assistance is no longer required.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the aid programme in Montserrat; and what potential threats there are from further volcanic eruptions. [46986]

  Hilary Benn
  Substantial progress has been made, since the onset of the volcanic crisis, in returning normality to life in the northern half of the island. Basic infrastructure and essential public services have been restored; housing has been provided for those in need; and a range of expertise has been supplied in support of Montserrat's efforts to recover from the crisis. The focus now is upon sustainable development and eventual return to self-sufficiency for the island. With this in mind, a new airstrip and measures to attract specialist tourism and private sector investment are under consideration. A new volcano monitoring facility, incorporating special viewing areas for visitors, will be commissioned later this year. The volcano, now scientifically classifed as "persistently active", continues to pose a threat to the southern half of the island, including the former capital town of Plymouth. These areas remain uninhabitable. The risk to northern areas of the island is presently judged to be negligible.

  Israel
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 684W, on Israel, if she will list the projects in the area administered
  614W
  by the Palestinian Authority that have been funded by the (a) UK on a bilateral basis and (b) European Union, stating in each case the (i) nature of the project, (ii) funding to date, (iii) funding in each of the last five years, (iv) provisional assessment made against that project of structural and financial damage by Israeli action in the Occupied Territories and (v) amount of financial compensation to be sought; and if she will make a statement. [46679]

  Hilary Benn
  An assessment of UK-funded projects has shown only two projects sustaining direct damage. The vehicle provided through our support to the Primary Health Care management-training course at Bir Zeit. University was damaged during an aerial attack on Ramallah. The project is the second phase of post-graduate training for primary healthcare managers at Bir Zeit University. The project began in 2000 and to date has spent approximately £1.1 million. In 2000 it spent £0.7 million, £0.3 million in 2001 and £0.1 million so far this financial year. An initial estimate of the damage is approximately £28,000.

  Our project with Save the Children Fund (SCF) in Rafah also sustained direct damage when a community centre funded by the project was hit by Israeli Defence Force (IDF) fire. The aim of the project, and its sister initiatives in Jabalia, Anabta and Dura, is to improve access to potable water, sanitation and environmental health. The project in Rafah began in 1999 and to date has spent approximately £2 million. In 1999 it spent £0.4 million, in 2000 £0.7 million, £0.6 million in 2001, and £0.3 million so far in 2002. The final cost of the damage has not yet been confirmed.

  For information on projects funded by the European Commission I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 March 2002 to Parliamentary Question 46308.

  The conflict and closures have had a major impact on all development projects. The matter of financial compensation has not yet been determined. The local Task Force on Project Implementation (EC, USAID, office of the United Nations Special Co-ordinator, and the World Bank) wrote to the Benjamin Ben Eliezer, Israeli Minister of Defense (25 March 2002) conveying the international donor community's concern in relation to the adverse affects of IDF activities upon project implementation. A meeting is to take place in the near future between the Task Force and Minister Eliezer.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects in Israel that have been funded by the(a) UK on a bilateral basis and (b) European Union, stating in each case the (i) nature of the project and (ii) funding to date, in each of the last five years; what assessment she has made of structural and financial damage by Palestinian action to such projects; and if she will make a statement. [46660]

  Hilary Benn
  Israel's level of economic development is relatively high. For this reason Israel is not a recipient of UK or EC development assistance.

  Malawi
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support she has provided to agencies working in Malawi to tackle the food shortages there. [47611]

  Hilary Benn
  We have provided £1.9 million since January for direct food relief in Malawi, including grants to non-Governmental organisations which are providing support to 180,000 beneficiaries, mainly children and pregnant and breast-feeding mothers, in the Districts of Balaka, Machinga, Dedza and Mchinji. In addition, in November we provided £3.5 million for nation-wide cash for work programmes and £3.75 million for free distribution of agricultural inputs. Both programmes were targeted at vulnerable households. To help prevent future food shortages, we are working with Government to help prepare a National Food Security Strategy.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the food shortages in Malawi; and if she will make a statement. [48070]

  Hilary Benn
  There are severe localised food shortages in parts of Malawi. At this time of year most households depend on the market for basic foods, but grain prices have risen enormously, reducing access by the poor. The maize crop to be harvested from April onwards will provide some relief, but consumption of green maize may have had a significant impact on overall yields and therefore on household food security. Shortages can be expected throughout the 2002–03 agricultural season.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department employs independent auditors to audit the effectiveness of her aid spending in countries in sub-Saharan Africa; and if she will list the countries. [47329]

  Hilary Benn
  My Department employs an Internal Audit function which is organisationally independent from the rest of DFID and is staffed by professionally qualified internal auditors. Internal Audit Department's remit includes reviews of DFID's operations and funding in sub-Saharan Africa. Reviews of effectiveness of aid funding are also carried out by DFID's Evaluation Department and by the National Audit Office.

  The following is a list of sub-Saharan Africa countries in which development funds were used in 2000–01: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether she employs 616W
  independent organisations to measure the level of corruption in Government to Government aid programmes granted to countries in sub-Saharan Africa. [47330]

  Hilary Benn
  No. The Department has strong programme management systems, supported by Internal Audit and National Audit Office scrutiny, to verify that funds are used for the purposes intended and to prevent or detect misuse or corruption in our programmes.

  We fund independent organisations to conduct national corruption perception surveys in African countries which are used to inform governments' anticorruption strategies.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which country in sub-Saharan Africa she estimates her Department's aid policy to have been(a) most and (b) least effective; and for what reasons. [47334]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID's aim is the elimination of poverty. The UN Millennium Development Goals are the main yardsticks against which we measure progress towards this aim. At country level progress towards development goals is principally the responsibility of African governments, in partnership with the donor community. The international community is working with developing countries, including in sub-Saharan Africa, to promote country-led and participatory Poverty Reduction Strategy processes. These processes are intended to develop national policy strategies, agree priorities, and help to develop an institutional framework in which governments can be held to account by their own citizens. The role of donors is to provide financial and technical support to enhance governments' capacity to develop and implement these strategies.

  Aid effectiveness has improved in recent years, partly as a result of increasing international agreement on how aid can be most effective in reducing poverty and building capacity in the poorest countries. The evidence shows that aid is effective particularly in those countries with good policy environments and where there are large numbers of poor people, and in such situations has been effective in promoting economic development and poverty reduction. In Uganda aid has supported growth (averaging around 7 per cent. over the past decade) with extreme poverty reduced by over 20 per cent. since 1992, to 35 per cent. of the population. In Tanzania, where GDP growth has more than doubled between 1988 and 2001, HIPC benefits, World Bank and donor aid have helped finance primary education, with net enrolment in primary schools increased from 57 per cent. in 1999 to 65 per cent. in 2001.

  DFID's performance against its global objectives, set out in the DFID Public Service Agreement and Service Delivery Agreement, is published in the Departmental Report. DFID assesses its work in each country through an established system of annual performance reviews. However, given our broad approach to development, and the diverse nature of our partnerships, there are considerable technical difficulties in attempting to

  617W
  quantify the impact of particular levels and types of assistance provided by a particular donor on the overall progress towards development in a particular country.

  DFID will publish a Development Effectiveness Report this summer. It will discuss how DFID"s strategic, long-term poverty-focused approach can be evaluated, recognising the problems of attributing impact to particular interventions in a context of a broad partnership which is working towards our shared goals of the Millennium Development Goals.

  Egypt, Poland and China
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's total spending in(a) Egypt, (b) Poland and (c) China in each of the last five years and her forecast total spending in each for the next three years. [47335]

  Hilary Benn
  The information requested is set out in the tables below:

  DfID Programme by country

  £ thousands

  China

  Egypt

  Poland

  1996–97

  30,956

  6,299

  12,718

  1997–98

  38,616

  7,246

  13,337

  1998–99

  39,189

  4,947

  7,916

  1999–2000

  26,260

  3,546

  4,442

  2000–01

  29,746

  2,661

  3,814

  £ millions

  China

  Egypt

  Poland

  2001–021

  23

  2.5

  2.5

  2002–031

  38

  4

  0.7

  2003–041

  38

  3.5

  0

  1 Estimated figures.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's total spending on HIV/AIDS for each of the last five years and her forecast total spending on HIV/AIDS in each of the next three years. [47336]

  Hilary Benn
  There is often no clear distinction between assisting with work on HIV/AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health issues. However, the following is my Department's total bilateral expenditure on reproductive health activities, including HIV/AIDS, from financial years 1997–98——2001–02:

  1997–98 to £38.4 million

  1998–99 to £45.0 million

  1999–00 to £75.7 million

  2000–01 to £124.9 million

  2001–02 to £206.6 million.

  We have also in this period provided funding to support the HIV/AIDS programmes of a number of multilateral organisations, including the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United
  618W
  Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the European Community (EC) and the World Bank. However, with the exception of UNAIDS it is not possible to determine the portion of our contributions used for HIV/AIDS work as opposed to the other work of these agencies.

  We would expect that over the next three years our HIV/AIDS expenditure will increase above the present level.

  Overseas Aid Budget
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of her Department's overseas aid budget was provided to charities and other NGOs for each of the last five years(a) as a percentage of her Department's overseas aid budget and (b) in real terms. [47332]

  Hilary Benn
  We do not compile statistics for aid to charities and other NGOs as such. The following table shows estimated figures for the last five financial years, calculated using the nearest equivalents within the bilateral programme. These figures do not include support to in-country civil society organisations or UK groups receiving funds channelled through multilateral organisations.

  £ Million

  Total

  Constant Prices 2000–01

  Proportion of total DfID expenditure

  1996–97

  58

  64

  3%

  1997–98

  63

  67

  3%

  1998–99

  52

  54

  2%

  1999–2000

  63

  64

  2%

  2000–01

  101

  101

  4%

  Source: Statistics on International Development 1996–97 to 2000–01

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of her Department's overseas aid budget is provided in the form of Government to Government aid grants for each of the last five years(a) as a percentage of her Department's overseas aid budget and (b) in real terms. [47331]

  Hilary Benn
  We do not compile statistics for government to government aid grants as such. The following table shows estimated figures for the last five financial years, calculated using the nearest equivalents within the bilateral programme. These figures do not include support given through mulilateral organisations.

  £ Million

  Total

  Constant Prices 2000–01

  Proportion of total DfID expenditure

  1996–97

  396

  438

  18%

  1997–98

  354

  380

  17%

  1998–99

  409

  427

  17%

  1999–2000

  453

  462

  18%

  2000–41

  558

  558

  20%

  Source: Statistics on International Development 1996–97 to 2000–01

  Burundi
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is being done to improve the co-ordination of humanitarian relief for internally displaced people in Burundi. [47638]

  Hilary Benn
  We think that current co-ordination arrangements are working reasonably in exceptionally difficult operating circumstances. The UN is seeking to strengthen the staffing of its operations and of the joint UN/Government of Burundi working arrangements for addressing the needs of displaced people. We continue to encourage non-governmental organisations and UN agencies to co-ordinate closely together under the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

  Bushmeat
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with countries in Central and West Africa about the sustainability of the trade in bushmeat. [48148]

  Hilary Benn
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 9 January 2002,Official Report, column 837W. DFID has been funding two bilateral projects in Cameroon with significant elements relating to bushmeat. From 1995–2002, the Mount Cameroon Project team worked closely with the Cameroon Ministry of Environment and Forests to establish field level community management of timber and wildlife resources. The Community Forestry Development Project in Cameroon continues to work up these and other field projects into ways for communities to manage their wildlife resources under the Forest Law.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department intends to undertake researach on the relationship between wildlife and poor people's livelihoods. [48145]

  Hilary Benn
  DfID is concerned with reducing poverty. We fund and will continue to fund projects and studies that addresss sustainable forest management and bushmeat production where this is key to tackling poverty. Annex 1 lists the main current DfiD activities that have direct impact on wildlife and their habitats.

  Annex 1: Examples of DfID-supported bilateral projects, and research and studies, that have a strong focus on wildlife/bushmeat species

  Name of Project

  Country

  Period of Support

  Amount (£000s)

  Mbomipa Community Wildlife Project

  Tanzania

  1997–2001

  1,973

  Wildlife Intensification for Livelihood Development (WILD)

  Namibia

  1999–2002

  1,040

  Madikwe Community Wildlife Management

  South Africa

  1997–1999

  622

  Amboro Rural Development

  Bolivia

  1996–2000

  3,200

  Mount Cameroon Project

  Cameroon

  1995–2002

  10,602

  Community Forest Development Project

  Cameroon

  1999–2002

  1,049

  Indonesian Multi-Stakeholder

  Indonesia

  1998–2005

  25,150

  Cross River State Community Forestry Project

  Nigeria

  1996–2001

  2,000

  Forest Sector Development Project Phase II

  Ghana

  2000–2004

  11,963

  620W

  Annex 1: Examples of DfID-supported bilateral projects, and research and studies, that have a strong focus on wildlife/bushmeat species

  Name of Project

  Country

  Period of Support

  Amount (£000s)

  Joint-funding scheme with WWF

  6,289

  ——Gashaka-Gumpti/Kupe

  Nigeria/Cam

  1991–2001

  ——Coastal forest/Bogoria/Udzungwa

  Kenya/Tanz

  1990–2001

  ——Kunene/Caprivi

  Namibia

  1998–2001

  ——Mamiraua/Varzea

  Brazil

  1991–2000

  Studies and research:

  575

  ——Livestock-wildlife interactions

  Africa

  1997–2001

  ——Illegal hunting in Serengeti NP

  Tanzania

  1997–2000

  ——Bushmeat in rural livelihoods of West Africa

  Ghana/Cameroon

  2000–2002

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what analysis her Department has made of the effectiveness of participatory poverty assessments in analysing the importance of bushmeat in people's livelihoods. [48153]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID routinely assesses the effectiveness of the methodologies used in poverty reduction initiatives. Participatory poverty assessments (PPAs) are an important tool used widely in poverty reduction programmes to ensure that decision-makers are aware of poor people's views. DFID is funding research into the linkages between poverty and environmental issues in PPAs. The research to date has focused on the broad management issues relating to livelihoods of the poor, bushmeat included.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to raise the subject of the trade in bushmeat with Governments in Central and West Africa. [48147]

  Hilary Benn
  Neither myself, nor the Secretary of State for International Development have any current plans to discuss this issue with governments in Central and West Africa, but my Department will continue to raise these matters where they are relevant to our poverty objectives.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account has been taken of the bushmeat trade in her Department's Cameroon Country Strategy Paper. [48144]

  Hilary Benn
  Our Country Strategy Paper is focused on encouraging the sustainable management of forestry resources, of which bushmeat forms a part. The Community Forestry Development Project is working within the Government of Cameroon to establish community wildlife protocols for sustainable bushmeat harvesting. We are supporting the development of a Forestry and Environment Sector programme, one of the conditions for which is enhanced provision for poaching control campaigns. The programme will include a substantial community natural resource management component.

  Wildlife and Poverty Study
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Phase 1 report produced for her Department by Joanna Elliot entitled "Wildlife and Poverty Study". [48146]
  621W
  Hilary Benn
  DFID has undertaken a Wildlife and Poverty Study to identify how best to ensure that poor people's wildlife resources are used for effective poverty reduction. We are pleased with the initial Phase One report and the public interest it has attracted.

  The initial report documents anecdotal evidence of poor people's dependence on bushmeat. It highlights the lack of reliable aggregate data as to the extent of this dependence, the difficulty and expense of collecting that data, given that so much of the bushmeat trade is illegal, and the lack of proven instruments to enable poor people to manage bushmeat resources sustainably.

  Phase Two of the study will focus particularly on the Policy and institutional environment that will improve poor peoples' access to the benefits flowing from the sustainable management of wildlife resources.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the required rate of return on investments is from public-private partnerships with the Commonwealth Development Corporation; and what plans she has to reduce this rate. [46706]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government does not set CDC a required rate of return.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of whether the PSA target that 75 per cent. of bilateral country programme resources should be allocated to low income countries by 2002 will be met. [47905]

  Hilary Benn
  A report on progress against this particular Public Service Agreement (PSA) target, and against all other PSA targets set by my Department between April 1999 and March 2002, will appear in DFID's 2002 Departmental Report to be published later this month.

  Pakistan
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will make a statement on the flow of refugees from Afghanistan into Pakistan; [46596]

  (2) What assessment she has made of the flow of refugees from Afghanistan into the camps in the Balochistan area of Pakistan fleeing economic hardship and tribal instability; and how these problems are being addressed by (a) her Department and (b) the international community; [46595]

  (3) What support (a) the UK Government and (b) the international community are providing to the Government of Pakistan (i) to address overcrowding in and (ii) to provide adequate resources for refugee camps in the Balochistan area. [46598]

  Hilary Benn
  Pakistan has been shouldering the burden of some two million refugees from Afghanistan for many years. In the light of the stabilising situation in Afghanistan, since 1 March 2002, 150,000 Afghan 622W
  refugees have been able to return home from Pakistan through the joint voluntary repatriation programme established by the Pakistani and Afghan Governments with UNHCR. However, significant numbers continue to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, particularly into Balochistan province, with 10,000 Afghans crossing in the past week. UNHCR reports the majority are fleeing drought conditions in Afghanistan; some are now discussing returning to Afghanistan.

  DFID has provided £3 million to UNHCR's operations, in response to the current crisis, to support its operations for refugees in the region, including in Balochistan province. This has included technical personnel, material and financial support. At the request of UNHCR., we have provided three relief flights to Iran and Pakistan transporting tents, shelter material and communications equipment. We have also provided a specialist site planner to UNHCR in Pakistan to assist with the setting up of new refugee camp sites. UNHCR and its partners are working to improve the conditions in all refugee camps, including the water supply, sanitation and health facilities in the waiting area at the border. We have also provided £7 million to the World Food Programme's regional programme, which includes food aid support to refugees in Pakistan——7,000 families waiting to enter Pakistan have been provided food rations. In addition we have provided £6 million to NGOs, much of which has been directed towards Afghans in neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, and £11 million to support communities in Pakistan most affected by the influx of refugees. We have also provided £15 million to support the Government of Pakistan in its economic reforms.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on relations between refugees and the local communities in the Balochistan area of Pakistan. [46597]

  Hilary Benn
  Relations between Afghan refugees and local communities in Balochistan are reported by agencies in the region to be reasonable in areas where refugee communities are established. The current influx of 40,000 new refugees is reported to have increased tensions somewhat in the Chaman border area, particularly over water supplies, but no major incidents have occurred.

  Financing for Development Conference
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the outcome of the UN Financing for Development Conference in Mexico. [46659]

  Hilary Benn
  Donors and developing countries committed themselves to a new partnership in the "Monterrey Consensus". Developing countries recognised that they need to set in place the right policies to create an enabling environment for foreign direct investment and for the mobilisation of domestic resources through promoting good governance and pro-poor economic policies. In return donor countries agreed to provide better support for developing country efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals
  623W
  by: giving more official development assistance; enhancing aid effectiveness; ensuring better market access for developing countries; providing support to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to negotiate in international trade fora; ensuring that the HIPC process provides heavily indebted poor countries with a genuine exit from unsustainable debt; and taking steps to strengthen the voice of developing countries in the international financial institutions.

  At the Barcelona Council on 15 March, the European Union agreed a package of measures to support the Monterrey Consensus. This included a commitment to increase EU development assistance. The EU average oda/GNI ratio is currently 0.33 per cent., and the EU has committed itself to raise this average to 0.39 per cent. by 2006. The implication of this is that the EU will provide an additional $20 billion of oda between now and 2006, and an additional $7 billion a year from 2006. The Americans followed the EU lead on aid volume by announcing that they would provide an additional $10 billion between 2004 and 2006 and $5 billion a year thereafter. This represents a 50 per cent. increase in US aid. Financing for Development is the first UN Conference that has delivered a concrete increase in oda, and the additional $12 billion a year from the EU and the USA represents a historic reverse in the decline in global oda levels over the 12 years.

  New Partnership for Africa's Development
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial commitments have been made to the New Economic 624W
  Partnership for African Development by (a) the UK, (b) the EU and (c) other OECD donors in financial year 2001–02. [46882]

  Hilary Benn
  The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is not a financing mechanism or an institution that runs projects. Rather, it is an African-owned and led process which encourages African nations to share best practice, undertake peer review and learn from successful experience in building effective states and reducing poverty. It has not yet sought direct funding. Proposals are currently being developed by NEPAD with the assistance of different African institutions in the areas of economic and corporate governance, infrastructure, agriculture and market access, financial and banking standards, and peace and security.

  Developing Countries
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department intends to spend in developing countries in each of the next three years(a) as a percentage of her aid budget and (b) in real terms, in the form of (i) Government to Government aid and (ii) aid to charities and NGOs. [47333]

  Hilary Benn
  Revised programme allocations for 2002–03 and 2003–04 have recently been agreed——details will appear in DFID's Departmental Report for 2002. Allocations for 2004–05 have not been agreed pending the outcome of the current Spending Review. I cannot however provide the information requested, as most programme allocations are not made by type of spending.

  London Passport Office
  London Passport Office
  Racial Profiling
  Racial Profiling
  Mr Colin May
  Mr Colin May
  Police Complaints Authority: Audit
  Police Complaints Authority: Audit
  Yarl's Wood
  Yarl's Wood
  Immigration Service Operational Enforcement Manual
  Immigration Service Operational Enforcement Manual
  Terrorist Extradition Proceedings
  Terrorist Extradition Proceedings
  Asylum Seekers: Utility Bills
  Asylum Seekers: Utility Bills
  Criminal Justice System Annual Report
  Criminal Justice System Annual Report
  Government Departments: Assets of Cultural Significance
  Government Departments: Assets of Cultural Significance
  Organic and Non-fossil Fuels: Duty
  Organic and Non-fossil Fuels: Duty
  Voluntary Sporting Clubs: Taxation
  Voluntary Sporting Clubs: Taxation
  Defence Budget: VAT
  Defence Budget: VAT
  Parliamentary Questions
  Parliamentary Questions
  Register of Friendly Societies
  Register of Friendly Societies
  European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
  European Union: Forthcoming Council Business
  International Criminal Court
  International Criminal Court
  Cefn Croes
  Cefn Croes
  BSE Monitoring Scheme
  BSE Monitoring Scheme
  Kyoto Protocol
  Kyoto Protocol
  EU Ecolabel
  EU Ecolabel
  Timber Imports
  Timber Imports
  Scrapie
  Scrapie
  Building Regulations Approved Documents
  Building Regulations Approved Documents
  Airline Passengers
  Airline Passengers
  Building (Amendment) Regulations
  Building (Amendment) Regulations
  Local Authority Bus Controls
  Local Authority Bus Controls
  Dual Mandate: Proposed Changes
  Dual Mandate: Proposed Changes
  London Underground
  London Underground
  Pain Control Clinics
  Pain Control Clinics
  Primary Care Trusts
  Primary Care Trusts
  Health Targets
  Health Targets
  Overseas Broadcasting Organisations: Arabic-speaking Services
  Overseas Broadcasting Organisations: Arabic-speaking Services
  Northern Ireland: Crime Investigations
  Northern Ireland: Crime Investigations
  Belfast Agreement
  Belfast Agreement
  Northern Ireland: Victim Support
  Northern Ireland: Victim Support
  Privy Council Office: Heritage Assets
  Privy Council Office: Heritage Assets
  Privacy and Data-sharing
  Privacy and Data-sharing