Written Answers of 15 April 2002

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Child Support Agency's achievement against performance targets in the last five years. [45013]

  Mr. Darling
  Over the years 1997 to 2001 taken together, the Child Support Agency has met the majority of its targets. It is on course to meet all of its targets this year.

  Final Salary Pension Schemes
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to encourage companies to retain existing final salaries pension schemes and to make them available to new employees; and if he will make a statement. [45027]

  Mr. McCartney
  We welcome the fact that many employers continue to provide occupational pensions on a voluntary basis to their employees. Final salary and money purchase schemes can both provide good incomes in retirement as long as sufficient contributions are made. When deciding what type of scheme to offer, an employer must take into account the costs of doing so and the long-term impact on their business. The Government want to create an environment in which employers can continue to provide occupational pension schemes. We want to remove unnecessary burdens on schemes. As part of this we have announced the replacement of the Minimum Funding Requirement. We have already introduced interim changes to the MFR designed to enable it to operate more effectively. We have commissioned Alan Pickering to report in summer 2002 on ways to simplify the overall burden of regulation on schemes and will he publishing proposals later this year.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his plans to reform the housing benefit system. [45030]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We have a comprehensive long-term strategy for reforming housing benefit and dealing with the legacy of neglect we have inherited.

  Work is already well under way to radically improve HB administration and bear down on fraud. Many of the key measures set out in our response to consultation on the Housing Green Paper have already been implemented. For example, we have launched comprehensive new performance standards, reformed the extended payments scheme to provide better work incentives, reformed the single room rent, and are making housing benefit easier to administer.
  694W
  These form a firm foundation on which we can build more fundamental reform in the longer term.

  New Deal
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of new deal leavers have entered sustained unsubsidised jobs. [45031]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Up to January 2002, 56 per cent. of young people leaving the new deal for known destinations entered sustained, unsubsidised jobs. In addition, research shows that an equivalent proportion of those leaving for unknown destinations also move into work.

  Linda Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the New Deal for Lone Parents. [45045]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The New Deal for Lone Parents is a long-term investment, making a real difference to the lives of lone parents and their children. Over 300,000 lone parents have benefited from the help and support offered through the new deal, and over 130,000 of these have found work.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the Government's target group have taken out stakeholder pensions. [45032]

  Mr. McCartney
  Comprehensive information is not yet available (and will not be until the end of the current tax year). However, early figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), based on a limited sample of information from pension providers, show that in cases where earnings of purchasers are known to providers, then the majority of them have earnings of between £10,000 and £30,000 a year. ABI figures also show that 320,000 employers have designated a stakeholder pension scheme for their workforces as at the end of February 2002; representing a compliance rate of over 85 per cent., and over 750,000 people have bought a stakeholder pension.

  Pensioner Poverty
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the number of pensioners living in poverty in(a) 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [45033]

  Mr. McCartney
  Poverty and social exclusion are complex concepts, affecting many aspects of people's lives; including their living standards, health, housing and quality of environment. The third "Opportunity for all" report sets out the Governments strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents the latest information on the indicators used to monitor progress against this strategy.

  The Government's first priority was to address the immediate problem of pensioner poverty today. That is why we introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) in April 1999 to provide money for the poorest pensioners as quickly as possible. 2,200 pensioners in the Cotswold constituency are receiving the MIG and over 2 million pensioners nationally benefit from the MIG.
  695W
  This Government has also introduced measures to ensure that all pensioners share in rising prosperity. From this April the basic state pension has risen by £3 a week for single pensioners and £4.80 for couples above inflation increases last year.

  This is in addition to the introduction of winter fuel payments, currently £200, made to over 11 million pensioners and free TV licences for the over 75s which benefit some 3 million pensioners.

  From 2003 the pension credit will reward those who have worked hard and saved hard.

  We are also committed to tackling the longer term issues by helping people build up good second pensions. To this end we have introduced stakeholder pensions and improved the state earnings related pension scheme through the introduction of the state second pension. This will boost the additional state pension entitlement of £14 million low and moderate earners. Additionally, for the first time 2 million carers and 2 million people whose working lives are disrupted by long-term illness or disability will also be able to build up entitlement to the state second pension.

  Basic Pension
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to restore the link between the basic pension and earnings. [45035]

  Mr. McCartney
  Restoring the earnings link does nothing to help poorer pensioners. We will be spending an extra £6 billion a year in real terms on pensioners as a result of policies introduced since 1997. This includes £2.5 billion more on the poorest third of pensioners. This is three times more than an earnings link since 1998 would have given them.

  Increases in the basic state pension over the last two years have given single pensioners £2.10 a week more than an earnings link would have given them and £3.35 more for couples.

  Older People
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to develop his Department's strategy to help older people. [45036]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Government is committed to improving the position of older people in our society. This is an issue that is relevant not only to my Department but also to others across Government.

  The Government's strategy is co-ordinated by a Cabinet sub-committee of Ministers from several Departments, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The strategy consists of five main strands: encouraging and enabling active aging, promoting age diversity, tackling pensioner poverty for today's and future pensioners, maintaining and supporting independence in later life and working in partnership with older people to provide better services focused on the needs of individuals.

  We will publish a report later this year that will show how the Government's strategy is helping to ensure that later life is a time of opportunity for older people.

  Jobcentre Plus
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are receiving services from Jobcentre Plus. [45037]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress made in implementing the Jobcentre Plus programme. [45050]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Jobcentre Plus was launched as a national organisation on 1 April, replacing the former Employment Service and the working age functions of the Benefits Agency, and providing services to around 5 million people. The agency's business plan for 2002–03, a copy of which is available in the Library, sets out the organisation's aims and priorities for its first 12 months, including opening around a further 225 fully integrated offices by April 2003.

  Unemployment Statistics
  Richard Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the number of people of working age who are neither working nor registered as seeking work or as benefit claimants. [45038]

  Malcolm Wicks
  About 4.1 million people of working age are not working, registered for work or claiming benefits themselves.

  People With Disabilities
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made in helping people with disabilities to get and keep employment. [45039]

  Maria Eagle
  We have introduced a wide range of measures to help people with disabilities secure work where they are ready and able to do so.

  We have improved the permitted work rules in incapacity benefit to make it easier for people to make the first moves into work. Over 8,200 people have already been helped into work through the new deal for disabled people pilots. Building on that success we now have a national network of job brokers from the public, private and voluntary sectors who work closely with employers, voluntary groups and health services to help people with health conditions and disabilities move into work. Later this year we are also introducing the job retention and rehabilitation pilots to test the effectiveness of making co-ordinated, earlier health and/or employment interventions to help people who become sick or disabled to stay in work.

  Disability employment advisers continue to provide specialist support to disabled jobseekers, and disabled employees and their employers. Disability employment advisers can draw on the expertise of occupational psychologists to help disabled people find and retain work.

  The roll-out of integrated Jobcentre Plus offices will provide disabled people with work-focused meetings with a personal adviser to ensure they are aware of all the help and opportunities available to them.
  697W
  We established the Disability Rights Commission to help disabled people secure their rights under the Disability Discrimination Act, and to provide information and advice to employers and service providers.

  Pension Credit
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many pensioners will not receive their entitlement to pension credit in this financial year. [45042]

  Mr. McCartney
  Over 5 million pensioners will be eligible for pension credit when it is introduced in October 2003. Those receiving pension credit stand to gain £400 a year on average.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of fraud there were in 2000–01 in income support. [45043]

  Malcolm Wicks
  It is not possible to state the exact number. We estimate, extrapolating from the results of the Area Benefit Reviews, that there were 204,000 cases of fraud in income support in 2000–01.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his targets are for the reduction of benefit fraud. [45025]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We have a target to reduce losses from fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance by 25 per cent. by 2004 and by 50 per cent. by 2006. We have already achieved an 18 per cent. reduction.

  From this month we are beginning to use new powers in the Fraud Act 2001 that make it easier to catch fraudsters and give greater punishments to those who persistently abuse the system.

  Also from this month, all local authorities are now operating within the new incentive scheme, focusing on the full range of anti-fraud measures as well as customer error; 77 per cent. of local authorities have now signed up to participate in our verification framework that stops fraud from getting into the system in the first place. So far, net savings from the verification framework are estimated at about £100 million.

  We have introduced the Housing Benefit review to provide a continuous measure of fraud and error in Housing Benefit. This will enable us to gauge the success of the range of initiatives we have put in place to tackle Housing Benefit fraud.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much benefit fraud cost his Department in each of the last five years; and how many people have been prosecuted for benefit fraud in the last year; and what range of penalties have been imposed. [47450]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Our latest estimate is that £2 billion is lost each year through benefit fraud in the system. Latest results show that in the 2 years to March 2001 we have reduced the level of fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance by 18 per cent. In 2000–01 we imposed 26,958 sanctions, 11,403 of which involved prosecutions and 15,555 of which were cautions or other penalties.
  698W
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money was paid in error owing to benefit fraud in Weston-Super-Mare in each of the last five years. [47761]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information on the level of benefit fraud at constituency level is not available.

  Deprived Areas (Unemployment)
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help people back into work in areas of acute social deprivation. [45044]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Our policies, built on a foundation of a strong and stable economy, are helping people into work in all parts of the country. The New Deals have already helped well over 600,000 people into jobs.

  We have introduced Action Teams for Jobs to tackle joblessness in the most employment deprived areas in the country. They are performing well, and by the end of February had helped over 23,700 people into work. Since October 2001 we have increased the number of action teams from 40 to 63. At the same time, we expanded the Stockton action team to cover six new wards, all in my hon. Friend's constituency. This expanded team has already helped over 100 people into work.

  Employment Zones are helping long-term unemployed people in deprived areas into work. By the end of December, the 15 zones had helped over 20,800 people into work. We are in the process of extending the existing zones' contracts until March 2004, and are currently fully evaluating zone performance before deciding how to take the initiative further.

  This month we have established Jobcentre Plus which will deliver a single, integrated service to benefit claimants of working age right across the country. Jobcentre Plus will provide a responsive, work-focused service, helping people to find jobs and the support to which they are entitled.

  Disabled People (Poverty)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department is doing to tackle poverty among disabled people. [45046]

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to tackle poverty among disabled people. [45040]

  Maria Eagle
  We are committed to the principle of work for those who can and security for those who are unable to work. We are promoting the rights of disabled people, making work pay and helping more disabled people to get and keep jobs.

  This month we have established Jobcentre Plus which will deliver a single, integrated, work-focused service to people of working age claiming benefits. Those making new or repeat claims to incapacity benefit in integrated Jobcentre Plus offices are required to attend a work-focused meeting. These meetings provide disabled people with the opportunity to discuss with their personal adviser the help, benefits and opportunities available to them, including the opportunity to participate in the New Deal programmes.
  699W
  A disabled person working a minimum of 35 hours a week who claims the disabled person's tax credit is now guaranteed an income of at least £172 a week. By the end of October 2001 disabled person's tax credit was boosting the incomes of over 32,000 working people. From this month we have abolished the earnings limits in the independent living funds——both for these severely disabled people and their partners. At the same time we have extended help to people with savings of up to £18,500 by increasing capital limits in the funds.

  We are also providing security for those who cannot work. The disability income guarantee helps around 130,000 of the poorest severely disabled people under 60 and some 34,000 families with severely disabled children. We have extended the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance to severely disabled three and three-year-olds benefiting an estimated 6,000 severely disabled children every year. And from this month we have raised the disabled child premium in the income-related benefits to £35.50 a week giving an additional £5 on top of normal uprating. This will benefit around 80,000 children in the neediest families.

  Action Teams for Jobs
  Paul Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the work of action teams for jobs. [45047]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Action Teams for Jobs are helping the most disadvantaged jobless people in the most employment deprived areas into work. They are performing well, developing innovative and individually tailored solutions to the problems people face when looking for work.

  By the end of February, Action Teams had helped over 23,700 jobless people into work. In the first six months of the new South Manchester Action Team, which covers my hon. Friend's constituency, the team has engaged with 304 people and already helped 51 of these move into work.

  Pensions
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to increase public awareness of the state second pension; and if he will make a statement. [45048]

  Mr. McCartney
  The state second pension reformed the state earnings-related pension scheme (SERPS) on 6 April 2002. It will boost the additional state pension entitlement of 14 million low and moderate earners. Additionally, for the first time two million carers and two million people whose working lives are disrupted by long-term illness or disability will also benefit as a result of the reforms in that they will be able to build up entitlement to the state second pension.

  Most people will benefit automatically from the state second pension without having to do anything new or different. Our publicity activity therefore focuses on the group who may not automatically start building up state second pension and may need to take appropriate action. We aim to encourage carers to check their circumstances now, We have produced a new leaflet and started a programme of activity to inform relevant groups, which includes press advertising. In addition, we included a
  700W
  message in the child benefit uprating letter, are revising existing leaflets, and we are sending copies of the new leaflet to advisers.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the additional cost of the basic state pension would be in(a) 2010, (b) 2020, (c) 2030, (d) 2040 and (e) 2050 if the inflation rate were (i) 2 per cent. and (ii) 1.5 per cent. in one year out of every two, and (A) 2.5 per cent. or more in the other years and (B) 2.5 per cent. each year. [41195]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Additional cost to basic state pension if in one year out of every two the inflation rate were:

  (i) 2 per cent.

  (ii) 1.5 per cent.

  £ billion

  2 per cent. inflation

  1.5 per cent. inflation

  2010

  0.4

  0.8

  2020

  1.5

  3.05

  2030

  3.2

  6.55

  2040

  5

  10.5

  2050

  6.55

  13.85

  Note:

  1. Figures are gross cost for GB rounded to the nearest £50 million.

  The basic state pension is to be uprated by the greater of 2.5 per cent. or RPI, and so (A) and (B) would not affect expenditure in real terms.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people he expects to contract back into SERPS/the state second pension over the next 10 years from(a) personal pension schemes and (b) final salary occupational pension schemes. [44684]

  Maria Eagle
  No such estimate has been made. The decision to contract out of SERPS/state second pension is a matter of personal choice.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the basic state pension. [45910]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Government believe that the basic retirement pension should remain the essential foundation of income in retirement.

  We increased rates last April by £5 a week for single people and £8 a week for couples and from April 2002 there will be further increases of £3 a week for single people and £4.80 for couples. In future, the state pension will rise by at least 2.5 per cent, or the September rate of RPI, whichever is the higher.

  Poverty Initiatives (Westminster)
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many area-based city of Westminster poverty initiatives are administered by his Department. [45049]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department believes that employment is the best way out of poverty and our Welfare to Work initiatives are helping people move into work in all parts of the country. The new deals have already helped over 600,000 people into jobs, including over 700 in the hon. Member's constituency.
  701W
  We do recognise that there are some geographical areas that lag significantly behind the national average in terms of work outcomes. The departmental neighbourhood renewal strategy aims to improve the aggregate employment rate for the 30 local authorities with the poorest initial labour market position. The City of Westminster is not one of these 30 areas and so we are not currently administering any area-based poverty initiatives in this area. However, these constituents still have access to our range of national welfare to work initiatives available through Jobcentre Plus.

  Winter Fuel Payment
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to extend the winter heating allowance to people with disabilities. [45015]

  Maria Eagle
  We are mindful of the needs of people with disabilities, that is why the Government have taken steps to provide help towards the extra costs that people with disabilities may have, through Disability Living Allowance and the disability premiums in income-related benefits. This could include heating costs. Most people over 60, including many who are disabled, are entitled to winter fuel payments.

  Age Discrimination
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce legislative proposals to tackle age discrimination. [45028]

  Mr. McCartney
  Ageist employment practices are bad for employers, older workers and society. The cost of the fall in employment of the over 50s is estimated to be in the range of £16 billion to £31 billion per year in lost gross domestic product. The Department for Work and Pensions is promoting the business case for non-ageist employment practices to all employers and individuals across Great Britain through our Age Positive campaign.

  The introduction of the employment-related age discrimination legislation, and the consultations on its development, are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. It is proposed that age discrimination legislation will be introduced in 2006.

  Pension-sharing
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the number of people who have benefited from his Department's legislation on pension-sharing after divorce; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of this legislation. [32622]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has been monitoring pension sharing orders made by the courts. Our records show that 367 such orders have been made since December 2000. My Department is currently evaluating the effectiveness of this legislation as it applies to divorce proceedings. I hope to be able to announce the results of this in the autumn.

  Refurbishment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2002,Official Report, column 420W, what the cost of refurbishing each ministerial private office was in each year since May 1997. [37896]

  Mr. McCartney
  Since May 1997 no refurbishment work has been carried out in ministerial private office outside of the routine programme of maintenance, repair and renewal.

  Travel to Work Costs
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons high travel to work costs as a ground of variation have been abolished; and what factors underlay setting the judgment rate at 8 per cent. [44432]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We believe that support for children must come first. None the less we recognise that there are many calls on the finances of non-resident parents. The standard percentage rates for child support maintenance in the new scheme reflect those other demands. Any attempt to reflect the specific costs of each person would lead to the reintroduction of an overly complex scheme.

  The judgment rate is the statutory interest rate. It is set in England and Wales by the Lord Chancellor and in Scotland by the Lord President of the Court of Session.

  Advertising
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the pensions awareness advertising campaign. [46461]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Government are committed to ensuring people are properly informed in order to make decisions about saving for their retirement and the "Pensions Education" publicity campaign is a major part of this strategy. Results so far are encouraging——since the campaign started in January 2001 it has provoked more than 1.1 million responses and almost 1.4 million information guides have been sent out. Changing attitudes towards planning for retirement will inevitably take time.

  Overseas Pensioners
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of Spanish presidency proposals for an EU wide pension fund solvency test; what impact he estimates such a test would have on UK final salary pension schemes; and if he will make a statement. [48554]

  Mr. McCartney
  The issue of EU level solvency requirements for pension funds is being considered as part of the proposed directive on occupational pension schemes. Any impact on UK schemes would depend on the details of the requirements. We are working to ensure that the final version of the directive is consistent with UK pension arrangements.

  Vocational Rehabilitation
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Daventry on 10 December 2001,Official Report, column 617W, if he can now publish the findings of his literature and good practice reviews on vocational rehabilitation; and what progress has been made in developing conjunction with the Department of Health and national strategy for vocational rehabilitation. [48295]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The report "Employment Programmes for Disabled People: Lessons from Research Evaluations" was published on 30 January 2002 as Report No. 90 in the departmental in-house report series. A copy is available in the Library.

  Ministers from this Department and the Department of Health intend to meet in the near future to discuss possible arrangements for joint working on vocational rehabilitation.

  Table 1: Cash terms

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Budgets (£ million)

  CCG Budget

  97.0

  98.0

  98.0

  100.0

  103.0

  108.0

  Loans Budget

  370.0

  402.7

  436.7

  494.0

  516.6

  518.0

  Contingency Reserve

  0.5

  0.5

  0.5

  2.0

  1.0

  1.0

  In-year allocation to loans budget (£ million)

  0

  2.2

  21.2

  30.6

  31.1

  n/a

  Outturn (£)

  CCG expenditure

  96,499,000

  97,774,000

  98,139,000

  99,978,000

  n/a

  n/a

  Loans expenditure

  366,225,000

  404,364,000

  457,784,000

  501,150,000

  n/a

  n/a

  Table 2: Real terms (at 2001–02 prices)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Budgets (£ million)

  CCG Budget

  106.6

  104.7

  102.3

  102.5

  103.0

  Loans Budget

  406.5

  430.4

  455.9

  506.4

  516.6

  Contingency Reserve

  0.5

  0.5

  0.5

  2.1

  1.0

  In-year allocation to loans budget (£ million)

  0

  2.4

  22.1

  31.4

  31.4

  Outturn (£)

  CCG expenditure

  106,010,000

  104,489,000

  102,443,000

  102.443,000

  n/a

  Loans expenditure

  402,320,000

  432,134,000

  477,859,000

  513.679,000

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. Figures for budgets and in-year allocations are rounded to the nearest £100,000

  2. n/a means figures are not yet available

  Source:

  Annual Reports by the Secretary of State on the Social Fund 1997–98 to 2000–01 Social Fund Accounts 1997–98 to 2000–01

  Recruitment
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Benefit Office employees recruited within the last 12 months have been over 55. [48706]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Department of Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security (DSS) and parts of the Department for Education and Employment. The vast majority of Benefit paying employees were employed by the DSS, therefore the data supplied below has been taken from their legacy systems.

  Post Office Card Account
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to delay the introduction of the post office card account. [47423]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The implementation of the card account is a matter for the Post Office. They hope to have accounts available from 2003 and have recently signed contracts with DWP, IR and NISSA to make these accounts available from this date.

  Community Care
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what has been the(a) budget and (b) outturn of (i) the community care grant budget and (ii) the loans budget, in (1) cash and (2) real terms in each year since 1997. [48642]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the tables:

  There have been 277 people over the age of 55 recruited into benefit paying offices between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether those entitled to disability living allowance lower rate mobility component, but not the care component, who are also in receipt of disability premium in income support, will lose the latter entitlement if no longer eligible for the lower rate mobility component; and
  705W
  how many people are in receipt of the disability premium in income support solely as a result of entitlement to lower rate mobility component of DLA. [48640]

  Malcolm Wicks
  People receiving disability living allowance qualify for the disability premium within income support regardless of whether they receive the higher, middle or lower rate of either the care or mobility component, as any of these elements allows entitlement to the disability premium.

  Information on the number of people in receipt of the disability premium in income support solely as a result of being entitled to the lower rate mobility component of disability living allowance is not available.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for Social Fund loans have been(a) refused, (b) fully awarded and (c) partially awarded yearly since 1997. [48644]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the tables.

  Social fund

  Thousands

  Year

  Total number of awards

  Partial awards included in previous column

  Refusals

  Budgeting loans

  1997–98

  916

  319

  494

  1998–99

  935

  315

  442

  1999–2000

  1,017

  533

  647

  2000–01

  1,145

  661

  531

  Crisis loans

  1997–98

  803

  628

  230

  1998–99

  866

  690

  247

  1999–2000

  939

  746

  336

  2000–01

  930

  746

  342

  Notes:

  1. The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. The figures do not include awards on review.

  3. Comparison of the award figures should only be used as a guide as the award figures and partial award figures are taken from different tables in the Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System and are counted different stages during the claim process.

  4. Following the introduction of the new Budgeting Loan scheme in April 1999 there has been an increase in the number of partial awards as individual applicants are limited to a maximum available amount.

  Source:

  Annual Reports by the Secretary of State on the Social Fund 1997–98 to 2000–01.

  Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

DEFENCE

  Underspends
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) capital and (b) revenue underspend in his Department is expected to be in the financial year 2001–02. [47795]
  706W
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The Ministry of Defence's estimated outturn figures for 2001–02 will be published in the Budget report on 17 April 2002.

  Training Estates Division
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what overseas facilities are run by the British Army's Training Estates Division; and in which countries the facilities are located; [47617]

  (2) which military and security forces have received training within the British Army's Training Estates Division overseas facilities since 2 May 1997; which countries were involved; what types of training were provided; and how many personnel were trained; [47616]

  (3) what human rights criteria are used to assess which military and security personnel are eligible to receive training within the British Army's Training Estates Division overseas facilities. [47618]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Army Estates's Division is responsible for managing UK training areas only. Part of the Army's Land Warfare Centre (LWC) (formerly Training Support Command (Land)) has responsibility for the conduct of some overseas training. The LWC conducts training at four overseas facilities. These are in Germany, Canada, Belize and Kenya. In addition, the Field Army maintains a facility in Brunei, though this is not part of the LWC training estate. I should point out that the arrangements under which we use these facilities are different in every country and we are not responsible for the "running" of all the facilities in question.

  Since 1997 large numbers of British units have trained at these facilities but details are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Foreign military personnel on attachment to British units and foreign observers have also participated in British exercises, but once again, details are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The LWC does offer jungle warfare training to members of foreign forces at its facilities in Belize. Since 1997 a total of 18 students have participated in this training, 12 from the Netherlands and six from the Ukraine.

  In terms of formed foreign units that use the overseas facilities, certain NATO countries are permitted to conduct training at the facilities that the LWC operate in Germany under arrangements contained within the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). This agreement in itself authorises the UK to manage facilities which are owned by the German Federal Government. In summary, the countries whose forces are permitted to train at these UK managed facilities are Belgium, Canada, France, the Netherlands, the USA and of course Germany itself. Since 1997, the formed foreign units that have trained here are Bundeswehr Units (31 Airborne Brigade, 313 Infantry Parachute Battalion, 272 Airborne Attack Defence Battalion, Seven Armoured Recognisance Battalion, 270 Airborne Supplies Company); German Specialist Units (GSG and SEK (German Civil Police Special Operations)); Belgian Units (two (BE) Commando Battalion, Regiment Beveijing——five Linie, Regiment De Chasseurs Ardennais and one BE Parachute); Dutch Units (108 Company (Special Forces) and HQ 11 Air

  707W
  Mobile Brigade); United States Units (75th Rangers) and multinational formations conducting Allied Rapid Reaction Corps training.

  Because of the different arrangements that prevail, if forces from foreign nations wish to use the facilities that LWC use in Canada, Belize and Kenya, that would be matter for agreement between that country and the respective host nation. This would also apply if a country other than those specified in the SOFA wished to train on the British managed facilities in Germany.

  The Ministry of Defence continues to play a role in fostering human rights through the Defence Diplomacy Mission which aims to dispel hostility, build and maintain trust and assist in the development of democratically accountable armed forces thereby making a significant contribution to conflict prevention. A key contribution to the fulfilment of this mission is provided by military training. Details of the Defence Diplomacy Mission including its objectives and scope is published in the MOD Policy Paper No 1; Defence Diplomacy (2001) a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Imber
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many uniformed staff were on duty in the village of Imber on Sunday on 31 March; for what purpose; and what equipment they used. [48625]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: On 31 March, four uniformed Land Wardens were on duty in Imber in order to ensure the safety of members of the general public. All the Land Wardens drive quarter tonne Land Rovers with radio communication equipment.

  Medical Discharges
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons have been discharged from the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force for medical reasons in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [46667]

  Dr. Moonie
  There have been 10,067 medical discharges from the Naval Services (Royal Navy and Royal Marines), the Army and the Royal Air Force between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2001. These are broken down by service and year in the table.

  Year

  Army

  Navy

  RAF

  Total

  1996

  1,189

  339

  200

  1,728

  1997

  1,067

  354

  223

  1,644

  1998

  1,060

  448

  155

  1,663

  1999

  1,099

  456

  189

  1,744

  2000

  1,023

  484

  201

  1,708

  2001

  973

  413

  194

  1,580

  Total

  6,411

  2,494

  1,162

  10,067

  Further information on medical discharges can be found in the National Statistics publication entitled "Medical Discharges in the Armed Forces 2001" which was published on 27 March 2002. This publication can be found on the world wide web at http://www.dasa.mod.uk/medstats/discharge/ns——initframe.htm.

  United Nations Missions
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service personnel have been deployed working on UN missions in each of the last five years; what the missions are; how many personnel have been involved in each mission; what the cost has been to the MOD; and if he will make a statement. [46674]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence does not hold information centrally in the form requested and this could he provided only at disproportionate cost. I can, however, provide details of involvement by service personnel in current UN missions, these details being a snapshot only, as numbers vary during the course of a year. The details, including estimated costs for financial year 2001–02, are set out in the table. Costs for UN missions are reimbursed to the MOD from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who in turn are allocated funds from the Global Conflict Prevention Fund.

  £ million

  Mission

  Country

  Number of UK personnel

  Cost

  UNOMIG

  Georgia

  7

  0.5

  UNAMSIL

  Sierra Leone

  22

  2

  MONUC

  D. R. Congo

  6

  0.6

  UNIFICYP

  Cyprus

  112

  15.9

  UNIKOM

  Kuwait

  226

  1

  UNTAET

  East Timor

  3382

  0.4

  1 UNIFICYP headquarters

  2 British headquarters

  3 Roulement regiment

  Deployments
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what personnel in(a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF have been involved in deployments to the Falkland Islands in the last five years; how many of those deployments have been for six months; what the total cost has been to the MOD for the Falkland Islands garrison in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [46666]

  (2) what (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF personnel have been involved in deployments to (0 Gibraltar, (ii) Cyprus, (iii) Bosnia and (iv) Kosovo in the last five years; how many of those deployments have been for six months; what the cost has been to the MOD; and if he will make a statement. [46665]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information regarding the number of deployments undertaken by UK regular forces is not available in the format requested.

  As regards lengths of tours, tours in Bosnia, Kosovo and the Falkland Islands are considered as operational deployments. In the main, Royal Air Force operational deployments are four months in duration, whereas Army and Navy operational deployments are usually for six months. There are exceptions, however, such as those posts identified as continuity posts that require a deployment of 12 months duration. For service personnel posted to Cyprus and Gibraltar, which are garrison deployments, a tour length of 24 months is the norm.
  709W
  The costs for operational deployments are recorded differently from those for garrison deployments. For costing purposes, the Falkland Islands are treated as a garrison.

  The additional expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence in Bosnia and Kosovo, beyond normal defence activity, over the last five years is shown in the following table.

  £ million

  Financial year

  Bosnia

  Kosovo

  1996–97

  247

  ——

  1997–98

  196

  ——

  1998–99

  147

  14

  1999–2000

  108

  325

  2000–01

  120

  220

  The costs incurred by the Commanders British Forces Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands over the same period are as follows:

  £ million

  Financial year

  Cyprus

  Gibraltar

  Falklands garrison

  1996–97

  170

  63

  81

  1997–98

  165

  61

  76

  1998–99

  170

  52

  72

  1999–2000

  159

  54

  71

  2000–01

  160

  60

  64

  Senior Armed Forces
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 March 2002,Official Report, column 552W, on senior armed forces, how many officers there are of the rank of General and equivalent or above for each service; what steps the Ministry of Defence takes to ensure that its objective of reflecting the diversity of British society is monitored and implemented; and if he will make a statement on how the Government plan to ensure that senior officers are drawn from the whole range of society. [48701]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are 12 officers of the rank of full General or equivalent and above currently appointed in the armed forces (Naval Service five; Army four; RAF three). The armed forces are committed to creating an organisational culture that welcomes diversity in which all have equal opportunity and encouragement to realise their full potential, regardless of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or social/educational background. Promotion in the armed forces is based on merit.

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received on instances of information on the identities of British soldiers or former soldiers who may be called upon to testify to the Saville Inquiry falling into unauthorised hands; and if he will make a statement. [47059]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 11 April 2002]: I understand that the names of 76 soldiers (some of whom are deceased) have been disclosed in advertently by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, mainly in historical documents
  710W
  passed by the inquiry to the interested parties. Two names have been disclosed inadvertently by the team of lawyers representing the majority of soldiers. The name of one soldier has been compromised as a result of a security breach in the Treasury Solicitor's Department; this is the subject of a continuing investigation.

  Many soldiers' names have become publicly associated with Bloody Sunday. Senior officers were not granted anonymity in 1972, while other soldiers have made statements or given interviews in which they name themselves or colleagues.

  The soldiers whose names have been compromised have been, or will be, provided with security advice and additional protective measures where appropriate.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has recently reviewed the security arrangements for the handling of information relating to British soldiers and former soldiers by Treasury Counsel and others concerned with the Saville Inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [47125]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 11 April 2002]: Security arrangements in Government Departments, and for those acting on their behalf, are reviewed regularly.

  The Bloody Sunday Inquiry is independent of government and its security arrangements are a matter for the inquiry itself. My understanding is that in safeguarding sensitive or personal information the inquiry aims to follows normal public sector procedures and standards.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what establishment strength of the Army was set under the Strategic Defence Review. [49746]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Strategic Defence Review did not set a figure for the size of the Army. A decision was made, however, to increase the Army's manpower requirement by some 3,300 posts to reflect the inclusion of a sixth deployable brigade and a second line of communication. It remains our intention to man the Army to achieve this, although the overall manpower requirement is dynamic and subject to continuing review in light of evolving doctrine, new technology and equipment and possible changes to the operating environment.

  Nimrod
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings in terms of equipment acquisition will be made from the decision to purchase 18 Nimrod MRA4s. [49764]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 February 2002,Official Report, columns 1452–53W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer), on the basis of current assumptions, savings in support costs are likely to be some £360 million over the in-service life of the aircraft. The savings in procurement costs arising from the current contract have yet to be finally negotiated with BAE Systems and its principal suppliers, and is a commercial in confidence matter between the relevant parties.

  711W
  However, as my announcement made clear, we are working closely with BAE Systems to maximise the benefits brought about by this decision.

  Unexploded Ordnance (Kenya)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates talks(a) have been and (b) will be held between his Department and the lawyers representing Kenyan tribespeople who have been injured as a result of unexploded British Army ordnance. [48934]

  Mr. Ingram
  Meetings between the Ministry of Defence and the lawyers representing Kenyan tribespeople were held on 28 November 2001, 11 January and 8 April 2002. One further meeting has been planned for end of June before mediation talks are held over the period 17 to 19 July 2002.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the policy of the Government are on liability for death and injury caused by unexploded ordnance left behind after British military exercises in Kenya; and if he will make a statement. [49795]

  Mr. Ingram
  When compensation claims are submitted, they are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation. Where there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Vetting Agency for the financial year 2002–03. [49905]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Defence Vetting Agency is the largest government organisation carrying out national security checks on people to allow them to be employed in jobs involving access to sensitive information or assets. These jobs range throughout the Ministry of Defence and armed services, a number of other Government Departments, and defence contractor companies. This year will see the Agency emerge from a challenging modernisation and rationalisation programme that started soon after it was created in 1997. The completion of the programme will create a much more responsive, integrated organisation, able to exploit the capabilities of modern information technology to the benefit of its customers. The chief executive has been set the following key targets.

  Quality

  Key Target 1:
  To achieve, through external validation, at least a 95 per cent. success rating with specially selected cases, and zero serious errors that could have been identified at the time of vetting.

  Key Target 2:
  To address the diversity imbalance in the agency and achieve by 2002:
  Women (at Band D): 12 per cent.
  Women (Field Force): 10 per cent.
  Ethnic Minorities (Field Force): 1.8 per cent.
  Disabled (at Band D and Field Force): 1.5 per cent.
  712W
  Timeliness

  Key Target 3:
  To achieve agreed completion times for priority requests for security clearances:
  40 per cent. of counter terrorist and security checks completed within 10 days, and 90 per cent. of developed vetting completed within 30 days.

  Key Target 4:
  To achieve agreed completion times for routine requests for security clearances:
  60 per cent. of counter terrorist and security checks completed within 30 days,
  40 per cent. of developed vetting completed within 100 days and 90 per cent. within 182 days.

  Key Target 5:
  To achieve average completion times of 30 days for counter terrorist checks and for security checks, and 100 days for developed vetting.

  Efficiency

  Key Target 6:
  To reduce the 2001–02 unit cost of output by 2 per cent.

  I will arrange for advance copies of the Corporate Plan to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Naval Manning Agency for the financial year 2002–03. [49906]

  Mr. Ingram
  The key targets that have been set for the chief executive of the Naval Manning Agency for the financial year 2002–03 are as listed. The targets build upon progress made by the agency since it formed on 1 July 1996.

  Key Target 1. Deployment:
  The percentage of filled officer billets to be: 94 per cent. or greater.
  The percentage of filled rating billets to be: 90 per cent. or greater.
  The percentage of filled other rank billets to be: 90 per cent or greater.

  Key Target 2. Manpower Planning:
  The variation of strength to requirement to be: Better than -4 per cent.

  Key Target 3. Career Management:
  The percentage of officers receiving the required notice of change to be: 60 per cent. or greater.
  The percentage of ratings receiving the required notice of change to be: 98 per cent. or greater.
  The number of occurrences where minimum time ashore criteria are met to be: 99 per cent. or greater.

  Key Target 4. NMA Corporate Efficiency:
  To achieve strict control of NMA manpower overheads to within plus or minus 2 per cent. of the baseline established for manpower overheads as at 1 April 2002.
  To carry out two benchmarking exercises.
  To achieve a customer confidence score of 63.

  Key Target 5. Financial:
  To operate the NMA within 0 to -1 per cent. of its 2001–02 net cash allocation for operating activities.
  Production of annual accrual accounts to be completed by July 2003.

  Harrier GR7
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Royal Air Force's total inventory of Harrier GR7s is; and how many are operationally available. [43632]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 March 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 March 2002, Official Report, column 552W.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2002,Official Report, column 450W to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen), when he will place a letter in the Library detailing his Department's contracts for which Israeli companies are bidding as (a) prime contractors and (b) teaming partners; and in the case of the latter, with which companies they are teamed. [49793]

  Dr. Moonie
  I replied to the hon. Member today.

  Navy Vessels
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects HMS Albion to be fully operational; what refit would be necessary to keep HMS Fearless in operation for one more year; how much it would cost; whether he has considered recommissioning HMS Intrepid; whether he foresees any need for CPD capability in the next 12 months; and what contingency plans he has in place. [46971]

  Mr. Ingram
  On current plans, HMS Albion will be available for operational tasking early in 2003, and she is expected to be fully operational by mid 2003. HMS Fearless would have needed to undergo and assisted maintenance period at an estimated cost of about £1.5 million to allow her to continue in service for a year beyond her decommissioning date. The assisted maintenance period represented the minimum package of 714W
  work required to keep HMS Fearless in service. Given the age of the vessel, the possibility of additional unplanned repair during this period could not be ruled out. The cost of re-commissioning HMS Intrepid, the sister ship of HMS Fearless, which last put to sea in 1994, would greatly exceed the cost of HMS Fearless's foregone assisted maintenance period. It would not therefore make financial sense to re-commission HMS Intrepid.

  The requirement for a docking and heavy lift capability needs to be considered in the prevailing operational context at any particular time. Our assessment is that until HMS Albion enters service, the circumstances in which it is most likely that the UK wold be involved in an operation requiring a dedicated amphibious assault capability would be where we were acting as part of a coalition force. In such a scenario, depending on the requirements of the operation, a docking and heavy lift capability could be provided from within the forces of our coalition partners to enhance the UK's specialist amphibious capabilities of HMS Ocean and the five landing ships logistic. HMS Ocean is available for amphibious force tasking until October this year when she is due, on current plans, to commence a docking period before she again becomes available for tasking early in 2003. However until HMS Albion enters service, the amphibious assault capability will, if operational imperatives dictate, be filled in part by other platforms.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 326W, on strategic lift transport ships, what the date is for the keel lay of HMS 'Beach Head'; and when she is to be delivered. [47391]

  Dr. Moonie
  I assume that the question refers to the answer that appeared on 6 March 2002,Official Report, columns 325–26W. I refer the hon. Member to my pursuant answer of 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 32W. The delivery date is 30 April 2003. Beachy Head will be a commercial ship with the designation motor vessel (my) not HMS.

PRIVY COUNCIL

  Congestion Charging
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the President of the Council what representations he has received on the exemption of hon. Members from the proposed congestion charge for vehicles entering central London. [48799]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I am aware that this is a matter of some concern for Members, but I have received no direct representations.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorism
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy of the Government is on an amnesty for those convicted of terrorist offences. [44402]

  Dr. John Reid
  At the talks at Weston Park last summer, both the Irish and UK Governments recognised that there is an issue to be addressed, with the completion of the early release scheme, about supporters of organisations now on ceasefire against whom there are outstanding prosecutions, and in some cases extradition proceedings, for offences committed before 10 April 1998. Such people would, if convicted, stand to benefit from the early release scheme. The Governments accept that it would be a natural development of the scheme for such prosecutions not to be pursued. Consideration continues of the best way to discharge this commitment.

  Murder Inquiries
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 16 November 2001,Official Report, column 938W, if he will name the judge who has been appointed to investigate the cases of Chief Superintendent Breen, Superintendent Buchanan, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson and Billy Wright; and if he will make a statement. [35229]

  Dr. John Reid
  The Government stand by the commitment made at Weston Park to appoint a judge of international standing to investigate allegations of collusion in the cases of the murders of Chief Superintendent Breen and Superintendent Buchanan, Pat Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright. It is intended that the investigation of each individual case will begin no later than April 2002 unless this is clearly prejudicial to a forthcoming prosecution at that time. The British and Irish Governments will make an announcement as soon as an appointment is made.

  Scheduled Offences
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people convicted of scheduled offences committed before 10 April 1998 are in prison in Northern Ireland. [44325]

  Dr. John Reid
  There are 11 such prisoners.
  716W
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of those people who remain in prison for scheduled offences committed before 10 April 1998 how many belong to(a) Republican groups and (b) Loyalist groups. [44330]

  Dr. John Reid
  In total there are 11 such prisoners. Information is held for management purposes in relation to the perceived affiliation of prisoners: nine are or were at one time perceived to be associated with Loyalist groups and two with Republican groups.

  Released Prisoners
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have been released from prison in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act; and of those how many belong to(a) Republican groups and (b) Loyalist groups. [44329]

  Dr. John Reid
  As at 15 March 2002, 445 individuals had been released from prison under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act. Information is held, for management purposes, in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners. 240 individuals were perceived to be associated with Republican groups, 193 were perceived to be associated with Loyalist groups and 12 had no perceived association.

  Television Sets
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) integrated digital and (b) analogue television sets have been bought by his Department in each of the last 24 months; and if he will publish the guidance given to officials making decisions on television purchases. [33234]

  Dr. John Reid
  My Department does not hold centrally or separately the number of television sets purchased. Officials, when purchasing television sets follow general guidance and procedures for all procurement.

  Flexible Working
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [42417]

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

  The number of people job sharing in the Department is 25, and there are a further 10 in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. This is 2 per cent. of the staff in post.

  The number of people engaged in part-time working in the Department is 116, and there are a further 27 in the Northern Ireland Prison Service. This is 8 per cent. of the staff in post.

  Manpower
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years. [42464]
  717W
  Dr. John Reid
  Full time equivalent staff numbers in the Northern Ireland Office, for the last 10 years, including civil servants, special advisers and Prison Governor and uniformed Prison Officer grades are as follows:

  Staff numbers

  1991–92

  5,752

  1992–93

  5,683

  1993–94

  5,747

  1994–95

  5,705

  1995–96

  4,779

  1996–97

  4,590

  1997–98

  4,446

  1998–99

  4,232

  1999–2000

  3,929

  2000–01

  3,306

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [43255]

  Dr. John Reid
  I can confirm that none of my Department's existing PSA targets have been revised and no new targets introduced for the public service agreement since the publication of the 2001 departmental report.

  Creche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost. [44862]

  Dr. John Reid
  Although the Northern Ireland Office does not provide creche facilities for its staff, it does provide assistance with the cost of child care to staff with pre-school aged children. In the last financial year the Department and its agencies have assisted 154 staff at a total cost of £114,000.

  Parental Leave Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the(a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive. [42481]

  Dr. John Reid
  The information is as follows:

  (a) There are no financial costs as parental leave is unpaid.

  (b) The benefits include meeting staff needs, raising staff morale and ensuring the retention of experienced and trained staff.

  Consultants
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost to his Department was of the use of external consultants in each of the last four years. [35020]
  718W
  Jane Kennedy
  Details of the Department's (including it's agencies) total expenditure on the use of external consultants in each of the last four financial years are:

  1998–99: £254,080

  1999–2000: £486,622

  2000–01: £361,971

  2001–02: £1,955,910 (to date. There is substantial increase in this financial year due to numerous new IT projects).

  Golden Jubilee
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what events(a) he is and (b) other Ministers in his Department are planning to attend as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations; and what events his Department is planning to arrange to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. [33252]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 11 February 2002,Official Report, column 59W.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, for 1997–98 and for each subsequent financial year, the amount spent(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad by (i) his 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. [34395]

  Dr. John Reid
  Details of the Department's (including it's agencies, but excluding NDPBs as we do not have access to breakdown of their expenditure) total expenditure on mobile telephones and calls in each of the last five financial years are:

  £

  Line rental

  Call charges

  Mobiles and equipment

  Total

  1997–98

  36,498

  38,293

  14,275

  89,065

  1998–99

  33,882

  69,224

  4,431

  107,537

  1999–2000

  43,175

  45,519

  5,652

  94,346

  2000–01

  64,297

  29,172

  3,314

  96,783

  2001–02

  49,457

  22,726

  2.587

  174,770

  1 To 31 January 2002.

  Note:

  Estimate for full year equals £89,724

  It is not possible to provide a breakdown of costs for UK/abroad. We do not hold any information on reimbursement for business calls made on private phones.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the target time will be in 2002–03 for(a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public. [44947]

  Dr. John Reid
  The target time in 2002–03 for Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members is 10 working days.
  719W
  The target time in 2002–03 for officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public is 15 working days, except in the Compensation Agency where it is 10 working days.

  Energy Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last 10 years. [42445]

  Dr. John Reid
  Financial information for the years prior to 1996–97 is not readily available.

  Details of the Department's (including its agencies, but excluding NDPBs) total expenditure on energy costs for the last six years are:

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  3,156,147

  1997–98

  2,981,720

  1998–99

  2,616,093

  1999–2000

  2,684,527

  2000–01

  2,762,408

  2001–02

  12,762,408

  1 To end February 2002. Total year estimate £2.259,857

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special advisers there were in his Department; and what their salaries were in each of the last five years. [46940]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 11W.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Entry Clearance
  David Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the last two years applications for visitors' entry clearances have been given on the basis of the constituency hon. Members where the sponsor resides giving their word that the person would leave the UK at the end of the time permitted. [48798]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We do not keep records of the reasons behind the issue of entry clearance; it is granted where the applicant meets the requirements of the immigration rules.

  Nuclear Materials Transportation
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the Hazards of Nuclear Materials Transported from Europe to Japan by(a) CARICOM, (b) the Rio Group and (c) the Pacific Island Forum in the last 12 months. [49494]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Secretary of State received a representation from CARICOM on the movement of nuclear waste through the Caribbean sea while at the UK-Caribbean Forum in Guyana (3–5 April 2002). The Rio Group Heads of State and Government expressed their concern about the risks related to the transit of 720W
  radioactive materials in the Santiago Declaration of 17 August 2001. We have not received a representation on this from the Pacific Island Forum.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be made on offering the people of Gibraltar a referendum on their future; who will write the referendum question; in what way the UK Government will be bound by the decision of Gibraltarians; what the UK Government policy will be on a referendum for the people of Gibraltar; if he will publish the full text of the Anglo-Spanish accord on the issue of Gibraltar; and whether the referendum question will be put before Parliament for approval before it is put to the people of Gibraltar. [47964]

  Peter Hain
  No decisions have been made on the timing or modalities of any referendum other than because it could trigger primary legislation in the UK. HMG will expect to oversee the organisation and timing of any such referendum in consultation with the Government of Gibraltar. The Government have also made clear that any proposals affecting the sovereignty of Gibraltar will be put to the people of Gibraltar and implemented only if they approve them.

  Israel
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to his answer of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 689W, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway), what changes have been made to the evaluation of end-use undertakings issued by the Israeli Government with reference to Israel's assurances on 29 November 2000 on the use of UK originated equipment and systems; and if he will make a statement; [46418]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 689W, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway), what steps the Government are taking to clarify whether UK-controlled goods have been used by the Israel defence force activities in the Occupied Territories; and if he will make a statement. [46419]

  Mr. Straw
  The written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway) on 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 689W, informed Parliament of information that had come to light about UK-supplied equipment licensed for export under a previous Administration and a different export control regime being used in the occupied territories. I undertook to inform my hon. Friend and the House of the response from the Israeli Government to our request for an explanation.

  Following parallel action taken in London——on 12 March——and by our embassy in Tel Aviv——on 13 March——the Israeli Foreign Ministry formally responded on 26 March.

  The Israeli Foreign Ministry has said that the assurances given on 29 November 2000 were in good faith, and offered an explanation based on operational need about the use of the armoured personnel carriers in the occupied territories. They did not however accept that this was a breach of the assurances given and they have not committed to stop using the armoured personnel

  721W
  carriers in the occupied territories. In the light of this response we will (a) continue to assess export licence applications for the proposed export of controlled goods to Israel on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria; but (b) in so doing, we will no longer take the Israeli assurances given on 29 November 2000 into account.

  We also have questions about other possible breaches of the assurances with regard to equipment supplied under previous Administrations, which we are taking up with the Israeli authorities. I will report the results of our inquiries to the House once they are complete.

  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made to the advice given to travellers to Israel since the outbreak of recent fighting; and what further changes to this advice are planned. [49040]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  All travel advice notices are kept under constant review and updated to reflect the latest security situation.

  Since the most recent invasion of the occupied territories on 28–29 March, the travel advice for Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been updated twice to reflect the developments in the security situation and the risks to British nationals in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

  Our key message
  "We strongly advise against travel to the west bank and Gaza, the Israel/Gaza border area and the area long Israel's border with Lebanon"
  has not changed during this period.

  On 4 April the travel advice was updated to state that Ramallah and Bethlehem had been declared closed military zones by the Israeli army. This meant that no one can travel in or out. British nationals in the west bank and Gaza were advised to leave when the situation permitted.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence Her Majesty's Government have that Iraq(a) has provided and (b) is planning to provide (i) information and (ii) materials for weapons of mass destruction to the al-Qaeda network. [49484]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  As we have previously made clear, we have no evidence of links between the Iraqi regime and al-Qaeda. But we are keeping an open mind about Iraqi connections to al-Qaeda and are investigating all reports of links.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions his Department has taken in relation to Zimbabwe since the inauguration of Robert Mugabe as President in March. [48786]

  Mr. Straw
  EU Foreign Ministers will consider further action on Zimbabwe at the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 15 April. I will give a substantive reply after the meeting. We also have been in close touch with the Commonwealth Secretariat and individual members of the Commonwealth. The right hon. Member will be aware 722W
  that, following the election, the Commonwealth "Troika" decided upon the suspension of Zimbabwe from the Councils of the Commonwealth.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the leaders of countries bordering Zimbabwe since the elections in that country last month; and what the results of those talks were. [48785]

  Mr. Straw
  Ministers and officials continue to be in close touch with key countries in the region and with other international partners about the situation in Zimbabwe.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list those individuals who have had sanctions imposed on them by the European Union and the United States as a result of political violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe; [48790]

  (2) if he will list the occasions on which those individuals against whom targeted sanction have been imposed by the European Union have visited the EU since the 2000 parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe, broken down by (a) country visited and (b) the date of those visits; [48788]

  (3) if he will list the individuals who have had applications to visit the European Union turned down by member states and of the EU since the Union imposed targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe. [48791]

  Mr. Straw
  On 18 February 2002 the European Union imposed a travel ban (and assets freeze) on the following 20 senior members of the Government of Zimbabwe:

  President Robert Gabriel Mugabe

  Cabinet Secretary Charles Utete

  Parliamentary Speaker Emmerson Mnangagwa

  Home Affairs Minister John Nkomo

  Security Minister Nicholas Goche

  Youth Minister Elliot Manyika

  Information Minister Jonathan Moyo

  Information Minister's Permanent Secretary and Spokesman George Charamba

  Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa

  Agricultural Minister Joseph Made

  Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo

  Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge

  Senior Secretary MFA Willard Chiwewe

  General Vitalis Zvinavashe (CDS)

  Lieutenant General Constantine Chiwenga (army)

  Air Marshal Perence Shin (air force)

  Commissioner Augustine Chihuri (police)

  Brigadier Elisha Muzonzini (intelligence)

  Prisons chief Paradzai Zimondi

  Defence Minister Sidney Sekeramayi.

  None of the above mentioned Zimbabweans have attempted to visit the European Union since imposition of the travel ban on 18 February.

  We have no access to records of other EU member states. All were entitled to visit the UK prior to 18 February, as Zimbabweans are not required to obtain visas to travel to the UK. No consolidated record will be available for any such visits.
  723W
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received concerning(a) food shortages, (b) politically motivated murders, (c) suppression of the media and (d) political intimidation and oppression in Zimbabwe since the elections. [48787]

  Mr. Straw
  We and the Department for International Development receive regular reports from a variety of governmental, non-governmental, media and other sources.

  (a) Food shortages——UNDP's Humanitarian Assistance and Recovery Programme is providing supplementary feeding to 558,000 people in Zimbabwe. In addition, the Department for International Development is providing supplementary feeding to 300,000 people.

  (b) Politically motivated murders——at least 10 opposition supporters, mostly election monitors, are reported to have been killed since the election and many more to have been injured.

  (c) Media suppression——the Access to Information Act requires Zimbabwean journalists to be licensed by the Zimbabwean Government, and effectively bans foreign journalists. A report for the Daily Telegraph (a Zimbabwean national) was detained, and subsequently released, over the Easter weekend.

  (c) Political intimidation and oppression——see (b) and (c) above.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 25 March 2002,Official Report, column 611W, on civil servants, if he will list the type of information held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's manpower system, whether it provides information on the type of school that staff attended; and what steps his Department takes to ensure that its stated objective of reflecting the diversity of British society is monitored and implemented. [48698]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's manpower system holds data on personal details, which include marital status, gender, date of birth, number of children, home address, next of kin. Other data held include entry and leaving details, promotion details, staff whereabouts and history, previous Foreign and Commonwealth Office service, appraisal history, skills details, language details, qualification details, employment details and training course details. Historical information on the type of school staff attended is held only in some cases, hence the data are incomplete. The recruitment section monitors ethnicity, gender and disability statistics at each stage of the recruitment process. Since 1995, the recruitment section records have identified the type of school attended for those candidates at policy and operational entry points who successfully gain entrance to the diplomatic service. Before 1995, recruitment data on the type of school were collected only on policy entrants. These figures are published annually 724W
  in the departmental report. A copy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diversity strategy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the non-diplomatic service appointments he has made since 7 June 2001. [46226]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 4 December 2001,Official Report, column 210W.

  The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made nine appointments to FCO non-departmental public bodies since 7 June 2001. As well as those included in my answer of 4 December 2001, three appointments have been made to Wilton Park Academic Council (the new appointment of Mr. David Heath MP, and the reappointment of Lady Suzanne Warner and Mr. Nik Gowing).

  There have also been a number of non-diplomatic service appointments made by several departments within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, records of which are not held centrally. These would include members of home civil service staff, 225 having taken up their appointment through open competition, 14 through transfer from other Government Departments; and five reinstated staff.

  Timber
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [43406]

  Mr. MacShane
  Detailed information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, it is FCO policy to buy timber and wood products from sustainable and legal sources.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Egypt
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase the provision of overseas aid to Egypt; and if she will make a statement. [48778]

  Clare Short
  We have no plans to increase direct development assistance to Egypt. The country already receives high levels of assistance from the EC of which the UK contribution was £17.5 million in 1999. Our bilateral allocations to Egypt are £4 million and £3.5 million in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively. New commitments will be focused on improving the effectiveness of EC assistance.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much overseas aid has been provided by her Department to Egypt in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [48777]
  725W
  Clare Short
  Since 1997 my Department has provided the following amounts of direct assistance to Egypt:

  £000

  1996–97

  6,229

  1997–98

  7,246

  1998–99

  4,947

  1999–2000

  3,546

  2000–01

  2,661

  We also provide significant indirect assistance via multilateral institutions in particular the EC. In 1999 our share of the EC programme was £17.5 million

  India
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Andhra Pradesh Government on ensuring that the impact on food security for the population of Andhra Pradesh of strategies developed under the Government's Vision 2020 strategy is taken into account; and if she will make a statement. [48764]

  Clare Short
  Enhanced livelihood security for the poor is one of the five priorities for DFID support for Andhra Pradesh. We are in on-going dialogue with the Departments of the Government of Andhra Pradesh responsible for policy in the areas of agriculture production and productivity of natural resources. We are providing £45.4 million for the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project which seeks to help 1.5 million people, directly or indirectly, by reducing poverty and vulnerability to drought through land rehabilitation, productive and sustainable farming methods, social mobilisation, employment and non-land based income generation. All these elements have an important contribution to make in enhancing the food security of the poor.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Andhra Pradesh Government regarding the consolidation of farms and the impact of the reduction in number of farms on the population of Andhra Pradesh; and if she will make a statement. [48765]

  Clare Short
  Improving the livelihoods of people in rural areas is a major theme of our dialogue with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. There has been no discussion of any reduction in the number of farms in the state.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Andhra Pradesh Government on ensuring that the poorest citizens of Andhra Pradesh benefit from the strategies developed under the Government's Vision 2020 strategy; and if she will make a statement. [48767]

  Clare Short
  Our partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh is entirely focused on the reduction of poverty. As part of our on-going dialogue, DFID representatives participate in discussions of the Government's Poverty Eradication Mission, which the Chief Minister chairs. The Government are establishing a Technical Support Unit in the Mission, in order to strengthen capacity for social and poverty analysis and 726W
  monitoring. We are currently discussing with the Government possible ways of supporting the Technical Support Unit.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Andhra Pradesh Government on ensuring that the environmental impact of strategies developed under the Government's Vision 2020 strategy are taken into account; and if she will make a statement. [48763]

  Clare Short
  Vision 2020 is a draft document, which was published by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1999 setting out a series of goals, including the eradication of poverty in the state in 20 years. In 2000, we initiated a discussion with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and others, including civil society, about how best to deploy our resources so that they contributed most effectively to poverty reduction in the state. This resulted in a DFID strategy paper for Andhra Pradesh, which sets out our approach to assisting in the elimination of poverty in the state by working towards five priorities. A copy of the strategy in the Library of both Houses.

  Improved human development outcomes are one of the five priorities for DFID support for Andhra Pradesh. We are in on-going dialogue with the Departments of the Government of Andhra Pradesh responsible for policies affecting the environment about the linkages between environment and poverty. The Government of India are currently considering a proposal from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for DFID to provide support for additional strategic environmental assessment of Vision 2020.

  Palestine
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what assessment has been made of the recent damage to the water supply pipelines in(a) Ramallah, (b) Qalqilya, (c) Bethlehem, (d) Tulkarm and (e) Nablus; [48800]

  (2) what assessment has been made of the damage to the emergency water and sanitation programme in the West Bank by recent Israeli action; and what is the (a) estimated cost of this damage and (b) estimated number of beneficiaries affected. [48773]

  Clare Short
  Water is a critical issue with the WBGS, and since the Intifada began, the international community has collaborated with the Palestinian institutions to help address both urgent short term needs and the longer term institutional and physical infrastructure.

  Water and sanitation, along with other basic services, has been dramatically affected by the recent escalation of violence. The international community, together with the Palestinian authorities, is gathering data on areas where there is no direct access to water supplies. But it has not yet been possible to make a comprehensive assessment of the damage incurred. Access to many areas is still denied.

  Israel
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations have
  727W
  been made to the Israeli Government to allow entry of relief consignments and facilitate their transport into the Occupied Territories. [48793]

  Clare Short
  The Government has called for an immediate and full Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian towns, which would facilitate human relief access, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1402.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much UK aid to Israel and the Palestinian territories has been obstructed by(a) Israel and (b) Palestinians during the recent violence in the Middle East; [48967]

  (2) what guidance she issues to UK air workers in Israel and the occupied territories; [48971]

  (3) what representations she has made to the Government of Israel regarding the obstruction of humanitarian aid to Palestinians; [48969]

  (4) to what extent the humanitarian needs of the Palestinians have increased during the recent violence between Israel and the Palestinians; and if she intends to change her aid policy to Palestinian territories; [48965]

  (5) if she will make a statement on her assessment of the security of UK aid workers in each country in the Middle East; [48973]

  (6) when she last had discussions with the Palestinian Authority regarding the humanitarian consequences of terrorist attacks on Israel; and when she next intends to do so; [48968]

  (7) what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK aid to the occupied territories; and how she intends to increase the effectiveness of her Department's spending in the occupied territories; [48972]

  (8) what assurances she has received from the Government of Israel regarding the safety of UK aid workers in the occupied territories; [48970]

  (9) if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation within Palestinian refugee camps; what assistance her Department provides to the refugee camps; and if she intends to increase aid to the refugee camps; [48966]

  (10) if she has made an assessment of the water shortage problems in the Palestinian refugee camps. [48974]

  Clare Short
  There are approximately three million Palestinians living in the West Bank Gaza Strip, nearly half of whom are registered refugees. Following three consecutive years of rising real per capita income from 1997 to 2000, the Palestinian economy has been hit hard by the conflict. Surveys have barely been able to keep up with the level of damage inflicted on the Palestinian economy since the start of the Intifada in 2000. Damage to infrastructure, loss of life and strict closure activities has led to a dramatic decline in economic activity, particularly as Palestinians have been denied access to their jobs over the Israeli border. During 2001, it is estimated that GNI had declined by 12–15 per cent., unemployment risen by up to 50 per cent., and the numbers of people living below of the poverty (US$2 a day) increased to 50 per cent..

  The damage inflicted during the recent escalation of violence, in terms of destruction of infrastructure (including basic services), damage to private property and
  728W
  government buildings will take some time to quantify. But it has further desecrated livelihoods, disrupted the delivery of water and sanitation, health and education services, and undermined the institutions of government.

  We are working with others to try to determine the full extent of the damage and the humanitarian consequences. But international efforts remain hampered by restricted access. It is clear that there will be no improvements in the situation without an end to violence and a return to negotiations.

  I have kept our programme of development assistance under close review. The long-term goal remains unchanged——the establishment of a viable Palestinian State, which can co-exist peacefully with Israel. The strategy also remains valid: to provide help for immediate and emergency needs while at the same time working for longer-term sustainable and institutional development.

  The economic and social decline over the past 18 months has required a review of the balance between longer-term goals and urgent needs. We have sought to provide emergency assistance in ways that can contribute to sustainable development. As soon as possible we will work for a rapid assessment of the current situation and set priorities for action so that all agencies can respond in a co-ordinated and effective manner.

  DFID is committed to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) in meeting the needs of Palestinian refugees. We have steadily increased our financial and technical support to UNRWA, from £6 million in 1997 to £35 million in 2001, in response to the rising needs. I am in contact with Commissioner General Peter Hansen about the impact of the Israeli Defence Force incursions to many UNRWA camps, and what additional support is required for urgent actions. We have provided £5 million for the 2002 Emergency Appeal and will consider urgently what further support we can give, on top of our planned contribution for this year to UNRWA's core activities.

  It is hard to quantify the impact of violence on UK development assistance. Closures and violence have adversely affected all programmes. It has proved difficult for international staff to travel to the region. In addition, closures and violence have hindered the movement of project staff. Prior to the recent incursions, we were confident that projects would meet their goals, albeit in a longer time period. We will need to look afresh at the impact on our programmes of recent intense incursions.

  The UK does not provide any development assistance to Israel.

  The Government has serious concerns for the safety of civilians and the access of medical, humanitarian and consular aid. We have made clear to Israel at the highest level that we expect them to ensure that medical and humanitarian organisations and Consular staff have uninterrupted access to those in need. The Foreign Secretary stressed these concerns to Israeli Foreign Minister Peres in a telephone call on 10 April.

  The Government has repeatedly called on the Palestinian authority to take determined action to prevent terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.
  729W
  We have called on both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1402, including the establishment of a meaningful ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from palestinian towns and the implementation of the Tenet plan and Mitchell recommendations, with the aim of resuming negotiations on a political settlement.

  We have tried and trusted mechanisms in place to provide security requirements for UK aid workers. DFID currently employs three people in the Consulate General in Jerusalem, and one secondee to the local EC office. UK and other nationals are also contracted under DFIDfunded projects.

  Those who work in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are aware they are operating in an unstable environment. All who travel to the area are fully briefed on the security situation and travel restrictions. UK nationals based permanently in the WBGS appear on the Consulate General Register, and the Consulate General is in regular contact, especially in times of crisis.

  There are no aid-funded workers in Israel.

  We judge that the risks posed to aid personnel in other Middle Eastern countries——Jordan, Egypt, Yemen and Iraq in DFID's context——are less acute. However, we, and the Foreign Office, continue to monitor the safety of people in the region closely.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Amy Gehring
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if her Department has received a similar letter to that received from the Police about Amy Gehring in the last 12 months. [45857]

  Mr. Timms
  The police report any conviction, except for minor road traffic offences, of a teacher (including a former teacher or a student teacher), or ancillary worker in a school or further education institution, to my officials. They also report any conviction of a proprietor of an independent school or a youth worker.

  The police write to the Department about a range of issues relating to individuals connected with schools. We do not record these reports centrally in a way that allows us to compare them to the report received in respect of Amy Gehring.

  Graduate Unemployment
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the rate of unemployment of newly graduated students has been for each of the last 10 years. [46335]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest available information, which shows the unemployment rates for newly qualified graduates six months after graduation, is shown in the table. Information for students graduating in 2001 will be available in June 2002. As at spring 2001, the unemployment rate for all graduates in the population, at 2.4 per cent., was around half that for the workforce as a whole, at 4.6 per cent.
  730W

  Destinations of full-time first degree students from higher education institutions in England

  of which, those who were unemployed1:

  Year of graduation

  Total graduates with known destination

  Numbers

  Percentage

  1990

  83,340

  7,280

  8.7

  1991

  87,380

  11,070

  12.7

  1992

  96,660

  13,750

  14.2

  1993

  108,360

  14,040

  13.0

  1994

  121,390

  12,870

  10.6

  1995

  136,450

  12,510

  9.2

  1996

  145,930

  11,780

  8.1

  1997

  146,490

  10,140

  6.9

  1998

  147,890

  8,570

  5.8

  1999

  152,400

  8,430

  5.5

  2000(2)

  145,540

  7,680

  5.4

  1. Based on the employment position of graduates six months after graduation.

  2. Covers UK domiciled and EU students only; figures for previous years cover UK domiciled, EU and other overseas students.

  Selective Schools
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of selective schools by category are located(a) within five, (b) five to 10, (c) 10 to 15 and (d) more than 15 kilometres from settlements with under 3,000 people. [46508]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  School Spending
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what expenditure in real terms per pupil was in(a) maintained secondary schools and (b) primary schools in each local education authority each year between 1979 and 1989. [47044]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is not held in this form by the Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Some information is provided in the CIPFA 'Handbook of Education unit costs' for the years from 1984–85.

  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average spend per pupil has been in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each year since 1995 in (i) England, (ii) York, (iii) the highest spending local education authority and (iv) the lowest spending local education authority in England. [46767]

  Mr. Timms
  The information requested is contained in the following tables:

  £

  England

  York

  Pre primary/primary

  secondary

  Pre primary/primary

  Secondary

  1995–96

  1,920

  2,610

  ——

  ——

  1996–97

  1,910

  2,590

  1,710

  2,450

  1997–98

  1,860

  2,530

  1,730

  2,520

  1998–99

  1,960

  2,550

  1,840

  2,570

  1999–2000

  2,070

  2,640

  1,840

  2,480

  731W

  Highest spending authority

  Authority

  £

  Pre primary/primary

  1995–96

  Lambeth

  3,000

  1996–97

  Westminster

  2,980

  1997–98

  Lambeth

  3,040

  1998–99

  Lambeth

  3,040

  1999–2000

  Lambeth

  3,110

  Secondary

  1995–96

  Lambeth

  4,400

  1996–97

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,780

  1997–98

  Brent

  4,070

  1998–99

  Brent

  4,210

  1999–2000

  Tower Hamlets

  3,830

  Lowest spending authority

  Authority

  £

  Pre primary/primary

  1995–96

  St. Helens

  1,620

  1996–97

  Hartlepool

  1,570

  1997–98

  Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees

  1,540

  1998–99

  Darlington, Cambridgeshire

  1,660

  1999–2000

  Peterborough

  1,620

  Secondary

  1995–96

  Bromley

  2,110

  1996–97

  Bromley

  1,700

  1997–98

  Bradford

  1,720

  1998–99

  Bradford

  1,760

  1999–2000

  Barnsley

  2,270

  Notes:

  1. The tables exclude City of London, Isles of Scilly, and Rutland.

  2. York was formed as part of LEA reorganisation in 1996–97, previously it was part of North Yorkshire.

  3. NIE per pupil in real terms (2000–01 prices using GDP deflators published by Treasury 20 December 2001).

  4. All figures are rounded to the nearest £10.

  Adult Education
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been made available to education authorities in inner London boroughs to promote services for adult education in the last three years. [48681]

  Mr. Timms
  2001–02 is the latest year for which specific funding figures on adult education are available: the LSC made available £17.8 million in grant to inner London education authorities in that year. Prior to this, it was for each authority to decide how much of its education SSA it wished to spend to promote services for adult education: total education SSA for the inner London authorities was £1,187 million for 1999–2000 and £1,248 million for 2000–01. 'Adult Education' is interpreted as the local education authority secured adult education sector.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Starter Homes Initiative
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2022,Official Report, column 979W,
  732W
  if he will publish a list of the organisations and local authorities which have or are due to receive funding under the Starter Homes Initiative. [49888]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Sally Keeble) to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on 29 October 2001,Official Report, columns 484W–88W.

  Rough Sleeping
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to reduce the incidence of rough sleeping in rural settlements with populations under 3,000; and if he will make a statement. [46454]

  Ms Keeble
  Recorded levels of rough sleeping in small rural settlements are not high. On 3 December 2001 the Prime Minister announced that the Rough Sleepers Unit had achieved its target of reducing rough sleeping by at least two-thirds by 2002.

  The latest published rough sleeping figures for England show that all local authority areas containing rural settlements with populations under 3,000 returned either a count of less than 10 rough sleepers or an estimate of 0–10.

  On 13 March the DTLR launched "More than a roof", the Government's new approach to tackling homelessness, which has sustaining the two-thirds reduction in rough sleeping as one of its key objectives.

  Many former rough sleepers have now moved into shelters, hostels and their own homes as part of their move to an independent lifestyle, but many still need help to rebuild their lives away from the streets. It is also vital that we continue to prevent those vulnerable to rough sleeping from hitting the streets in the first place and that those still on the streets receive the help they need to come inside.

  The DTLR will invest over £30 million during 2002–03 to support local strategies around the country to ensure the two thirds reduction is sustained——the same level of revenue funding that led to the Rough Sleepers Unit meeting its target.

  The new Homelessness Act will also bring about radical change in the way that central and local government, and all other partners, work together to tackle homelessness in all parts of the country including rural areas. For the first time ever, local authorities will be required to carry out a review and develop a strategy for their area that prevents homelessness and provides solutions for people who are, or who may become, homeless.

  Planning
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in the last three years, how many developments have been referred for his determination, pursuant to the arrangements set out in Part IV of the memorandum attached to DOE circular 18/84; and in respect of these referrals, how many he has decided(a), pursuant to written representations and (b) following a non-statutory public inquiry. [48938]
  733W
  Ms Keeble
  The Department does not maintain a central record of these cases and the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how often in the last three years, and for what purpose, his Department has applied the special urgency provisions in paragraph 22 of Circular 18/84 (Development by Government Departments). [48947]

  Ms Keeble
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on Friday 1 March 2002,Official Report, columns 1590–591W.

  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what matters he takes into consideration when deciding whether to rely on written representations or to institute a non-statutory public inquiry when determining a referral to his Department, pursuant to the arrangements set out in Part IV of the memorandum attached to DOE circular 18/84; [48937]

  (2) when instituting a non-statutory public inquiry, pursuant to the arrangements set out in Part IV of the memorandum attached to DOE circular 18/84, what format he would expect such an inquiry to take; and if he would expect providers of local services and members of the local community to be able to give evidence. [48936]

  Ms Keeble
  DOE circular 18/84 makes it clear that the method of written representations will be suitable for most cases. But where there is evidence of interest by other parties the dispute may be resolved by either a meeting of the representatives of the local planning authority and the developing Department or through a non-statutory public local inquiry. Planning inquiries for cases decided by the Secretary of State follow the Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000. But an inquiry held under the arrangements set out in DOE circular 18/84 is non-statutory and so it is not bound by these rules. However, it is expected that any such inquiry would follow the spirit of these rules so far as practicable and that interested parties would be given an opportunity to express their views.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what rules govern meetings between Ministers and hon. Members on planning issues awaiting decision. [48784]

  Ms Keeble
  Such meetings are covered by Guidance On Propriety Issues In The Handling Of Planning Casework In DTLR. A copy of the guidance is available on the Department's website [www.planning.dtlr.gov.uk/gpihpc].

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the reasons underlying proposals to reform the planning system. [49489]

  Ms Keeble
  The reasons underlying the proposals for reform of the planning system are set out in chapter two of the Planning Green Paper: 'Planning: Delivering a fundamental change'. A separate consultation document concerning the planning system in Wales has been issued by the National Assembly.

  Affordable Houses (Lancashire)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much turnover new town land in Lancashire has been allowed for affordable houses in the last five years; and if he will list the sites. [47427]

  Ms Keeble
  Over the last five years approximately six hectares of New Town Land in Lancashire has been released for development of affordable houses. The sites are:

  (i) Cottam Hall, Preston

  (ii) Eastway, Fulwood

  (iii) Railway Road, Skelmersdale.

  Boundary Commission for Wales
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Boundary Commission for Wales will report its results. [45903]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Commission anticipate that they will commence their next general review and a review of Assembly electoral regions in December 2002. They are obliged by statute to submit their report by 15 December 2006, but hope to do so before the end of 2004.

  Trial Lane Rental
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the predicated annual income generated by the trial lane rental schemes is. [49874]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government is not yet in a position to calculate accurately the amount likely to be raised by the lane rental pilot schemes in Camden and Middlesbrough. However, we have appointed consultants——Halcrow——to monitor the pilots and they will be reporting to us in due course on the effect of the schemes in reducing disruption which utility street works cause to road users as well as the charges paid by utility companies.

  Local Authorities (Joint Working)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress since the issue of draft guidance in December 2000 on powers to enable joint working and pooling of budgets between local authorities and other public agencies. [47266]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Following consultation with local authorities on draft guidance on the well being power provided under Part 1, Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, the Government published final guidance in March 2001. Copies are available from the DTLR website.

  The Department also published on 29 March 2001 a Consultation Paper, "Working with Others to Achieve Best Value: A Consultation Paper on Changes to the Legal Framework to Facilitate Partnership Working". The proposed Section 16 powers complement the provisions in the 2000 Act, extend the approaches available to other local authority functions, and go further in some areas of activity. We expect to lay the Orders before Parliament later in the year.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those local authorities imposing an increase in council tax for a Band D property in excess of 10 per cent. in financial years(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2001–02. [48735]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 March 2002,Official Report, column 9848W, on the New Deal for Young People, what information he collates on the subsequent destinations of people who were employed by his Department under the scheme. [50338]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Records are not kept of whether New Deal staff take up employment on leaving this Department.

  Maladministration
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what payments have been made to individuals following findings of maladministration by ombudsmen with responsibility for agencies under the remit of his Department in the last 12 months; and what plans he has to review the powers to increase the level of awards that can be made. [47954]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The Department has made four such payments totalling £535,215.54 to individuals in the past 12 months.

  There are no statutory limits to the level of payments that can be made. Payments are based on the merits of individual cases.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 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. [47105]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, on 11 April 2002, ref. (47100).

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 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. [47135]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Westmoreland and Lonsdale (Tim Collins) on 7 March
  736W
  2002, Official Report, column 572W. Details of special adviser travel for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible.

  User Consultation
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what new steps his Department took in 2001–02 to consult the users of its services about their wishes and expectations; and if he will publish the findings. [47304]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The executive agencies of DTLR regularly consult their customers and representative bodies on customer service issues. In many cases the overall results are published in their annual reports. The outcomes are used to inform service developments. The methods and timing of consultation are designed to fit the nature of individual services and are kept under review.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much his Department has spent on external consultants in each of the past five years. [46035]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: The Department's consultancy spend is as follows:

  £

  2000–01

  98,700,000

  2001–02

  119,022,000

  These figures include spend by the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Figures for the previous three years can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Multi-Modal Studies
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when and where the recent DTLR Multi-Modal Study infrastructure charging seminar took place; and who attended it. [49462]

  Mr. Byers
  The seminar was held on 1 February in the conference hall at Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1. It was attended by officials from DTLR, the Government Offices for the Regions and the Highways Agency and by consultants working on each of the multi-modal studies.

  Airport Security
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to increase security at UK airports. [45902]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Following the attacks on 11 September, heightened aviation security measures were immediately introduced at all UK airports and for all airlines operating from the UK. Security requirements remain at an enhanced level.

  An additional package of action was announced by the Secretary of State on 28 March, following the review of airside security carried out as a result of the recent

  737W
  robberies at Heathrow. Measures include enhancements to current access control systems, extensions to the use of counter terrorist checks and criminal record checks for airport staff, and improvement of CCTV systems at airports.

  Open Skies
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards an Open Skies agreement with the US. [49873]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government would like to liberalise the UK-US aviation market in a way that would allow UK airlines to be able to compete with US airlines on fair terms. We are reviewing the policy options for achieving that objective.

  Airports (Slot Allocation)
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on European airport slot allocation. [49818]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Slot allocation is governed by European Regulation 95/93. The Commission issued a proposal to amend this regulation in June 2001. This proposal is being carefully considered following consultation with the UK aviation industry. The UK's objective is to ensure the most efficient use of scarce airport infrastructure.

  Seamen
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimates he has made of the effect of the tonnage tax on employment of UK seamen. [48847]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is too early for meaningful estimates to be made. However, to date 50 groups of companies have been approved by the Inland Revenue for entry into tonnage tax. These 50 groups, and eight more, have received approval from the DTLR of their training commitments. This equates to about 509 officer training places.

  We believe that recent changes we have made to the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme, together with the tonnage tax training commitments, will lead to a significant increase in seafarer recruitment.

  Overstay Charges (Utility Services)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which Department receives the overstay charges from utility services for any work not completed within the agreed period under Section 74A of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. [49875]

  Ms Keeble
  Where a highway authority chooses to impose overstay charges on utility companies, under section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, the authority can keep the moneys received to meet the cost of operating the charging scheme and can spend any surplus on developing policies for the promotion and encouragement of safe, integrated, efficient and economic 738W
  transport facilities and services to, from and within their area. The proceeds are not retained by central Government.

  Section 74A of the 1991 Act covers a separate system, under which undertakers carrying out works have to pay a daily charge from the outset of works, or "lane rental". Pilots schemes testing these powers are currently under way in Middlesbrough and the London borough of Camden. Again, the highway authority is permitted to retain the proceeds of the charging scheme.

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many responses to the consultation on abandoned cars were received; how many were(a) supportive of and (b) against reducing the notice period for removal; when he expects to bring forward proposals for reform; and if he will make a statement. [48746]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 10 April a package of measures that the Government had taken to deal with the problem of abandoned vehicles. New regulations came into effect on 9 April to reduce the notice periods after which abandoned vehicles could be removed and disposed of. It is now possible where vehicles of no value have been abandoned on the highway for a local authority to remove and dispose of them on the termination of a 24 hour notice. In addition, measures were announced to promote joint working between local authorities and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

  My right hon. Friend also announced his intention to reform the vehicle registration system to ensure that, in future, all vehicles can be traced to the correct keeper.

  The Government's consultation on abandoned cars issued in October 2001 attracted 361 responses from organisations and individuals. Over half of the respondents were local authorities. A full report has been placed in the Libraries of the House, giving a breakdown of responses and a full list of respondents.

  In general respondents supported the Government's proposals. 115 respondents expressed support for the proposals as a whole, 155 expressed a general support for immediate measures including the reduction of notice periods, with 46 expressly supporting the reduction of notice periods. There was very little opposition to the proposals.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Clive Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress of the implementation of the Private Hire Vehicle Registration (London) Act 1998. [49263]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Responsibility for the regulation of private hire vehicles in London has been passed to the Mayor. The Public Carriage Office undertakes the licensing function as part of Transport for London.

  Road Use
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated
  739W
  number of vehicle kilometres travelled is in each of the last five years by (a) lorries, (b) cars and (c) all vehicles. [49701]

  Mr. Byers
  The information is published in Transport Statistics Bulletin 02(5)——Traffic in Great Britain: Q4 2001 (Table 2), a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.

  Interactive Speed Signs
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his Department will approve interactive speed signs for general use by highways authorities. [48792]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department commissioned trials over several years to establish the effectiveness and suitability of vehicle activated signs and the results are being collated into a report to be published during the summer.

  Motoring Charges
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the Ten Year Transport Plan estimates will be raised in(a) congestion/road charging schemes and (b) work place parking charge schemes over the period of the plan. [49464]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 25 February 2002,Official Report, column 791W.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the provisions of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 concerning regional passenger services are put into effect. [49959]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Transport Act 2000 repealed the part of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 concerning regional passenger services and, as of 2001, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has a duty under S206(4) of the Transport Act 2000 to formulate a strategy for British passenger services through the Channel Tunnel.

  In the year 2000 the British Railways Board reviewed its plan for international regional services as it was obliged to do under Section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987. This review is available on its website at www.brb.gov.uk and concludes that Regional Eurostar services would be heavily loss making and that there are no economic, environmental or social grounds for providing a subsidy.

  The SRA have said that later this year they will publish a strategy relating to services in various parts of Great Britain for facilitating the carriage of passengers or goods by rail by way of the Channel Tunnel.

  CLG
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what costs have been incurred to date by the CLG team; [46963]
  740W
  (2) what budget has been provided to the CLG team for the period up to 30 July. [46964]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The SRA has approved a budget for the CLG bid to the end of July 2002 of £11,163,327. Costs incurred to the end of February 2002 were £1,203,697.

  Station Platforms
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposals to extend platforms at Stonehouse, Gloucestershire station. [39437]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 March 2002]: I am not aware of any current proposals to extend these platforms. Any future proposals would be for Railtrack and the Strategic Rail Authority to consider.

  Railtrack
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place a copy of the railway administrators' six month progress report in the Library. [49458]

  Mr. Byers
  Although this is not a Government document, the administrator has agreed to a copy of his six month statement of proposals and progress report being placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the Government have spent on Railtrack administration; and if he will break down the costs by the main heads of expenditure. [47518]

  Mr. Jamieson
  £1.932 billion was drawn down from the Government loan facility and repaid by Railtrack plc in Administration on 25 March. £1.615 billion was used from the Trust Facility to pay pre-Administration trade and finance creditors and £0.317 billion was used from the Working Capital Facility.

  Network Rail
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information has been provided by the Strategic Rail Authority on the increase in borrowings from their pre-administration level to the £9 billion envisaged by Network Rail. [48185]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is for bidders for Railtrack plc to set out their proposed debt finance requirements, based where appropriate on information available from the Administrator and from published sources.

  Railways
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many franchise agreements with train operating companies include provisions for the Government to underwrite any part of the franchise in the event of the regulatory system changing. [46968]

  Mr. Byers
  All franchise agreements remove the regulatory risk or opportunity arising from a change to track and station access charges, following a regulatory review, so that the franchise operator makes no windfall profit or loss as a result of the change.
  741W
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has for increasing the percentage of the rail network that is electrified. [49709]

  Mr. Byers
  Rail electrification schemes will be considered where clear practical advantages and/or environmental benefits exist, and value for money can be demonstrated.

  Mr. Lyons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of repairs necessary on(a) the East Coast and (b) the West Coast main lines to Scotland. [48835]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for Railtrack.

  Train Punctuality
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with(a) First Western Trains and (b) Wales and West Trains to produce a strategy to improve punctuality. [48602]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has regular meetings with all train operators regarding train performance, at which punctuality and reliability of services are discussed. In the Directions and Guidance published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 April, the SRA has been given a primary objective to work with the rail industry to achieve substantial lasting improvements in performance. The Directions and Guidance has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Rail Fares
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much additional funding would be generated if regulated rail fares rise by the retail prices index in the 10-year plan. [47385]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority estimates that a 10 per cent. increase in regulated fares might generate an increase of between 4 and 6 per cent. in fare revenue.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Departmental Spending
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total expenditure was on(a) advertising, (b) polling, (c) focus groups, (d) design consultants, (e) caterers, (f) production of departmental publications and (g) photographs/photographers by her Department for each year since 1995 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms; what was (A) the annual percentage increase in spending on each category and (B) spending on each category as a percentage of the total departmental running costs; and if she will make a statement. [6902]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA was created on 8 June 2001. Historic information prior to this date, relating to the merged operations which constitute DEFRA, could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
  742W
  Publicity expenditure is not recorded in the format requested. Our records show a publicity spend for the six months following DEFRA's creation of £1,373,737 and includes the categories in the question.

  This expenditure is not exhaustive and excludes foot and mouth disease expenditure and the merged ex-DETR directorates, also non-departmental public bodies and agencies. The recovery of this expenditure would incur a disproportionate cost.

  The Government are committed to using only whatever channel is judged to be the most cost-effective way to deliver the publicity necessary to support the implementation of policy. Paid advertising is resorted to only after careful consideration.

  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(a) ECE Regional Assessment report on progress made in the implementation of Local Agenda 21, (b) conclusions on sustainable development of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting of May 2001 and (c) EU Sustainable Development Strategy of June 2001. [46568]

  Mr. Meacher
  (a) The ECE Regional Assessment report covered the implementation of Agenda 21, not Local Agenda 21. The UK has promoted the conclusions of the report in subsequent discussions in the EU and the UN in preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

  (b) The OECD Policy Report on Sustainable Development was endorsed by environment and finance Ministers at the OECD Ministerial Committee Meeting on 17 May 2001. The report outlines a policy framework for better integrating economic, environmental and social objectives, and decoupling economic growth from a range of environmental pressures. In response to the report, my Department has been closely involved in an initiative to develop indicators of sustainable development for use in OECD peer reviews. We have used the report to inform our approach to the external dimension of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy and to the OECD's institutional report to the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

  (c) The Department has supported the implementation of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy through conclusions adopted by the Environment Council on 12 December 2000 and 4 March 2001, and at regular meetings with the European Commission and member states; reviewing the strategy is the responsibility of the European Council at its annual spring meetings.

  Rural Public Houses
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Countryside Agency's 'The Pub's the Hub' campaign; and if she will make a statement. [46453]

  Alun Michael
  The concept of the pub being "the hub" of the rural community is being promoted by Business in the Community as part of its Rural Action programme launched in July 2001. Rural pubs have great potential to assume a business and community role in the future as
  743W
  one-stop shops for essential rural services while at the same time helping them to increase their own long term viability.

  In December 2001 the Countryside Agency, working with Business in the Community and the British Beer and Pubs Association published "The Pub is the Hub: a Good Practice Guide". This guide provides local case studies of village pub diversification, and a check list for expanding business opportunities.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Publicity Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the publicity and advertising campaigns run by her Department in each of the last four years, specifying the(a) purpse, (b) cost to public funds, (c) number of staff involved and (d) method of evaluation in each case. [39091]

  Ms Hewitt
  The table lists the costs of DTI advertising campaigns through the COI for the last four years for which final figures are available. Information regarding the purpose, number of staff involved, and method of evaluation for each campaign is not held centrally, and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  £

  Amount (Ex VAT)

  1997–98

  Import Licences

  58,111

  Export Licences

  6,809

  Languages For Export

  21,546

  Queen's Awards

  155,743

  Firework Safety

  73,097

  Business Links

  1,331,702

  IT For All

  653,290

  Invest In Britain Bureau

  21,750

  Miscellaneous

  182,837

  Total

  2,504,885

  1998–99

  Import Licences

  48,776

  Export Licences

  7,660

  Queen's Awards

  228,159

  Firework Safety

  73,863

  Working Time Regulations

  646,151

  Business Links

  1,021,352

  Carbon Monoxide Campaign

  46,261

  Trade UK

  7,198

  IT For All

  100,642

  Languages For Export

  8,404

  National Minimum Wage

  3,363,882

  Total

  5,552,348

  1999–2000

  Import Licences

  58,417

  Export Licences

  12,699

  Export Website Awareness

  19,402

  National Minimum Wage

  377,585

  Information Society Initiative

  852,375

  Miners Compensation

  164,768

  Queen's Awards

  61,512

  Metrication

  22,213

  Carbon Monoxide

  71,805

  Foresight

  63,046

  Miscellaneous

  18,192

  Total

  1,722,014

  744W

  £

  Amount (Ex VAT)

  2000–01

  Import Licences

  46.195

  Export Licences

  16.729

  National Minimum Wage

  4,230,125

  Small Business Service

  92,233

  Distance Selling

  17,953

  Miners Compensation Ad

  142,899

  UK Online for Business

  1,793,154

  Smart Awards

  165,226

  Paid Annual Leave

  3,393,735

  Carbon Monoxide

  46,885

  Small Business Service——Business Link

  1,225,070

  Trade Partners UK

  1,511,218

  Miscellaneous

  4,887

  Total

  12,686,309

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list her overseas visits since 7 June 2001. [46222]

  Ms Hewitt
  As Secretary of State. I have undertaken the following overseas visits since 7 June 2001.

  United States of America

  Italy

  Spain

  Qatar

  Belgium

  South Korea

  Japan.

  Quarries
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessments she has made of(a) the number of operational quarries in the UK (i) now and (ii) 10 years ago and (b) the percentage change in full-time quarrying jobs over the last 10 years. [45739]

  Mr. Wilson
  No special assessments of the quarrying industry have been made in order to determine the number of operational sites and the number of full-time employees. Each year, we conduct a survey of quarrying known as the Annual Minerals Raised Inquiry, which is sent to all quarries having extant planning permission, for the purpose of determining the amount of material being quarried. Over the period 1990 to 2000, the number of such quarries dealing with either stone or sand and gravel declined slightly from around 1,780 to around 1,710. However, over the same period, the number of people present within quarries and covered by the provisions of the Mines and Quarries Acts 1954 and 1969 declined in these quarries by some 40 per cent. from around 31,500 to around 18,000.

  British Investment Projects
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what figures she has collated on how many British investment projects there have been into Japan in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01; what their size was; and how many of those projects were (i) engineering and (ii) manufacturing based. [46445]
  745W
  Nigel Griffiths
  There is no requirement on companies to record British direct investment overseas on a project basis and there is no organisation in Japan that records inward investment in the way that Invest.UK does for the UK.

  The Office for National Statistics publish figures for the value of UK net investment flows into Japan. Figures detailing flows for 1996 to 2000 are given in the table. The dramatic increase in investment in 1999 and 2000 is probably accounted for by investments by Vodafone and Cable and Wireless.

  Year

  £ million

  1996

  378

  1997

  383

  1998

  14

  1999

  1,929

  2000

  1,269

  Source:

  National Statistics MA4: Overseas Direct Investment

  Sellafield
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the result of the investigations undertaken by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate into an accident on Friday 8 February in one of the magnox reactors at Calder Hall in Sellafield. [47037]

  Mr. Wilson
  The event on 8 February at Calder Hall did not warrant an NII investigation. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Down on 6 March 2002,Official Report, columns 356–57W for a statement on the event, which noted that defuelling at Calder Hall has been suspended until BNFL reports the outcome of its internal investigation and completes any requirements for remedial action. NII is now monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of BNFL's investigation.

  British Nuclear Fuels
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has given the necessary regulatory approval required by British Nuclear Fuels before it can return the faulty MOX fuel it has supplied to Japan; and if she will place a copy of the approval document in the Library. [46911]

  Mr. Wilson
  HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has informed BNFL that it has no regulatory objections on health and safety grounds to BNFL receiving and storing this fuel at its Sellafield site. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House of its unconditional acknowledgement of BNFL's safety documentation, the formal means by which this was done.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her latest estimate is of the number of businesses in the United Kingdom which employ fewer than 200 people; and what proportion of all businesses in the United Kingdom they represent. [49485]
  746W
  Nigel Griffiths
  In 2000 there were approximately 3.7 million businesses in the UK that employed fewer than 200 employees. This was equivalent to 99.8 per cent. of all UK businesses in 2000.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her latest estimate is of the percentage of the private sector work force which is employed by companies with(a) fewer than 200 employees and (b) fewer than 100 employees. [49488]

  Nigel Griffiths
  In 2000 there were approximately 22 million people employed in the private sector or public corporations. Of these 48.5 per cent. were in businesses with fewer than 100 employees. 53.5 per cent. were employed by businesses with fewer than 200 employees.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her latest estimate is of the share of national output produced by companies with(a) fewer than 200 employees and (b) fewer than 100 employees. [49487]

  Nigel Griffiths
  National output, or GDP, data is not collected by size of business. Two proxies for this measure are employment share and turnover share, which are collected by size of business. The table shows the figures for businesses with fewer than 200 and 100 employees:

  UK per cent.

  Employees

  Employment share

  Turnover share

  0–99

  48.5

  38.7

  0–199

  53.5

  44.5

  Source:

  SME Statistics in the UK 2000

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her latest estimate is of the number of sole trader businesses in the United Kingdom; and what proportion of all businesses in the United Kingdom they represent. [49479]

  Nigel Griffiths
  In 2000 there were approximately 2.6 million businesses in the UK that were classified as having no employees. This figure includes sole proprietorships, partnerships comprising only the self-employed owner-manager(s) and companies comprising only an employee director. These 2.6 million equate to 69.6 per cent. of all UK businesses.

  Electricity Industry
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will bring forward legislation to establish British electricity trading and transmission arrangements, as recommended by Ofgem. [50641]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been working closely with colleagues in the Scotland Office and the Scottish Executive. We have concluded that the time is now right to join the separate markets in Scotland and England and Wales together to create a GB electricity market. The Government will bring forward legislation to achieve this when parliamentary time allows.

  Minimum Wage
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the national minimum wage. [49988]
  747W
  Ms Hewitt
  The Government said last year, following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission, that it would consider the economic circumstances at the time before deciding whether to increase the main and development rates of the minimum wage by 10 pence/hour in October 2002, to £4.20 and £3.60 respectively.

  The Government have considered the latest evidence across the overall economy and in the key sectors most affected by the minimum wage. We have concluded that conditions in the autumn of 2002 can be expected to support increases of 10 pence/hour and will therefore make regulations implementing these increases later this year. We have placed a short paper on this subject in the Libraries of the House.

  Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to ensure that practical measures directed at the arms industry are in place for the enforcement of Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [46296]

  Beverley Hughes
  I have been asked to reply.

  Part 12 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 applies to the arms industry in the same way as it applies in other fields. Under these provisions, United Kingdom nationals and United Kingdom-registered corporate bodies are liable to prosecution in the United Kingdom for offences of bribery and corruption committed overseas. The provisions will be enforced by the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and (in appropriate cases) by the Serious Fraud Office.

  UK Online
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what criteria were used in selecting Loudcloud to host the UK online website; and if she will make a statement; [43210]

  (2) how many (a) companies and (b) UK companies were invited to tender for the contract to host the UK online website; [43211]

  (3) what discussions took place with the Prime Minister's Office regarding the choice of companies invited to tender for the contract to run the UK online website. [43212]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  No discussions took place with the Prime Minister's Office regarding the choice of company selected to run the UK online website.

  Negotiations between the Office of the e-Envoy and BT Syntegra on renewal of the UK online contract broke down in autumn 2001. OeE received legal advice that——given the need to maintain continuity of service——the only option was to contract directly for hosting services with BT's proposed sub-contractor, Loudcloud UK, a UK company. Doing so was fully compliant with EC procurement rules.

  Prescription Medicines (Internet Trading)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's monitoring of dot.com chemists and their supply of prescription medicines. [42724]

  Ms Blears
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Medicines Control Agency do not routinely monitor 'dot corn' pharmacies. However, their Enforcement Group investigate any illegal activity of which they are made aware, including the supply of prescription medicines via the internet.

WALES

  Legal Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what legal costs have been incurred by his Department in each of the last four years. [34293]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The external costs of the former Welsh Office were £568,000 in 1998–99 and £55,000 in the first quarter of 1999–2000.

  Since it came into existence in July 1999, the Wales Office has not separately distinguished legal costs.

  Accountancy Contracts
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the(a) number and (b) value of contracts awarded by his Department to (i) Arthur Andersen, (ii) Deloitte Touche, (ii) Ernst and Young, (iv) KPMG and (v) PricewaterhouseCoopers accountants in each year since 1997. [34984]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since its creation in July 1999, my Department has had no contracts with any of these accountancy firms.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the contracts agreed by his Department with the five largest accountancy firms since May 1997; and what was the total value of contracts with each. [42108]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department was created in July 1999 and has entered no contracts with these accountancy firms.

  Publicity Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the total real terms expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity in each of the years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations. [36165]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This information is not readily available. However, my Department does not have the sort of executive responsibilities which would generally require advertising or public relations expenditure. It has no agencies or non-departmental public bodies.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff left the service of his Department and its agencies in the year ended 31 March 2001; how many left before attaining the formal retirement age of 60 years; and in respect of how many his Department and its agencies assumed responsibilities for making payments until retirement age. [37543]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The permanent civil servants in my Department are all secondees from elsewhere and so when they leave the Wales Office it is to return to their home Departments.

  The Wales Office does not have any agencies.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the average response time was for responding to departmental correspondence; what percentage of letters took longer than one month for a response; and what percentage took longer than three months for a response in each of the last five years. [37437]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department came into existence in July 1999.

  During 2001, 26 per cent. of letters took more than one month for a response; 1 per cent. of letters took longer than three months for a response.

  Figures for 2000 and for July——December 1999 were held on a different basis and cannot be analysed in the way requested.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the target time will be in 2002–03 for(a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public. [44946]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Fifteen working days in each case.

  Refurbishment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 February 2002,Official Report, column 960W, what the cost of refurbishing each ministerial private office was in each year since May 1997. [37901]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Following its creation in July 1999, the Wales Office has redecorated and refurbished its London offices. It is not possible to accurately separate the cost of the work carried out on Ministers' offices from that carried out on other parts of the building.

  Ministerial offices in Cardiff are part of the National Assembly for Wales building in Cardiff Bay and the Wales Office meets a proportionate share of the whole cost of maintaining that building.

  Advertising
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the publicity and advertising campaigns run by his Department in each of the last four years, specifying the(a) purpose, (b) cost to public funds, (c) number of staff involved and (d) method of evaluation in each case. [39099]
  750W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department was created in July 1999. It does not have any service-delivery responsibilities of the type which ordinarily require advertising or publicity campaigns.

  Equipment Leasing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Department in each of the last four years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case. [39086]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There is no record of my Department entering into equipment leases since its creation in July 1999.

  Communications Costs
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the annual budget for communications activities, including press, public relations, marketing and internal communications, was for his Department for each financial year from 1997–98 to 2001–02. [39909]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since its creation in July 1999 the Wales Office has not budgeted separately for these functions. That approach reflects the small size of the Department and the fact that expenditure on all these items will be modest or, in some cases, zero.

  Rail Journeys (Staff)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy that rail journeys undertaken by staff in his Department should ordinarily be on standard class tickets. [40442]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales Office is committed to ensuring that staff use the most efficient and economic means of travel commensurate with meeting their operational needs. Hence, official rail journeys undertaken by Wales Office staff are in line with the guidance and principles set out in Section 8 of the Civil Service Management Code and the departmental staff handbook.

  Ministerial Private Offices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the running costs were of(a) his Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff, and (b) his Department in each year from May 1997 to the nearest date for which the information is available. [40981]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department was created in July 1999 and information on running costs have been given in annual Department reports (Cm 4620 and Cm 5121 available in the Library). Private office costs are not separately identified.

  Accommodation Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost was of hotel accommodation for departmental staff working away from home in each of the last four years. [41059]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Hotel costs are not identified separately from other expenditure on travel and subsistence.

  Press Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in his Department's press office have received(a) termination and (b) redundancy payments in each of the last four years. [41073]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  None.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination. [42572]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department does not discriminate on grounds of age within the working-age band.

  Parental Leave Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the(a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive. [42482]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The cost of the Department of the Parental Leave Directive is none to date.

  The Wales Office is committed to helping its staff achieve a better balance between their home and work lives, including statutory entitlement to parental leave.

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years. [42472]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department has only been in existence since July 1999. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 19 March 2002,Official Report, column 296W.

  Election Expenses
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the returns of election expenses for the 1999 elections to the National Assembly for Wales. [45293]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  No. Responsibility for making available for inspection returns of election expenses in respect of these elections rested partly with individual returning officers and partly with the Assembly itself.

  Equal Opportunities
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment; and what progress has been achieved; [46496]

  (2) what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since August 1997; [46497]

  (3) if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [46498]
  752W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: The Government are fully committed to promoting equality of opportunity. In 1998, we included an obligation in the Government of Wales Act requiring the National Assembly for Wales to have due regard to the principle of equality of opportunity for all the people of Wales.

  Most of the executive responsibilities of the former Welsh Office transferred to the Assembly in July 1999. Since then, I have not identified a need to conduct gender impact assessments nor to establish baselines for policy appraisal in respect of any of my remaining responsibilities.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 sessions; and if their responses have been published. [46499]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: My Department has direct responsibility only for legislative provisions which relate specifically to Wales.

  Detailed information about consultees is not collated centrally. However, available records indicate that the Wales Assembly for Women and Welsh Women's Aid have been consulted on a number of proposals.

  In the 2001–02 session, the Wales Assembly for Women responded to consultation on proposals for the Education Bill. Unless the respondent asked for confidentiality, all responses were placed in the National Assembly for Wales library, where they can be made available on request.

  Overtime Payments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his policy is on overtime payments for staff in his Department. [49134]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Overtime is paid only when there is no viable alternative and when the individual staff member is content to work additional hours. Levels of pay for overtime are in accordance with National Assembly for Wales guidelines.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions. [49146]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Advice on answering written parliamentary questions is prepared by the most appropriate official in each case. Approximately 25 staff spend some part of their time doing work of this kind.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private finance initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed; and what has been the financial effect in each case. [50558]
  753W
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since its creation in July 1999 my Department has not entered any private finance initiative contracts.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what have been the total salary costs of each of the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible in each of the last five years. [50557]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department was created in July 1999 and has no non-departmental public bodies.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Lord Chancellor's Private Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham of 13 March 2002,Official Report, column 1176W, if she will provide a full breakdown of the main items comprising the increase in the running cost of the Lord Chancellor's private offices between April 1998 and April 2001. [45121]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The increase in expenditure since 1998 is the result of the increasing workload of the Department and the appointment of two additional Ministers. The main increase was for the additional staffing costs of the offices.

  Creche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost. [44858]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department spends approximately £125,000 per annum on child care support. About £115,000 is used to provide subsidised nursery places for 40 staff mainly in London and the surrounding regions, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Grimsby, plus a further £10,000 on subsidised playschemes during school holidays. Approximately 120 children of members of staff used the playschemes during 2001–02.

  Asylum Seekers (Legal Advice)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the impact of the provision of quality legal advice to asylum seekers prior to an initial decision on their application, the efficiency and quality of those decisions and the number of subsequent appeals; what assessment she has made of the potential costs and savings of ensuring quality legal advice is available prior to initial decisions; and if she will make a statement. [46015]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government's White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Haven" (CM 5387) published in February 2002 states at paragraph 4.36:"While access to legal advice is not a pre-requisite to initial decision-making, and should not hold up the decision-making process, the Government is committed to ensuring access to quality legal advice at that, and all later stages, for all asylum seekers whether or not they are in the Accommodation Centre"
  754W
  The Home Office is currently undertaking a 12-month study entitled "An Evaluation of Access to Early Legal Advice and Representation in the Asylum Determination Process". The aim of the project is to assess the implications of providing early legal advice and representation for the asylum determination process. It will provide systematic and objective information on the implications of providing such advice for the speed, quality and sustainability of asylum decision making. It is hoped a final report will be available internally in November 2002 with a view to publishing as soon as possible thereafter.

  It is therefore too early to calculate, with any degree of accuracy, the potential costs and savings that access to early legal advice can bring.

  Part-time Employees
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many and what proportion of the staff of her Department are part-time employees. [47167]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I refer my right hon. friend to the central answer given by the Cabinet Office dated 10 April 2002.

  Underspends
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the(a) capital and (b) revenue underspend in her Department is expected to be in the financial year 2001–02. [47806]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Estimated outturn figures for 2001–02 will be published in the Budget report on 17 April.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the measurable criteria are for the PSA target to respect the rights of defendants and to treat them fairly; and if he expects the target outturn specified on page 16 of the 2001 departmental report to be met by March. [47231]

  Mr. Wills
  Our target outturn is to achieve 100 per cent. improvement across a range of measures. An interdepartmental/agency working group has agreed that these targets are:98 per cent. of prisons by March 2002 to have a Legal Services Officer so as to ensure that all prisoners receive information about legal services on reception and know who can assist them with applications for public funding;
  50 per cent. of magistrates courts to have full access to a comprehensive courts-based bail information scheme by March 2002, rising to 80 per cent. by March 2003;
  80 per cent. of prisons holding remand prisoners to have a bail information scheme by March 2002, rising to 90 per cent. by March 2003;
  90 per cent. of people in police stations requesting the service of a duty solicitor to receive the service within 45 minutes by March 2002.

  Information about progress on these targets will be published in the Department's 2002 departmental report.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [47115]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Since 1999 this Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet 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.

  Possession Proceedings
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of possession proceedings for rent arrears in local authority and RSL accommodation related to tenants who have had their housing benefit reduced as a result of non-dependent deductions in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [48552]

  Mr. Wills
  Figures concerning possession applications brought by landlords are not collected in the manner of breakdown requested above, nor by reason for application. The figures could only be provided at a disproportionate cost to the Department.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Union Duties
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies receive paid leave to undertake union duties; how many days they are allocated; and what has been the cost to public funds in each of the last four years. [36196]

  Angela Eagle
  The Employment Protection Act 1975 gave trade union officials a statutory right to reasonable paid time off from employment to carry out trade union duties. In the Civil Service, since April 1996, Departments and agencies have been given the freedom to set their own levels of facility time and make other facilities available to their trade union accredited representatives.

  In accordance with the Departmental Facilities Agreement between the Home Office and recognised trade unions 57 union representatives in the Home Office and its agencies receive up to 100 per cent. paid leave to undertake union duties. A further 66 accredited representatives are allocated 25 days a year to spend on union duties. Related costs in 2001–02 are expected to amount to approximately £3,237,000. Information about costs in previous years is not available.

  The Department values the constructive working relationships with the trade unions which provide an efficient means of involving staff at all levels in shaping and delivering our aims.

  Operation Helios
  Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the complaints by members of the public in relation to the conduct of officers involved in Operation Helios have been referred voluntarily to the Police Complaints Authority; [39361]

  (2) if the Police Complaints Authority has asked for a referral so that it can supervise complaints made against police officers in Operation Helios. [39362]

  Mr. Denham
  No complaints made against officers involved in Operation Helios have been referred by the Metropolitan police service to the Police Complaints Authority for supervision. The Authority has not formally asked for a referral. However, the Authority has suggested to the Metropolitan police that it might be appropriate for any complaint accepted by the police in relation to this investigation to be referred voluntarily.

  European Union Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [39130]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Home Office has implemented two European Community directives during the period specified.European Community directive 95–46 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data was implemented by the Data Protection Act 1998.
  European Community directive 2000–8 on the manufacture and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was implemented by SI 2001 No. 3683.

  The Home Office also has responsibility for the following European Community measures which have been formally adopted but which have not required any specific implementation.
  Council decision establishing a European Refugee Fund for the financing of projects relating to conditions for reception of displaced persons; integration for recognised refugees and others with stable and lasting forms of international protection; and voluntary repatriation for persons who have applied for asylum or some other form of international protection and been refused. Formally adopted on 28 September 2000.
  Council regulation concerning the establishment of "EURODAC" for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of the Dublin Convention. Formally adopted on 11 December 2000.
  Council decision on the conclusion of an agreement between the European Community and Republic of Iceland and Kingdom of Norway concerning the criteria and mechanisms for establishing the state responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in a member state or Iceland or Norway. Formally adopted on 15 March 2001.
  Council directive on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance between member states in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof. Formally adopted on 20 July 2001.
  757W
  Additionally, a number of measures have been adopted by the Council relating to Title IV matters on which the United Kingdom has not exercised its right to opt in to the adoption of the measure. The United Kingdom is therefore not bound by them.

  The Home Office does not hold information concerning the cost to public funds of each instrument. This information could be assembled only at disproportionate cost. The costs of the European Refugee Fund come from the Community budget.

  Where a proposal is likely to impose significant costs on business, charities or voluntary organisations, a Regulatory Impact Assessment is produced. Copies of these are placed in the Library.

  Energy Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last 10 years. [42444]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs on 19 March 2002,Official Report, column 269W.

  Knife Crime
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to tackle knife crime. [43420]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to ensuring that violent offenders are punished effectively. Severe penalties are available to the courts to deal with offenders who carry knives. For instance, any person who has an article with a blade or point in a public place or on school premises can be sent to prison for up to two years. It is also an offence for any person to have an offensive weapon in a public place or on school premises, or for any person to sell knives to people under 16.

  The police give high priority to action against knife crime. For example, the Metropolitan police are using an intelligence-led approach in exercising their powers to stop and search people who they believe may be carrying knives, and are working with door staff to tackle the problem at licensed premises. Largely as a result of these initiatives, the Metropolitan police have arrested and charged 17.8 per cent. more people for carrying knives and offensive weapons over the year to February 2002 than in the previous year.

  Criminal Damage
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded offences of criminal damage there were in(a) each police force area in each year since 1997 and (b) each crime disorder reduction partnership area in each year since their establishment. [43977]

  Mr. Denham
  Recorded crimes of criminal damage are not collected at Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership level.
  758W
  The requested figures for the criminal damage recorded crime offence group are given in the table. There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which was estimated to have increased the total number of criminal damage offences recorded over England and Wales as a whole by 5 per cent. Numbers of recorded crimes after this date are therefore not directly comparable with previous years.

  Recorded crime——offences of criminal damage by police force area since 19971

  Police force

  1997

  1998–992

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  20,396

  20,605

  20,519

  22,479

  Bedfordshire

  8,025

  7,893

  8,048

  7,892

  Cambridgeshire

  9,250

  11,925

  12,110

  13,197

  Cheshire

  11,205

  11,596

  12,627

  13,078

  Cleveland

  11,274

  10,681

  10,812

  10,684

  Cumbria

  8,047

  8,405

  8,943

  8,922

  Derbyshire

  13,387

  14,316

  15,207

  14,997

  Devon and Cornwall

  15,232

  17,722

  18,490

  18,284

  Dorset

  8,245

  8,303

  8,408

  9,419

  Durham

  10,518

  11,122

  10,654

  10,375

  Essex3

  18,845

  18,834

  21,766

  24,673

  Gloucestershire

  6,158

  6,570

  7,990

  9,087

  Greater Manchester

  68,100

  67,052

  75,201

  77,154

  Hampshire

  26,429

  25,100

  28,125

  28,714

  Hertfordshire3

  9,831

  10,177

  11,560

  13,839

  Humberside

  20,177

  21,486

  20,739

  20,910

  Kent

  24,047

  23,049

  24,806

  27,947

  Lancashire

  26,767

  21,360

  22,776

  25,445

  Leicestershire

  14,034

  15,143

  16,889

  16,664

  Lincolnshire

  7,145

  7,728

  8,391

  9,078

  City of London

  287

  297

  409

  260

  Merseyside

  23,677

  27,465

  30,822

  30,593

  Metropolitan Police District3

  140,516

  136,870

  151,590

  144,231

  Norfolk

  9,782

  10,393

  10,978

  11,481

  Northamptonshire

  11,595

  11,771

  11,736

  11,448

  Northumbria

  35,314

  31,634

  30,436

  29,775

  North Yorkshire

  8,537

  8,372

  8,617

  9,167

  Nottinghamshire

  28,165

  23,953

  23,692

  23,187

  South Yorkshire

  23,568

  24,198

  25,305

  24,173

  Staffordshire

  16,940

  15,668

  18,442

  21,655

  Suffolk

  7,835

  7,898

  9,547

  10,150

  Surrey3

  6,557

  7,576

  8,602

  12,318

  Sussex

  23,945

  23,828

  26,361

  27,219

  Thames Valley

  25,584

  26,006

  28,630

  29,719

  Warwickshire

  6,362

  6,888

  7,439

  7,290

  West Mercia

  14,965

  15,346

  17,410

  16,817

  West Midlands

  49,120

  50,407

  61,422

  57,459

  West Yorkshire

  46,446

  49,239

  48,106

  49,568

  Wiltshire

  5,722

  6,644

  7,151

  7,452

  Dyfed-Powys

  4,497

  4,497

  4,417

  4,572

  Gwent

  9,947

  11,690

  12,253

  11,221

  North Wales

  11,238

  9.652

  10,102

  12,182

  South Wales

  29,331

  30,227

  28,154

  25,313

  England and Wales

  877,042

  879,586

  945,682

  960,087

  1 1997 is the calendar year, with the other years ending in March.

  2 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.

  3 There was a boundary change on 1 April 2000 in which parts of the Metropolitan Police area were transferred to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey, so that these police force areas followed county boundaries thereafter.

  Public Transport (Assaults)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce plans for mandatory bans from using public transport to those convicted of violence while using public transport systems. [43956]

  Mr. Denham
  Powers are already available to individual transport operators and the criminal justice system to ban those convicted of violence while using public transport systems from using public transport. Transport operators can take action in respect of preventing violent individuals from using the transport
  759W
  system by taking out civil injunctions. Football Banning Orders against individuals can also be applied for through the Crown Prosecution Service. Under proposals in the Police Reform Bill, the British Transport police will be able to apply directly to the courts for Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) in order for them to deal more effectively with particular problems of anti-social behaviour. It is also proposed to give criminal courts powers to place restrictions through ASBOs on the actions of offenders imprisoned for anti-social behaviour related offences once they are back in the community.

  Police Retention
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on ill health retirement from the police service; what the consistent approach to it will involve; and what measures he will introduce to increase officer retention. [44027]

  Mr. Denham
  The recently published White Paper "Policing a New Century: A Blueprint for Reform", reaffirmed the Government's view that one of the priorities for the police service is to manage ill-health retirement effectively. The Police Negotiating Board are considering ways to deliver a fair and more consistent approach towards early retirement due to ill health. This should enable forces to reduce the level of ill-health retirement and match the performance of the best quartile of forces by 2005. The measures under consideration include the Police Negotiating Board issuing joint guidance to police authorities and senior management to ensure that wherever possible officers continue in employment where they are capable of performing sufficient duties to make their retention operationally justifiable.

  In the White Paper the Government also announced that they will establish a national occupational health strategy for the police service, which should assist forces to manage cases of ill health more effectively at the outset.

  Confiscated Asset Fund
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the performance the Confiscated Asset Fund in Wales. [44048]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  While contributions to the Confiscated Assets Fund (CAF) from Welsh courts were relatively low, a number of bids to the fund from organisations in Wales were successful (see table). The new Recovered Assets Fund, which has replaced CAF, and other measures, including the Proceeds of Crime Bill now under consideration by Parliament, will enable more criminal assets to be seized and recycled back into the community.

  Amount

  Project

  (£)

  Counselling in 12 pharmacies spread evenly throughout Dyfed Powys

  54.000

  Production of a leaflet in five key languages for use throughout Wales

  50,000

  Helping to fund a part-time creative therapy worker in West Glamorgan

  81,086

  Developing a treatment service for young heroin users in Gwent

  77,000

  Total

  262,086

  Drivers (Mobile Phones)
  Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers about the use of hand held mobile phones when driving. [44610]

  Mr. Denham
  The Association of Chief Police Officers confirmed last year that they remain satisfied with existing legislation, which allows for the successful prosecution of those whose use of a mobile phone may contribute to a driving offence. This is a matter that we keep under review.

  Conviction Rates
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the conviction rate was per police force area in each year since 1997. [44461]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The available information for 1997 to 2000 is contained in the table and relates to the proportion of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for all offences who were found guilty at all courts, by police force area.

  Information on court proceedings for 2001 will be available in the autumn.

  Conviction rates1for all offences, by police force area, England and Wales

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Avon and Somerset

  73

  71

  71

  73

  Bedfordshire

  73

  74

  73

  74

  Cambridgeshire

  79

  80

  78

  80

  Cheshire

  81

  81

  79

  80

  Cleveland

  73

  72

  72

  75

  Cumbria

  81

  81

  80

  81

  Derbyshire

  76

  76

  77

  78

  Devon and Cornwall

  73

  73

  75

  76

  Dorset

  73

  77

  77

  75

  Durham

  72

  73

  73

  74

  Essex

  80

  80

  81

  78

  Gloucestershire

  74

  75

  73

  74

  Greater Manchester

  76

  77

  76

  77

  Hampshire

  78

  79

  77

  78

  Hertfordshire

  75

  74

  76

  74

  Humberside

  78

  79

  80

  79

  Kent

  81

  81

  78

  77

  Lancashire

  70

  71

  72

  71

  Leicestershire

  75

  75

  76

  76

  Lincolnshire

  77

  77

  79

  79

  London, City of

  74

  67

  70

  80

  Merseyside

  76

  76

  76

  73

  Metropolitan police

  75

  78

  77

  76

  Norfolk

  92

  92

  91

  83

  Northamptonshire

  71

  70

  71

  72

  Northumbria

  74

  74

  74

  76

  North Yorkshire

  78

  78

  75

  76

  Nottinghamshire

  74

  74

  73

  75

  South Yorkshire

  74

  75

  77

  78

  Staffordshire

  75

  78

  78

  74

  Suffolk

  77

  78

  77

  74

  Surrey

  75

  79

  79

  75

  Sussex

  72

  73

  73

  73

  Thames Valley

  72

  72

  71

  71

  Warwickshire

  76

  76

  80

  81

  West Mercia

  75

  75

  75

  76

  West Midlands

  69

  69

  66

  66

  761W

  Conviction rates1for all offences, by police force area, England and Wales

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  West Yorkshire

  70

  70

  70

  68

  Wiltshire

  84

  77

  78

  75

  Dyfed Powys

  73

  75

  73

  73

  Gwent

  78

  80

  80

  78

  North Wales

  74

  78

  78

  79

  South Wales

  72

  72

  72

  72

  England and Wales

  75

  75

  75

  75

  1 Defendants found guilty of all offences at all courts as a percentage of persons proceeded against for all offences at magistrates courts, as notified to the Home Office.

  Number of pedal cyclists proceeded against1 for offences connected with failing to obey traffic signals. England and Wales 20002

  Offence description

  Statute

  Proceeded against

  Pedal cyclist failing to obey school crossing patrol

  Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Sec 28(3)

  6

  Pedal cyclist: Neglect of traffic directions and signs (including traffic light signals)

  Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 35 and 36

  52

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis

  2 Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what London allowance is paid to police officers employed in the Metropolitan police force. [44630]

  Mr. Denham
  In addition to any housing allowance entitlement, an officer who joined the Metropolitan police force prior to 1 September 1994 is entitled to a London allowance of £1,011 plus London weighting of £1,773.

  An officer who joined the Metropolitan police force after 1 September 1994 and who is not in receipt of housing allowance, receives an enhanced London allowance of £4,338 plus London weighting of £1,773.

  Golden Jubilee
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many extra Metropolitan police officers will be on duty each day during the period 1 to 4 June; and if he will make a statement; [44569]

  (2) what safety precautions are being taken by the Metropolitan police force during the Queen's Golden Jubilee weekend; what the anticipated cost is; and if he will make a statement. [44568]

  Mr. Denham
  For security reasons it would be inappropriate to disclose in advance of the event the planned number of officers who will be on duty or the projected cost of safety and security operations.

  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the number of police officers on duty for each day between 1 and 4 June will depend on circumstances and be commensurate with the need to provide appropriate security, crowd management and public reassurance, with sufficient capacity to deal with unexpected incidents.

  The operation will be run in partnership with other London police forces (City of London police, British Transport police and Royal Parks constabulary).

  Cyclists
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cyclists have been prosecuted for failure to observe traffic signals in the last 12 months for which data are available. [44369]

  Mr. Denham
  The available information, from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, relating to England and Wales for 2000 is shown in the table. It relates to offences by pedal cyclists for failing to obey school crossing patrols and neglecting traffic directions and signs, including traffic lights.

  Information on court proceedings for 2001 will be available in the autumn.

  People Trafficking
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of trafficking in people were identified in each year since 1997; and what enforcement action was taken(a) against the victims of trafficking and (b) against the organisers and beneficiaries of trafficking. [44709]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Forming an accurate estimate of the levels of trafficking in people is problematic due to the hidden nature of the act. There is currently no accurate, reliable data in existence with the United Kingdom or the European Union. A Home Office research study "Stopping Traffic" published in 2000, indicated that the number of women and children trafficked into the United Kingdom for the purposes of sexual exploitation was likely to be in the range of 140 to 1,400 per annum.

  As there is at present no specific offence of trafficking, the police and other law enforcement agencies are not able to say how many organisers and beneficiaries of trafficking have been investigated, arrested or prosecuted. However, we are introducing a new stopgap offence of trafficking for prostitution in the forthcoming Nationality Immigration and Asylum Bill, which will carry a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. We will follow the stopgap offence with further legislation to cover those being trafficked for both labour and sexual exploitation. These offences will go wider than is possible in the immigration legislation and will cover people who are trafficked within the United Kingdom, as well as those who are brought here from abroad. The Government's aim is to tackle the organised criminal groups who are behind the trafficking, not the victims of this heinous trade.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy towards trafficking in people is; and what assistance he offers to those tricked into(a) prostitution and (b) domestic slavery. [44707]
  763W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Home Department has set out its strategy on trafficking in the recently published White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Haven", comprising our plans on legislation, enforcement, international co-operation and prevention and support for victims. Trafficking of people involves arranging their movement for the purposes of exploitation. The exploitation may take the form of bonded labour or servitude, or commercial sexual exploitation. It is often accompanied by violence, or threats of violence, against the victim, or their family. Trafficking is often associated with illegal immigration but does not necessarily involve crossing a frontier. Our strategy takes account of those who are trafficked into and throughout the United Kingdom, as well as those trafficked within the country.

  We recognise the need to offer the victims of trafficking particular support to help them escape their circumstances, and facilitate them to assist law enforcement to tackle organised criminal gangs behind the trafficking. We will make special arrangements for their protection and support. Where victims are not entitled to remain in the United Kingdom, we will consider whether it is appropriate to allow them to stay here. If they wish to return home, we will work with the voluntary sector to help them do so, provide initial counselling and ensure they have suitable accommodation to return to and to help them reintegrate in to their own community. The White Paper also sets out our intention to develop a best practice "toolkit" on victims of trafficking, which will act as a guide for immigration officers, police and others potentially dealing with victims of this heinous crime.

  "Mein Kampf"
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to prohibit the sale of Arabic editions of Mein Kampf; and if he will make a statement. [44795]

  Angela Eagle
  No. The text of "Mein Kampf" in English translation has been freely available in the United Kingdom for many years. It has served as a means of understanding the background to a particular period in European history and the terrible crimes that were committed by the Nazis. However, if anyone believes that there is anything in this particular translation that falls foul of the law, they should of course report the matter to the police.

  Independent Police Complaints Commission
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Independent Police Complaints Commission will be funded; how many staff it will employ; and if he will make a statement. [44963]

  Mr. Denham
  As an executive non-departmental public body, the Independent Police Complaints Commission will be funded through grant in aid from the Home Office.

  Current estimates are that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will employ around 160 people.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what cases in the last 30 years 764W
  of police officers being disciplined owing to a previous partner having smoked cannabis his Department has records of. [45078]

  Mr. Denham
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  European Crime Convention
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2001,Official Report, column 492W, on the European Crime Convention, if he will make a statement on the outcome of consideration as to the practical implications for banks. [44793]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The practical implications for banks of the 2001 Protocol to the 2000 European Union Mutual Legal Assistance Convention (which the hon. and learned Member for Dudley, North (Ross Cranston) has referred to as the European Crime Convention) are very similar to the existing provisions on customer information in the Terrorism Act 2000 and the provisions on customer information orders and account monitoring orders contained in the draft Proceeds of Crime Bill. The Government's current view is that the mechanism to be used to obtain information in response to requests for these orders made under the Protocol will resemble that used to obtain similar types of information under the Terrorism Act and the relevant provisions of the draft Proceeds of Crime Bill. Accordingly, the costs per order are expected to be comparable to those identified by the Regulatory Impact Assessment conducted for that Bill. A separate Regulatory Impact Assessment for this Protocol will be carried out.

  The key difference between the measures in the Terrorism Act and the Proceeds of Crime Bill and the Protocol is scope. The Protocol covers a wider range of serious crimes. Banks will therefore be expected to provide information in relation to slightly different types of criminal investigation.

  Asylum Accommodation Centres
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he made of the implications of the existence of(a) a landfill site adjacent to and (b) a foot and mouth disease burial site on Throckmorton airfield when listing the airfield as a potential site for an asylum accommodation centre. [45559]

  Angela Eagle
  In making final decisions on preferred sites, we will take all the relevant factors into account including those to which the hon. Member refers. These assessments have not yet been made.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what means the processes of the Criminal Cases Review Commission are subject to continuous improvement. [45573]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Much of the commission's routine managerial effort is directed to continuous improvement of its processes. The Commission has an internal advisory Process Improvement Group (PIG) that is convened by the chairman whenever particular facets of the commission's processes require special review.
  765W
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the seven topics for special review that the Criminal Cases Review Commission's Process Improvement Group was convened to discuss during 2000–01. [45565]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The seven topics that were listed for special review were:

  Review cases;

  Plan operations;

  Manage finances;

  Provide expert staff;

  Provide Information Technology;

  Provide physical facilities; and

  Manage communications.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Criminal Cases Review Commission plans to encourage prospective applicants to seek legal advice; and how it will measure its progress. [45580]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  When corresponding with applicants, the Commission encourages applicants to seek legal advice. It has a list of legal representatives that it will provide without recommendation. It carries out a six monthly survey of the level of active legal representation, and gathers data on legal representation as submitted by applicants.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(a) what improvements are planned at the Criminal Cases Review Commission to increase the rate at which case accumulation will be reduced and (b) how this will be measured. [45566]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The case accumulation at Stage 1 is already negligible. The accumulation at Stage 2 screen will be minimised by 31 March 2002, or soon afterwards The accumulation at Stages 2–3 will be progressively minimised during the period to 31 March 2005. The measures will include the numbers of cases in each tray and under review at each stage.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Criminal Cases Review Commission encourages its staff to improve their formal qualifications; and how this is measured. [45584]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Commission encourages all staff to improve their formal qualifications. Training needs and opportunities for staff are discussed at regular personal development reviews. The Commission's personnel systems maintain information on the achievement of formal qualifications.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Criminal Cases Review Commission determines which cases justify the formal appointment of an external investigating officer. [45579]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It is a statutory provision of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 that a committee of at least three or more Commission members determines whether or not a formal appointment of an external investigating officer should be made.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what aspects of(a) a legal background, (b) the criminal justice system, and (c) the
  766W
  skills for effective casework, the Criminal Cases Review Commission has identified as appropriate for acquisition by its staff during training. [45582]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Commission continuously develops an integrated training programme, beginning from induction, and progressing through acquisition of the appropriate knowledge base and practical skills. For Commission members, case review managers and other case working staff, the emphasis is on legal background and other aspects of the criminal justice system, and the development of the skills necessary to carry out effective casework.

  The training schedule that the Commission develops includes:

  Unsafe convictions;

  New evidence;

  Fair trials;

  Sentencing;

  Legal incompetence;

  Disclosure;

  Misconduct by investigators and witnesses;

  Guilty pleas and

  Identification procedures.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Criminal Cases Review Commission determines what constitutes a real possibility that a conviction, finding, verdict or sentence will not be upheld in court. [45567]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It is a statutory provision of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 that any decision that a real possibility exists that a conviction, finding, verdict or sentence would not be upheld at appeal must be made by a committee of at least three Commission members. The Commission will generally be looking for arguments not raised, or evidence not adduced, in the proceedings that led to the conviction, verdict or finding.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the measures for casework best practice incorporated in the Criminal Cases Review Commission's training programme. [45583]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Commission develops continuously an integrated training programme, beginning from induction, and progressing through acquisition of the appropriate knowledge base and practical skills. For example, for Commission members, case review managers and other caseworking staff, the emphasis is on legal background and other aspects of the criminal justice system, and development of the skills necessary to carry out effective casework. The training schedule includes: unsafe convictions; new evidence; fair trials; sentencing; legal incompetence; disclosure; misconduct by investigators and witnesses; guilty pleas and identification procedures.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Criminal Cases Review Commission determines if its policies are being optimised along its three dimensions of effectiveness, efficiency, and economy. [45575]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Commission distinguishes between effectiveness (achieving high output standards), efficiency (maximising output from its human and
  767W
  physical resources) and economy (minimising the cost of those resources), and recognises that its processes must be optimised along all three dimensions. The Commission's annual business plan sets process goals along these dimensions, which should approach optimality.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and their dependants are supported by(a) NASS, (b) local authorities and (c) the mainstream welfare benefits system. [45773]

  Angela Eagle
  As at the end of December 2001, 65,630 asylum seekers (including dependants) were supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

  From the grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at September 2001, 25,370 single adult asylum seekers and 14,310 families were supported by local authorities. Figures including dependants are not available.

  As at November 2001, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were supporting 12,000 asylum seekers. Figures including dependants are not available.

  This is the latest available information on supported asylum seekers.

  Figures for NASS supported asylum seekers and local authority supported asylum seekers are rounded to the nearest 10. Figures for DWP supported asylum seekers are rounded to the nearest 1,000.

  Yarl's Wood Detention Centre
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees were held in Yarl's Wood Detention Centre in each of the last 12 months; what the average time of detention was; and how many were subsequently removed from Britain. [48623]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Yarl's Wood Removal Centre opened in November 2001. Internal management information, which has not been quality-assured, records that there were 112 detainees at Yarl's Wood at the end of November 2001; 252 detainees at the end of December 2001 and 308 detainees at the end of January 2002. There were 385 detainees at Yarl's Wood on 14 February 2002.

  Information about the average time of detention and subsequent removals is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by an examination of individual case files.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas visits have been undertaken by parliamentary private secretaries in his Department at departmental expense in each of the last four years; and at what cost to public funds. [36816]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 25 March 2002]: There have been no visits undertaken by parliamentary private secretaries at departmental expense in the last four years.

  Campsfield House
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timetable had been decided for the closure of Campsfield House at 7 February; and whether the timetable for closure of Campsfield House has since been changed. [46663]

  Angela Eagle
  The intention is to close Campsfield House when places can be transferred to the new removal centres that are expected to be in operation by spring 2003. This timetable was announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary (Mr. Blunkett) on 7 February 2002,Official Report, column 1040, and remains unchanged.

  DNA Samples
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact of the ruling which allows the police to retain DNA samples from suspects later released without charge. [48256]

  Mr. Denham
  The requirement for the police to destroy fingerprint and DNA samples taken from suspects later released was amended by Article 82 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 which allows the police discretion to retain these samples. DNA provides an important tool in the fight against serious crime and in particular offences of violence against the person. The Government are pleased that the Court has upheld its view that the law strikes a fair balance between the interests of the individual, the victims of crime and society as a whole. The court's decision will allow the police to continue to make best use of this important scientific technology in the fight against crime.

  Correspondence
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate expects to reply to the letters of 6 January, 28 January and 3 March from the hon. Member for Glasgow, Shettleston regarding the case of Mr. Rynier Jacobus Greyling. [47883]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: A reply was sent to my hon. Friend by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate on 15 March 2002.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Rail Journeys (Staff)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2002,Official Report, column 421W, on rail travel, if staff below Band B2 are permitted to travel first class; and if line management approval is required beforehand to do so. [50546]

  Mr. Leslie
  Rail travel on official business for staff below B2 is at standard class. First class travel is permitted only if there is a requirement to accompany either a civil servant who is entitled to travel first class, or someone who is not a civil servant who is travelling first class. All first class travel by staff below B2 level must be approved in advance.

TREASURY

  Equipment Leasing
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Department in each of the last four years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case. [39088]

  Ruth Kelly
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Human Rights Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [45074]

  Ruth Kelly
  Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge. Central records are not maintained of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 has been relied on or of the cost to public funds of cases which include a human rights aspect. However, we have recorded two cases which have been brought against the Treasury.

  Access to Information
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the administrative manuals and internal guidance which his Department has made public as required by Part 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and which of these were first made available after May 1997. [45395]

  Ruth Kelly
  We publish a wide range of material designed to inform members of the public about our activities. Information including advice on the Treasury's Values and Code of Conduct, how to obtain information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and how to complain about the department are published on our public website.

  Private Sponsorship
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 700W, on private sponsorship, if he will list the conferences and seminars that HM Treasury and its associated departments have organised since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [46610]

  Ruth Kelly
  Records are not maintained centrally. The information required may be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Wanless Report
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent studies he has conducted into alternative health care systems other than those contained in the interim Wanless report; and if he will publish them. [R] [47963]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 9 April 2002]: I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the House on 11 April 2002, Official Report, column 135:
  "[Mr. Wanless] will also publish a study commissioned by his review on international health care systems, considering health systems in individual countries around the world."

  Banks (Excessive Charging)
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend the new regulations relating to excessive charging by banks in England and Wales to Northern Ireland. [48853]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government accepted in full the conclusions of the Competition Commission report into the supply of banking services to SMEs in the UK and have asked the Director General of Fair Trading to seek undertakings from the eight main clearing banks to implement the remedies suggested. The majority of those remedies will apply through the UK and are designed to improve competition in this market. In addition the Competition Commission found evidence of excess profits for the four largest clearing banks in England and Wales, but not in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Consequently, their recommendation that banks should be required to offer interest or free banking to SMEs will apply only in England and Wales.

  Retirement Income
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he will take to reform the law on annuities and income in retirement. [48898]

  Ruth Kelly
  For some time the Government have actively encouraged innovation in the annuity market to improve benefits for customers. A consultation document, "Modernising Annuities", was issued on 5 February. It was intended to stimulate discussion on how the annuity market could be encouraged to become more flexible and competitive. The consultation period ran until 5 April. The Government are now considering the responses carefully before deciding how to proceed.

  Finance Capital
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last set out policies for substantial reform of finance capital; and if he will make a statement. [48877]

  Ruth Kelly
  The pre-Budget report (Cm 5318), published in November 2001, sets out a range of measures designed to improve both the supply of, and access to, finance capital. The forthcoming Budget will provide an up-date on these measures.

  Overtime Payments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on overtime payments for staff in his Department. [49135]

  Ruth Kelly
  Overtime payments are made to staff where appropriate. Sufficient staff have been recruited to fill all complemented posts in the Treasury, and the Department has a number of alternative working policies in place such as flexible working hours, part-time working and compressed hours, as well as working at home. These are available to all staff by agreement with their line managers.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many families he estimates are eligible for
  771W
  (a) working families tax credit and (b) children's tax credit in (i) Alyn and Deeside and (ii) Delyn that are not claiming it; [48918]

  (2) how many families in (a) Alyn and Deeside and (b) Delyn are claiming (i) working families tax credit and (ii) children's tax credit. [48920]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the numbers claiming the working families' tax credit (WFTC), I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn) on 16 January 2002,Official Report, column 293W. Information about the children's tax credit (CTC), or about the numbers eligible for WFTC, is not available by constituency. However, the number of families who are eligible for the CTC in Wales is estimated to be 225,000.

  Births, Marriages and Deaths
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to put on-line the registration of births, marriages and deaths. [50531]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Ms Joan Walley, dated 15 April 2002:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning what plans there are to put on-line the registration of births, marriages and deaths. (50531)
  The Government's proposals for modernising civil registration in England and Wales are contained in the White Paper "Civil Registration: Vital Change" published on 22 January 2002, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers have been detected paying less than national minimum wage in the last three months; and what action has been taken. [45041]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue have detected 471 non-compliant employers in the last three months, with the total amount of wages arrears identified being £2,734,000.

  In the same period, 25 enforcement notices and eight penalty notices have been served on employers. There have been four cases taken by the Inland Revenue to employment tribunal on behalf of workers, with a successful outcome in each instance.

  Afghanistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions have been held with the multi-lateral creditors regarding multi-lateral debt relief for Afghanistan. [48769]

  Mr. Boateng
  No discussions have been held so far.

  Child Care Tax Credit
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the eligibility for the child care tax credit. [45034]
  772W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The eligibility criteria for the child care tax credit are kept under constant review.

  Pensions
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the average impact on the Exchequer over the course of the last 10 years of each tranche of one thousand persons contracting into SERPS/state second pension from a personal or occupational pension. [44682]

  Maria Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is in the table:

  £ million

  Year

  Amount

  1991–92

  0.6

  1992–93

  0.6

  1993–94

  0.6

  1994–95

  0.5

  1995–96

  0.6

  1996–67

  0.6

  1997–98

  0.6

  1998–99

  0.6

  1999–2000

  0.6

  2000–01

  0.5

  Note:

  The figures show the increase in national insurance contributions that would result from 1,000 people rejoining SERPS in each of the last 10 years. They have been calculated on the assumption that their arrangements are broadly representative of all people contracted out, in terms of age, earnings and type of contracted-out arrangement.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the 2002 departmental report will be published. [49591]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The 2002 departmental reports will be published in spring 2002. The dates will be announced shortly.

  Small Businesses (Taxation)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was paid in direct and indirect taxation by companies with(a) fewer than 200 employees and (b) fewer than 100 employees in each of the last 10 years. [49486]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested is not available.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total savings to public funds of the Public-Private Partnership with Siemens Business Services for the Department of National Savings by comparison with a non-Private Finance Initiative alternative. [49503]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Public Private Partnership with Siemens Business Services (SBS) delivers full operational service to National Savings and Investments (NS&I) and its customers.
  773W
  The cost of delivery of the operational service from SBS is at least £157 million less than the public sector comparator, assuming the contract runs for its 15 year life.

  The finances were clearly set out in the contract. NS&I expenditure on this contract remains as originally negotiated and reported to the PAC.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Private Finance Initiative projects have been subject to refinancing after the contracts have been signed; and what has been the financial effect in each case. [50278]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Comprehensive records of refinanced PFI contracts are not held centrally. No Treasury PFI projects have been refinanced.

PRIME MINISTER

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what new initiatives his office has taken in 2001–02 to assist in achieving its public service agreement targets. [47188]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 12 April 2002.

  Appointments
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if hon. Members have been appointed to task forces and other ad hoc advisory bodies created by the Government since 1997. [49729]

  The Prime Minister
  Individuals are invited to join task forces and reviews solely on the basis of the knowledge, experience and expertise they are able to bring.

  Governments have always taken advice from a number of sources——internal and external. There is nothing to prevent hon. Members being appointed to task forces and other ad hoc advisory groups.

  Summary date are recorded and published for each task force and ad hoc group in the Cabinet Office's publication "Taskforces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews". This was last published in October 2001 and copies are available in the House Library. The publication sets out the composition, gives numbers of people by category of appointment, and gives the name of the chairperson. A category in this report shows ministerial membership but no specific data on hon. Members' membership of these groups is held.

  Steel Tariffs
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters in respect of the United States policy on steel imports were discussed in his meetings with President Bush on 6 to 7 April in Texas. [49264]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson) in the House on 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 17.
  774W
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with President Bush during his recent visit about the possible exemption of British steel products from US tariffs; and if he will make a statement. [48930]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson) in the House on 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 17.

  Israel
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed Israel's nuclear weapon capability in his meetings with President Bush on 6–7 April. [49481]

  The Prime Minister
  I outlined the issues I discussed with President Bush in my statement to the House on Wednesday 10 April.

  Kyoto Protocol
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he has raised the United States opposition to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change during meetings and other communications he has had with(a) the United States President and (b) the United States Vice President since 11 September 2001. [49495]

  The Prime Minister
  I and my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister have raised the US position on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol with President Bush and Vice President Cheney respectively on a number of occasions since 11 September 2001.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Prime Minister when he established a Cabinet Committee on Sustainable Development; who its members are; and if he will make a statement. [48894]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Watford (Ms Ward) on 7 March,Official Report, column 486W.

  Texas Visit
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those persons who accompanied him on his recent trip to Texas other than Ministers, civil servants, journalists and special advisers; and in each case, specify whose costs were met in whole or part from public funds. [48955]

  The Prime Minister
  I was joined in Texas by members of my family who had been invited by the President and Mrs. Bush. Their participation on the visit was at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

  Lord Levy
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was informed of the commercial arrangements between Lord Levy and Westfield. [48985]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a personal matter for Lord Levy. I am satisfied that there is no conflict of interest.

  Overseas Charitable Donations
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister which foreign Heads of State and Government have informed Her Majesty's Government of personal donations to UK charities following visits to the United Kingdom and discussions with the Prime Minister since 1997. [48768]

  The Prime Minister
  I am not aware of any donations. There is no central record maintained of such donations.

  Gifts in Kind
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will include in the Ministerial Code of Conduct a requirement for Ministers to publish the value of gifts in kind provided by overseas Governments. [48771]

  The Prime Minister
  All gifts are handled in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 136 to 139 of the Ministerial Code.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister which foreign Heads of State have accepted free travel and accommodation within the United Kingdom from the UK Government since May 1997. [48776]

  The Prime Minister
  It has been the policy of successive Governments to provide hospitality for official visits by Foreign Heads of State who come as guests of Her Majesty's Government.

  Travel and Accommodation Allowances
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will refer the subject of travel and accommodation allowances for the Prime Minister to the(a) Senior Salaries Review Board and (b) Committee on Standards in Public Life. [48775]

  The Prime Minister
  No. All travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers.

  New Zealand
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Prime Minister what assurances he has given to the Prime Minister off New Zealand about the length of time that young citizens of that country can work in the UK before returning home. [49298]

  The Prime Minister
  Under the current terms of the working holidaymaker scheme young Commonwealth nationals may spend up to two years in the united Kingdom and are able to engage in work incidental to the holiday for up to approximately half their stay. The scheme is currently being reviewed.

  I have assured the Prime Minister of New Zealand that any reform of the scheme will not erode its benefits to those coming from New Zealand.

  The Government fully appreciates the important contribution that working holidaymakers make in the United Kingdom, and is committed to maintaining the benefits of the scheme for New Zealand citizens, as well as citizens of other Commonwealth countries.

  Special Advisers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure members of the House of Lords who(a) hold ministerial office and (b) are employed as special advisers agree to give evidence to select committees of the House. [49886]

  The Prime Minister
  All civil servants, including special advisers, are accountable to Ministers for their decisions and actions. Ministers are accountable to Parliament. It is therefore for individual Ministers to decide who provides evidence on their behalf to select committees. These decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement about the rules which apply to the pursuit of outside interests by special advisers and the accountability thereof; [49885]

  (2) if he will review the rules relating to the allowable financial interests of specialist advisers. [49274]

  The Prime Minister
  The Model Contract for Special Advisers, which incorporates the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, sets out the terms and conditions of employment for special advisers. Special advisers are also covered by the requirements of their employing Department's Staff Handbook, which includes the handling of financial interests and outside employment.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if his policy permits the employment of special advisers who have non-domicile tax status. [49276]

  The Prime Minister
  The employment restrictions on the recruitment of civil servants, including special advisers, are set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

  Egypt
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the value of hospitality provided to him by the Egyptian Government on his recent visit to Egypt; what charities in Egypt were the recipients of his charitable donations; and what was the value of those donations. [49275]

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister what the value was of the facilities provided to him and his family by the Egyptian Government in December 2001, broken down by(a) cost of hotel accommodation, (b) cost of travel and (c) cost of exclusive access to tourist sites. [48770]

  The Prime Minister
  The position is as I made clear in the Register of Members' Interests.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what factors led him to conclude that it was appropriate to accept free tickets for the internal aeroplane flight he made from Cairo to Sharm-el-Sheikh. [49277]

  The Prime Minister
  For security reasons, the Egyptian Government identified the appropriate accommodation and internal aeroplane travel during my family holiday in Egypt. This is in line with the requirements of 'Travel by Ministers' which makes it clear that for some Ministers, security factors may make special arrangements necessary.
  777W
  I made charitable donations to a charity chosen by the Egyptian Government equating to the cost.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister if the provision of free travel and accommodation by the Egyptian President to the UK Prime Minister is a reciprocal arrangement. [48782]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he sought advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before accepting the offer of travel and accommodation from the Egyptian Government. [48774]

  The Prime Minister
  Yes.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Prime Minister whether his Chief of Staff arranged the travel and accommodation details of his visit to Egypt in December 2001. [48781]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

HEALTH

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the radiotherapy waiting times are for patients categorised as(a) Group 1, (b) Group 2, (c) Group 3, (d) Group 4 and (e) Group 5 for each UK health authority; and what the comparative figures were for 1997. [37907]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not available centrally. The NHS Cancer Plan set out maximum waiting time targets for first cancer treatment which will come into effect over the next few years. Arrangements to monitor these targets are currently being put in place and will cover radiotherapy where this is the first treatment.

  From December 2001, there is one month maximum wait from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer and a one month wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment for children's, testicular and acute leukaemia. By 2005, there will be a maximum one month wait from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers.

  NHS Decentralisation
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards the advancement of mutual solutions to allow further decentralisation of decision-making and operations within the NHS. [39387]

  Mr. Hutton
  A structural and cultural reform of the national health service is currently taking place with the aim of shifting the balance of power towards frontline organisations, and within organisations to patients and staff. From 1 April 2002, primary care trusts, local organisations run by clinicians and local people, are responsible for improving health, securing services and integrating health and social care locally. By 2004, these organisations will receive 75 per cent. of the NHS budget to enable them to do so effectively, which constitutes considerable devolution in the running of the NHS. As 778W
  responsibility is devolved to the frontline, the Department will develop new ways of working and step back from operational issues.

  A package of earned autonomy freedoms and the potential to achieve foundation status will also become available for the best performing primary care and NHS trusts. This will be another way in which the Government devolves decision-making and operational management in the NHS.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what systems are in place to ensure medical records are not falsified. [39371]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 1 March 2002]: The Department is fully committed to the principles of patient privacy and confidentiality, and to ensuring that medical records are handled in a secure manner and are not falsified.

  Caldicott Guardians appointed within NHS organisations have the responsibility for overseeing the handling of confidential patient information within their own organisations. This work includes responsibility for ensuring that procedures and systems are in place to control access to patient information, and that medical records are capable of being robustly audited.

  In the case of GP's, their Terms of Service state that they shall be responsible for keeping adequate records of the illnesses and treatment of their patients and forward such records to the health authority on request. Health authorities are able to audit GP practices by Post Payment Verification and the General Medical Council is able to bring to account any GP that does not keep clear, accurate and contemporaneous records.

  NHS Professionals
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what savings for the NHS(a) have been achieved and (b) are projected to be achieved from the establishment of NHS Professionals; and how (i) has the money been re-directed and (ii) will the money be re-directed; [39674]

  (2) pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) of 11 December 2001, Official Report, column 699, if he will make a statement on the value of money improvements achieved by NHS Professionals in London, indicating how much money (a) has been saved and (b) is projected to be saved. [39781]

  Mr. Hutton
  Estimates of detailed cost savings have not been completed.

  NHS Professionals charges a management fee to recoup operating costs currently set at a maximum of 7.5 per cent. This compares favourably with that of commercial agencies as highlighted in the Audit Commission report 'Brief Encounters——Getting the Best from Temporary Nursing Staff'. This report indicated wide variations in the commission rates charged by agencies with an averaging charge of 20.5 per cent.
  779W
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS trusts will be permitted to contract with commercial nurses' agencies to administer temporary staffing services to the specification laid out for NHS Professionals. [41725]

  Mr. Hutton
  Health Service Circular 2001–02 highlights the aim that NHS Professionals will be used by all NHS organisations as the primary supplier of all temporary staffing requirements for the NHS with, as and when necessary, contracts agreed with commercial agencies to meet any surplus demand. The circular also encourages NHS organisations to review their arrangements for accessing supplementary staff and skills, and to work with their Regional Offices to agree an implementation plan for NHS Professionals across their local health economy.

  St. George's Hospital, Tooting
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated in accident and emergency departments of St. George's hospital, Tooting in the last 12 months. [40520]

  Mr. Hutton
  In the latest financial year 2000–01, St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust had a total 79,013 accident and emergency attendances, 75,813 being first attendances.

  From 2001–02, the information is available on a quarterly basis and is available on the Department's website www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

  Paediatrics
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many transfers of ventilated children between intensive care units took place in each quarter of the last five years for which figures are available. [41479]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Transfers of critically ill children in ventilated and stable condition are arranged between local hospitals and paediatric intensive care centres, and more rarely between centres, to access specialist interventions which cannot be provided in every location, and in order to obtain the best achievable outcome for the child.

  Variant-CJD
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to contact patients who may have been exposed to v-CJD through(a) surgical instruments or (b) blood transfusions. [41805]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are awaiting the results of the CJD Incidents Panel consultation before finalising any decisions regarding contacting patients about their possible exposure to v-CJD via surgical instruments.

  Folic Acid
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to implement the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy report of January 2000 on flour fortification with folic acid. [43866]
  780W
  Yvette Cooper
  A consultation document on whether or not to fortify wheat flour with folic acid was issued in July 2000 jointly by the Health Departments and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This was based on the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (2000) conclusion that fortification of wheat flour with folic acid would help reduce the number of births affected by neural tube defects.

  The consultation responses have been analysed and the summary of responses posted on the Department's website. The majority of respondents were in favour of fortification although this was not overwhelming (59 per cent.). The most common concerns were over the potential risks of fortification and the possible restriction of consumer choice.

  The complexity of the analysis and the need for additional work led to a longer timescale than anticipated. The Health Departments and the FSA held a joint stakeholders meeting on 18 March 2002 to discuss the issue and help inform policy. The policy options will be considered by the FSA Board as well as Health Ministers.

  Genetics
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the licensing and vetting procedures are for new genetic tests to be sold directly to the public; [44758]

  (2) what mechanisms have been put into place to ensure that claims made by manufacturers of currently licensed genetic tests have scientific and medical validity; [44762]

  (3) what the procedures are for approving and regulating genetic testing services. [44763]

  Yvette Cooper
  The "in vitro" diagnostic medical device (IVD) regulations (SI2000 No. 1315) ensure that IVDs that have a specific medical purpose meet relevant essential safety, quality and performance requirements before being placed on the market with a CE mark. The regulations came into force on 7 June 2000 with a transition period until December 2003. During this time, manufacturers may choose on which basis to place their device on the market. The regulations require that manufacturers of IVDs bearing the CE mark must be able to demonstrate that the device will achieve the manufacturer's claimed performance.

  The Department has published two voluntary codes of practice and guidance for genetic tests being sold directly to the public. These set out broad requirements in areas such as: peer-reviewed evidence of value, accreditation and quality assurance in testing laboratories, consent, confidentiality, sample and information storage, and customer information. Under the "Code of Practice and Guidance on Human Genetic Testing Services Supplied Direct to the Public" (September 1997) suppliers notify the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) of their proposed service and HGC publishes a statement of conformance with the Code. In addition, those supplying genetic paternity testing services are expected to comply with the Code of Practice and Guidance on Genetic Paternity Testing Services" (March 2001). All Government and public bodies commissioning paternity testing services are expected, so far as is practical, to ensure that those supplying services comply with this code.
  781W
  Ministers have asked HGC to conduct a review of the provision of genetic tests offered directly to the public, and to report by the end of the year.

  Accreditation for UK laboratories providing diagnostic testing for patients is voluntary. It is mostly overseen by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd. (CPA). CPA standards are compatible with international standards (ISO). Laboratories registered with CPA are subject to on-site peer inspection to ensure compliance with these standards.

  Laboratory accreditation is now part of the quality standards compiled by the Genetics Commissioning Advisory Group (GenCAG) and endorsed by the Joint Medical Genetics Committee of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Pathologists and the British Society for Human Genetics. Commissioners and NHS trusts purchasing genetic testing services are recommended to purchase from accredited laboratories.

  NHS Commissioners may evaluate new service developments before agreeing to fund them. As part of the national NHS genetic testing network, consideration is being given to mechanisms to evaluate genetic tests before being considered for NHS funding. There is further scope for evaluation through the Health Technology Assessment programme which produces research information on the clinical and cost-effectiveness and broader impact of health technologies including diagnostic techniques.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on(a) access to counselling and advice services, (b) procedures for gaining informed consent and (c) protection of personal genetic information where genetic testing is being undertaken. [44759]

  Yvette Cooper
  Patients may seek advice from their General Practitioner, other health care workers or NHS Direct. Specialist NHS services for genetics are concentrated in Regional Genetic Centres (RGCs), to which patients may be referred as appropriate. Those receiving genetic tests as part of NHS clinical genetic services normally receive counselling and advice before and, where appropriate, after testing.

  The Government response to the 3rd Report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology 1994–5, stated that: 'The Government agrees with the Committee.. that people who seek diagnosis of a genetic condition of late onset, i.e in adult life, should be given adequate information about the medical and social implications of the findings and offered sufficient counselling, in advance of any testing, and subsequently if the result of a test is positive'.

  The Secretary of State announced in January 2002 how part of the £30 million investment in genetics would be used to pump-prime additional capacity within existing genetics services. This will enable more people concerned about familial disease to receive advice, testing and counselling.

  Patients have a fundamental legal and ethical right to determine what happens to their own bodies. Valid consent to treatment is therefore central to all forms of healthcare, from providing personal care to undertaking major surgery. Patients may indicate consent non-verbally
  782W
  (for example by presenting their arm for their pulse to be taken), orally, or in writing. For the consent to be valid, the patient must: be competent to take the particular decision; have received sufficient information to take it; and not be acting under duress.

  The Department has issued guidance on consent, and this should be consulted for advice on the current law and good practice requirements in seeking consent. This includes what to do when a patient lacks the capacity to give consent to an intervention. The relevant documents are available at "www.doh.gov.uk/consent". Health professionals should also be aware of any guidance on consent issued by their own regulatory bodies.

  Genetic information, like most other patient information, is held in confidence by health professionals and is also subject to the requirements of Data Protection legislation. This means that, unless exceptional circumstances apply, individuals should be informed about how the information will be used and that the information should only be disclosed to a third party with the consent of the person to whom it refers.

  The Department published a national confidentiality strategy for the NHS "("Building the Information Core: Protecting & Using Patient Information: A Strategy for the NHS")" in December 2001. The development of systems and processes to record and respect patient preferences including objections to disclosures is a key element of the strategy. In addition, the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) has been considering issues associated with the storage, protection and use of personal genetic information and will be reporting to Ministers later this spring.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the planned Green Paper on genetics. [44760]

  Yvette Cooper
  We plan to publish our Green Paper on genetics later this year.

  Children's Diet
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures his Department has taken to combat obesity in children; [45002]

  (2) what initiatives his Department has taken to encourage children to eat healthy food. [45001]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are committed to tackling the rising trend in childhood obesity and action to encourage children to eat a balanced diet. We have put in place major cross-Government programmes of work to improve healthy eating and increase physical activity. This includes:The National School Fruit Scheme where over 80,000 children in 27 areas and over 500 schools now receive a free piece of fruit each school day. Additional funding of £42 million from the new opportunities fund will enable the scheme to expand to cover over 1 million children from 2002 to 2004. From 2004 all 4 to 6-year-olds will be entitled to a free piece of fruit each school day.
  We already have a National Healthy School Programme, a joint initiative between the Department and the Department for Education and Skills, which has as one of its themes healthy eating. Schools are encouraged to provide, promote and monitor healthier food at lunch and break times and in any breakfast clubs. This will be complemented by the food in schools programme,

  783W
  which aims to bring together under one umbrella all food-related initiatives in schools and after school clubs to improve health and learning.
  Work to ensure that children have opportunities to participate in a wide range of physical and sporting activities. The Government's White Paper "Schools——achieving success" gave a commitment that all children will be entitled to two hours of high quality physical education (PE) and school sport a week, within and outside the curriculum. Significant funding is also being provided to enhance PE and sports facilities in schools including £541 million from the new opportunities fund for a PE and Sports Programme.

  Anaesthetic Services
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant anaesthetists are in post; and what was the figure in 1997. [45111]

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

  Hospital medical consultants within the anaesthetics specialty (headcount)——England

  At 30 September

  Consultants

  1997

  2,760

  2001

  3.550

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  The number of consultant anaesthetists has increased by 29 per cent. since 1997.

  Human Rights Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [45069]

  Ms Blears
  We do not collect central records of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied upon. 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 22 cases to date.

  We do not collect 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 single out associated costs relating to the human rights element.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target time will be in 2002–03 for(a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public. [44951]

  Ms Blears
  The Department's target times for replying to correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public is 20 days, this is the Service First Target set by the Cabinet Office.

  UVB Machines
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many UVB machines there are in NHS hospitals in England and Wales; and how many are immobilised because of lack of trained staff. [45703]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  It is for health authorities in partnership with primary care groups/trusts and other local stakeholders to decide what services to provide for their populations including those who require treatment with UVB machines.

  The Action On Dermatology (AOD) programme aims to identify, develop and share best practice in the organisation and delivery of services, with particular emphasis on improving access and reducing waiting times. Local services are helped to identify their constraints and to find effective solutions by developing new methods of organisation and clinical practice. A key element is the involvement of the clinical professions in identifying good practice and in encouraging its widespread adoption. Change in clinical practice is most effective when it is owned by clinicians themselves.

  Brain Disorders
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken(a) to improve the treatment of brain disorders and (b) increase the number of neurologists in the UK. [45278]

  Jacqui Smith
  The National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions (NSF) will have a particular focus on the needs of people with neurological disease, brain and spinal injury, as well as some of the common issues faced by people with a long-term condition.

  We are investing in extra training places in neurology. We have announced an increase of up to 15 specialist registrars in neurology for 2002–04. This will mean that by 2009 there will be an additional 140 trained specialists available to take up consultant posts in neurology.

  Radiographers
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recruitment targets exist for therapy radiographers; how he intends they should be achieved; and by when. [45950]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not have a target specifically for therapy radiographers. They are included within the NHS Plan target for 6,500 more therapists and other health professionals by 2004, which will be met by improving recruitment and retention, encouraging return to practice, increasing number of students completing training and international recruitment.

  Between 1997 and 2001 the number of therapeutic radiographers employed in the NHS has increased by 130 (9 per cent.) and the number of training places available for students has increased by 29 (21 per cent.).

  Respiratory Specialists
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the recommended number of hospital respiratory specialist physicians is(a) per head of population and (b) per NHS trust; [45742]
  785W
  (2) how many hospital respiratory specialist physicians posts are unfilled, broken down by NHS trust; [45744]

  (3) how many hospital respiratory specialist physicians are in post, broken down by (a) coverage per head of the population and (b) NHS trust. [45743]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not set quotas for the numbers of hospital respiratory specialist physicians per head of population or by individual NHS Trust. We continually review future requirements for trained specialists as part of the NHS's new multi-disciplinary workforce planning processes. These look at the national requirements for doctors alongside other staff focusing on the potential for new ways of working and developing new roles.

  As at September 2001 (latest figures available), there were 1.9 respiratory specialist physicians, consultants and doctors in training, per 100,000 of the population (England). Numbers of respiratory specialist physicians by NHS Trust are shown in the table, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Respiratory Medicine is not one of the specific specialties included in the NHS Vacancy Survey 2001 and information about the number of unfilled respiratory specialist physicians posts is not available centrally.

  NHS Efficiency Gains
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what efficiency and other value for money gains were achieved in the NHS as a percentage of health authority unified allocations, in each year since April 1999, and for the latest year for which figures are available. [45720]

  Mr. Hutton
  Allocations to Health Authorities are based on an overall assessment of the resources required to cover inflationary pressures and deliver national targets. Allocations to Health authorities in 1999–2000 and 2000–01 were made net of 3 per cent. efficiency savings, and in 2001–02 allocations were made net of 2 per cent. efficiency savings. This means that health authorities needed to achieve the efficiency target to fully fund delivery of national targets and inflation.

  Emergency Re-admissions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the emergency re-admission figures for Q2 2001–02 broken down by(a) region and (b) health authority. [45772]

  Mr. Hutton
  The figures for Quarter 2 2001–02 emergency re-admissions of patients aged 75 and over have been placed in the Library.

  Muscular Dystrophy
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on research into a cure for Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy in the last five years, and if he will make a statement. [45787]

  Jacqui Smith
  The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC supports a major project on the molecular analysis 786W
  of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the MRC Functional Genetics Unit in Oxford and the expenditure on this is about £440,000 a year.

  The MRC expenditure figure on all types of Muscular Dystrophy for the last five years is an estimated £3.7 million. It is not possible to extract Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy spending specifically from this total as so much of the work is basic in nature and could apply to all forms of the disease.

  The Department provides support funding for research commissioned by charities and the research councils that take place in the NHS. Management of much of the research supported by NHS research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to instruct the National Radiological Protection Board to carry out research into illnesses caused by exposure to depleted uranium. [43654]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: The Department has no plans to ask the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to carry out research specifically into illnesses possibly caused by exposure to depleted uranium. However, NRPB does undertake research that is relevant to the assessment of the risks to health from such exposures. In particular NRPB has carried out extensive research into the distribution of uranium in body organs, its retention and excretion, following inhalation of a wide range of uranium compounds. It has also developed computer models that enable the concentration of uranium in the various organs and resulting radiation doses to be calculated. Depleted uranium is mildly radioactive, and NRPB's research programme on the effects of ionising radiation in general is therefore relevant to assessment of the radiological risks from exposure to depleted uranium.

  Food Supplements
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Government have made of the cost to British business of the Directive on food supplements. [45515]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 26 March 2002]: The Food Standards Agency, which has been responsible for negotiating this Directive on the Government's behalf, has consulted widely on its likely impact. There would be labelling costs falling on manufacturers of all food supplements, but these would be substantially offset by a two-year transitional period. Any additional impact of future developments on lists of permitted nutrients and maximum limits cannot yet be assessed.

  Blood Tests
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many blood tests in each of the last five years for which figures are available(a) were sent to laboratories for tests and (b) were misplaced before the patient received the results. [46576]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Community Pharmacists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of community pharmacists(a) in post and (b) vacancies, broken down by (i) health authority and (ii) region in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [45641]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 20 March 2002]: Information on the number of community pharmacists in post and vacancies is not held centrally.

  University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reasons for which the Chief Executive of the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust remained in post after the publication of the CHI report and the zero rating of Walsgrave hospital. [46822]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: All Trusts were assessed on their performance during 2000–01 against a set of key targets that are the most significant factors in determining their overall performance rating for the year. Those Trusts that indicated the poorest levels of performance against the key targets were awarded a rating of zero stars.

  In September 2001, twelve NHS Trusts, including the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, were classed as 'zero stars' under the new performance ratings system. In line with national guidance on monitoring ongoing performance, as the Chief Executive had been in post for longer than 18 months, the Trust were given 3 months notice to improve the performance of the Trust to a satisfactory level.

  Deep Vein Thrombosis
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the link between women taking the contraceptive pill or on hormone replacement therapy and their likelihood of suffering a deep vein thrombosis; and what measures are being taken to advise and make aware these vulnerable groups of the dangers of DVT and how to lower the risk of suffering from it. [46830]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: A very small increase in the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for women who take oral contraceptives (OCs) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been recognised for many years. Accordingly, OCs and HRT are contraindicated in women who have a personal or family history of DVT and who are therefore most at risk.

  In 1995 several new studies suggested that a slightly increased risk of DVT was associated with newer OCs (the so-called third generation pills that contain desogestrel or gestodene as progestogen) compared to older ones (so-called second generation pills that contain levonorgestrel as progestogen). This issue was considered by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) in 1995, 1996 and 2001 and by the Medicines Commission in 1998 as more data became available. They have advised that
  788W
  for every 100,000 women who use OCs for a year, 10–20 more cases of DVT may be expected to occur relative to healthy non-users. This increase in risk is less than the risk of DVT associated with pregnancy (an extra 55 cases of DVT for every 100,000 pregnancies).

  Warnings about the risk of DVT in women who take OCs have been in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPCs) for health professionals and the patient information leaflet (PIL) for women for many years. These warnings were updated with respect to the increased risk of DVT in women who use third, as opposed to second, generation pills in early 1999 and were included in the BNF (British National Formulary). In 2001, product information for all combined oral contraceptives was further updated to inform women and their health professionals that their risk of DVT is greatest in the first year they ever use an OC. Comprehensive information about the risk of DVT with use of oral contraceptives was provided to health professionals and women in a Dear Doctor letter in 1995, in an article in the Medicine Control Agency's (MCA) safety bulletin "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance" in 1999 and on the MCA's website in 2001.

  With respect to HRT, evidence suggesting an increased risk for DVT was considered by CSM in 1996. They advised that an additional 10–20 women may experience a DVT out of every 100,000 women who use HRT compared with healthy non-HRT users of a similar age. The SPCs and PILs for HRT products and the BNF were updated in line with this advice in 1998. Health professionals were informed of the risk of DVT in association with use of HRT in an article in "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance" which contained a pull-out sheet with information specifically for women.

  In addition to targeted information, every pack of oral contraceptives and HRT contains a PIL for women. These clearly inform women that they should not use OCs or HRT if they have a personal or family history of DVT. They also inform women of their additional risk of DVT compared with non-users. PILs for the second and third generation OCs describe what DVT is and how it is caused, its potential severity and possible outcome. They also list the symptoms of DVT and advise women to stop taking their pills immediately and seek medical help in the event of their occurrence. In addition, they advise women to stop taking their pills prior to periods of prolonged immobilisation, especially surgery and to re-start only when fully re-mobilised. Any woman wishing to take OCs is encouraged to discuss the risks of DVT with her doctor and, provided she understands and accepts those risks, to jointly choose the treatment that is best suited to her in light of her individual medical history.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in(a) each of the last six years and (b) 2002 to the latest available date. [46743]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The information shown in the table is the number of admissions to national health service hospitals in England where the patient's main diagnosis was Deep Vein Thrombosis.
  789W

  Year

  Finished consultant episode

  1995–96

  19,598

  1996–97

  20,736

  1997–98

  22,551

  1998–99

  24,871

  1999/2000

  25155

  2000/01

  24,903

  Notes:

  Admissions are defined as the first period of patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

  Figures are only given for NHS hospital in-patient admissions; there are no figures available for patients diagnosed or treated elsewhere. The figures are the latest available.

  The figures for 1995–96 to 1999–2000 are grossed for both coverage and invalid/unknown clinical data, but the figure for 2000–01 have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. it is ungrossed).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) code used: 180.2.

  BCG Inoculation
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of BCG inoculation take-up is in each regional health authority. [47538]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Information about the numbers of children receiving BCG vaccinations by regional office area is contained in table 8 of the statistical bulletin "NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 2000–01". A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and can also be found on the Department of Health Website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0121.htm.

  MRSA Superbug
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to combat cases of the MRSA superbug. [47540]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: We require all acute Trusts to collect data on MRSA blood stream infections and the early results of this new surveillance system have recently been published. These data provide a baseline against which future performance and action can be measured.

  Initiatives that will contribute to controlling MRSA include:

  The Commission for Health Improvement's monitoring of compliance of the national infection control standard for acute Trusts during their routine clinical governance reviews.

  The development of workshops to help implement the guidelines on the prevention and control of hospital acquired infection published in January 2001.

  Work is also under way on a manual for the control of healthcare associated infections and a tool kit to assist Trusts in assessing their infection control staffing needs.
  790W
  Guidelines for community infection control are being developed as part of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence programme.

  A comprehensive study to describe the pattern of provision of infection control in the community is under way, plus a review of the role of CIC nurses. This review will clarify their skills, education and training requirements and identify best practice.

  Action plans for healthcare acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance that build on the above initiatives will be produced later this year.

  Food Standards Agency
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sick bags were sent to food establishments by the Food Standards Agency as part of their promotional campaign. [47475]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 1026W.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to which sort of food establishments the Food Standards Agency sent sick bags as part of their promotional campaign. [47476]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Food hygiene material including sick bags were sent to restaurant and catering establishments registered on local authority premises databases. These included: restaurants, take-aways/cafés, stalls at public events, roadside eateries, recreational clubs, pubs, hotels, bed and breakfasts, catering outlets for special events and catering outlets supplying delicatessen and patisserie counters at retailers.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of whether the latest PSA target to promote independence by reducing nationally the per capita rate of growth in emergency admissions of people aged over 75 to an annual average of 2 per cent. up to 2002–03 will be met. [47287]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The public service agreement target is for a reduction in the growth of the emergency admissions rate for people aged 75, comparing performance in 2003–04 with performance in 2000–01. However, we set a specific target, as part of the planning and priorities guidance, for 2001–02 of growth not exceeding 2 per cent.

  Quarter 3 estimates suggest the 2001–02 target will be met: predictions are suggesting a reduction in the per capita rate of 0.5 per cent.

  Psychiatry Beds
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many old-age in-patient psychiatry beds there have been in each of the past five years. [47832]
  791W
  Jacqui Smith
  Information on beds designated as "Mental illness——elderly" is given in the table.

  Average daily number of available beds in mental illness——elderly wards, England, 2000–01——1996–97

  Number

  2000–01

  13,151

  1999–2000

  13,385

  1998–99

  14,279

  1997–98

  14,791

  1996–97

  15,599

  Source:

  KH03——Bed availability and occupancy.

  The reduction in hospital beds for people with mental illness reflects the policy of re-providing long stay hospital accommodation with community based provision.

  Liquid Cytology Units
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new liquid cytology units there have been since the publication of the NHS National Plan. [47012]

  Yvette Cooper
  Three new liquid based cytology (LBC) units have been installed in national health service trusts in England since the publication of the NHS Plan. The units are at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust, Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals NHS Trust and North Bristol Hospitals NHS Trust.

  The installation of LBC units is part of a pilot set up in April 2001 to evaluate the effects, costs and practical implications of introducing LBC into the NHS cervical screening programme alongside human papilloma virus testing. The evaluation report is due in autumn 2002, and will inform an appraisal of LBC by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Subject to the outcome of the evaluation and appraisal, full roll-out will follow.

  Food Poisoning
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of the Food Standards Agency promotional campaign against food poisoning. [47477]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: A budget of around £4 million was spent on all aspects of the agency's food hygiene campaign for the financial year 2001–02, including radio and television advertising. This included the extensive preparatory work needed to ensure that it was properly constructed and targeted, as well as the materials themselves.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times were, broken down by regional health authority, for an MRI scan in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [48011]
  792W
  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: We do not collect waiting times for an MRI scan. The Government acknowledges the importance of diagnostic procedures, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and is encouraging hospitals to streamline their services so that tests are carried out, and a diagnosis made, as quickly as possible. The length of time that a patient may have to wait for any scan is dependent on their clinical condition. Emergency cases need to be seen immediately. Other cases will be carried out as quickly as possible, however this is dependent on the clinical priority of all the remaining patients waiting to be scanned. To increase the capacity of diagnostic services, funding has been made available for the provision of new and replacement scanners. By 2004, approximately 100 MRI scanners and 200 CT scanners will be provided through central purchasing programmes. In addition to this, workforce initiatives are underway that aim to improve recruitment and retention of staff.

  Relocation
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to relocate executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies under the remit of his Department to Scotland. [47981]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: None.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) number and (b) total cost of television licences paid for by his Department. [48350]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: The Department has purchased eight TV licenses in the last year, at a total cost of £872, in respect of premises occupied by the Department itself.

  Flu Jabs
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people and what percentage of patients aged over 65 had the flu jab this winter. [47549]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 10 April 2002]: Final monitoring figures at the end of the influenza campaign showed that 5.1 million people aged 65 and over received the influenza vaccine this winter, which represents 68 per cent. of those in this age group.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing homes were located(a) within five, (b) five to 10, (c) 10 to 15 and (d) more than 15 kilometres from settlements with under 3,000 people in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001. [46506]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  London Magistrates' and Youth Courts: Adjourned Trials
  London Magistrates' and Youth Courts: Adjourned Trials
  National Archives
  National Archives
  Indonesia
  Indonesia
  China: Human Rights
  China: Human Rights
  Iraq: UN Weapons Inspectors
  Iraq: UN Weapons Inspectors
  Central Asia
  Central Asia
  Wandsworth Prison: Healthcare
  Wandsworth Prison: Healthcare
  Animal Rights Extremism
  Animal Rights Extremism
  Internet Access
  Internet Access
  Film: Cultural Diversity
  Film: Cultural Diversity
  Apsley House
  Apsley House
  Ofcom
  Ofcom
  NHS: Information Management and Technology
  NHS: Information Management and Technology
  Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill
  Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill
  BSE: Progress Report
  BSE: Progress Report
  NHS: Net Expenditure Since 1996–97
  NHS: Net Expenditure Since 1996–97