Written Answers of 11 February 2002

DEFENCE

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Eurofighter. [31907]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Eurofighter is a highly capable, multi-role aircraft, that will replace our Tornado F3s and Jaguars. We expect the RAF to take delivery of its first Eurofighter later this year. This four nation collaborative project is an excellent example of what can be achieved by European nations working together with a common purpose.

  Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on the future of the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty. [31908]

  Mr. Hoon
  I regularly discuss missile defence and related issues with the United States Administration. The future of the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty is essentially a bilateral issue for the United States and Russia. We welcome the fact that they are continuing to work together to establish a new strategic framework based on openness and mutual trust.

  Army Personnel
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the shortfall of personnel in the Army. [31909]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 1 January 2002, there was a shortfall of 6,059 personnel against the currently assessed in-year requirement for whole Army strength.

  Joint Command Bases
  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last discussed joint command bases with his United States counterpart. [31912]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his United States counterpart on a wide range of subjects of mutual interest. Recent discussions have not specifically addressed the joint command of military facilities.

  Central Ordnance Depot (Bicester)
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the central ordnance depot, Bicester. [31913]
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  Dr. Moonie
  At the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency Bicester there are three sites (A, B and G) which are surplus to the long-term requirements of the agency and will no longer be required by them after 2004 or earlier. Current plans foresee the continued requirement for the remaining DSDA sites at Bicester.

  NATO
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the Secretary-General of NATO to discuss European defence. [31915]

  Mr. Hoon
  I last met the Secretary-General of NATO during the NATO Defence Ministers' meetings on 18-19 December 2001 when we discussed a number of topics, including European defence.

  Retention
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve morale and retention in the armed forces. [31916]

  Mr. Ingram
  High morale, as well as being important in its own right, is a vital factor in retaining personnel, which in turn improves manning levels and helps to obtain the optimum return on investment in training. Our aim is to maintain excellent levels of retention and morale through policies that reflect the priorities of our people and their families. For example, we are implementing in full the outcome of the Armed Forces Pay Review, including the proposals for aircrew remuneration.

  A key outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was the "Policy for People" which addresses terms and conditions; pay and allowances; quality of training; family life; equality of opportunity and provision of better accommodation. All of these are being taken forward as part of all overarching personnel strategy that was introduced in April 2000 to place personnel issues at the centre of our policy making.

  Royal Navy Amphibious Operations
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the future needs of the Royal Navy in order to sustain amphibious operations. [31917]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Strategic Defence Review concluded that we should maintain strong and well balanced maritime forces including a full Commando brigade and specialist shipping.

  The Royal Navy's new landing platform docks, Albion and Bulwark, are both due to enter service in 2003. We are also building four Bay Class Alternative Landing Ship Logistics (ALSLs), which will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The ALSLs are substantially larger and more capable than the vessels they replace and on current plans will all have entered service by the end of 2005. In conjunction with the new landing platform docks and the helicopter landing platform, HMS Ocean, the ALSLs will bring a substantial increase in the UK's overall capability to conduct amphibious operations and contribute to increased global reach and flexibility.

  Bosnia and Kosovo
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in(a) Bosnia and (b) Kosovo. [31918]

  Mr. Ingram
  UK forces continue to make a vital contribution to all of the tasks undertaken by SFOR and KFOR in building peace and stability in Bosnia and Kosovo. The UK currently contributes some 1,900 personnel to SFOR operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina as the co-ordinating nation in Multinational Division (South-West). As the framework nation of Multinational Brigade (Centre) in Kosovo, the UK currently contributes some 3,000 personnel to KFOR operations.

  Veterans
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on veterans' affairs. [31919]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since the announcement of the veterans' initiative and my appointment as Veterans Minister in March of last year, we have been working closely with representatives of the veterans' community to improve the services we offer them. As an early step, we transferred the War Pensions Agency to the Ministry of Defence to deliver a more coherent service to war pensioners. We are committed to maintaining the agency's programme of continuous improvement to the services it provides to its customers, recognised recently in the award of the UNISYS Management Today Excellence Award. In particular, we are working closely with interested veterans' organisations to identify areas where we can bring further improvements in service through closer co-operation with their own activities in support of veterans.

  We have also recognised the concern of many veterans and of people more widely that the final resting places of our war dead should be properly respected. In particular, we have moved to address the desecration of maritime war graves by some divers. We have designated 16 wrecks in UK waters as controlled sites and five in international waters as protected places. All military vessels lost in the Falklands conflict will be designated. We have made clear that we will prosecute where we have jurisdiction and are pressing for greater international protection of such wrecks.

  The objective of seeking improvements in the support offered to those who have left the services, through closer partnership with the veterans' organisations, has been a key theme of the work of the ministerial task force and the forum of veterans' representatives. There have been two meetings of the Veterans Forum and, as a result, nine working groups have been formed to give practical expression to the initiative's core themes of partnership, identify recognition and care. These working groups are looking at improvements in areas such as resettlement of the most vulnerable service-leavers, communication with veterans, and the educational material available in schools with regard to the achievements of our veterans. The working groups include representatives from the veterans' organisations, as well as from other interested Government
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  Departments and the devolved Administrations. Initial meetings have been held to agree the objectives for each working group and they will report back to me on their progress in time to give an up-date to representatives of the veterans' community at the second Plenary Forum on 17 April 2002.

  Subsequently, the Veterans Forum, which includes the executive of the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSSEO) and senior officials from across government, is due to consider the progress of the working groups when it meets on 1 May 2002. The ministerial task force will then consider the way forward, taking account of the views expressed by the veterans community, at our meeting on 15 May and, in July, I will provide a progress report through the Defence Secretary to the Prime Minister.

  Royal Navy Recruitment
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment to the Royal Navy. [31920]

  Mr. Ingram
  Recruitment to the Naval Service is satisfactory. We aim to recruit about 5,000 officers, ratings and Royal Marines this year and, although we still face challenges in the recruitment of engineers, submarine operator mechanics, chefs and some medical specialisations, we are within 5 per cent. of our target in most areas.

  We continue to initiate spotlight campaigns in areas of high recruitment potential throughout the UK, with a particular interest in those districts where there is the potential to increase this representation of the ethnic minority population. Our initiatives include multi-media advertising campaigns such as the new cinema advert for the Royal Marines, and attendance at multi-cultural events and exhibitions, presentation and display teams. It is important that we attract the attention and interest of young people still in full-time education and our Royal Naval and Royal Marine display and presentation teams regularly tour the UK, visiting schools and colleges, attending careers fairs and conventions and promoting EU financial assistance schemes to sixth-formers and undergraduates.

  Recruitment
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited to the(a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force between 1 November 2001 and 31 January 2002. [31921]

  Mr. Ingram
  Figures for recruitment are at present available only up until the end of November 2001.

  In the three months prior to that, 1,826 people were recruited to the Naval Service, 5,096 people were recruited to the Army and 1,037 people were recruited to the RAF. Figures are for intake to UK regular forces and therefore exclude Gurkhas, full time reserve service personnel, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists.

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers were recruited in South Tyneside in each year since 1996. [34559]
  5W
  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is as follows:

  Financial years

  Regular soldiers

  1996–97

  826

  1997–98

  880

  1998–99

  902

  1999–2000

  690

  2000–01

  519

  2001–02

  1420

  1 To end January 2002

  Gurkha Regiments
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new recruits will be introduced into the Gurkha regiments and what will be the strength of the Gurkha regiments in 2002; and if he will make a statement. [31922]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is a requirement to recruit 230 Gurkhas during 2002 in order to maintain the current force level of around 3,500 trained Gurkhas.

  Procurement (Clyde)
  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his procurement plans in connection with shipyards on the Clyde. [31923]

  Dr. Moonie
  This Government are undertaking the largest programme of new warship building in this country for decades. In the last 20 months the Ministry of Defence has placed orders or announced its intention to place orders for 15 new warships. The Clyde has already benefited from this programme. BAE Systems Marine recently signed a contract, with the MOD, for the build of two new Alternative Landing Ships Logistics at the Govan yard on the Clyde, the Clyde shipyards of BAE Systems Marine will also benefit from the Ministry of Defence's planned extension of its commitment from three to six Type 45 Destroyers, the Build of which will be shared between BAE Systems Marine and Vosper Thornycroft with the first of class assembled and launched from the Scotstoun yard.

  Our future plans include two new aircraft carriers; further Astute Class submarines and Type 45 Destroyers; the new surface combatant and a number of support vessels. It is expected that this programme of warship building will create or secure several thousand jobs in UK shipyards and their ancillary industries throughout this country. We fully expect shipyards on the Clyde to have opportunities to participate in future orders.

  Female Army Recruits
  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is planned with regard to the application of physical fitness tests for Army recruits; and if he will make a statement on the study into injuries among female army recruits, in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, volume 95. [31924]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Physical Selection Standards (Recruits) (PSS(R)) system of testing potential recruits to the Army has been in place since 1998. It consists of a series of tests designed to assess the level of fitness of an individual related to the specific demands of a particular trade, irrespective of gender, and aims to predict the likely 6W
  chance of an individual successfully completing initial military training. The system is currently undergoing re-validation. The study reported in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine compared data associated with medical discharges among recruits trained under the policy in existence in 1997–98 with data for those trained under the PSS(R) regime in 1998–99. The results showed an increase in medical discharges of female recruits due to certain types of injury, such as stress fractures and back pain. Modifications have since been made to the selection and training process for new recruits and the position is being kept under constant review.

  Kabul
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cohesion of the stability force in Kabul. [31925]

  Mr. Hoon
  The command and control of a large multinational force like the International Security Assistance Force in a challenging environment like Kabul is a major undertaking. So far, this has gone extremely well, which is a tribute to the close co-operation that we have received from the 17 other troop contributing nations.

  Pakistan
  Ms Munn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his counterpart in Pakistan to discuss military developments in the region. [31926]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas).

  Missile Defence
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that there is parliamentary approval prior to a deployment by the US of national missile defence facilities in the UK. [31927]

  Mr. Hoon
  President Bush has made clear that he has not yet decided what sort of missile defence system he will ultimately seek to deploy. We have received no request from the US for the use of sites in the UK for missile defence purposes, and it remains premature to indicate how we would respond to any specific request.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Russia about missile defence. [31928]

  Mr. Hoon
  I discussed a range of issues, including missile defence, with the Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Ivanov, during his visit to London on 20 December.

  Strategic Defence Review
  David Cairns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he wilt make a statement on progress on the new chapter of the strategic defence review. [31929]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have made good progress on the new chapter to the Strategic Defence Review: this work is designed to ensure that we have the right concepts, forces and capabilities in place to deal with the kind of threats that we saw on 11 September.
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  We intend to publish public discussion material very shortly, outlining the areas we are examining, reflecting emerging thinking and seeking views. This will provide an important opportunity for members of the public, Parliament and other interested parties to contribute to this important work. We intend to publish some conclusions in the spring or early summer.

  Procurement (Naval Ships)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his procurement plans for naval ships. [31930]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Government are undertaking the largest programme of new warship building for many years. In the last 20 months the Ministry of Defence has placed orders or announced its intention to place orders for 15 new warships.

  As to our future plans, we expect to purchase two new aircraft carriers and further Astute class submarines and type 45 destroyers. Our longer-term plans include the future surface combatant as well as a number of support vessels.

  It remains our policy that all warships for the Royal Navy will be built in the United Kingdom, providing the UK shipbuilding industry with a solid platform of work opportunities.

  Hawk Aircraft (India)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration his Department has given in the last two months to the impact of UK sales of Hawk aircraft to India on the stability of the region in advance of an export licence application. [34081]

  Dr. Moonie
  All export licence applications are considered on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account all the relevant circumstances prevailing at the time the application is received.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what he has done in the last two months to encourage the sales of Hawk aircraft to India. [34080]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government continue to support BAE System's proposal to sell Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft to India. During the Indian Defence Minister's short stopover in Britain in January, I discussed a range of defence matters, including defence export opportunities.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when delivery will be taken of the first aircraft if Hawk aircraft are sold to India. [34082]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for BAE Systems and the Government of India and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment.

  Qala-I-Jhangi Fort
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 December 2001,Official Report, column 964W, what inquiries are taking place into the deaths at Qala-I-Jhangi fort between 25 and 27 November 2001; and if he will make a statement. [34867]
  8W
  Mr. Hoon
  I see no grounds for instituting an inquiry. I am satisfied that the actions of British troops were a perfectly proper response to the situation they encountered at Qala-I-Jhangi fort.

  Detainees (Afghanistan)
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the US Secretary of State for Defense concerning the treatment of British hostile nationals apprehended in Afghanistan. [31895]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have had a number of discussions with my United States counterpart about the situation in Afghanistan and related issues. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a permanent presence at Camp X-ray at Guantanamo Bay. The three British prisoners have been seen by British officials and have made no complaints about their conditions or treatment.

  The ICRC is also being allowed access to detainees in Afghanistan. However, our extremely limited consular capacity in Afghanistan and continuing security risks to our staff travelling outside Kabul place a practical limit on what we are able to achieve there.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether detainees in Afghanistan(a) captured and (b) held by United Kingdom forces have been transferred to US forces. [33636]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: No.

  Southern Helicopter Stations
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the armed forces' helicopter stations south of the M4. [31911]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are seven armed forces helicopter stations south of the M4. These are:

  Royal Air Force Odiham

  Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton

  Middle Wallop Airfield

  Netheravon Airfield

  Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose

  Royal Air Force St. Mawgan

  Royal Marines Base Chivenor.

  Injuries (Female Personnel)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to address the number of injuries sustained by women under Army training since the introduction of the gender-free policy. [R] [31477]

  Mr. Ingram
  This issue has been kept under close review since the introduction of "gender-free" physical testing in 1998. A number of changes have been made to both the selection and initial training process. In May 2000, a one and a half mile run was introduced at Recruit Selection Centres, to act as a "risk reducer" by identifying
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  those individuals who would be unlikely to be able to complete training. Remedial treatment and physiotherapy services at the Army Training Regiments have been expanded and doctors there have been given better training in sports medicine.

  During 2001, a complete reprofiling of the common military syllabus for recruits at the Army Training Regiments (ATRs) was undertaken. The programming and physical development profile was reviewed and refined to provide a graduated curve of increasing physical intensity to minimise the risk of early traumatic injury. The programme is focused on the average 16 to 18-year-old physical fitness start state, and it is specifically designed to minimise lower limb traumas and soft tissue injuries in the first six weeks of training. Heart rate monitors have been introduced to optimise individual physical development profiles. Lower limb strength training and certain limitations on basic drill have been introduced. The changes were instituted in October 2001 and will be formally assessed in April 2002; first indications are that injury rates in the first nine weeks of training have fallen overall.

  Establishment and strength of Footguard Regiments as at 1 January 2002

  1 Grenadier Guards

  N Coy

  1 Coldstream Guards

  Establishment

  Strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  Infantry

  561

  535

  107

  100

  561

  547

  RAChD

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  RLC

  23

  19

  0

  1

  23

  22

  RAMC

  4

  3

  0

  0

  4

  3

  REME

  11

  11

  0

  1

  0

  1

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  23

  0

  0

  22

  22

  Royal Signals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  QARANC

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Royal Engineers

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  HCAV

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  UKTAP

  622

  592

  107

  102

  611

  599

  FTRS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole Army total

  624

  592

  107

  102

  612

  599

  7 Coy

  8 Coy

  1 Scots Guards

  Establishment

  Strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  Infantry

  107

  80

  98

  98

  562

  515

  RAChD

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  RLC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  23

  17

  RAMC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  REME

  0

  1

  0

  0

  11

  9

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  22

  21

  Royal Signals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  QARANC

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Royal Engineers

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  HCAV

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  APTC

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  UKTAP

  107

  81

  98

  98

  623

  567

  FTRS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole Army total

  107

  81

  98

  98

  624

  567

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  The Army Training and Recruiting Agency has continued to sponsor studies in injury prevention and management, remedial training, ergonomics and nutritional areas; currently there are 10 studies in progress, with the overall aim of reducing injuries and medical discharges during training, for both male and females recruits, to the lowest practicable levels while meeting standards and complying with legislation.

  Foot Guards
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the establishment and (b) the current strength of each of the Regiments in the Foot Guards; and if he will list each element of company strength serving with them, indicating where each battalion has soldiers attached to it from another battalion, (i) which battalion they are from and (ii) in what numbers. [32456]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The establishment and strength of each of the Foot Guards Regiments, as at 1 January 2002, is detailed in the table. The figures include all attached arms and also detail the Public Duties Companies that serve away from the main body of the Regiment.
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  F Coy

  1 Irish Guards

  1 Welsh Guards

  Establishment

  Strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  Establishment

  Strength

  Infantry

  107

  111

  621

  612

  590

  583

  RAChD

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  RLC

  0

  1

  24

  20

  23

  21

  RAMC

  0

  0

  4

  4

  4

  3

  REME

  0

  1

  0

  0

  29

  24

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  0

  0

  24

  20

  22

  18

  Royal Signals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  QARANC

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Royal Engineers

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  HCAV

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  APTC

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  UKTAP

  107

  113

  674

  660

  669

  650

  FTRS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Whole Army total

  107

  113

  675

  660

  670

  650

  Guards Battalions
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trained officers and soldiers are serving in the Guards Battalions broken down by nationality. [32455]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The number of trained officers and soldiers serving in the Guards Battalions, as at 1 January 2002, broken down by nationality is shown in the table. Figures do not include companies that are serving on public duties. In order to conform to confidentiality regulations, exact numbers for

  Trained guards strength by regiment and nationality as at 1 January 2002—PQ2386M

  Nationality

  Grenadier

  Coldstream

  Scots

  Irish

  Welsh

  Soldier

  Belize

  1—

  Fiji/St. Vincent

  1—

  7

  1—

  1—

  Gambia

  1—

  Hong Kong

  1—

  Jamaica

  1—

  1—

  Kenya

  1—

  New Zealand

  1—

  Republic of Ireland

  1—

  25

  1—

  Zimbabwe

  1—

  1—

  1—

  British/Commonwealth/Foreign2

  20

  17

  14

  17

  9

  England

  499

  518

  188

  391

  125

  Irish Republic

  1—

  5

  Isle of Man

  1—

  Northern Ireland

  1—

  1—

  1—

  135

  1—

  Scotland

  13

  10

  307

  33

  10

  South Africa

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Wales

  1—

  7

  5

  1—

  462

  Officer

  India

  1—

  New Zealand Islands

  1—

  Republic of Ireland

  1—

  Britain

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Britain/Irish Republic2

  1—

  1—

  England

  37

  32

  25

  31

  29

  Isle of Man/Channel Islands

  1—

  Northern Ireland

  1—

  1—

  Scotland

  1—

  1—

  8

  1—

  Wales

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1 Indicates that, in order to conform to confidentiality rules, exact numbers less than five cannot be disclosed either directly or indirectly.

  2 This category indicates those personnel who have dual nationality and class themselves as British/Irish Republic.

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  nationalities where representation is less than five cannot be disclosed. The total strengths are therefore quoted in a separate table.

  Regiment strengths as at 1 January 2002

  Guards

  Total strength

  Grenadier

  592

  Coldstream

  599

  Scots

  567

  Irish

  660

  Welsh

  650

  Note:

  Figures do not include FTRS and Gurkhas

  Scottish Infantry Battalions
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) establishment and (b) current strength is of each of the regular Scottish infantry battalions; and if he will list each element of company strength serving in them. [32446]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The establishment and strength of the Scottish Infantry battalions, as at 1 January 2002, is detailed in the table. The figures include all attached Arms and also details the Scots Guards public duties company that serves away from the main body of the regiment.

  Strength of Scottish Infantry Battalions as at 1 January 2002

  Establishment

  Strength

  1 Royal Scots

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  0

  12

  Scots Div

  558

  425

  Kings Div

  0

  1

  PoW Div

  0

  11

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  1

  RLC

  23

  19

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  4

  REME

  11

  0

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  22

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  1

  Total UKTAP

  620

  496

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  620

  496

  1 Royal Highland Fusiliers

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  0

  0

  Scots Div

  558

  476

  Kings Div

  0

  0

  PoW Div

  0

  0

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  0

  RLC

  23

  17

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  4

  REME

  11

  12

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  21

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  1

  Total UKTAP

  620

  531

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  620

  531

  1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  0

  0

  Scots Div

  558

  585

  Kings Div

  0

  0

  PoW Div

  0

  0

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  0

  14W

  Strength of Scottish Infantry Battalions as at 1 January 2002

  Establishment

  Strength

  RLC

  23

  18

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  3

  REME

  11

  17

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  21

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  1

  Total UKTAP

  620

  645

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  620

  645

  1 Black Watch

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  0

  0

  Scots Div

  618

  530

  Kings Div

  0

  1

  PoW Div

  0

  0

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  1

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  0

  RLC

  23

  23

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  4

  REME

  71

  57

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  23

  23

  SASC

  0

  1

  APTC

  1

  1

  Total UKTAP

  741

  641

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  741

  641

  1 Highlanders

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  0

  0

  Scots Div

  587

  461

  Kings Div

  0

  2

  PoW Div

  0

  0

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  2

  RAChD

  0

  0

  RLC

  23

  16

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  4

  REME

  29

  11

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  24

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  1

  Total UKTAP

  667

  521

  Gurkhas

  0

  103

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  667

  624

  1 Argyll and Southerland Highlanders

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  0

  8

  Scots Div

  558

  522

  Kings Div

  0

  0

  PoW Div

  0

  0

  Light Div

  0

  2

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  1

  RLC

  23

  23

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  4

  15W

  Strength of Scottish Infantry Battalions as at 1 January 2002

  Establishment

  Strength

  REME

  11

  0

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  22

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  0

  Total UKTAP

  620

  582

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  620

  582

  Scots Guards

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  562

  513

  Scots Div

  0

  0

  Kings Div

  0

  1

  PoW Div

  0

  1

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  1

  RLC

  23

  17

  QARANC

  1

  0

  RAMC

  4

  3

  REME

  11

  9

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  22

  21

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  1

  1

  Total UKTAP

  624

  567

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  624

  567

  F Coy Scots Guards

  Infantry

  Foot Guards

  107

  111

  Scots Div

  0

  0

  Kings Div

  0

  0

  PoW Div

  0

  0

  Light Div

  0

  0

  R Irish

  0

  0

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  RAChD

  0

  0

  RLC

  0

  1

  QARANC

  0

  0

  RAMC

  0

  0

  REME

  0

  1

  AG CORPS (SPS)

  0

  0

  SASC

  0

  0

  APTC

  0

  0

  Total UKTAP

  107

  113

  Gurkhas

  0

  0

  FTRS

  0

  0

  Total whole Army

  107

  113

  Sierra Leone
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the death of British soldiers in Sierre Leone on 27 January. [34411]

  Mr. Ingram
  Two British soldiers, Corporal Michael Phillips and Rifleman James Coman sustained fatal injuries when the Army Land Rover in which they were travelling was involved in a road traffic accident during the late evening of 27 January. Two other soldiers travelling in the vehicle sustained relatively minor injuries. All four soldiers were admitted to the United 16W
  Nations hospital in Freetown but, sadly, Corporal Phillips and Rifleman Coman were pronounced dead on arrival. All the soldiers were from 1st Battalion, Royal Green Jackets. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I extend our deep condolences to the families of the dead soldiers.

  The accident occurred about 10 kilometres east of Waterloo near the Benguema Training Centre. The soldiers were on duty at the time. No other vehicle is believed to have been involved. The accident is being investigated by the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police. A Board of Inquiry is also to be convened.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2002,Official Report, column 319W, on the Reconnaissance Regiment, when he will write to the hon. Member for New Forest, West. [34699]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 16 July 2001,Official Report, column 5W. We are re-addressing the options for the location of the 4th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment and I will therefore write to both Members as soon as the position is clear. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Warship Support Modernisation Project
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2002,Official Report, column 961W, on the Warship Support Modernisation Project, whether an economic appraisal is being used to assess the value for money implication of the proposals; if value for money will be the overriding factor when he makes his decision; if the practice of comparing proposals on the basis of commercial implications is a new policy; and if he will make a statement. [33368]

  Mr. Ingram
  I confirm that an economic appraisal of the options has been carried out and that the decision on the way ahead will be made on the basis of best value for money. As part of that assessment, it is normal for all the implications of a decision, including the commercial implications, to be considered.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2002,Official Report, column 961W, on the Warship Support Modernisation Project, if he will clarify what is meant by essential terms and conditions of service; whether it includes access to traditional shore-based benefits; and if he will make a statement. [33371]

  Mr. Ingram
  Royal Naval personnel involved in the partnering arrangements would remain Crown servants under their full current terms of service, without detriment to any applicable benefits. They would remain subject to the Naval Discipline Act and liable for operational duties, military training and other military tasks that may arise from time to time.
  17W
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2002,Official Report, column 961W, on the Warship Support Modernisation Project, what level of premium, on an annualised hours basis, the Warship Support Agency expects to pay the companies in return for the work undertaken by the naval personnel seconded to them; and if he will make a statement. [33369]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Warship Support Agency would not pay any specific premium in respect of the naval service personnel annualised hours arrangements. The companies would pay for the hours at a rate commensurate with the local market rate.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2002,Official Report, column 961W, on the Warship Support Modernisation Project, whether the normal process of post tender clarification includes the Warship Support Agency officials providing the sole bidder with details of the historical expenditure on contracts with other contractors; if the companies providing contract services were informed that this information had been provided to a third party; and if he will make a statement. [33370]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is normal for the nature of current outsourced work and composite historical spend to form part of the disclosure of information to bidders. Disclosure was under signed confidentiality agreements and the information was released in a manner that protects third party interests.

  RFA Wave Knight
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent RFA Wave Knight has been damaged in dry dock; what the estimated cost is of repairs; when she will enter service; and if he will make a statement. [33190]

  Mr. Ingram
  RFA Wave Knight has recently sustained minor damage in two separate incidents while in a flooded dry dock at Inchgreen, Greenock preparing for Contractor's Sea Trials. On the first occasion, on 19 January 2002, the ship listed to starboard, sustaining minor damage to her paint work in the area of the bilge keel. On the second occasion, in the gales of 28 January, the stern of the vessel made contact with the dock wall, causing scratches to the paint work and minor damage to fittings caused by movement of a gangway.

  The cost of repair has not yet been determined. An indemnity scheme exists, under the contract with the shipbuilder, and it is not expected that any costs borne by the defence budget will be significant.

  Wave Knight's in-service date of summer 2002 is unlikely to be affected.

  Depleted Uranium (Afghanistan)
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to monitor the(a) short, (b) medium and (c) long-term effects of depleted uranium upon service personnel in Afghanistan. [33508]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are at present no indications that United Kingdom personnel serving in Afghanistan are exposed to a hazard from depleted uranium. It has not been used by coalition forces in recent operations. In the event that we assess that there is a risk of exposure that 18W
  might be hazardous to health, guidance will be issued on measures to protect health, and if necessary we will introduce biological monitoring on a voluntary basis for individuals who are exposed to such a risk. Short-term monitoring of individuals' health is undertaken as a matter of course.

  Submarine Officers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2001,Official Report, column 337W, on submarine officers, how long the training period for general naval duties is; and if he will make a statement. [33858]

  Mr. Ingram
  In my previous answer to the hon. Member, I explained that all Royal Navy officers undergo a period of general naval training prior to discipline-specific training.

  Naval general training is undertaken at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth over a period of 27 weeks and includes six weeks of initial sea training. It is followed by a four month period of common fleet training and specialist fleet training of between two and six months, depending on specialisation. Officers then proceed to the appropriate professional training for periods between three and 28 months, before commencing their first complement appointment on the Royal Navy's trained strength.

  Chemical Warfare Specialists Deployment
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the deployment of(a) soldiers from the Ninth Special Chemical Weapons Unit of the Czech Republic to Kuwait over the next two months and (b) German chemical warfare specialists to the area at the request of the United States; whether the United Kingdom Government have responded to related requests from the US; what assessment he has made of the purpose of such requests; and if he will make a statement. [34467]

  Mr. Ingram
  It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the deployment of forces by our NATO allies overseas since this is a matter for the Governments of the nations concerned.

  However, I can confirm that we have received no request from our US allies to make similar deployments to Kuwait. Any such request would be considered on its merits and in the light of available resources.

  Armed Forces Pay/Pensions
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received on conditions of pay and pensions in the armed forces. [34013]

  Mr. Ingram
  We receive a large number of representations from individuals, as well as from veterans' organisations and professional bodies. These have mainly concerned pensions matters, including pension troughs, pensions for pre-1975 service taxation of attributable Army pensions, armed forces pension scheme discretionary awards system. There have been a small number of representations concerning pay matters, including the new Pay 2000 arrangements.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Ship Safety Standards
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent action the Government have taken to enforce minimum international safety standards on ships using British ports and waters. [32126]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Ships using British ports and waters are subject to a rigorous regime of inspection to check that they comply with minimum international safety standards.

  Ships that are found on inspection to fall short of international safety standards are detained until the defects leading to detention are put right. Ships failing to comply with the terms of release are refused access to British and European ports until the safety standards are met.

  The details of ships detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are published on national and European websites and the ships are targeted for further inspection. Significant breaches of regulations are investigated and followed up by prosecution where appropriate. Details of prosecutions are also published.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action will be taken against foreign ships sailing into British ports which fall below safety standards; and if he will make a statement. [32691]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Foreign ships calling at British ports are subject to a rigorous regime of inspection to check that they comply with minimum international safety standards.

  Ships that are found on inspection to fall short of international safety standards are detained until the defects leading to detention are put right. Ships failing to comply with the terms of release are refused access to British and European ports until the safety standards are met.

  The details of ships detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are published on national and European websites and the ships are targeted for further inspection. Significant breaches of regulations are investigated and followed up by prosecution where appropriate. Details of prosecutions are also published.

  Two sets of international rules relating to seafarer training and certification and safety management will be introduced in 2002 and will be enforced through the inspection regime.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many foreign ships have fallen short of safety standards while in British ports in each year since 1997; what measures have been put in place to deal with these ships; how much money has been spent dealing with such ships; and if he will make a statement. [32690]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The number of times foreign ships have been detained for falling short of safety standards following inspection in British ports is given in the table, for each year since 1997.
  20W

  Number of detentions

  1997–98

  179

  1998–99

  155

  1999–00

  106

  2000–01

  116

  2001–02

  1—

  1 This figure is not yet available.

  Ships that have been detained are not permitted to sail until the deficiencies are put right. A ship that does not comply with the conditions of release from detention may be banned from operating to ports in the UK and Europe.

  Information on the results of inspections is shared with other European coastal countries and widely published. Ships with a poor inspection history are targeted for further inspection within the region, with the risk of further sanctions.

  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigates any significant breach of safety regulations and may prosecute if appropriate. The budget in 2001–02 for inspection and enforcement of international, European and national rules on safety and pollution prevention for all ships using British ports is £2,924,000. The money spent on inspection and enforcement relating to foreign ships only is not available.

  Disabled Rail Passengers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2001,Official Report, column 533W, on the needs of disabled passengers in train operating company franchises, on what date he expects the revised code of practice to be published; what representations (a) his Department and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority have received regarding the modification of this code of practice; and whether train operating companies will also be expected to modify provisions for the disabled through the franchise agreement process. [32414]

  Mr. Spellar
  The revised code of practice was published on 6 February. The Strategic Rail Authority consulted widely on the content of the revised code, including such bodies as DPTAC, the DRC, and the railway industry. Over 200 responses were received.

  All licensed operators on the national rail network are required to review their Disabled Peoples Protection Policies (DPPPs) to reflect the revised code. Enforcement of these revised DPPPs will be through licence conditions rather than franchise agreements, though having appropriate licences is a condition precedent of entering into a franchise agreement.

  Road Accidents (Mobile Phones)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the number of road accidents last year which were related to use of mobile phones by drivers. [32283]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The causes of road accidents can only be established through detailed investigation. Two research projects currently under way will help to establish the likely numbers of road traffic accidents involving mobile phones.

  Aviation Industry
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the requirement for aircraft to carry a Mode S transponder by March 2003; and if he will make a statement. [32284]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Although several European states intend to implement Mode S from March 2003, it is our intention to introduce Mode S within en-route and terminal airspace from March 2005. The introduction of Mode S in all remaining UK airspace will be delayed for a further three years to March 2008 to tie in with ICAO transponder carriage rule changes resulting in a single regulatory change.

  The CAA is consulting appropriate user groups and published advanced information on the Government's Mode S proposals in an Aeronautical Information Circular (Number 88/2001) in December 2001. The Mode S and transponder carriage requirements will be subject to formal consultation and submission of a Regulatory Impact Assessment in due course.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on recreational flying of requirements for aircraft to carry a Mode S transponder from March 2003. [32285]

  Mr. Jamieson
  In pursuing Mode S, the Government are conscious of the implications for all users and will only require Elementary Mode S Surveillance in the open Flight Information Region where the safety benefits are the prime consideration. Moreover, this requirement will not be made mandatory till 2008 to coincide with an ICAO transponder rule change, thereby resulting in a single regulatory change which will minimise the impact on recreational flying.

  The CAA is consulting appropriate user groups and published advanced information on the Government's Mode S proposals in an Aeronautical Information Circular (Number 88/2001) in December 2001. The Mode S and transponder carriage requirements will be subject to formal consultation and submission of a Regulatory Impact Assessment in due course.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assistance he has given to the airline industry since the 11 September terrorist attacks. [32530]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government acted quickly to underwrite, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the airline industry. This is an initiative which has subsequently been widely copied elsewhere, and the UK has now extended the scheme to 20 March.

  On Thursday 13 December 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced a package of up to £40 million in financial assistance designed to compensate airlines for the closure of US, Israeli and central London airspace in the period immediately following the terrorist attacks. 12 claims for assistance under this scheme have been received and these are currently being examined. We expect to make payments shortly.
  22W
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures have been introduced since 11 September 2001 to improve security onboard aircraft and at airports. [32533]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Following the attacks on 11 September, heightened aviation security measures were introduced at all UK airports and for all airlines operating from the UK. Security still remains at an enhanced level. However, to divulge details of the measures would undermine their effectiveness.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures have been introduced since 1997 to assist United Kingdom aviation; and if he will make a statement. [32532]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government are actively committed to the UK aviation industry. Since 1997 we have secured significant additional rights for UK carriers in a number of bilateral markets, such as Japan, India, South Africa and Singapore. We have also liberalised access to UK regional airports.

  A number of large investment projects have been approved since 1997 at major UK airports. In addition we have provided that financially sound local authority owned airport companies can be removed from central government borrowing control. The companies operating Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich airports were removed from borrowing control with effect from 1 April 1999.

  A public-private partnership has been established for National Air Traffic Services, to provide private sector finance and project management expertise for a major capital investment programme. The new air traffic control centre at Swanwick was successfully brought into operation on 27 January this year.

  Later this year the Government are committed to issuing a White Paper on air transport, the first comprehensive policy statement in this area since the 1980s. It will be a wide-ranging document, setting out a policy framework for the future of aviation and airports in the UK, looking ahead 30 years.

  Millennium Dome
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who is responsible for paying the costs of maintenance of the millennium dome until the contract with Meridian Delta has been completed. [32806]

  Ms Keeble
  As owner, English Partnerships is responsible for maintenance of the dome until the proposed deal with Meridian Delta Ltd. has been concluded. All related costs will be recovered from eventual sale proceeds.

  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of the proceeds of the sale of the millennium dome and the surrounding area will be returned to the National Lottery distribution fund; and if he will make a statement. [32807]
  23W
  Ms Keeble
  An announcement will be made in due course on the division of proceeds from the sale of the dome and surrounding land, in the context of the deal to be concluded with Meridian Delta Ltd.

  National Air Traffic Services
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the income generated by the National Air Traffic Control Services in the period September 2001 to April 2002; and what the income was in the same period in 2000–01. [33356]

  Mr. Jamieson
  NATS income is reported each year in the published annual accounts of the company. The accounts for financial year 2001–02 will be published in summer 2002.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of the debenture of £247,697,000 has been repaid to his Department so far in 2001–02 by National Air Traffic Services Ltd; and how much is due to be repaid by 31 March 2002. [34770]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: This debenture was repaid in full on the completion of the public private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd on 26 July 2001.

  Rail Provision (South Coast)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what plans he has for the provision of additional tracks on the single-line sections of the south coastal route from Portsmouth to Ashford; and what is(a) the status of, (b) the start date of and (c) the expected completion date for such works; [32993]

  (2) what plans he has for infrastructure works on the south coastal route from Portsmouth to Ashford to increase the number of locations where fast trains can overtake the slower services; and what is (a) the status of, (b) the start date of and (c) the expected completion date for such works. [32992]

  Mr. Byers
  The Heads of Terms signed by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and GoVia for the South Central franchise include a commitment to development of south coast routes—upgrading of infrastructure facilities to allow faster trains to overtake slower stopping services on the south coastway. This work is included in the SRA's Strategic Plan as a development by 2010. Negotiations between the SRA and GoVia are continuing towards the new South Central franchise agreement.

  Helicopter Flights
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what limits are set on the height of helicopters flying over residential areas of south-west London. [32842]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Civil helicopter operators are required to adhere to the Rules of the Air Regulations 1996. These require that helicopters should not fly within 500 feet of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure (except when landing or taking off) nor below 1,500 feet over a24W
  congested area unless written permission has been obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority, or in certain other specified circumstances. Police helicopters are broadly exempted. Airspace constraints require that the 1,500 feet restriction is disapplied by the CAA, in some areas. Rule 5(1)(c) further specifies an area of London, including parts of south-west London, over which a helicopter may not without permission fly below such height as would enable it to alight clear of the area in the event of failure of a power unit.

  To assist helicopter operators in complying with these rules and in maintaining safe clearance from other air traffic, the CAA has published a chart showing helicopter routes in the London Control Zone, with relevant altitudes shown. Routes H3 and H7 overfly parts of south-west London at altitudes between 1,000 feet and 2,000 feet.

  Policy on military helicopters is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has made to air traffic control for Heathrow concerning helicopters in south west London. [32841]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what controls are in place to limit the numbers of helicopters flying over Kew and Chiswick. [32843]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No such limits are set.

  Strategic Rail Plan
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the SRA Strategic Plan will deliver additional capacity at a faster rate than projected passenger growth. [32934]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 4 February 2002]: The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan sets out policies and major investment projects needed to address the projected growth in both passengers and freight.

  Shoreham Port Authority
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date he reappointed board members to Shoreham Port Authority and if he will name those appointed; what the reasons were for not reappointing previous board members to Shoreham Port Authority; what plans he has for further appointments to Shoreham Port Authority; and when they will be announced. [33124]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 4 February 2002]: Seven members of the Shoreham Port Authority have been re-appointed to the board with effect from 1 January 2002. These are Brian Wheeler, Peter Minchin, Brian Blundell, Rod Danes, Pat Hawkes, Bob Carden and Neil Parkin.

  Two existing members were not re-appointed. One of these members had recently retired and the nominating body has declined to nominate a new representative. The second member was not considered for re-appointment due to their length of service.
  25W
  Both of these vacancies have been advertised and will be filled by an open and accountable appointments procedure involving the Department, Shoreham Port Authority and an independent assessor. The results of this open competition will be announced in due course.

  Housing Development
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will list the planning applications for housing development in England involving greenfield sites which have been referred to him as departure applications since 1 January 2001 and provide details of the number of houses and area of land involved in each case; [33423]

  (2) if he will list planning applications for housing development in England on greenfield sites (a) which he has called in and (b) for which he has issued a holding direction since 1 January 2001, indicating the location, number of houses and area of land involved; [33421]

  (3) if he will list planning applications notified to him under the Town and Country Planning (Residential Development on Greenfield Land) (England) Directive 2000 since 1 January 2001, indicating the location, number of houses and area of land involved in each case. [33422]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The list of planning applications is based on information supplied to the Department by local authorities. Assumptions have had to be made about particular applications in order to present the information in the form sought. The information provided should not be taken as the definitive view of the Secretary of State for the purposes of decision-making.

  Train Drivers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2002,Official Report, column 54W, on train drivers, if he will state the locations at which information on train driver numbers is held; and if he will list the steps which the Strategic Rail Authority (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to encourage train operating companies to recruit sufficient drivers. [33964]

  Mr. Spellar
  The most comprehensive information on driver numbers is held by the Association of Train Operating Companies. Where train operators have experienced difficulty in maintaining sufficient driver numbers and service has deteriorated, the Strategic Rail Authority has taken enforcement action, as they did with South West Trains in 1997 and with Arriva Trains Northern at the end of last year. As part of the two-year extension recently agreed on GNER the company has committed to a programme of driver recruitment to help overcome the current shortage within the industry. The Strategic Rail Authority will be able to secure further provisions as other franchises are extended or replaced.

  London Underground
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will 26W
  list the meetings that each of0 his ministerial team and himself had in (a) December 2001 and (b) January 2002 with representatives of London Underground. [34103]

  Mr. Spellar
  My right hon. Friend and ministerial colleagues meet London Underground on both a regular and ad hoc basis, to discuss a variety of relevant matters.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money the Government have(a) lent and (b) made available to Railtrack in administration since 5 October 2001; and how much more money is available for Railtrack in administration to draw down by the end of March (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003. [33998]

  Mr. Spellar
  To date, £1.495 billion has been drawn down from the commercial loan of £2.1 billion that the Government made available at the commencement of the administration. No formal request has been received from the administrator for additional funds.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the monthly investment spend is by Railtrack in administration; and what the monthly rate is of pre-tax loss after interest and depreciation. [33999]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the administrator.

  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much profit Railtrack declared shortly after being put into administration. [34429]

  Mr. Spellar
  Railtrack Group plc's interim report and accounts for the six months to 30 September 2001 reported an accounting pre-tax profit of £292 million. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible for a company to make a profit and yet be unable to pay its debts. The evidence presented to, and accepted by, the High Court on 7 October showed that Railtrack plc was, or was likely to soon be, unable to pay its debts. It was open to Railtrack to oppose administration. They chose not to do so.

  Mortgages (Public Sector Workers)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the rents to mortgages schemes for public sector workers living in London; and if he will make a statement. [34442]

  Ms Keeble
  "Rent to Mortgage" is one of a number of Government low-cost home ownership schemes available to a range of people, including public sector workers.

  "Rent to Mortgage" allows qualifying tenants to purchase a share of their home, at a discount, with mortgage payments similar to the rent they are currently paying. The landlord retains a share in the property, but the purchaser can pay this off at a later date. Further information is contained in our free booklet "Your right to buy your home", which is available from local authorities or from my Department.

  Our Starter Home initiative is helping around 4,600 key public sector workers, such as teachers, health workers and police, into home ownership in London. Most of these schemes involve equity loans or shared ownership.
  27W
  Key workers can also benefit from the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme. This provides homes for rent, and for low cost home ownership through schemes such as Homebuy and shared ownership, and through Do-It-Yourself shared ownership schemes which are supported by some local authorities.

  Road Traffic
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which local authorities have set targets for the overall level of road traffic in their area as part of their full local transport plans, giving the targets set in each case for traffic reduction, in each year since the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 came into force. [34547]

  Ms Keeble
  As part of their full local transport plans submitted in July 2000, local traffic authorities in England (outside London) submitted road traffic reduction reports as required by the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997. Copies of the reports have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. A number of authorities, shown in italics in a table which has been placed in the Libraries of the House, submitted plans containing targets for the overall level of road traffic for their area. Others set targets for part of their area or for some types of traffic. Authorities are not required to establish targets under the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 on an annual basis.

  National Concessionary Coach Scheme
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will outline the mechanism by which the national concessionary coach scheme will work. [34556]

  Ms Keeble
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 735W.

  DVLA
  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how long on average it took the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to renew driving licences for those drivers who(a) require and (b) do not require associated eyesight tests in the last 12 months. [34544]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is as follows:

  The charter mark standard for dealing with applications with a medical involvement is five weeks for ordinary driving licences. If a decision cannot be made within this timescale, the applicant is advised of the reason. In this financial year, over 60 per cent. of medical applications have been completed within five weeks. Cases where eyesight tests are required will generally take longer than five weeks to complete because of the dependency on third parties to carry out the tests.

  The charter mark standard for applications for the issue of ordinary driving licences with no medical involvement is 15 working days. During the last 12 months, some 99.3 per cent. of applicants received their ordinary driving licence within 11 days.

  Planning Policy Guidance Note 17
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to announce his response to the consultation on the draft PPG17. [34514]

  Ms Keeble
  An analysis and summary of responses to the consultation draft will be made available when the final version of PPG 17 is published.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to consult national governing bodies of sport on the revised draft of PPG 17. [34507]

  Ms Keeble
  The views of national governing bodies of sport were received during the consultation period. While we do not intend to conduct further consultation with them specifically, my officials will be consulting further with Sport England in drafting the final version of PPG 17.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how eligibility for funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund is determined; and if he will make a statement. [34600]

  Ms Keeble
  The list of authorities eligible for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has been determined by taking those authorities that are among the 50 most deprived on any of the six measures in the Indices of Deprivation 2000 (ID2000). On this basis 81 authorities are eligible. The Government also decided that there should be transitional arrangements for those authorities that were within the 50 most deprived areas on any of the four measures under the old Index of Local Deprivation, but are not in the list of 81 authorities that qualify using the ID2000. Due to this, a further seven local authority areas are eligible for the fund, making a total of 88 eligible authorities.

  The sum to be allocated to each authority is based on a standard amount per head of population in those wards in the authority that are in the most deprived 10 per cent. of all wards nationally, with a minimum allocation of £200,000 for any eligible authority in 2001–02. This relates an authority's grant funding to the severity of deprivation within its area, measured by the number of their residents living in particularly deprived areas.

  High Hedges
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish the simplified version of the guidelines on hedge height and light loss. [34612]

  Ms Keeble
  We expect to launch the simplified version of these guidelines in the spring. We are working with interested parties such as local authority, professional, consumer and advice groups to make sure the guidelines are user-friendly.

  Local Authority Debt (Demolished Buildings)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he
  29W
  has made of the level of the outstanding debt of local authorities that relates to buildings that have now been demolished. [34819]

  Mr. Byers
  Although local authorities borrow to fund specific projects, the outstanding debt is held and managed centrally within an authority. Directors of Finance will, as a matter of good treasury management, reschedule and refinance their debt portfolio. It is therefore not possible over time to assign individual loans to specific projects, such as the construction, repair or maintenance of dwellings that have since been demolished.

  Electoral Modernisation Pilot Schemes
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 January 2002,Official Report, column 720W, on electoral modernisation pilot schemes, for what reason an announcement on the successful bidders was not made at the end of January; and if he will make a statement. [34820]

  Mr. Byers
  The announcement was made to the House on Tuesday 5 February when we had concluded, in partnership with the Electoral Commission, the Local Government Association and the office of the e-Envoy, our consideration of the bids.

  Railway Lines (Reopening)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those dismantled railway lines which have been re-opened since 1972; who the promoter was in each case; and what was the cost to public funds. [34115]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: My Department does not hold such information.

  Underspending (Roads)
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the underspend was for the capital budget on roads in the past 12 months. [34017]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: In 2000–01, capital spending by the Highways Agency on the strategic road network was underspent by £14 million against a budget of £882 million which represented an underspend of 1.6 per cent. For 2001–02, the Highways Agency are forecasting to be on budget for their current capital allocation of £1069 million.

  Capital funding for local roads is allocated to local authorities via the local transport plan capital settlement. Monitoring procedures do not separate out the road elements of this spend. In 2000–01 total LTP capital spending was underspent by £9 million against a final budget of £816 million, which represented an underspend of around 1.1 per cent.

  For 2001–02, over £1.36 billion of transport capital spending was allocated to local authorities. We do not expect a substantial budget underspend.

  Tram Lines
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage new tram lines; and if he will make a statement. [34503]
  30W
  Ms Keeble
  Transport 2010: The 10-year plan includes as one of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets doubling light rail patronage over the decade to 2010. Our assessment is that the funding included in the plan will enable provision of up to 25 new light rail lines in major cities around the country, providing each scheme satisfies the Department's appraisal and obtains the necessary powers. The availability of such funds and the Government's positive stance towards light rail have encouraged local authorities to come forward with proposals.

  My Department has already approved 11 new lines and is considering three more proposals. Several other plans for new systems or extensions to existing ones are being prepared. Light rail is also an option for at least one of the four Intermediate Mode Transit schemes which Transport for London are currently appraising.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what regulations there are to ensure that noise levels from aircraft flying over residential areas are kept to a minimum; and if he will make a statement. [34632]

  Mr. Spellar
  Aircraft noise "at source" is regulated according to the certification requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Operational noise is subject to rules and procedures set by each airport. Controls available to airports include noise preferential routes for departures, departure noise limits, approach procedures, night restrictions and noise-differentiated charges.

  The Secretary of State has powers to designate an airport under s.80 for the purposes of s.78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, under which noise controls can be set. At present, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports are so designated. He may also specify an aerodrome under s.5 of the 1982 Act, requiring the CAA to have regard to environmental factors in its licensing functions; hitherto no aerodrome has been so specified.

  The air transport White Paper, which we intend to publish later this year, will deal with the future direction of policy on aircraft noise regulation.

  British Partnerships
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people are directly employed under the auspices of English Partnerships; and how many equivalent full-time posts this represents. [34802]

  Ms Keeble
  As at 31 January 2002, 372 staff were directly employed under the auspices of English Partnerships. The full-time equivalent is 367.

  Rail Use
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) passenger kilometres were travelled and (b) freight tonnes moved on the railways in the (i) year to March 2001 and (ii) year to March 2000. [34783]
  31W
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: The information is available in the Strategic Rail Authority's "National Rail Trends" publication, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the extent of vehicle excise duty evasion was in each of the last five years. [34784]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: The last national roadside survey of VED evasion involving the checking of over one million vehicle numbers took place in June 1999. This estimated that the revenue lost from VED evasion was equivalent to 3.9 per cent. of the total revenue that should be raised. The previous roadside survey was carried out in June 1994 when the evasion rate was estimated at 4.1 per cent. of total revenue due. Evasion was lower in 1999 than in 1994 for all main vehicle classes.

  The next roadside survey will take place in June this year.

  Neighbourhood and Village Action Plans
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what resources he will make available outside neighbourhood renewal areas to support an increase in community capacity to participate in the proposed neighbourhood and village action plans and local development frameworks. [35077]

  Ms Keeble
  The Green Paper "Planning: delivering a fundamental change" proposes that local authorities should work with Local Strategic Partnerships and other bodies to establish more effective mechanisms for community involvement in both the preparation of plans and in taking decisions on planning applications. The Green Paper acknowledges the importance of properly resourced local planning authorities to the delivery of an improved planning system. An increase in planning fees from April 2002 has been announced, and there is to be a review of that regime. The resourcing needs of the local planning service is also being considered in the context of the current spending review.

  Planning Tariff System
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to determine the developmental benefits will accrue from his proposed planning tariff system. [35072]

  Ms Keeble
  The Government propose that planning obligations should be refocused to deliver sustainable development and used as a mechanism to ensure that development provides social, economic and environmental benefits to the community as a whole. This proposal has not been explicitly researched.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much he projects will be raised by local authorities through the operation of his proposed planning tariff system. [35073]
  32W
  Ms Keeble
  The consultation document "Planning obligations: delivering a fundamental change" proposes that a tariff should replace negotiated planning obligations in most circumstances and offers a number of options about how a tariff might be levied. The value of the tariff to each local authority will depend upon the precise workings of the tariff—to be determined in the light of the consultation—a local authority's policies in respect of levying the tariff, and the volume and value of development taking place in its area.

  National Park Authorities
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has issued to regional assemblies on the involvement of national park authorities in their deliberations. [34826]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: Guidance issued in 1999 indicated that at least 30 per cent. of the membership of regional chambers should be drawn from economic, social and environmental partners (while maintaining a majority of local authority members). Subject to complying with the guidance it is for each chamber to decide on its membership.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the rent loss on vacant properties for each local authority with housing stock for the last year for which figures are available. [34823]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: A table showing the rent loss on vacant properties during the financial year 2000–01 for those local authorities with housing stock on 31 March 2001 has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Some of the criteria that need to be taken into account when comparing rent losses across local authorities include:

  (a) Local authorities may differ in the way they count vacancies: so whereas some may include all vacancies, even of just a day or so, others may base their calculations on long-term empties only and ignore short-term, transitional vacancies.

  (b) Local authorities with large stock might be expected to have higher rent losses than authorities with little stock.

  (c) Rent losses in an authority with high rent levels will be higher than the rent losses due to the same number of vacant days in an authority with low rents.

  (d) Local authorities in low demand areas may have longer void periods and therefore higher rent losses than those in areas of high demand.

  Local authorities not shown in this table had no stock on 31 March 2001.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information on genetically modified organisms research is available on the public register; and what categories have been removed. [35075]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I have made a direction that the information concerning the location of and activities relating to those pathogens and toxins listed in Schedule 5
  33W
  of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 shall be withheld from the register maintained under section 24 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000.

  This is a sensible precautionary step in the current situation. It is a temporary measure which will keep off the register information which is sensitive on the grounds of national security. A system of annual reviews will be put in place to consider information excluded from the register, with the aim of keeping to a minimum information which has to be excluded in the interests of national security. The measure will affect only a small number of the contained use premises and activities notified under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000.

  Premises where activities involving genetic modification are to be carried out and activities which are classified as having some risk to humans or the environment have to be notified to the competent authority under the regulations.

  It is important to note that the action of withholding information from the register would not affect the arrangements in place to ensure the safety and security of the sites and materials concerned.

  The public register was re-opened this morning. It contains all the information about notified activities except that relating to activities withdrawn from the register because of the direction. The register includes a list of these excluded pathogens and toxins but no details of the activities or their locations.

  Travel Concessions (Pensioners)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer (ref. 33788), if he will list those authorities providing more generous pensioners' travel concessions than the statutory minimum. [34671]

  Ms Keeble
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: Based on my Department's recent survey, those local authorities with schemes that are better than the statutory minimum requirement (i.e. half-fares on local buses for elderly and disabled people, with no charge for the pass) are as follows:

  London

  London boroughs

  PTAs

  Greater Manchester

  Merseyside

  South Yorkshire

  Tyne and Wear

  West Midlands

  West Yorkshire

  Counties

  Derbyshire

  Lancashire

  Leicestershire

  Nottinghamshire

  Unitary authorities

  Blackpool

  Bracknell Forest

  Leicester City

  34W

  Luton

  Nottingham

  Plymouth

  Reading

  Rutland

  Southampton

  District councils

  Bedford

  Mid Bedfordshire

  South Buckinghamshire

  Chester

  Derwentside

  Durham City

  Easington

  Sedgefield

  Wear Valley

  Havant

  Rushmoor

  St. Albans

  West Lindsay

  Daventry

  East Northamptonshire

  Blyth Valley

  Oxford

  Vale of White Horse

  Cannock Chase

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  Warwick

  Bromsgrove

  Crawley

  Redditch.

  Lord Birt
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many meetings(a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with Lord Birt since his appointment to the Forward Strategy Unit last year. [34788]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Members for Tatton (Mr. Osborne) and for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on Friday 11 January 2002 Official Report, columns 567-68W.

  Skips
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress his Department has made in relation to changing the regulations governing reflective paint on skips. [35034]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department has been working with the British Standards Institution to develop a British Standard for a new generation of high-performance retroreflective materials, which will be considerably brighter than traditional products. The draft standard completed its consultation stage last month.
  35W
  Publication of the new standard is a matter for BSI, once technical comments have been resolved, but we hope that this will be before the end of this year. I then intend to consult on an amendment to the current regulations which would permit local authorities to specify the use of these high performance materials for markings on skips, as an alternative to using lamps in conjunction with lower grade retroreflective markings.

  Councillors' Interests
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if it is his intention that parish councillors should be bound under the code of conduct to declare gifts and hospitality of over £25 in value only if received in connection with their official duties. [35033]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Yes. Paragraph 1 of the schedule to the code of conduct makes it clear that parish members will only have to declare gifts and hospitality over the value of £25, if the gifts or hospitality are received in connection with the business of the council, the office to which they have been elected or appointed, or when they are acting as representatives of the council.

  Automatic Train Protection Warning System
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his Department's policy regarding the timescale for the introduction of the automatic train protection warning scheme was(a) in 2000; and (b) as of 4 February 2002; and if he will make a statement regarding changes of policy between these dates. [34371]
  36W
  Mr. Spellar
  The Department's policy on train protection remains as set out in the Railway Safety Regulations 1999. These regulations require the installation by the end of 2003 of equipment designed to cause the brakes of a train to be applied automatically in specified circumstances.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the average Band D council tax bill in Suffolk in each year since 1993. [34440]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The average Band D council tax bill in Suffolk in each year since 1993 is shown in the table below.

  Average Band D council tax bill1

  £

  1993–94

  511

  1994–95

  564

  1995–96

  581

  1996–97

  610

  1997–98

  651

  1998–99

  706

  1999–2000

  761

  2000–01

  816

  2001–02

  873

  1 Based on two adults in Suffolk

  The average Band D council tax bill for Suffolk has been calculated by dividing the total estimated council tax income by the tax base for all local authorities in Suffolk.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Trips
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each of the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team in each of the last four years, specifying the purpose and cost of each trip. [30180]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 707W.

  International Criminal Court
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to support the conferences on ratification of the Statute for the International Criminal Court for(a) Mongolia in January, (b) ECOWAS states in January, (c) Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras in February and (d) southern Asia in February. [31760]

  Mr. MacShane
  The first, third and fourth of these conferences have been organised by NGOs: respectively Forum Asia, Human Rights Watch and Parliamentarians for Global Action. All are members of the overarching "Coalition for an International Criminal Court (CICC)". CICC provides financial assistance to such conferences. HMG made a grant of $50,000 to CICC in FY 2001–02.

  The ECOWAS conference was supported by the Canadian Government and the International Red Cross.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his Department's total expenditure by month in each financial year since 1997–98. [32784]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 692W.

  Fair Trade Fortnight
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage participation by his Department in fair trade fortnight from 4 to 17 March. [33540]

  Mr. MacShane
  The FCO has no plans to participate in fair trade fortnight. The Department for International Development is providing £120,000 to the Fairtrade Foundation over 2001–03 in support of its efforts to target new groups through its annual fair trade fortnight campaigns. My private office seeks to offer fair trade tea and coffee to visitors.

  IT Contracts
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total expenditure of his Department on IT systems and support in each year from May 1997 to date; how many IT contracts have been let in each of those years; of the other main contracting party in each of those contracts,38W
  how many have been (a) companies whose registered office is in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland and (b) foreign companies; and what are the names of the companies falling within category (a). [33678]

  Mr. MacShane
  The information is given in the table:

  Million

  Complete financial years

  Capital

  Maintenance

  1997–98

  33.9

  10.1

  1998–99

  35.9

  9.7

  1999–2000

  35.3

  8.6

  2000–01

  23.0

  12.0

  It would occur disproportionate cost to provide exact figures for all the numbers of contracts let in each of these years.

  Of the 13 contracts let by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 1997 in excess of £500,000, 12 were with companies whose registered offices are in England and Wales, and one has its registered office overseas. The 12 suppliers were Global Crossing, Computacentre, Cap Gemini Ernst and Young, AIT, Sytation, Logica, Integris, Cedar, Microsoft, NAI, CMG and Biomni. The overseas company was Amita, registered in Canada.

  Burundi
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the peace process in Burundi and (b) the potential role of the UN in Burundi. [33929]

  Mr. MacShane
  We are encouraged by the steps that the transitional Government in Burundi has taken to secure peace and stability since the start of its term in November last year. The deployment of South African troops to protect returning political leaders has played a key role in this process. The security situation, however, remains unstable. Without an agreed ceasefire, the United Nations will continue to focus on the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

  Equal Representation
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK Government are taking to encourage the equal representation of women at all levels in diplomatic, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. [30427]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has set targets to increase the proportion of women where they are underrepresented in the diplomatic service. These targets and progress towards them are published in the FC0's annual report. A gender diversity adviser was appointed in 2000 to support this activity—the FCO is the only Whitehall Department to create such a role.

  The UK makes very effort to put forward skilled female candidates for humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, and will continue to do so. Female military and police officers are routinely deployed into the UN missions.

  Elhannan Tannenbaum
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the case of Elhannan Tannenbaum. [34063]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Elhannan Tannenbaum—an Israeli businessman reservist colonel—has been held hostage by Hizbullah since 7 October 2000. On 3 May 2001 the then Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook), and the then Minister of State my right hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), met Mr. Tannenbaum's family. The Government are doing all they can to help and have raised this case and those of other missing Israeli soldiers with relevant countries in the region and will continue to do so, pressing particularly for access to the hostages for the International Committee of the Red Cross. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also raised the missing Israeli soldiers during his visit to the middle east at the end of October 2001. We strongly support all efforts to secure the release of all hostages, particularly efforts led by the United Nations Secretary General.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the USA with regard to the referendum on the right to self-determination in western Sahara. [34428]

  Bradshaw
  Foreign Office officials in Washington and in our United Nations mission in New York remain in regular contact with their American counterparts about the referendum on the right to self-determination in western Sahara.

  Like our American colleagues, we continue to support the efforts of James Baker, the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, in trying to find a just and durable resolution to the dispute. We look forward to James Baker's report on developments in the region before the end of the current MINURSO mandate on 28 February 2002.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) of 20 November 2001,Official Report, columns 185-86W, on nuclear weapons, if he will make it his policy to engage permanent members of the Security Council in negotiations on nuclear weapon reduction. [34755]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  All five nuclear weapons states are committed under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to the ultimate goal of nuclear disarmament, and have discussions on this and related issues in that context. The UK has made it clear that we will include our nuclear weapons in multilateral negotiations as soon as appropriate, but the circumstances do not yet exist to make starting such negotiations a practical proposition.

  Iran
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States Administration on relations with Iran. [34912]
  40W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  During his visit to Washington on 31 January and 1 February my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed a wide range of issues, including Iran.

  Council of Europe
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he intends to put in place for briefings to members of the Council of Europe on reports prepared by rapporteurs from the UK; and if he will make a statement. [34910]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will continue to co-ordinate briefing from Whitehall Departments for members of the UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on all reports debated at the assembly's part-sessions, including those prepared by UK rapporteurs.

  North and South Korea
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent initiatives have been taken to make progress with rapprochement between North and South Korea. [34907]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UK supports President Kim Dae Jung's policy of engagement toward North Korea.

  President Kim Dae Jung visited the UK as a Guest of Government in December 2001 and discussed north/south relations with the Prime Minister, who reiterated UK support for the rapprochement process. This was followed by a visit by the North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Su Hon, during which the Foreign Secretary and I stressed the need for North Korea's record on missile proliferation and human rights remains of great concern. I have recently written to Mr. Choe setting out UK support for north-south rapprochement and urging North Korea to abide by the international norms of diplomatic and political relations between countries.

  UK Mission (Kabul)
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the personnel appointed to the UK mission in Kabul by rank and gender. [35258]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  FCO staff currently deployed to the British Embassy in Kabul are as follows:

  1 x Head of Mission (Senior Management Structure)—male

  1 x Counsellor—male

  4 x First Secretary—three males, one female

  1 x Second Secretary—male

  1 x Support Attaché—male.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications were dealt with by each overseas high commission, embassy and consulate in the last year for which information is available; and what proportion were(a) granted for study purposes, (b) granted for holiday purposes, (c) granted for other purposes and (d) denied. [35196]
  41W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  All entry clearance posts submit an annual statistical return. This information is collated in the Entry Clearance Annual Statistics booklet, copies of which are currently available in the House Library. The latest year for which this information is available is 2000.

  The information in the booklet represents the only statistical data currently available. It does not, for example, differentiate between many of the non-settlement categories of visas.

  United Kingdom Diplomats
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) in how many countries the United Kingdom was represented by(a) a resident (i) high commissioner and (ii) ambassador, (b) a non-resident (i) high commissioner and (ii) ambassador and (c) a consul in each year since 1997, indicating where that representation changed in that time; [35198]

  (2) how many high commissions, embassies and consulates have been (a) opened and (b) closed in each year since 1997. [35197]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The information requested is available in the departmental reports for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. The following posts have changed their category during this period:

  1997–98

  Banja Luka

  Opened as an embassy mission

  Barranquilla Post

  Closed locally engaged staff only (LE)

  Zurich

  Closed UK based staffed post

  Hong Kong

  Dependent territory which became a consulate general on hand over to China

  1998–99

  Kuching

  Closed UK based post

  Chiang Mai

  Closed UK based post

  Lome

  Opened as LE only post

  1999–2000

  Calgary

  Opened as LE only post

  Chongqing

  Opened as consulate general

  Bangalore

  Changed from LE only to trade office

  Fukuoka

  Opened as LE only post

  Nagoya

  Changed from LE only to trade office

  Gothenburg

  Opened as consulate general

  Cleveland

  Closed UK based post

  Seville

  Closed LE post

  42W
  2000–01

  Conakry

  Opened as LE only post

  Port-au-Prince

  Opened as LE only post

  Ahmedabad

  Opened as LE only post

  Bhopal

  Opened as LE only post

  Goa

  Opened as LE only post

  Hyderabad

  Opened as LE only post

  Puna

  Opened as LE only post

  Dili

  Opened as an embassy mission

  Tripoli

  Reopened as an embassy

  Bamako

  Opened as LE only post

  Monterrey

  Changed from LE only to trade office

  Denver

  Opened as a consulate

  Pristina Mission

  Opened as UK representation to the UN

  2001–02

  Bamako

  Changed from LE only to embassy

  Lahore

  Changed from LE only to trade office

  Pyongyang

  Opened as an embassy

  Tarawa

  Opened as LE only post

  Kabul

  Opened as an embassy.

  We have plans to open embassies in Bishkek, Chisinau and Dushanbe before the end of the financial year.

WALES

  IT Contracts
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total expenditure of his Department on IT systems and support in each year from May 1997 to date; how many IT contracts have been let in each of those years; of the other main contracting party in each of those contracts, how many have been(a) companies whose registered office is in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland and (b) foreign companies; and what are the names of the companies falling within category (a). [33688]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Since it was established on 1 July 1999, the Information Technology requirements of the Wales Office have been met, by means of a service level
  43W
  agreement, through the PFI contract which the National Assembly for Wales holds with Siemens Business Systems. The costs are as follows:

  1999–2000 (July to March)

  £180,250

  2000–01 (full year)

  £216,300

  2001–02 (April to December)

  £162,220.

  Prior to 1 July 1999 the cost of the Siemens Business Systems PFI contract to the former Welsh Office was:

  1997–98 (full year)

  £7,829,546

  1998–1999 (full year)

  £12,903,892.

  No contracts have been let by the Secretary of State for Wales since July 1999. Before that date 14 contracts were let in the calendar year 1998 of which:

  (i) 14 were companies registered in England or Wales.

  (ii) 0 were companies registered in Scotland.

  (iii) 0 were companies registered in Northern Ireland.

  (iv) 0 were companies registered in Foreign Countries.

  The companies at (i) above were:

  Anite

  Cable and Wireless

  Cardiff University

  Cathedral Consortium

  Hedra

  SEMA (two contracts)

  ICL

  Level-7 Ltd. (since renamed to ECsoft)

  Lorien

  Parity

  W. S. Atkins (three contracts).

  There is no central record of contracts entered into by the former Welsh Office prior to 1998.

  Notes:

  All the information above relates solely to IT systems and support. Telephone costs are not included.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the publications issued by his Department in each of the last four years; and what the(a) circulation,(b) cost and (c) purpose of each was. [34196]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Departmental Events
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the(a) conferences, (b) seminars,(c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-Departmental premises in each of the last four years giving the title, purpose, date and cost of each. [34277]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This information is not held in the form requested.
  44W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the expenditure of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on newspaper advertising by title in each year since 1997. [26980]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales Office does not exercise any functions which ordinarily require it to place advertisements. Information for the former Welsh Office is not readily available.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Fair Trade Fortnight
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the President of the Council what steps he is taking to encourage participation by his Department in Fair Trade Fortnight from 4 to 17 March. [33543]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 5 February 2000,Official Report, column 917W.

  My Department is not responsible for major purchases of goods and services.

  None the less, we will endeavour to use Fair Trade products for official entertaining directly provided by my Department, subject to this being good value for money.

  Information about Fair Trade Fortnight will be drawn to the attention of all departmental staff.

  Departmental Retirement Ages
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the President of the Council if he will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of his Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on flexible retirement. [32818]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Cabinet Office is responsible for setting the retirement age for all members of the Senior Civil Service. This is age 60. Three members of my Department fall into this category. However, Heads of Departments and Agency Chief Executives have flexibility to retain members of the Senior Civil Service beyond age 60 if they judge it in the public interest and they are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.

  For staff in my Department below the Senior Civil Service, the normal retirement age is 60. Nineteen members of my Department fall into this category. Subject to departmental needs and the continued health and efficiency of the individual concerned, staff may be allowed to continue working to a maximum age of 65.

  IT Contracts
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the President of the Council what has been the total expenditure of his Department on IT systems and support in each year from May 1997 to date; how many IT contracts have been let in each of those years; of the other main contracting party in each of those contracts, how many have been(a) companies whose registered office is in (i) England

  45W
  and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland and (b) foreign companies; and what are the names of the companies falling within category (a). [33673]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  My Department placed no IT contracts during the period mentioned. IT services are provided via the Cabinet Office's IT contract. (The contractor is COMPAQ Computers Ltd., Worton Grange, Imperial Way, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 OTD.) My Department is re-charged on a per capita basis for each member of staff, plus a charge for any extra software or special services. The available information (dating from when my Department joined the Cabinet Office network) is:

  Period

  £

  1 July 1998 to 31 March 1999

  24,391

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 20001

  16,557

  1 April 2000 to 31 March 20011

  172,570

  1 The charge for 2000–01 includes £68,000 for a database used by the Business Co-ordination Unit (who have since been transferred to the Cabinet Office).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  James Ashley
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a report from the Sussex Police Authority concerning the fatal shooting of James Ashley in 1998. [35969]

  Mr. Denham
  I required the Sussex Police Authority to report under section 43 of the Police Act 1996 on the events surrounding the shooting and the action taken by Sussex police to ensure that they have responded appropriately. I have now received that report. I am placing a copy in the Library. The report gives an account of the circumstances leading up to the shooting, the subsequent investigations, and the action which has been taken in Sussex to improve policing and to restore public confidence. Three officers are currently facing disciplinary proceedings in connection with the shooting. The Police Authority have informed me that they have not included any material which in their view could be prejudicial to the proceedings.

  Police Officers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers below pensionable age left the police force in England and Wales in 2001, broken down by police authority area. [30453]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 January 2002]: There is no single set retirement age from the police service. All officers may retire upon completion of 30 years service or upon completion of 25 years service after the age of 50. Officers may continue to serve up to the age of 55, or until 60 for ranks above sergeant. Chief officers, or the Police Authority in the case of the chief officer, have discretion to extend the compulsory retirement age for any officer by up to five years.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary collect information annually about the number of officers who have left the police service. The table shows the most recent figures, which are for 2000–01.
  46W

  Force

  Ordinary retirements

  Other wastage1

  Avon and Somerset

  67

  67

  Bedfordshire

  13

  38

  Cambridgeshire

  32

  34

  Cheshire

  40

  41

  City of London

  18

  20

  Cleveland

  33

  18

  Cumbria

  29

  34

  Derbyshire

  27

  25

  Devon and Cornwall

  94

  37

  Dorset

  42

  25

  Durham

  27

  23

  Dyfed-Powys

  25

  22

  Essex

  65

  78

  Gloucestershire

  28

  22

  Greater Manchester

  128

  175

  Gwent

  27

  26

  Hampshire

  95

  91

  Hertfordshire

  40

  72

  Humberside

  68

  51

  Kent

  74

  82

  Lancashire

  75

  56

  Leicestershire

  29

  48

  Lincolnshire

  41

  13

  Merseyside

  79

  80

  Metropolitan Police

  451

  703

  Norfolk

  39

  22

  Northamptonshire

  25

  22

  Northumbria

  62

  67

  North Wales

  32

  43

  North Yorkshire

  27

  41

  Nottinghamshire

  59

  28

  South Wales

  45

  105

  South Yorkshire

  74

  60

  Staffordshire

  42

  25

  Suffolk

  38

  27

  Surrey

  34

  59

  Sussex

  89

  64

  Thames Valley

  71

  120

  Warwickshire

  25

  21

  West Mercia

  50

  47

  West Midlands

  142

  141

  West Yorkshire

  116

  90

  Wiltshire

  28

  24

  England and Wales

  2,645

  2,885

  1 medical retirements, resignations, dismissals and deaths

  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are per head of population in(a) the West Mercia Constabulary and (b) on average in England and Wales. [32543]

  Mr. Denham
  This information is published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin in the form of police officers per 100,000 population. In West Mercia there were 173.9 police officers per 100,000 of population as at 30 September 2001 and 240.3 per 100,000 of population in England and Wales.

  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time police officers(a) are employed by East Sussex Constabulary and (b) were employed in 1997. [33917]

  Mr. Denham
  On 30 September Sussex police had 2,837 police officers. On 31 March 1997 the force had 3,085 officers. I understand that the former Chief Constable allowed police numbers to fall because he civilianised a substantial number of operational support jobs that could more effectively be undertaken by civilian support staff. The reduction was not in front-line officers.
  47W
  Between March 1997 and September 2001 civilian support staff numbers increased by 357 to 1,506 full-time equivalents.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many answers to parliamentary questions have not been answered by his Department under exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in each year since 1994. [29423]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 22 January 2002]: The number of parliamentary questions not answered by my Department under exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in each year since 1994 are as follows:

  Year

  PQs not answered

  1994–96

  Nil

  1997

  4

  1998

  6

  1999

  6

  2000

  9

  2001

  9

  Total

  34

  Victims of Crime
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) guidance and (b) targets he has given to police authorities on the time within which police officers should visit victims of (i) burglary, (ii) robbery, (iii) sex crimes and (iv) other crimes of violence. [34773]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: Under the 1996 Victim's Charter the police have responsibility for ensuring that victims are put in contact with the voluntary organisation Victim Support. Once a crime has been reported, the Victim's Charter outlines the standards of service that victims can expect to receive from the criminal justice agencies. The police are responsible for keeping victims informed of subsequent developments in the case, and the outcome of any court proceedings. Guidance about this was issued in Home Office Circular 55/1998.

  The police are also required to conduct user satisfaction surveys on a range of service responses, including the quality of response to a report of a burglary or of a violent crime.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of crime, broken down by main categories for reporting, is known to have been committed by persons of(a) European, (b) African, (c) south Asian and (d) other ethnic origin in the last five years. [34675]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: Information available centrally relates to the number of persons arrested by the police for notifiable offences. This information is published annually by the Home Office in 'Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System'. Information for 2000–01 will be published shortly.
  48W
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those convicted of criminal offences, broken down by 10-year age bands, are of(a) European, (b) African, (c) south Asian and(d) other ethnic origins; and what proportion each group represents of each age band in the last five years. [34676]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: Currently information is only collected centrally by the Home Office on persons convicted at magistrates courts in six police force areas. This information is published annually by the Home Office in "Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System".

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Antisocial Behaviour Orders have been(a) sought and (b) granted in (i) each police authority area and (ii) each social services authority area where not coterminous with a police authority area. [34776]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) are community-based civil orders, which can be applied for by the police or local authority, in consultation with each other against an individual or several individuals whose behaviour is antisocial. Applications are to the magistrates court acting in its civil capacity.

  From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 data on the number of ASBOs issued were collected by police force area. No information on applications refused is available for this period.

  From 1 June 2000 official statistics on the number of ASBOs issued are based on quarterly returns from magistrates courts committees (MCCs) which from 1 April 2001 were all aligned with police force areas. These returns are not presently designed to give figures below MCC level. A review of these statistics identified an undercount and the Home Department therefore undertook an exercise with the police to obtain more reliable figures. As a result of this reconciliation exercise the total number of ASBOs issued within England and Wales up to the end of September 2001 was 466, 184 more than previously reported. The information available by police force area/magistrates courts committees is given in the table.

  Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued or refused1 as from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2001 by police force area/MCC

  Police force area/MCC

  Issued

  Refused1

  Avon and Somerset

  28

  —

  Bedfordshire

  2

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  8

  —

  Cheshire

  —

  —

  Cleveland

  10

  1

  Cumbria

  2

  —

  Derbyshire

  12

  —

  Devon and Cornwall

  10

  —

  Dorset

  4

  —

  Durham

  10

  —

  Essex

  —

  —

  Gloucestershire

  4

  —

  Greater Manchester

  24

  —

  Hampshire

  4

  1

  Hertfordshire

  9

  —

  Humberside

  11

  —

  49W

  Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued or refused1 as from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2001 by police force area/MCC

  Police force area/MCC

  Issued

  Refused1

  Kent

  15

  —

  Lancashire

  16

  —

  Leicestershire

  5

  —

  Lincolnshire

  1

  —

  Merseyside

  17

  —

  Metropolitan police2/GLMCA

  40

  5

  Norfolk

  17

  1

  Northamptonshire

  3

  —

  Northumbria

  15

  —

  North Yorkshire

  10

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  16

  —

  South Yorkshire

  6

  —

  Staffordshire

  10

  —

  Suffolk

  5

  1

  Surrey

  4

  —

  Sussex

  7

  1

  Thames Valley

  7

  —

  Warwickshire

  3

  —

  West Mercia

  47

  —

  West Midlands

  65

  —

  West Yorkshire

  15

  —

  Wiltshire

  —

  4

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  Gwent

  1

  —

  North Wales

  1

  —

  South Wales

  2

  —

  England and Wales

  466

  14

  1 Data collected on refused applications as from 1 June 2000 only

  2 Including City of London

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the power to apply for antisocial behaviour orders to(a) parish and town councils, (b) governing bodies of schools and (c) other persons affected by antisocial behaviour. [34775]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary recently announced important proposals to increase the effectiveness of antisocial behaviour orders, (ASBOs) which include extending the power to apply for ASBOs to the British Transport police and registered social landlords. We would very much encourage parish and town councils governing bodies of schools, and indeed all other bodies representing the community to work for the reduction of antisocial behaviour, but we believe that where an application for an ASBO may be appropriate they should continue to work through the police and/or the local authority.

  Metropolitan Police
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 18 December 2001,Official Report, column 232W and 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 120W, on police numbers, what proportion of the change in the number of police officers in the Metropolitan police area is attributable to the transfer of responsibility of policing some areas to the surrounding forces of Surrey, Hertfordshire and Essex in April 2000. [29506]

  Mr. Denham
  The effects of the Metropolitan police boundary changes on 1 April 2000 were incorporated into the police funding formula and the overall transfer between the forces was in terms of financial resources, not of officers. Where data on police numbers are used in the formula, a notional transfer of 887 from the 50W
  Metropolitan police to the three county forces was applied. Because it is for police authorities and Chief Constables to decide how resources are utilised, it is not appropriate to convert the notional transfer directly into a full-time equivalent strength for the Metropolitan police as a consequence of the changes.

  Between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 the strength of the Metropolitan police fell by 607, to 24,878. This will have been due to a combination of boundary change resources and the temporary secondments to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey. By 30 September 2001, the numbers of officers in the Metropolitan police had increased to 25,374—496 more than on 31 March 2000.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers in the Metropolitan Police Service have left the service in each of the last four years as a result of(a) reaching retirement age, (b) being retired sick, (c) being transferred to another force and (d) resignation. [26881]

  Mr. Denham
  The information set out in the table has been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

  Year

  Normal retirement

  Medical retirement

  Transfer to another force

  Resignation

  Total

  1997–98

  594

  405

  265

  247

  1,511

  1998–99

  592

  494

  229

  332

  1,647

  1999–2000

  554

  285

  243

  361

  1,443

  2000–01

  465

  220

  382

  359

  1,426

  Firearms
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were(a) reported and (b) cleared up involving (i) licensed handguns, (ii) unlicensed handguns, (iii) licensed shotguns, (iv) unlicensed shotguns and (v) other firearms in each year since 1997. [30209]

  Mr. Denham
  The overall numbers of offences committed using handguns, shotguns and other firearms, over the period in question are as follows.

  Numbers of firearms offences—England and Wales

  Handguns

  Shotguns

  1Other firearms

  1997–98

  2,636

  565

  1,702

  1998–992

  2,687

  642

  1,880

  1999–2000

  3,685

  693

  2,465

  2000–01

  4,019

  607

  2,736

  1 'Other firearms' includes imitation and unidentified firearms, and rifles.

  2 There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which expanded the offences covered, and placed a greater emphasis on counting crimes in terms of numbers of victims. Numbers of recorded crimes after this date are therefore not directly comparable with previous years.

  Market Research
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure has been incurred by his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in each of the last four years on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each. [27937]
  51W
  Mr. Blunkett
  The Department conducts or commissions market or opinion research only when it is justified by the specific needs of a particular policy or programme, and when this is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose.

  Detailed breakdowns of costs are not held centrally and would be possible only at disproportionate cost.

  Market research undertaken by the Department, its agencies and non departmental public bodies (NDPBs) from 30 May 2000 to date, is as follows:

  British Crime Survey—used to monitor the level of crime independent of levels of reporting and recording of crime; 2001 Home Office Citizenship Survey—measures performance in delivering the Home Office's Aim 7 objectives; British Market Research Bureau—conducted a survey of all core Home Office staff and provided the Department with a report; A survey research project examined the impact of different formats of information on knowledge about, and attitudes towards crime and the criminal justice system; A postal survey of criminal justice system practitioners beliefs and opinions about sentencing philosophies and framework; A survey was commissioned for United Kingdom Passport Agency (UKPA) to determine the likely demand for their services in the coming year as part of a redevelopment of the passport demand forecasting system; Research into the attitudes of people from ethnic minority communities towards a career in the police service; An exploration of people's reactions to, and experiences of stop and search during the pilot of Macpherson recommendation 61; and the investigation more generally of views on the use of stop and search by the police; Prison Service staff attitude survey; The Youth Justice Board published a Youth Survey—undertaken with school children and young people excluded from mainstream schooling; Youth Justice Board research involving undertaking one to one interviews with non-offenders, offenders and persistent young offenders; Employee satisfaction survey for the Forensic Science Service; Police customer satisfaction surveys; Milton Keynes reassurance Project—survey of estates undertaken as part of an evaluation of interventions to reduce fear of crime; Qualitative research study into the social context of drinking among 18 to 24-year-olds; Attitudes towards and experiences of drink driving; Feasibility surveys on a strategic research objective of the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate; Qualitative and quantitative research with first stage respondents to police recruitment campaign to aid the recruitment process; Qualitative research with serving police officers to inform recruitment campaign development and police reform communications; Quantitative crime reduction campaign tracking—police recruitment and vehicle crime reduction; Quantitative research into attitudes of motorists towards car security products; Creative development research for used car security package pilot campaign; Creative development research for drugs; Pre/post campaign tracking research into drugs campaign; Strategic research with parents and young people about issues surrounding child protection on the internet (specifically chat room use); Creative development research for child protection on the internet campaign; Pre/post tracking research for child protection on the internet campaign; Desk research on existing
  52W
  parenting information provision; Research with parents and parenting professionals into their communications needs on parenting issues.

  Community/Police Partnership
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms exist for(a) monitoring performance and effectiveness and (b) disseminating best practice in community/police partnerships; and if he will make a statement. [33378]

  Mr. Denham
  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires that crime and disorder reduction strategies are kept under review to monitor their effectiveness. Proposals currently in the Police Reform Bill will require responsible authorities to publish such reviews on an annual basis. A performance template is currently under development to assist partnerships in assessing and monitoring progress. Crime reduction directors located in the Government offices in the regions and the National Assembly for Wales monitor the performance of the partnerships and the effectiveness of projects in their area under the crime reduction programme. In addition, annual recorded crime figures are published twice yearly at crime and disorder reduction partnerships' level. The crime reduction toolkits provide comprehensive web-based guidance dealing with the key areas of crime and criminality for partnerships and provide a problem-solving approach with details on research, evaluation and examples of good practice. The toolkits are available on http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/toolkits.

  Child Prostitution
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidelines to police forces to treat cases of child and youth prostitution as child abuse; and if he will make a statement. [33023]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  This Government accept that children involved in prostitution need to be recognised primarily as victims of abuse and has issued guidance that emphasises this.

  In May 2000, the Home Office, together with the Department of Health, issued guidance entitled "Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution". This guidance flowed from the original Association for Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidelines on child prostitution, published in 1998. The guidance was drawn up in consultation with the Associations of Directors of Social Services and Chief Probation Officers, other Government Departments and other relevant agencies. It reflected both best practice and a multi- agency approach.

  A key message of the guidance was that wherever possible criminal justice action should be pursued against those who abuse children through prostitution or seek to exploit them as prostitutes. It also gave guidance about how to support children and young people and help them to leave prostitution.

  Child Sex Tourists
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent co-ordination of efforts has been made between countries to reduce the incidence of child sex abuse by tourists; and if he will make a statement. [32136]
  53W
  Beverley Hughes
  The Government abhor the sexual abuse of children, whether in a commercial or domestic context, whether committed by British citizens in the United Kingdom or abroad or by visitors to the United Kingdom and other countries. Officials attended on my behalf the second World Congress on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Yokohama, Japan, in late December 2001. Reducing the incidence of sexual abuse of children is central to the aims of the congress.

  Domestically, part two of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 provides the jurisdiction for the prosecution here of British residents or citizens who commit sex offences against children abroad. We have also implemented legislation introduced by the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 requiring sex offenders subject to the requirements of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 (the register) to notify the police if they intend to travel abroad for a period of eight days or longer. In relevant cases, the police will share this information with the authorities in other countries.

  The United Kingdom is one of the strongest supporters of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Convention 182, on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, such as prostitution. In ratifying this instrument, the United Kingdom committed itself to assisting other members of the ILO through "enhanced international co-operation and/or assistance including support for social and economic development, poverty eradication programmes and universal education". This commitment is being taken forward through the work of the Department for International Development. We have also ratified the key international instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the United Nations (UN) Slavery Convention. We are promoting their widest possible ratification and supporting their practical implementation to achieve real change.

  We are supporting the Centre for Europe's Children to maintain the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Child Welfare Initiative Resource Centre. The centre maintains a web site which aims to share best practice and stimulate international discussion and cooperation in the field of child protection.

  The Government, through the Department for International Development, has also given £3 million for the International Labour Organisation's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) programme in the Greater Mekong region (parts of Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam). This involves a number of inter-linked interventions to raise awareness and prevent the trafficking of women and children, including those trafficked for sexual exploitation, and to withdraw women and children from labour exploitation and reintegrate them back into their own or new communities. And we are supporting nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) working with tour operators to develop a code of practice for the travel industry to eliminate child sex tourism.

  More details of the United Kingdom's extensive portfolio of action to tackle the sexual abuse of children can be found in our "National Plan for Safeguarding Children from Commercial Sexual Exploitation", which was published in September 2001.

  Crime (South Tyneside)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of CCTV on crime in south Tyneside. [32093]

  Mr. Denham
  There are currently five Home Office funded closed circuit television (CCTV) systems either in operation or in the process of being installed in the south Tyneside area. These cover, South Shields Foreshore, south Tyneside hospital, Tyne Dock Housing Estate, south Tyneside Control Room and the south Tyneside Mobile scheme.

  No evaluation results for these particular schemes are yet available, but Home Office research and other evaluations show CCTV can be effective in reducing crime and helping the police detect crime and convict offenders. CCTV is most effective when used as part of a wider local crime reduction strategy.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timescale is for the replacement of SALS for asylum applicants with identity cards; and if he will make a statement. [31945]

  Angela Eagle
  Applicants Registration Cards (ARC) were first issued to new asylum seekers on 31 January 2002. The ARC will replace the standard acknowledgement letter (SAL) and will be initially issued to new asylum applicants as they apply for asylum. The issuing of ARCs is to be undertaken in a range of locations throughout the country from March 2002, ensuring that all new asylum applicants receive an ARC as the technology is established.

  The asylum audit, planned in the new financial year, will undertake the replacement of the SAL with a new ARC. It will be completed as soon as possible. ARC issue is just one of a number of tasks to be undertaken within the audit, for those applicants already in the asylum system.

  Dangerous Driving
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many car drivers were(a) banned and (b) received points on their licence, in the last 12 months for dangerous driving, broken down by region. [32541]

  Mr. Denham
  The available information relates to the number of offences of dangerous driving for which disqualification, and endorsements without disqualification, were imposed in England and Wales in 2000.

  Statistics for 2001 will be available in the autumn.

  Departmental Retirement Age
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of his Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on flexible retirement. [32821]
  55W
  Angela Eagle
  The normal retirement age for non-industrial staff is 60, and for industrial staff 65. However, the Home Office's age retirement policy has recently been reviewed and from 1 April 2002 non-industrial staff up to Grade six will have the option to remain beyond the age of 60 and to retire at any point between the ages of 60 and 65. A temporary relaxation to the normal retirement age of 60 is currently in force until 31 March 2002 for grades between Administrative Assistant and Executive Officer (including equivalent grades, except certain Prison Service specific grades). Staff at Higher Executive Officer and above can also apply for extensions of service subject to business needs.

  A variation to this policy is applied in the Prison Service where pre "fresh-start" Prison Officers employed before 1987 retire at 55, and Operational Support Grades retire at 65. A formal review of age retirement policy is now taking place within the Prison Service.

  The number of staff affected in each of these categories is set out in the table.

  Category

  Retirement age

  Number of staff

  Non-industrial

  60

  32,002

  Industrial

  65

  2,997

  Operational Support Grades

  65

  6,475

  Prison Officers

  60

  16,461

  Prison Officers1

  55

  6,721

  1 Pre "Fresh Start"

  Muslim Prisoners
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about the treatment of Muslim prisoners from Dr. Siddiqui; and if he will make a statement. [32834]

  Beverley Hughes
  Dr. Siddiqui wrote to the Prime Minister on 21 January 2002 raising concern about the treatment of those detained at Belmarsh prison and I have replied on the Prime Minister's behalf.

  On 25 January, the detainees at Belmarsh were visited by the National Council for the Welfare of Muslim Prisoners. In a subsequent press release, the Council expressed general satisfaction with the overall provisions available to Muslim prisoners.

  Brixton Police
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2002,Official Report, column 355-56W, on Brixton police, for what periods during 2001 Brixton police were unable to accept reports of minor crime over the telephone. [31332]

  Mr. Denham
  I understand that Brixton police were unable to accept telephone reports of minor crime for various short periods in 2001. Other methods of reporting crime were not affected. The periods in question would have been no more than a couple of days at a time.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2002,Official Report, column 355-56W, on Brixton police, what operational reasons rendered Brixton police unable to accept reports of minor crime over the telephone between 2 and 8 January. [31337]
  56W
  Mr. Denham
  I understand from the Commissioner that staff absences accounted for the inability of police in Brixton to accept reports of minor crime over the telephone for the period concerned. A decision was made to use the available staff to ensure continuity of service in the Crime Management Unit. Leaving the Crime Management Unit inadequately staffed would have had a greater adverse effect on the investigation of crime. Throughout this period members of the public were able to report minor crime in writing or in person at police stations.

  Terrorism Costs (Avon and Somerset Police Authority)
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to make additional funds available to Avon and Somerset Police Authority to recognise extra security duties and costs post 11 September 2001; [31825]

  (2) what additional funds have been made available to Avon and Somerset Police Authority to mitigate the impact on normal policing of increased security responsibilities post 11 September 2001. [31826]

  Mr. Denham
  We are currently considering how additional funding for costs incurred since September 11 should be distributed between police authorities. A decision will be made soon.

  Police Support Staff
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase and enhance the role of support staff in the police. [31675]

  Mr. Denham
  Proposals for new and enhanced functions to be carried out by civilian support staff were set out in "Policing a new century" (CM5326). The Police Reform Bill sets out the limited police powers that may be needed by support staff to enable them to carry out these functions.

  Asylum Accommodation Centres
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the eight sites under consideration for the proposed asylum accommodation centres; and in which parliamentary constituencies they are located. [31731]

  Angela Eagle: They are as follows:

  Qinetiq (formerly Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA)) Pershore, Worcestershire (Mid Worcestershire).

  Royal Air Force (RAF) Hemswell, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire (Gainsborough).

  Sully Hospital, Barry, South Glamorgan (Vale of Glamorgan).

  Hooton Park, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire (Ellesmere Port and Neston).

  Land vacated by Ministry of Defence (MOD) Logistics, Bicester, Oxfordshire (Banbury).

  Air West Edinburgh (formerly RAF Turnhouse), Edinburgh (Edinburgh West).

  RAF Newton, West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire (Rushcliffe).

  National Energy Site Killinghome, near Grimsby, North Lincolnshire (Cleethorpes).

  57W
  We also expect to identify any further sites which are available through the procurement competition which we will be launching shortly.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics he has collated from English police authorities on their expenditure on purchasing private medical insurance for staff in each financial year since 1998–99. [32873]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 February 2002]: Surrey is the only police authority which currently makes private medical insurance available to all its staff. The cost of the scheme, which began in November 2001, is about £550,000 a year.

  Speed Cameras (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists have been convicted of speeding offences as a result of evidence from speed cameras within the Greater London area in each of the last three years. [32898]

  Mr. Denham
  Information held centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database for the Metropolitan police and City of London is not sufficiently robust to identify proceedings for speeding offences where the offence has been detected by camera.

  However, data supplied directly from the police showing the number of prosecutions and fixed penalties notices issued for speeding offences as a result of the use of cameras is given in the table.

  Prosecutions and fixed penalties for speeding offences detected by camera within the Metropolitan police area1, 1998–2000

  Disposal/police force area

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Prosecutions

  2,983

  6,982

  5,522

  Fixed Penalties

  14,155

  13,048

  44,092

  1 Includes City of London

  Prison Inmates
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average number of hours is per week that a prison inmate at a prison in England or Wales(a) spends out of their cell and (b) works in a prison workshop over the last 12 month period for which figures are available. [34418]

  Beverley Hughes
  The average time out of cell for all prisoners in England and Wales for the current financial year to the end of December is 9.9 hours on a weekday and 8.7 hours at weekends. On average, prisoners spent 4.0 hours per week working in prison workshops over the same period. Data for December included in these figures are provisional and subject to validation.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Golden Jubilee
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions(a) she, (b) other Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her
  58W
  Department have had with Ministers and officials in other Government Departments to ensure that the costs of (i) public liability insurance and (ii) applying for road closures do not prevent members of the public from celebrating the Golden Jubilee. [31084]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 28 January 2002]: Discussions are held with colleagues in other relevant Government Departments on a wide range of issues relating to the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

  Public liability insurance is available at reasonable cost in the commercial markets. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions is responsible for road traffic regulations policy. The impact of this policy on the Golden Jubilee celebrations is being assessed. We expect to make a statement shortly.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what events(a) she is and (b) other Ministers in her Department are planning to attend as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations; and what events her Department is planning to arrange to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. [33260]

  Tessa Jowell
  [holding answer 4 February 2002]: Invitations to the majority of events taking place as part of the queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, including the national events in central London over the Jubilee weekend of 1-4 June 2002, have not yet been issued. It is also too soon for invitations to have been sent out for the Commonwealth Games. However, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, Ministers from other Departments and I expect to attend events including the National Service of thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral on 4 June and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester from 25 July to 4 August.

  It is my Department's role, working with all the interested parties including other Government Departments, to support the planning for Golden Jubilee celebrations in a way that embraces the six themes for the Jubilee: celebration; giving thanks; service; involving the whole community; looking forward as well as back; and the commonwealth while adhering to Her Majesty's wish that there should be no undue expenditure from public funds. It is not the role of government to arrange events. It is for local communities to decide how they wish to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

  We will publish a comprehensive list of events that Ministers will be attending nearer the time.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Rural Policy
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the co-ordination of rural policy. [34011]

  The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State
  None. However the Rural Regeneration Committee, DA(RR), chaired by the Secretary of State
  59W
  for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, reports, as necessary, to the Domestic Affairs Committee which I chair.

  Financial Propriety
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidelines exist regarding the propriety of personal employees of a Minister receiving payments from an organisation with which a Department is involved in negotiations; and if he will make a statement. [34323]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Ministerial Code requires Ministers to ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and their private interests, financial or otherwise. The remuneration and terms of employment of personal employees of Ministers working on non-Government business is not a matter for Government.

  Departmental Retirement Ages
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of his Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on flexible retirement. [32816]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Cabinet Office has a flexible retirement policy for its staff.

  Grades below the senior civil service

  Age 60 is the normal age of retirement for all grades below the senior civil service. It is also the earliest age at which full superannuation benefits may apply.

  Retention beyond age 60 is possible up to age 70 subject to departmental needs and continuing health and efficiency. Retention beyond age 70 is allowed only in exceptional circumstances.

  Early retirement with actuarially reduced benefits is available to staff aged 50 or over.

  The Cabinet Office agencies closely follow the Cabinet Office model, with analogous discretions allowing for extensions of service.

  The senior civil service

  The Cabinet Office is responsible for setting the retirement age for all members of the senior civil service. This is age 60. Heads of Departments and agency chief executives have flexibility to retain beyond this age if they judge it in the public interests and are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of individuals to carry out their duties.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arthur Andersen
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the occasions on which she has received hospitality in her ministerial capacity from(a) Arthur Andersen, (b) Andersen Consulting and (c) Accenture in the last two years. [31699]

  Ms Hewitt
  I attended a business dinner hosted by Arthur Andersen on 22 January 2002. As e-Commerce Minister I chaired a seminar on e-Commerce co-hosted by the DTI and Andersen Consulting at Lancaster House on 15 November 2000.
  60W
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the projects on which(a) Arthur Andersen, (b) Andersen Consulting and (c) Accenture are engaged for her Department. [31700]

  Ms Hewitt
  Current contracts with Arthur Andersen are as follows:

  Framework arrangement for Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund projects. The contract runs from November 2000 to October 2002

  Study of UK competitive position. The contract runs from July 2000 to March 2002

  Research and updating of information sheets. The contract runs from January 2000 to December 2002.

  There are no current contracts with Andersen Consulting or Accenture.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what pre-publication reports by Arthur Andersen she received between May 1997 and December 2001. [31938]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information is not held centrally by the Department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates since 7 June 2001(a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in her Department have met employees of (i) Andersen and (ii) Accenture on official business; and if she will make a statement. [32101]

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the occasions on which she and her ministerial colleagues have met representatives of(a) Arthur Andersen, (b) Andersen Consulting and (c) Accenture since June 2001; and what subjects were discussed. [31701]

  Ms Hewitt
  Ministers, special advisers and officials in my Department regularly meet a wide range of representatives from business. However as the Prime Minister's reply on 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 102W, makes clear, it is not normal practice to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contracts her Department has had since 1997 with(a) Arthur Andersen and (b) Accenture for (i) accountancy, (ii) audit and (iii) consultancy work; and what staff have been seconded (A) to her Department from and (B) from her Department to these firms. [32421]
  61W
  Ms Hewitt
  The information on contracts is set out as follows. The first contract was with Andersen Consulting (later Accenture); the remainder with Arthur Andersen.

  Research for the Foresight Financial Services Panel. The contract ran from September 1999 to March 2001—Consultancy.

  Joint reporting accountants on a study of a possible introduction of public-private partnership into British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. The contract ran from October to December Accountancy 2001—Accountancy.

  Statistical study of the British Biotechnology industry. The contract ran from April 2001 to January 2002—Consultancy.

  Framework arrangement for Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund projects. The contract runs from November 2000 to October 2002—Consultancy.

  Review of CMI, Cambridge. The contract ran from June to December 2001—Consultancy.

  High technology industry survey of foreign investors. The contract ran from September 2000 to March 2001—Consultancy.

  Study of UK competitive position. The contract runs from July 2000 to March 2002—Consultancy.

  Research and updating of information sheets. The contract runs from January 2000 to December 2002—Consultancy.

  These contracts were awarded following best departmental practice which involved obtaining competitive tenders and, where applicable, following EU procurement.

  On secondments, centrally held departmental records show that since 1997 there have been two secondees from Arthur Andersen, one from 1 July 1997 to 31 December 1998 and one from 15 April 1998 to 28 April 2000. There have been only one DTI secondee to Andersen Consulting from 2 January 1997 to 7 November 1997.

  Enron
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list all Government(a) contracts and (b) consent awarded by the department to (i) Enron Corporation, (ii) Enron Europe and (iii) Arthur Andersen between May 1997 and December 2001. [31935]

  Mr. Wilson
  Contracts awarded during this period with Arthur Andersen were as follows:

  Joint reporting accountants on a study of a possible introduction of Public-Private partnership into British Nuclear Fuels Limited. The contract ran from October 2000 to December 2001

  Statistical study of the British Biotechnology industry. The contract ran from April 2001 to January 2002

  £

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Capita

  217,921

  279,486

  24,693

  35,785

  Nil

  KPMG

  4,650

  100,000

  25,000

  Nil

  Nil

  PwC

  145,945

  157,406

  18,800

  110,837

  38,888

  Xansa

  402,750

  511,079

  161,462

  Nil

  Nil

  Deloitte & Touche

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  828,239

  921,761

  62W

  Framework arrangement for Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund projects. The contract runs from November 2000 to October 2002

  Review of CMI, Cambridge. The contract ran from June to December 2001

  High technology industry survey of foreign investors. The contract ran from September 2000 to March 2001.

  Study of UK competitive position. The contract runs from July 2000 to March 2002

  Research and updating of information sheets. The contract runs from January 2000 to December 2002.

  These contracts were awarded following best departmental practice which involved obtaining competitive tenders and, where applicable, following EU procurement rules.

  My department has no contracts with Enron Corporation or Enron Europe. Consents have been awarded under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the following facilities in which Enron Europe was involved:

  Extension to Sutton Bridge power station, 1997

  Isle of Grain power station, 2000

  Black Start facility at Teesside power station, 1998.

  All these cases were scrutinised and determined in the usual way under the section 36 statutory process, taking account of the views of the local planning authority, statutory bodies, local people and any other person making representations to the Secretary of State.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the occasions since 1997 when(a) Ministers in her Department and (b) special advisers in her Department have discussed UK energy policy with members of the American Embassy in London; and if she will make a statement. [32507]

  Ms Hewitt
  Such discussions are covered by Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and are thus confidential.

  Accountants
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts and what fees in each financial year since 1997–98(a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, (c) KPMG, (d) PA Consulting, (e) WS Atkins, (f) Accenture, (g) Deloitte & Touche, (h) McKinsey, (i) Capita, (j) AEA Technology, (k) Xansa Group, (l) Sema Group, (m) CMG Admiral, (n) ICL Group and (o) Logica received for advising her Department on PFI and PPP contracts; and if she will make a statement. [32505]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department and its agencies have had, since 1997–98, two contracts with KPMG, one contract with PricewaterhouseCoopers, one contract with Xansa, one contract with Deloitte & Touche and two contracts with Capita for advising on PFI and PPP contracts. There were no contracts with the other companies listed. The fees in each financial year since 1997–98 were as follows:

  Meetings
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what meetings have taken place between Ministers in her Department and employees of Citigate since 7 June 2001; and if she will make a statement; [32812]

  (2) if she will list the meetings that Ministers in her Department have had since 1 January 2000 with representatives of (a) Chevron, (b) Texaco, (c) Phillips Petroleum, (d) IMC Global, (e) TXU and (f) CMS; and if she will make a statement; [32919]

  (3) if she will list the dates of meetings that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in her Department have had since 1 January 1999 with representatives of Global Crossing; and if she will make a statement; [34056]

  (4) if she will list the (a) dates and (b) subjects of meetings that (i) special advisers and (ii) Ministers in her Department have had since 1 January 1999 with representatives of General Electric; and if she will make a statement; [34053]

  (5) if she will list the dates of meetings that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in her Department have had since 7 June 2001 with representatives of Seeboard; and if she will make a statement. [34061]

  Ms Hewitt
  Ministers, special advisers and officials in my Department regularly meet a wide range of representatives from business. However as the Prime Minister's reply of 19 November 2001,Official Report, column 102W, makes clear, it is not normal practice to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

  Energy Industry
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what occasions she and her Department have held meetings since May 1997 with representatives from(a) BP, (b) Shell, (c) Exxon-Mobil, (d) Enron, (e) Conoco, (f) Texaco and (g) Total Final Elf; if she will state the purpose of each meeting; and if she will provide details of the outcomes and agreements reached as a result of each meeting. [33216]

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings(a) she and (b) her senior departmental officials have had with Enron and its subsidiaries in the last two years. [32435]

  Number registered in:

  Financial year

  Total value (excluding VAT)

  Number of contracts let

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  Number of foreign companies

  1998–99

  10,895,760

  276

  276

  —

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  21,768,872

  53

  52

  —

  —

  1

  2000–01

  37,449,912

  95

  95

  —

  —

  —

  2001–02

  20,231,791

  78

  77

  1

  —

  —

  Contracting parties in the 1998–99 financial year:
  Action, Ameritech, Ascot Systems, ASE Consulting, Belmar-Zenith, Cap Gemini, CMG Admiral, Complete Media, Computacenter, Data Display, Dataware, Dell, Dr. Solomons, EDS, International Computers Ltd., i2, Interskill DBI, KPMG, MFT Computer Systems, Net Tel, OLSY, Reflex Magnetics,
  64W
  Ms Hewitt
  Ministers, special advisers and officials in my Department regularly meet a wide range of representatives from business. It is not normal practice to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

  As the Prime Minister's reply of 4 February 2002, Official Report, column 698W, makes clear, however, details of meetings between DTI Ministers and representatives of Enron have been disclosed, without setting a precedent, because unsubstantiated and unjustified allegations were made against the Government and the DTI is the lead Department on energy policy.

  These details (taken from official records of Ministers' engagements) are as follows:

  My right hon. Friend the Member for Tyneside, North (then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry) met senior Enron executives on 26 May 1999 and opened the Enron Europe HQ on 29 February 2000.

  My right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) (then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry) and my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) (then Energy Minister) met senior executives from a range of energy companies including Enron on 23 September 1998 to discuss the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West met the chief executive of Enron on 28 April 1998.

  My right hon. Friend the Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Mrs. Liddell), (then Energy Minister) met the senior executives from Enron on 9 February 2000 and on 13 April 2000 (alongside other energy executives) to discuss Transportation of Coal; and visited the offices of Enron at 40 Grosvenor Place on 5 October 2000.

  In addition DTI Ministers may have attended receptions or other events at which Enron executives were also present.

  Information Technology
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total expenditure of his Department on IT systems and support in each year from May 1997 to date; how many IT contracts have been let in each of those years; of the other main contracting party in each of those contracts, how many have been(a) companies whose registered office is in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland and (b) foreign companies; and what are the names of the companies falling within category (a). [33691]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested by the hon. Gentleman that is readily available from central records is as follows.

  SAS, Secure, Sequent, Sight and Sound, Silicon Graphics, Spectrum, Stellar, Ultima, Wang, XANSA, Zeh Graphics.

  Contracting parties in the 1999–2000 financial year:
  Cap Gemini, Computacenter, Getronics, HR Planning Software, International Computers Ltd., Insight Consulting; Macwarehouse, Oracle, Parity Resources, Parity Systems, QCC, SMC, Yale Consulting.
  65W
  Contracting parties in the 2000–01 financial year:
  AbilityNet, Action, ASE Consulting, Cap Gemini, Cathedral Consortium, Compuserve, Computacenter, Drake, E.cognition, Elan, Glensound, IBM, International Computers Ltd., I-CD Publishing, Infologistix, KPMG, Osmond, PVS, RNIB, SCC, Schlumberger Sema, Site Reports, The Accountant, Visionary Systems, Xansa, Yale Consulting.

  Contracting parties in the 2001–02 financial year:
  AbilityNet, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Cathedral Consortium, CMG Admiral, Computacenter, I-CD Publishing, Insight Consulting, International Computers Ltd., Line Management, KPMG, Method Applications, Oracle, Parity Resources, Posturite, Pulse Data, RNIB, Rock, SCC, Telesensory, The Speech Centre, Yale Consulting, Vogon International.

  Notes:

  1. Readily available electronic records are not available for years before 1998–99 and the information for 1997–98 could be extracted from manual records only at disproportionate cost.

  2. Only contracts valued at over £1,000 are included.

  3. Information has only been provided for IT contracts let by the DTI's central IT procurement unit. Information about locally let contracts is not available from central records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  4. Information supplied is for the core Department and excludes IT contracts let by the DTI's agencies.

  5. IT systems and support has been widely interpreted to include the purchase of IT equipment and related services.

  Coalminers (Compensation)
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was paid by the Government from January to December 2001 in Wrexham for respiratory disease, pursuant to the miners' compensation scheme for(a) damages to claimants and (b) legal costs for claimants' lawyers. [33530]

  Mr. Wilson
  As at the end of January 2002 the Department has paid nearly £252 million in respiratory disease compensation. In the Wrexham constituency, as at the end of December, £744,000 had been paid. A breakdown for the period January to December 2001 is not available in the time requested, as constituency figures have been available only since the end of October 2001.

  With regard to legal costs, the Department has paid £45 million to solicitors in relation to processing claims for respiratory disease. A breakdown for Wrexham and for the period January to December 2001 is not available in the time requested.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to date to each firm of solicitors involved in the compensation claims for(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers. [33667]

  Mr. Wilson
  In total there are some 300-plus firms of solicitors currently processing claims under either/or both schemes. The Department is not able to provide a breakdown by every firm of solicitors in the time available. However, detailed in the table are breakdowns of the costs paid (excluding generic trial costs) to the top 10 claims handlers under both schemes.
  66W

  Chronic bronchitis and emphysema

  £ million

  Claims handler in order based on total claims intimated

  Costs paid (excluding generic trial costs)

  Thompsons

  9.8

  Hugh James Ford Simey

  6.9

  Union of Democratic Mineworkers

  2.8

  Raleys

  4.2

  Mark Gilbert Morse

  0.5

  Browell Smith & Co.

  3.1

  Graysons

  2.1

  Watson Burton

  1.4

  Irwin Mitchell

  2.0

  Randell Saunders

  0.4

  Vibration white finger

  £ million

  Claims handler in order based on total claims intimated

  Costs paid (excluding generic trial costs)

  Thompsons

  5.7

  Browell Smith & Co.

  4.0

  Union of Democratic Mineworkers

  3.6

  Raleys

  3.0

  Hugh James Ford Simey

  3.0

  Graysons

  2.0

  Moss

  1.4

  Watson Burton

  1.9

  AMS Law

  1.0

  Towells

  1.3

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid out to former coalminers to date, in each region, as compensation for(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; and if she will make a statement. [33661]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Department's Coal Health Claims website—www.dti.gov.uk/coalhealth—where a breakdown of headline statistics by region, and by constituency can be found.

  Since the beginning of November last year we have seen a significant increase in the numbers of full and final offers being made for respiratory disease claims. We have now paid out nearly £710 million in compensation across both schemes.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much to date has been paid to lawyers who are handling claims for former coalminers under the(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger compensation claims for unsuccessful cases. [33668]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Department does not pay solicitors costs in relation to unsuccessful claims, apart from a small customer care fee for claims registered prior to the signing of the Claims Handling Agreement on 24 September 1999.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long on average it took to process a claim for compensation on behalf of coalminers suffering from(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger, by region, in the last 12 months. [33669]
  67W
  Mr. Wilson
  In the time available the Department is not able to provide a breakdown of average processing times by region over the last 12 months.

  However, in respect of respiratory disease, the average time nationally between medical assessment and date of offer in the last six months is five months and 14 days. With regard to vibration white finger, VWF, the average duration between medical assessment and date of offer in the last six months is six months and five days.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average length of time taken to process a claim for compensation on behalf of coalminers suffering from(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger, by each firm of solicitors, in the last 12 months. [33662]

  Mr. Wilson
  A breakdown of time taken by solicitors to process claims is not available in the time requested.

  Employment Tribunals
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to small businesses of employment tribunals in the last calendar year. [33703]

  Nigel Griffiths
  We have not made such an assessment.

  Post Offices
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of rural post offices. [34007]

  Mr. Alexander
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) on 29 November 2001,Official Report, column 1039W.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many grants have been made under the rural post office scheme, broken down by county; and what the total sum paid out to date is. [33615]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Government have made available a £2 million fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas where traditional services would otherwise close. To date, 139 application forms have been despatched and funding has been allocated to seven initiatives as follows:

  Amount

  Area

  £13,200

  to Capel-le-Ferne, Kent

  £1,669

  to Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire

  £208

  to Risbury, Herefordshire

  £10,200

  to Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire

  £3,862

  to Coleby, Lincolnshire

  £4,000

  to Henlow, Bedfordshire

  £16,730

  to Buriton, Hampshire

  £24,928 has been paid out for schemes at Capel Le Ferne, Risbury and Buriton. Further payments will be made following verification of invoices by Post Office Ltd.
  68W
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made for assistance under the rural post office scheme, broken down by county. [33614]

  Mr. Alexander
  29 completed applications out of the 139 forms requested to date have been received by Post Office Ltd. for the £2 million fund made available by Government to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas. They are as follows:

  Capel Le Ferne, Kent

  Holcombe, Devon

  Buriton, Sussex

  Risbury, Herefordshire

  Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire

  Struan, Highland

  Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire

  Coleby, Lincolnshire

  South Warnborough, Hampshire

  Deri, Caerphilly

  Tavernspite, Pembrokeshire

  Henstridge, Somerset

  Wanborough, Wiltshire

  Ringmer, Sussex

  Almondbank, Perth and Kinross

  Acton Trussell, Staffordshire

  Henlow, Bedfordshire

  Bernisdale, Higland

  Winteringham, Lincolnshire

  Milford, Staffordshire

  Lubenham, Leicestershire

  Dawlish Warren, Devon

  Tortington, Sussex.

  Laxay, Western Isles

  Folkingham, Lincolnshire.

  Bewcastle, Cumbria

  Ollaberry, Shetland Islands

  Standon, Staffordshire

  Bowden, Borders.

  Project from Norfolk have yet to reply.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual pre tax profits of the Post Office were in each year from 1980 to date; and how much was made over to the Treasury in each year. [34278]

  Mr. Alexander
  I refer my hon. Friend to the published reports and accounts of the Post Office for the figures from 1998 onwards, and to the Trade and Industry Committee Third report on the Post Office (97-98 session) for the figures from 1982 to 1997.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the future of the Post Office network. [34009]

  Mr. Alexander
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry receives representation from numerous sources. The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices.

  Business Survival Rates
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) each English region and (f) each local authority in the United Kingdom, the percentage of businesses surviving three years for the latest period for which figures are available. [34307]

  Nigel Griffiths
  We estimate survival rates on the basis of businesses registering for VAT who are still registered three years after. These data are available at Business Link, Training and Enterprise Council and Local Enterprise Company level. Data at local authority level are not available. The latest data relate to 1996 registrants and are set out in the table.

  Percentage

  Scotland

  61.2

  England

  62.4

  Wales

  63.1

  Northern Ireland

  70.1

  North-east

  61.4

  County Durham

  61.6

  Northumberland

  65.7

  Tees Valley

  60.8

  Tyne and Wear

  60.3

  North-west

  60.1

  Cheshire and Warrington

  63.6

  Manchester

  55.8

  Cumbria

  65.8

  East Lancashire

  60.4

  North Manchester

  57.8

  Merseyside

  63.0

  West and north Lancashire

  59.5

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  60.8

  Humberside

  61.9

  North Yorkshire

  66.2

  South Yorkshire

  59.7

  West Yorkshire

  58.8

  East Midlands

  61.2

  Derbyshire

  62.8

  Leicestershire

  61.2

  Lincolnshire

  61.8

  Northamptonshire

  61.7

  Nottinghamshire

  58.9

  West Midlands

  61.3

  Birmingham and Solihull

  55.3

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  65.7

  Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  67.5

  Shropshire

  64.4

  Staffordshire

  61.2

  The Black Country

  58.4

  Eastern

  65.3

  Bedfordshire

  63.3

  Cambridgeshire

  65.4

  Essex

  63.6

  Hertfordshire

  67.5

  Norfolk

  66.2

  Suffolk

  65.9

  London

  59.5

  South-east

  66.2

  Berkshire

  64.4

  Hampshire

  67.1

  Kent and Medway

  64.6

  Oxfordshire/Milton Keynes/Bucks

  66.9

  Surrey

  67.6

  Sussex

  66.0

  South-west

  65.0

  Dorset

  63.7

  Devon and Cornwall

  64.1

  Gloucestershire

  65.0

  Somerset

  68.1

  70W

  Percentage

  West

  63.1

  Wiltshire and Swindon

  68.9

  Celtec

  62.7

  Mid Wales

  68.3

  South-east Wales

  62.9

  West Wales

  61.2

  Argyll and Bute

  65.5

  Ayrshire

  62.7

  Borders Enterprise

  67.8

  Caithness and Sutherland

  66.4

  Dumbarton

  61.3

  Dumfries and Galloway

  71.3

  Fife

  60.6

  Forth Valley

  61.0

  Glasgow Development Agency

  49.1

  Grampian

  68.6

  Inverness and Nairn

  61.9

  Lanarkshire

  51.8

  Lochaber

  77.7

  Lothian and Edinburgh

  63.9

  Moray Badenoch and Strathspey

  76.8

  Orkney

  68.7

  Renfrewshire

  57.0

  Ross and Cromarty

  75.6

  Shetland

  76.0

  Skye and Lochalsh

  57.8

  Tayside

  65.4

  Western Isles

  75.6

  Source:

  Small Business Service April 2001

  Regional Assistance (North-west)
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry further to the answer to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East, (Mr. Howarth) of 29 January 2002,Official Report, column 160W, if she will list the recipients of regional assistance grants within the Liverpool, Walton constituency in each year from 1992 to 2001. [34432]

  Alan Johnson
  Recipients of regional assistance grants in Liverpool Walton are set out in the following table. This represents offers of regional selective assistance made by the Department of Trade and Industry. Offers that are not yet in the public domain have been excluded.

  Financial year

  Company name

  1992–93

  Panda Alarms Ltd.

  1992–93

  Commercial Hydraulics Liverpool Ltd.

  1992–93

  Food Integrants Ltd.

  1992–93

  W. R. Wright and Sons Ltd.

  1993–94

  Fortress Fabrications Ltd.

  1993–94

  Yes Stores Ltd.

  1993–94

  Fortress Fabrications Ltd.

  1994–95

  Fortress Fabrications Ltd.

  1994–95

  Stella Products Ltd.

  1996–97

  Ascotcrown Ltd.

  1996–97

  James Price Glazing Ltd.

  1997–98

  Dunlop Hevea (Industrial Footwear) Ltd.

  1999–2000

  Friskies Petcare (UK) Ltd.

  Small Business Service
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Small Business Service has to publish and maintain a clear strategy backed by clear milestones and targets. [33982]
  71w
  Nigel Griffiths
  The Small Business Service's strategy for 2001–04 and business plan for 2001–02 are available in the Libraries of the House and on www.sbs.gov.uk.

  SBS's priorities and operational targets for the next year are currently being developed and will be published in their business plan for 2002–03. Operational targets for 2002–03 will be announced in the House.

  Entertainment Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list, for 1997–98 and for each subsequent financial year, the amount spent(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad by (i) her Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) its non-departmental public bodies on (1) providing mobile telephone equipment, including handsets and other associated equipment, (2) telephone calls made using such equipment and (3) telephone calls made using privately owned mobile telephones but subsequently reclaimed by (x) Ministers and (y) staff. [34414]

  Ms Hewitt
  This information is not held centrally in the Department of Trade and Industry and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Responsibility for the provision of mobile telephones for official purposes and for payment of the associated call charges was devolved to individual directorates, agencies and NDPBs at the end of March 1993. Since August 1997, the DTI has increasingly made use of the central Mobile Telecommunications contract managed by the Office for Government Commerce. Vodafone are the latest suppliers of this contract, which provides a call-off arrangement for DTI users at advantageous prices ensuring that the Department obtains good value for money.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in each of the last four years. [34178]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department entered into a contract for the provision of accounts with CSL Group Ltd., effective from 1 April 1995. The contract, which covered an initial period of five years, was extended for a further two years. The cost of services is in part dependent upon volume of transactions. The average cost is approximately £2 million per annum.

  The Department has also entered into a PFI agreement for the development of a new financial accounting system. Under the terms of the agreement, the costs of development (approx £10 million) are recoverable over the (10-year) life of the system.

  £ million

  Accounts services provision

  PFI agreement

  1997–98

  2

  0

  1998–99

  2

  0.5

  1999–2000

  2

  1.1

  2000–01

  2

  1.4

  Advantage West Midlands
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are directly employed by Advantage West Midlands; and how many equivalent full-time posts this represents. [34806]

  Alan Johnson
  Advantage West Midlands employs 173 staff; this includes staff seconded to other organisations. This figure represents 170.7 full-time equivalent posts.

  Skills Councils
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to include the manufacturing sector in the trailblazers for the new sector skills councils. [34577]

  Ms Hewitt
  The DTI was represented in the interdepartmental group that considered bids to become trailblazer sector skills councils. We are pleased that important manufacturing interests such as textiles, oil and gas production, refining and distribution and chemicals manufacture are represented amongst the trailblazers. We are committed to building the conditions in which a successful manufacturing sector can thrive. The network of business-led sector skills councils currently being put in place will provide the framework in which to develop a highly skilled workforce that will support improved productivity and innovation in manufacturing companies in the UK.

  Consignia
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when a permanent chairman will be appointed to Consignia plc. [34793]

  Mr. Alexander
  Arrangements are in hand to recruit a permanent Chairman of Consignia. With the help of recruitment consultants, we are undertaking an open competition in accordance to the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. We are looking to make an appointment as soon as possible. In the interim, the Board of Consignia have asked Allan Leighton to Chair the Board.

  Sub-post Offices
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria will apply to the allocation of the Your Guide scheme when the pilot project is extended to the sub-post office network. [34791]

  Mr. Alexander
  We are currently in the process of evaluating the pilot of Your Guide running in Leicestershire and Rutland. In parallel with the evaluation we are working with the e Envoy's Office, other Departments and Consignia to design the form and content of a potential national service should the pilot prove a success.

  Regional Assistance Grant (East Sussex)
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much regional assistance grant to industry was awarded to each parliamentary constituency in East Sussex in each year since 1992; and if she will make a statement. [34368]
  73W
  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: The regional selective assistance grants for each parliamentary constituency in East Sussex in each year since 1992 is set out in the table:

  Regional selective assistance grant awarded in East Sussex from 1992 to 2001

  Constituency

  Total number of grants

  Total (£)

  1992

  0

  0

  1993

  0

  0

  1994

  Bexhill and Battle

  1

  40,000

  Hastings and Rye

  5

  163,912

  1995

  Bexhill and Battle

  5

  182,000

  Hastings and Rye

  14

  449,000

  1996

  Bexhill and Battle

  7

  1,033,900

  Hastings and Rye

  7

  430,000

  1997

  Bexhill and Battle

  2

  17,250

  Hastings and Rye

  6

  282,000

  1998

  Bexhill and Battle

  1

  7,000

  Hastings and Rye

  4

  238,000

  1999

  Bexhill and Battle

  1

  97,000

  Hastings and Rye

  4

  226,500

  2000

  Bexhill and Battle

  3

  93,000

  Brighton Kemptown

  1

  660,000

  Brighton Pavilion

  1

  95,000

  Hastings and Rye

  4

  150,500

  2001

  0

  0

  Enterprise grants awarded in East Sussex from 1999 to 2001

  Constituency

  Total number of grants

  Total (£)

  1999

  0

  0

  2000

  Hastings and Rye

  2

  26,800

  Lewes

  2

  100,900

  2001

  Bexhill and Battle

  2

  98,500

  Hastings and Rye

  3

  175,350

  Hove

  3

  104,700

  Lewes

  3

  136,949

  Cable and Wireless
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has agreed to allow Cable and Wireless to redeem the special share that the Government holds with the company. [35551]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's special share in Cable and Wireless was redeemed today for its nominal value of £1. This means that the Government no longer hold any shares in Cable and Wireless.
  74W
  The Government have made this decision to remove the requirement on Cable and Wireless to obtain the Government's written consent before making certain acquisitions or disposals. This should enable Cable and Wireless to make decisions that are in its own interests and consequently to compete more effectively in the telecommunications sector.

  Coal Authority Quinquennial Review
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report of the first stage of the quinquennial review of the Coal Authority will be published. [35616]

  Mr. Wilson
  The report is being published today on my Department's website at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal/index.htm. Copies are also being placed in the Libraries of the House.

Minister For women

  Women
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Minister for Women if she will make a statement on the benefits to the economy of flexible working for women. [33981]

  Ms Hewitt
  The economy needs a high rate of labour participation and both women and men want opportunities for productive paid employment. Flexible working is often the key to women's participation. Employers who adopt flexible working policies report that: staff are easier to attract and recruitment costs are less; skilled staff are retained and better returns are gained from training; staff turnover decreases; staff morale improves and absenteeism decreases; and changing market conditions are dealt with more effectively. In addition to the economic advantages the opportunity to work flexible hours can make a real difference to the lives of women, whether it is the woman or her partner who works flexibly; their families; and, their children.

  Retention of staff is key to the stability of an organisation. The typical recruitment costs of replacing an individual have been estimated at £3,900. And these costs do not take account of the investment made in training which is lost if skilled employees have to change jobs. Skills are lost to the economy, for example, when women take lower skilled jobs and less well paid jobs on return from maternity leave. A survey of parents carried out in 2000 found that 10 per cent. of non-employed mothers with dependent children under 16 said that the lack of flexible working opportunities was the main barrier to their finding employment. The continuing pay gap is an indicator of the skills lost to the economy: women's hourly earnings are 81.6 per cent. of men's earnings.

  This is why the Government are looking to improve the opportunities to work flexible hours. The Government's Work-Life Balance campaign encourages all employers to introduce ways of working which meet the needs of the business and its customers while simultaneously improving the work-life balance of their employees. In addition, for working mothers and fathers who juggle their work responsibilities with caring for their children, the Government through their Employment Bill are introducing a right to apply to work flexibly for parents

  75W
  with children aged under six (or 18 for parents of disabled children). If the new right encourages the participation of just 5 per cent. of mothers alone who are currently economically inactive it will increase the labour supply of women by 55,000.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women when she last met ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to discuss health issues relating to women. [34015]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Ministers for Women, supported by the Women and Equality Unit, have worked closely with our colleagues in the Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills in the production of a report entitled "Better Services—Better Working Lives" which was published in December 2001.

  The report was published as part of the Government's drive to deliver first class public services that are accessible to everyone. Women are the key users of health and education services, whether accessing the services themselves or for their children, and they are also in the forefront of delivering these services. The report which is based on the experiences of women as deliverers and users of these services will help inform future policy-making.

PRIME MINISTER

  African Visit
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Prime Minister what the objectives of his forthcoming visit to Africa are; and if he will make a statement. [33781]

  The Prime Minister
  I visited Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Senegal from 7-10 February. I was accompanied by the Secretary of State for International Development and my noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  The main purpose of my visit was to discuss with African leaders how to take forward the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NePAD) and the G8 Action Plan for Africa. I had fruitful discussions with Presidents Obasanjo, Kufuor, Kabbah and Wade. In an address to the National Assembly in Nigeria I was able to set out the need for a true partnership of shared responsibility and mutual interest between the developed world and Africa. I focused on peace and conflict resolution, good government, trade, growth, health and education—themes we were able to develop further during the visit. I also discussed with President Obasanjo the need for free and fair presidential elections in March in Zimbabwe.

  I also addressed the National Parliament in Ghana and outlined the argument for a conception of aid as an investment in the future of Africa and the developed world. I visited the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College, where I met a number of African officers with experience of conflict resolution in Africa. At the Ghanaian Cocoa Research Institute in Tafo and at Suhun Co-operative I saw how Ghanaian farmers are seeking to improve cocoa production and increase the value they can add to their raw product in Ghana and discussed with them the consequences of globalisation.
  76W
  In Sierra Leone I saw the real and beneficial impact the UK's commitment to conflict resolution has had and how peace has been restored to a country whose democracy and stability were threatened by armed rebels. It was heartening to see the preparations for democratic elections this May. There is a long way to go, but the healing process is under way in Sierra Leone, in large part thanks to the role played by British and United Nations forces.

  In Senegal I attended a seminar hosted by President Wade on the conditions necessary to achieve growth in Africa, with President Kufuor, Vice President Zuma of South Africa, and a number of experts on regional integration President Chirac's personal representative on Africa also participated. On Sunday I visited Ouakam Centre near Dakar for people infected with HIV. HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect in Africa. But Senegal, which has succeeded in keeping prevalence low, is a beacon of hope. I expressed our continued support for the Global Health Fund.

  This visit, as well as being an important expression of UK commitment to Africa, was important in deepening the dialogue with African leaders in the run-up to June's G8 Summit to be held in Canada where the partnership between the developed world and Africa would be a key issue.

  Hinduja Inquiry
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that Sir Anthony Hammond will seek evidence from(a) S. P. Hinduja, (b) G. P. Hinduja and (c) Davin Jewell in his reopened inquiry. [34875]

  The Prime Minister
  The decision who to invite for interview is a matter for Sir Anthony Hammond.

  EU 037/2000
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the communications received by his Office from 20 November onwards from Mr. Bill Moyes on the subject of the implications of EU 037/2000. [34839]

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, I have not received any communications.

  Lord Birt
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions Lord Birt has travelled by train since his appointment to the Forward Strategy Unit. [34639]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 22 January 2002,Official Report, columns 723-24W.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Prime Minister what experience Lord Birt has in relation to rail transport. [34789]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 16 January 2002,Official Report, column 298W.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that Lord Birt gives oral evidence to the Select Committees when requested. [34145]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers are directly accountable to the House for their decisions and actions. It is proper for them to express a preference as to who
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  should explain their policies and what action is being taken in the House. This is in line with the practice of successive Governments. There has been no change to the rules.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what the cost is of the offices used by Lord Bill at 45 Old Bond street. [34146]

  The Prime Minister
  There are no costs to the public purse.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has made to the Saudi Government on the treatment of imprisoned British nationals resident there; and how many British nationals are in prison in Saudi Arabia. [34669]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have made representations to the Saudi Government about those British nationals detained following a series of bombings. We continue to do so. I have personally raised these cases in my contact with the Saudi Government.

  Nine British nationals are currently detained in Saudi Arabia for various alleged offences.

  Broadcasting and Telecommunications Reception
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a summary of the remarks he made at the reception held at 10 Downing street for the broadcasting and telecommunications industry. [34772]

  The Prime Minister
  This was an informal event. No summary of my remarks was made.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) Ministers and (b) people and the organisations they represent who (i) were invited to and (ii) attended the reception held at 10 Downing street for the broadcasting and telecommunications industry. [34771]

  The Prime Minister
  It is not my practice to list individual names of guests invited to receptions at 10 Downing street. A range of representatives from the communications industry attended.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Employment Rights Act
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to change the provisions of sections 50 and 51 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. [33909]

  Alan Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no present plans.

  Legal Services Ombudsman
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training she has put in place for junior staff to take additional qualifications in the office of the Legal Services Ombudsman. [33298]
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  Ms Rosie Winterton
  All junior staff in the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman have qualifications commensurate with their responsibilities and in line with the personnel policies of the Lord Chancellor's Department. However, the Department may assist with a proportion of the costs for staff who wish to obtain further qualifications through further education.

  Auld Report
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received on the Auld consultation; and if he will place copies of the responses in the Library. [33747]

  Mr. Wills
  A total of 365 responses were received by the end of the period for public comment 31 January 2002. Copies of the responses will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Supreme Court Library. Responses from the general public and the main criminal justice stakeholders, subject to their agreement, will also be placed on the Lord Chancellor's website www.criminal-courts-review.org.uk. The Government will announce their conclusions by way of a White Paper in the spring.

  Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many contracts were let by his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to(a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen for consultancy services for the financial years (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration in each case. [33853]

  Mr. Wills
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of contracts

  £

  (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers

  (i) 1997–98

  3

  460,056

  (ii) 1998–99

  9

  2,193,703

  (iii) 1999–2000

  3

  360,693

  (iv) 2000–01

  4

  65,812

  (v) 2001 to date

  3

  73,717

  (b) Ernst & Young

  (i) 1997–98

  0

  —

  (ii) 1998–99

  1

  227,588

  (iii) 1999–2000

  1

  29,375

  (iv) 2000–01

  2

  481,749

  (v) 2002 to date

  3

  301,720

  (c) Deloitte & Touche

  (i) 1997–98

  0

  —

  (ii) 1998–99

  1

  231,475

  (iii) 1999–2000

  4

  77,546

  (iv) 2000–01

  4

  193,778

  (v) 2001 to date

  11

  905,050

  (d) KPMG

  (i) 1997–98

  3

  340,426

  (ii) 1998–99

  1

  1,433

  (iii) 1999–2000

  3

  56,025

  (iv) 2000–01

  1

  4,183

  (v) 2001 to date

  1

  29,375

  (e) Anderson1

  —

  —

  1 No contracts have been during the time period stated.

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  Northern Ireland Court Service could not produce figures for 1997–98 as the information is not stored on their current accounting system.

  Magistrates
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the maximum daily allowance for loss of earnings for magistrates. [33910]

  Mr. Wills
  The financial loss allowance and allowances for travel and subsistence are reviewed annually. Any new rate is effective from 1 September. The last increase was in September 2001.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates have suffered substantial loss of earnings in order to ensure that they sit on their obligatory number of sitting days in the last five years. [33904]

  Mr. Wills
  Such information does not exist.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of magistrates claimed loss of earnings in the last 12 months. [33911]

  Mr. Wills
  The Lord Chancellor's Department does not collect figures for the proportion of magistrates claiming for loss of earnings. However, a report "The Judiciary in the Magistrates' Courts" (RDS Occasional Paper No. 66), prepared for the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Home Office, and published in late 2000 suggested that 76 per cent. of magistrates who stated that they were employed did not claim any loss of earnings.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the maximum daily allowance is for loss of earnings for a magistrate. [33905]

  Mr. Wills
  The financial loss allowance payable to self-employed magistrates is £41.78 for a sitting of up to four hours and £83.56 for over four hours. The amounts payable to employed magistrates, which are not taxable, are £32.17 for a sitting of up to four hours; and £64.34 for over four hours.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Rural Bus Services
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 22 November 2001,Official Report, column 427-28W, if she will list the rural authorities and settlements that have a bus service (a) six days, (b) seven days and (c) six/seven days a week. [35226]

  Alun Michael
  The most comprehensive information about parishes and settlements and the extent to which they have a bus service(a) six days, (b) seven days and (c) six/seven days a week is based on completed parish clerk questionnaire responses to the Countryside Agency's Rural Services Survey. This is information collected in the year 2000 and is available on the Countryside Agency's website at: www.countryside.gov.uk/ruralservices/index.htm
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  It is not possible to provide a list in respect of rural authorities and settlements as requested because the information is not available in the format requested.

  It should be noted that a combined list of parishes and settlements in 2000 would be over 14,000 rows long with information from 6,100 parish councils covering 12,200 settlements.

  For 1997 information was collected only at parish level by the Rural Development Commission (one of the Countryside Agency's predecessor organisations). It is not readily available in a parish list format.

  Suckler Cow Premium
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list, by region, the value of outstanding payments for suckler cow premium. [32618]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The value of claims awaiting payment at 31 January 2002 is as follows:

  £

  RPA office

  Value

  Cambridge

  2,512,448.00

  Carlisle

  8,430,340.90

  Crewe

  3,231,748.40

  Exeter

  11,613,583.00

  Newcastle

  1,337,837.70

  Northallerton

  7,883,602.80

  Nottingham

  3,234,627.40

  Reading

  1,895,917.20

  Total

  40,140,105.40

  EAGA
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring and evaluation systems she has in place for measuring the progress of EAGA. [33132]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: EAGA Partnership is one of the two scheme managers for the Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) in England. HEES is marketed as the Warm Front Team and is the Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty in the private sector.

  DEFRA keeps in regular contact with EAGA Partnership. EAGA is set annual performance targets for each of its three regions. This is further broken down into the six catchment areas used by the Government Offices. These targets include: levels of spend per area and the number of householders to be assisted at the £1,000 and £2,000 grant levels. The number of central heating installations, repairs and replacement boilers to be fitted are also incorporated into the annual targets.

  Monthly performance reports assess delivery against targets and covers issues such as customer care and heating capacity. This process is further strengthened by the use of an external contractor, White Young Green, to biannually audit both HEES scheme managers quality control systems.
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  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on what procedures EAGA have for developing liaison with(a) energy advice offices at local level and (b) installers, with particular reference to warm zones. [33131]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: EAGA Partnership, is one of the two scheme managers for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES). It works with the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres (EEACs) throughout England to promote the benefits of the scheme. A number of EEACs undertake the initial home survey where a client's eligibility for assistance under HEES is assessed. The surveyor also recommends the appropriate insulation and heating measures to be installed. The advice centres use EAGA's publicity materials to promote the scheme. EAGA is working to further strengthen its partnership links with EEACs to assist in the delivery of the scheme.

  HEES installers are appointed by the scheme managers through open competition following UK Public Procurement Rules and Regulations. Appointments are made on the basis of ability to meet the technical and quality requirements of the scheme and the price tendered. Installers' catchment areas may include areas covered by The Warm Zones pilot initiatives. A number of installers work with EAGA in these areas to refer potential clients to the scheme and are required to follow a code of practice on customer care.

  Aggregates Tax
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure that moneys from the aggregates tax sustainability fund are used to support projects in areas where quarrying has the greatest environmental impact. [27839]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 January 2002]: Consultation on how to distribute the sustainability fund in England ended on 27 November 2001. We are currently reflecting on all the issues raised by the consultation, and decisions on the final shape and distribution of the fund are expected to be made soon.

  Recycling Plants
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which EU member states have implemented EC Regulation 2037/2000; and if she will list the commencement date in each case. [32057]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 31 January 2002] EC Regulations are directly applicable in all member states, once they enter into force they form part of the law in each member state. EC Regulation No. 2037/2000 applied from 1 October 2000. The provisions relating to the management of waste domestic refrigeration equipment came into effect on 1 January 2002.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials in her Department are engaged in ensuring the implementation of EC Regulation 2037/2000. [32059]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 31 January 2002]: Five officials (the equivalent of approximately two full-time posts) are engaged in ensuring the implementation
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  of the regulation with regard to the manufacture, use, trade and export of ozone depleting substances. A further six officials (the equivalent of approximately three full-time posts) are engaged on the waste management aspects of the regulation.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings she has had with outside bodies regarding the implementation of EC Regulation 2037/2000; when they took place; and who was present on each occasion. [32060]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 31 January 2002]: I have not met with outside bodies regarding this matter. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Environment met with a number of electrical retailers on Thursday 24 January—those present at the meeting included representatives from Dixon Group plc, RETRA (Radio Electrical and Television Retailers Association) and Kingfisher plc. There have also been a number of official level meetings with representatives from local authorities, the commercial refrigeration sector, electrical retailers, the voluntary sector, trade associations, and waste management companies too.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress towards meeting the recycling targets of EC Regulation 2037/2000. [32061]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 31 January 2002]: EC Regulation No. 2037/2000 does not contain specific targets for recycling. However, there are a number of options for dealing with waste fridges including re-use, export to other member states for treatment, disposal in the UK via high temperature incineration and storage pending treatment in the UK. Investors are in the process of providing a network of new recycling facilities in the United Kingdom. I understand that the first new facilities are likely to be operational in the spring.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish detailed specifications for the design and construction of recycling plants to meet the obligations of EC Regulation 2037/2000. [32058]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 31 January 2002]: Draft standards for the extraction of ozone depleting substances from waste refrigeration equipment were issued in early December. These standards are currently being finalised by the Environment Agency and will be published shortly. All plant will need to meet these standards, but other decisions regarding the design and construction of recycling plants are matters for companies investing in these facilities.

  Departmental Spending
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of spending by her Department against budget in the current financial year. [31968]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 31 January 2002]: Spending against budget is monitored during the year. It is forecast that existing budgets will be fully utilised during the current financial year.

  Recycling
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding she is providing to(a) Gloucestershire and (b) local government in England to help with recycling projects; and if she will make a statement. [34638]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: The Government have increased funding for the Environmental Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) block, which includes waste management, by £1.1 billion over the SR2000 period. There is also a ring-fenced fund of £140 million for local authority recycling and £220 million for waste private finance initiative projects over the same period. Councils will also benefit from the £40 million to the waste and resources action programme to overcome market barriers to reuse and recycling of waste.

  The Department has just concluded a consultation on its proposals for the distribution of the £140 million fund. At this stage it is not possible to identify what funding Gloucestershire county council might receive from this source.

  Refrigerators
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the expected cost to local authorities is of providing temporary storage for refrigerators. [30321]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 29 January 2002]: The estimated costs for dealing with waste fridges are in the range of £22 to £35. This figure will cover transport, handling, storage and processing. The storage element will vary according to the length of storage, location of the site, and whether the local authority own the storage site.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding her Department has allocated to(a) Buckinghamshire county council and (b) Aylesbury Vale district council to assist with the costs of storing and processing refrigerators and freezers; and what plans she has to make further funding available. [30043]

  Mr. Meacher
  £6 million has been added to the provisional local government finance settlement for 2002–03 for the costs of implementing the ozone depleting substances regulation relating to the period 1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002. This will be distributed to local authorities using Standard Spending Assessments (SSA). The extra money has been added to the upper tier sub-block of the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services SSA. We are continuing to assess the impacts of the regulation and will determine what further action is required beyond that.

  Wye Navigation Order
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by what date she will announce her decision on the Wye Navigation Order. [34154]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: I hope that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be able to announce a decision by the end of June.

  Sellafield
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the summary of responses to the Sellafield MOX plant consultation 2001. [32724]

  Margaret Beckett
  A comprehensive summary of the responses to the consultation exercises on the Sellafield MOX plant formed one of three annexes to the Decision Document, published jointly by my Department and the Department of Health on 3 October 2001. The Decision Document and the annexes can be downloaded from my Department's website www.defra.gov.uk/environment/radioactivity/mox/index.htm.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names of respondents to the 2001 consultation on the Sellafield MOX plant who were(a) in favour and (b) against the SMP. [32726]

  Margaret Beckett
  Government Departments undertook two consultation exercises on the Sellafield MOX plant during 2001. Copies of all the responses (about 8,000), apart from those who asked for their responses to remain confidential, are available in my Department's library.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which SMP customers have specified that they want their separated plutonium back as MOX fuel and which have indicated that they do not want it immobilised as a waste. [32727]

  Margaret Beckett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 15 October 2001,Official Report, column 1097W.

  Water Industry Act
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she intends to take to review the Water Industry Act 1991. [34069]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government's draft Water Bill, published for public consultation on 6 November 2000, proposed amendments to existing water legislation including the Water Industry Act 1991. The Bill aims to give water consumers a better deal by creating a more open and accountable industry. The Bill will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

  Noise Act
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions by local authorities there have been in each of the last three years under the Noise Act 1996. [32899]

  Mr. Meacher
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Available figures for all prosecutions against noise offences are collected by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) but figures are not held
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  specifically for prosecutions under the Noise Act 1996. Figures for 2000–01 published by CIEH were announced by me on 20 December 2001. This information has been

  Category of noise nuisance

  Industrial

  Commercial/leisure

  Domestic

  Construction/demolition sites

  Vehicles

  Equipment in the street

  1998–99

  Complaints received

  11,393

  21,493

  114,245

  6,543

  3,764

  2,762

  Complaints per million population

  444

  836

  4,330

  248

  146

  107

  Notices served1

  313

  549

  3,479

  442

  252

  54

  Prosecutions1

  12

  18

  168

  22

  12

  3

  Convictions1

  10

  14

  156

  8

  0

  3

  1999–2000

  Complaints received

  12,738

  28,661

  155,860

  8,829

  4,686

  3,384

  Complaints per million population

  421

  960

  5,149

  292

  156

  113

  Notices served1

  336

  1,000

  5,142

  547

  537

  90

  Prosecutions1

  6

  45

  349

  8

  0

  2

  Convictions1

  2

  42

  304

  8

  0

  2

  2000–01

  Complaints received

  11,475

  34,745

  169,810

  10,822

  5,172

  6,501

  Complaints per million population

  346

  1,038

  5,001

  325

  162

  209

  Notices served1

  283

  1,393

  5,351

  808

  507

  236

  Prosecutions1

  4

  78

  313

  39

  2

  4

  Convictions1

  4

  49

  255

  28

  0

  2

  1 Figures grossed where incomplete.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 22 January 2002,Official Report, column 781W, if the improved ELISA test was used to diagnose those animals slaughtered after the last case of foot and mouth; and if she will make a statement. [35268]

  Mr. Morley
  The improved ELISA test was used as a screening test in the extensive serological testing programme that took place. Sera which gave positive ELISA tests were subject to a virus neutralisation test before any decision to cull animals was taken.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when MAFF(a) started and (b) concluded its investigation into whether pigs identified as suffering from foot and mouth disease on 19 February 2001 had been fed on illegally imported meat; and what their conclusion was. [33712]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: The State Veterinary Service started an epidemiological inquiry into the origins of the foot and mouth outbreak immediately the first case was confirmed. These investigations are still ongoing. There are related criminal proceedings currently under way and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what moneys are outstanding to Dumfries and Galloway council in respect of that region's foot and mouth disease containment activities in 2001. [34437]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: The Department has already paid the bulk of Dumfries and Galloway council's claim in respect of their disease control costs incurred during the foot and mouth outbreak. On 24 January 2002, my officials met with representatives of the council and SEERAD officials to resolve a number
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  placed in the Libraries of both Houses but is also available on both the DEFRA and CIEH websites. A summary of the figures follows:

  of outstanding issues relating to their claim. Agreement was reached on the payment process for the remaining £2,183,428.09. This should be paid in the next few weeks.

  A claim for damages to roads has been submitted by the council and is being considered by the Department.

  Farm Prices
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) farmgate and (b) market price was of (i) sheep, (ii) pigs, (iii) beef cattle, (iv) dairy cattle, (v) broiler chickens, (vi) free range chickens, (vii) sugar beet and (viii) cereals in each year since 1990. [34868]

  Mr. Morley
  The following tables show the farm gate output values, variable production costs, gross margins, fixed production costs and net margins for lowland sheep, pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, cereals and sugar beet for those years since 1990 for which data are available. These data are based on results from DEFRA commissioned surveys into the economics of farm enterprises. Data for broiler chickens and free range chickens are not available.

  Lowland sheep

  £ per ewe

  Lamb crop

  Output

  Variable costs

  Gross margin

  Fixed costs

  Net margin

  1991

  56

  23

  33

  n/a

  n/a

  1992

  57

  23

  34

  n/a

  n/a

  1993

  66

  24

  42

  n/a

  n/a

  1994

  67

  25

  42

  51

  -9

  1995

  71

  26

  45

  n/a

  n/a

  1996

  77

  27

  49

  n/a

  n/a

  1997

  70

  27

  43

  n/a

  n/a

  1998

  66

  25

  40

  n/a

  n/a

  1999

  57

  24

  32

  66

  -33

  2000

  57

  25

  32

  n/a

  n/a

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  Pigs1

  £ per finished pig

  October to September

  Value of finished Pig

  Feed costs

  Margin Over feed

  Total costs

  Net margin

  1991–92

  73

  42

  31

  64

  9

  1992–93

  71

  45

  26

  67

  4

  1993–94

  62

  42

  20

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  72

  42

  31

  n/a

  n/a

  1995–96

  91

  47

  44

  n/a

  n/a

  1996–97

  77

  43

  34

  70

  7

  1997–98

  59

  39

  20

  65

  -6

  1998–99

  49

  34

  15

  59

  -10

  1999–2000

  58

  36

  22

  n/a

  n/a

  2000–01

  68

  40

  28

  n/a

  n/a

  1 Data based on results from special surveys into the economics of pig production

  Lowland beef cattle finished at 16-22 months1

  £ per head

  Calendar year

  Output

  Variable costs

  Gross margin

  Fixed costs

  Net margin

  1991

  223

  122

  101

  n/a

  n/a

  1992

  215

  126

  88

  n/a

  n/a

  1993

  265

  132

  133

  n/a

  n/a

  1994

  266

  138

  129

  n/a

  n/a

  1995

  289

  146

  143

  141

  2

  1996

  256

  163

  93

  158

  -65

  1997

  198

  145

  53

  n/a

  n/a

  1998

  209

  136

  72

  n/a

  n/a

  1999

  249

  134

  113

  n/a

  n/a

  2000

  248

  137

  111

  n/a

  n/a

  1 Data based on results from special surveys into the economics of lowland beef production

  Dairy cows

  £ per cow

  April to March

  Output

  Variable costs

  Gross margin

  Fixed costs

  Net margin

  1991–92

  1,149

  413

  737

  n/a

  n/a

  1992–93

  1,240

  427

  813

  n/a

  n/a

  1993–94

  1,297

  468

  829

  n/a

  n/a

  1994–95

  1,318

  497

  821

  n/a

  n/a

  1995–96

  1,453

  555

  897

  n/a

  n/a

  1996–97

  1,480

  547

  933

  574

  359

  1997–98

  1,293

  485

  808

  n/a

  n/a

  1998–99

  1,192

  441

  751

  n/a

  n/a

  1999–2000

  1,117

  448

  669

  n/a

  n/a

  2000–01

  1,137

  455

  682

  n/a

  n/a

  Winter wheat

  £ per ha

  Harvest year

  Output

  Variable Cost

  Gross margin

  Fixed costs

  Net margin

  1991

  861

  258

  603

  n/a

  n/a

  1992

  892

  253

  640

  n/a

  n/a

  1993

  952

  265

  688

  365

  322

  1994

  1,063

  268

  795

  n/a

  n/a

  1995

  1,253

  281

  972

  n/a

  n/a

  1996

  1,157

  300

  857

  n/a

  n/a

  1997

  919

  309

  610

  n/a

  n/a

  1998

  856

  279

  577

  429

  148

  1999

  872

  255

  617

  n/a

  n/a

  2000

  835

  256

  579

  n/a

  n/a

  88W

  Barley

  £ per ha

  Harvest year

  Output

  Variable costs

  Gross margin

  Fixed costs

  Net margin

  1991

  659

  212

  447

  n/a

  n/a

  1992

  764

  211

  553

  n/a

  n/a

  1993

  805

  212

  593

  360

  233

  1994

  895

  213

  682

  n/a

  n/a

  1995

  1,076

  224

  852

  n/a

  n/a

  1996

  1,028

  247

  780

  n/a

  n/a

  1997

  804

  249

  555

  n/a

  n/a

  1998

  735

  226

  509

  418

  91

  1999

  761

  205

  556

  n/a

  n/a

  2000

  732

  207

  525

  n/a

  n/a

  Sugar beet—harvest year1995

  £ per ha

  Output

  1,886

  Variable costs

  636

  Gross margin

  1,249

  Fixed costs

  564

  Net margin

  685

  Note:

  Figures may not add due to rounding

  Dairy Farms
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the revenue lost per annum since 1990 to dairy farms as a result of(a) bovine TB, (b) pneumonia, (c) bovine viral diarrhoea, (c) mastitis, (d) calf scours and (e) foot rot, broken down by constituency. [31809]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 31 January 2002): Information is not collated on the impact on farmers' revenues of different animal diseases.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average veterinary costs per annum since 1990 to dairy farms were as a result of(a) bovine TB, (b) pneumonia, (c) bovine viral diarrhoea, (c) mastitis, (d) calf scours and (e) foot rot, broken down by constituency. [31810]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 31 January 2002]: While estimates of average veterinary costs per farm for dairy farms are available, it is not possible to attribute these costs to specific animal diseases nor to give these by constituency.

  Genotype Test Errors
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 29 January 2002,Official Report, column 240W, on genotype test errors, if she will list (a) the total number of samples that were originally tested, (b) the number of samples that were originally tested that were found to have been wrong, (c) the total number of samples that have been retested and (d) the total number of samples that have been retested that were subsequently found to be wrong. [33777]
  89W
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 February 2002]: The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Total number of samples that were originally tested by LGC

  Up to 4,257
  (Note: This is the total number of samples that had been sent to LGC by DEFRA: results had been reported to DEFRA for 2,420 of these at the time the problem was identified.)

  (b) Number of samples that were originally tested that were found to have been wrong
  At the time the problems emerged, LGC estimated that up to 356 samples had been wrongly reported to DEFRA. A definitive figure could not be arrived at prior to re-testing of all samples.

  (c) Total number of samples that have been retested

  4,257
  (Note: That is, all the samples that had been sent to LGC were re-tested.)

  (d) The total number of samples that have been re-tested that were subsequently found to be wrong.

  The number that had been reported to sheep flock owners is 39, representing less that 0.2 per cent. of the total samples processed by the two private-sector laboratories (of which LGC is one) contracted to provide genotyping services to DEFRA.
  (Note: The figure of 304 is the number of original samples which, as a result of re-testing, were found to have had been wrongly reported to DEFRA.)

  Mains Sewerage
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to set targets to reduce the number of residential properties not connected to mains sewerage. [32264]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: It would not be practicable to set targets as it is largely a matter between householders and sewerage undertakers which has to be considered on a case-by-case basis. If their existing non mains drainage system is causing an environmental or amenity problem, householders can apply to the sewerage undertaker to provide mains sewerage, the cost of which would be met by customers generally if the specified criteria are met. Alternatively, a householder not on mains sewerage can requisition a sewer from the sewerage undertaker with the householder meeting the cost.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many residential properties in each region have been connected to mains sewerage for the first time in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [32265]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: Ofwat does not collect information on how many residential properties in each region are connected to mains sewerage each year. It collects estimates from sewerage companies each year of the number of households served by those companies. Estimates for the year 2001–02 are published by Ofwat in "Tariff structure and charges 2001–02 report". Copies are in the Library. The figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are as follows.
  90W

  Thousand

  Householders

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Anglian Water

  2,188

  2,208

  Dwy Cymru

  1,177

  1,192

  United Utilities

  2,706

  2,737

  Northumbrian Water

  1,049

  1,042

  Severn Trent Water

  3,291

  3,314

  South West Water

  569

  576

  Southern Water

  1,610

  1,628

  Thames Water

  4,830

  4,883

  Wessex Water

  982

  947

  Yorkshire Water

  1,864

  1,886

  Correspondence
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber of 3 July 2001 on behalf of Dr. A. Jones of Nethy Bridge. [32246]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 4 February 2002]: We have no record of having received the letter referred to by my hon. Friend.

  Circuses
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the animal welfare implications of circus practices involving the use of animals within the UK; and if she will make a statement. [30443]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 January 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 239W.

  Regional Food
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to promote regional food chain supply and marketing initiatives. [32897]

  Mr. Morley
  We are pursuing a wide range of activities at regional and national level, directly and through bodies such as the Countryside Agency and Food from Britain which we grant aid. Support for appropriate projects is also available under the England Rural Development Programme.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on administering the Countryside Stewardship Scheme; and what proportion of total spending on the Countryside Stewardship Scheme was paid to farmers in each of the last five years. [33100]

  Mr. Morley
  The table shows how much of the Department's running cost budget has been spent on administering the Countryside Stewardship Scheme over the last five years compared with payments to farmers over the same period (the latter is also expressed as a percentage of the total).
  91W

  £000

  Administration costs

  Payments to farmers

  Percentage payments to farmers

  1997–98

  6,690

  15,078

  69

  1998–99

  7,643

  19,896

  72

  1999–2000

  8,541

  23,892

  74

  2000–01

  13,712

  29,753

  68

  2001–021

  8,911

  48,893

  85

  1 2001–02 figures are provisional and not strictly comparable with previous years, owing to 1. the creation of the Rural Development Service on 1 April 2001; 2. the diversion of staff on to FMD duties during the course of 2001.

  Badgers
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she issues on the relocation of badgers in suburban areas from(a) private home owners, (b) schools and (c) other public buildings. [32809]

  Mr. Morley
  Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. For the purposes of preventing serious damage to property there is provision within the legislation for action to be taken under a licence from the Department. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Where relocation is the only feasible option the Department provides technical advice.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has made to the Department of Health regarding the transmission of TB by badgers. [32846]

  Mr. Morley
  In order to keep under review the potential of Mycobacterium bovis to infect humans a Joint Liaison Group on Bovine Tuberculosis in Animals and Man was established between the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health (DH). Liaison between the Department and DH continues through the Chief Medical Officer's UK Zoonoses Group.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in each of the last four years. [34177]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has only been in existence since June 2001, so does not have such historical information. The forecast cost in 2001–02 for accountancy services is £561k.

  National Parks
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will give national parks the right to be represented on regional assemblies. [34128]

  Alun Michael
  The Government's proposals for elected regional assemblies in England will be presented to Parliament in a White Paper as soon as it is ready. This will set out the relationship between assemblies and other local and regional stakeholders.

  Dorset
  Jim Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the financial initiatives and resources sponsored by her Department in the last 12 months for Dorset which are additional to the Government SSA grants. [29890]

  Mr. Morley
  The major financial initiatives and resources sponsored in the last 12 months for Dorset are:

  (a) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments

  £000

  Scheme

  UK

  EU

  Arable Area Payment Scheme

  427

  200

  Beef Special Premium Scheme

  59

  2,265

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme

  427

  200

  Extensification Payment Scheme

  23

  788

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  206

  188

  Slaughter Premium Scheme (EUTM)

  0

  122

  Exception Payments (Miscellaneous)

  23

  0

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

  12

  4

  Farm Woodland Scheme

  6

  1

  Organic Farming Scheme

  325

  303

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme

  0

  1,002

  Suckler Cow Premium Scheme

  2

  1,095

  Slaughter Premium Scheme

  0

  3

  (b) Flood and Coastal Defences

  In the last 12 months the following schemes and studies have been approved for grant aid:

  Operating authority

  Scheme

  Purbeck borough council

  Evening Hill coast protection

  Swanage beach management study

  Durlston Bay strategy study

  Bournemouth borough council

  Poole and Christchurch Bay strategy study

  West Dorset district council

  Beaminster Ph3A flood alleviation

  Lyme Regis (Windsor Terrace) flood alleviation

  Preston Brook study

  Environment Agency

  Pymore flood alleviation

  Flood warning improvements

  The Department has paid grants of some £756,000 to the named schemes, as well as other on-going schemes.

  As part of the response to the autumn 2000 floods, the Department has further provided the Environment Agency with special contributions towards the costs of (i) emergency response and repairs and (ii) design and feasibility for accelerated river defences. The contributions made to the Avon/Dorset Flood Defence Committee in the last 12 months for these items have totalled £413,000 and £164,000 respectively.

  Farm Payments
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount paid to farm businesses was in each of the last five years, indicating in each case the cost of administering the(a) arable area payment scheme, (b) suckler cow premium scheme, (c) hill livestock compensatory allowance, (d) hill farming allowance, (e) countryside stewardship scheme and (f) environmentally sensitive areas schemes. [27758]
  93W
  Mr. Morley
  The amounts paid for(a) arable area payments scheme were:

  £

  Scheme year

  Amount paid

  Administration costs

  1996

  1,054,740,241

  6,824,000

  1997

  1,055,721,796

  6,388,000

  1998

  685,942,025

  6,730,000

  1999

  1,130,409,358

  6,347,000

  2000

  882,979,696

  17,222,000

  1 Estimated outturn

  The amounts paid for (b) suckler cow premium scheme were:

  £

  Scheme year

  Amount paid

  Administration costs

  1996

  81,524,702

  2,685,900

  1997

  78,762,180

  2,373,600

  1998

  77,854,276

  2,493,300

  1999

  70,567,139

  3,752,071

  2000

  67,923,516

  3,742,781

  The amounts paid for (c) hill livestock compensatory allowance were:

  £

  Scheme year

  Amount paid

  Administration costs

  1996

  27,128,357

  1,127,000

  1997

  42,398,518

  996,000

  1998

  28,086,148

  1,046,000

  1999

  44,288,837

  1,755,281

  2000

  43,666,451

  927,037

  There were no amounts paid for (d) hill farm allowance for these periods.

  The amounts paid for (e) countryside stewardship scheme were:

  £

  Scheme year

  Amount paid

  Administration costs

  1996

  12,468,000

  2,031,000

  1997

  17,126,000

  1,793,000

  1998

  22,030,000

  1,884,000

  1999

  26,038,000

  1,773,000

  2000

  31,915,000

  2,918,000

  The amounts paid for (f) environmentally sensitive areas scheme were:

  £

  Scheme year

  Amount paid

  Administration costs

  1996

  27,591,000

  1,461,000

  1997

  32,984,000

  1,290,000

  1998

  36,376,000

  1,355,000

  1999

  41,144,000

  1,743,000

  2000

  43,807,000

  2,005,000

  Farm Closures
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) farms and (b) farm closures there were in each constituency in each year since 1990. [34874]
  94W
  Mr. Morley
  Figures showing the number of farms in each constituency for 1990, 1995 and 2000 are being made available in the House of Commons Library. Figures are not readily available for the years in between. Information on the number of farm closures in each constituency is not available.

  Ministerial Trips
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her ministerial team in each of the last four years, specifying the purpose and cost of each trip. [30174]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer to the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 707W.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Higher Education (Bassetlaw)
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of people in Bassetlaw have attended higher education; and what the national average is. [29389]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest available figures from the local area labour force survey show that, in 2000–01, 18.3 per cent. of people of working age resident in the constituency of Bassetlaw held a qualification at degree level (or equivalent) or above, compared to 23.3 per cent. in the United Kingdom.

  Student Tuition Fees
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many representations she has received since 1997 from(a) education bodies and groups, (b) hon. Members and (c) members of the public concerning tuition fees for students; and if she will make a statement. [30970]

  Margaret Hodge
  Since 1 April 2000 the Department has received 103 letters from hon. Members and 421 letters from members of the public about tuition fees in higher education. We cannot give a breakdown of how many letters on this subject were received from education bodies and groups. Prior to 1 April 2000, no centralised electronic record was kept and we cannot therefore give reliable information.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a review of higher education student finance in October. In view of the benefits conferred on individuals by higher education, the Government believe it is right for students and their families to contribute to the cost. We are re-examining the balance of contributions between the state, the students and their families to ensure that we have appropriate arrangements in place to expand participation to 50 per cent. of those aged 18-30 by 2010.

  Higher Education (Access)
  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on Government policy relating to widening participation in higher education. [31149]
  95W
  Margaret Hodge
  The Government's policy is to increase participation so that by the end of the decade, 50 per cent. of 18 to 30 year olds have the opportunity to experience higher education. As part of this objective, the Government intend to widen participation to those groups traditionally under-represented in higher education. We have taken a number of steps to support our policy. They include the Excellence Challenge programme, targeted at raising the aspirations of young people from our cities, educational maintenance allowances introduced in pilot areas to encourage greater staying-on and attainment rates post-16; policy to raise levels at 16 and 18, by driving up standards in secondary schools; the Connexions Service, to ensure that young people get the advice and support they need to achieve; and new qualifications in school, college and university to expand choices of study.

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many universities had agreed a target for widening participation by 31 December 2001. [33030]

  Margaret Hodge
  122 of the 126 higher education institutions that were required by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to submit widening participation strategies, have agreed their targets with the funding council. HEFCE is working with the four outstanding institutions to agree their targets and we expect those targets to be agreed as soon as possible.

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial penalties she plans to impose on institutions which do not agree targets on widening participation in university education. [33031]

  Margaret Hodge
  The funding of individual higher education institutions, and the terms and conditions of grant, are matters for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). In HEFCE circular 01/29, the Funding Council stated that:"If (Widening Participation) strategies and acceptable accompanying action plans are not submitted, we may withhold all or part of the funding for 2001–02 from the postcode premium, and/or aspiration funding, where applicable. Funding for future years (2002–03, 2003–04) will be released on the production and approval of a report on progress towards the targets set in the action plan".

  HEFCE is at present considering what further measures to introduce, and will consult with the sector about this shortly.

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has given HEFCE on promoting wider participation in university education. [33032]

  Margaret Hodge
  The guidance, which the Secretary of State has provided to HEFCE was outlined in the grant letter of 29 November 2001 to the council, a copy of which can be found in the Commons Library. This guidance emphasises the importance given to the Government's commitment to widen participation and to meet their target of ensuring that 50 per cent. of young people should have the opportunity to benefit from higher education by the time they reach 30 years of age.

  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the cost of meeting the Government's target on widening participation in university education. [33035]
  96W
  Margaret Hodge
  The Government are committed to increasing and widening participation. Costs are being considered as part of the spending review. The outcome of the spending review will be made public in the summer.

  Departmental Leave Entitlement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been the average annual leave entitlement of staff in her Department in each of the last four years. [31752]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Since 1 April 2000 all staff outside of the senior civil service have been entitled to 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising to 30 days after 10 years' service.

  Between 1 August 1998 and 31 March 2000, staff up to and including Higher Executive Officer (HEO) were entitled to 25 days on appointment. Staff in grades up to and including HEO equivalent qualified for 30 days entitlement after 15 years' service. Staff at Senior Executive Officer (SEO)—Grade 6 continued to qualify for 30 days after 10 years service.

  Prior to 1 August 1998, staff in grades up to and including HEO equivalent received 22 days entitlement on appointment, rising to 25 days after one year. Staff in grades at SEO—Grade 6 received 25 days on appointment. Staff in grades up to Executive Officer (EO) equivalent qualified for 30 days entitlement after 20 years' service, staff at HEO equivalent qualified for 30 days after 15 years' service, and SEO—Grade 6 qualified for 30 days after 10 years' service.

  Annual leave entitlement for members of the senior civil service is set at 30 days and has been for the last four years.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what grants and loans are available to a higher education non-home student living and studying outside London, with parents(a) who are each earning £20,000 a year and are divorced, (b) who are each earning £20,000 a year and are married and (c) one whom is earning £40,000 a year and the other of whom earns nothing. [32732]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The starting point for assessment of student support is the parents' gross taxable income. This is reduced by certain allowances, largely pension contributions that qualify for tax relief, to produce a residual income. In the case of divorced or separated parents, local education authorities will normally base the assessment on the parent's residual income with whom the student lives.

  In 2001–02 academic year, a student who was living away from the parental home, studying outside London, whose parent's residual income is £20,000 a year would be eligible to receive a public contribution of £1,030 towards their tuition fees and a student loan of £3,815.

  A student with the same circumstances but whose parents are married and have a combined residual income of £40,000 would be liable to meet the full cost of tuition fees of £1,075 but would be eligible to receive a student loan of £2,860. The same level of support would also be available to a student where one parent had a residual

  97W
  income of £40,000 a year and the other parent had no income as the public support we provide is based on joint parental income.

  Examination Marking
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many examiners in England and Wales were examining(a) A-level, (b) AS-level and (c) GCSE for the first time in 2001; what percentage the total of these figures is of the total number of examiners; and what the comparable (i) A-level and (ii) GCSE figures were for 1997. [33106]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Data on first time examiners recruited by the awarding bodies are not collated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or the Department. Each awarding body keeps its own records.

  Fair Trade Fortnight
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to encourage participation by her Department in Fair Trade Fortnight from 4 to 17 March. [33550]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We welcome initiatives that aim to support sustainable development education. Various areas of the curriculum in England provide opportunities to study fair trade and other international development issues in all sectors of education. It is up to educational institutions to choose whether and how to take part in a particular initiative such as Fair Trade Fortnight. The Department for International Development is providing £120,000 to the Fairtrade Foundation over three years (2001–03) in support of its annual Fair Trade Fortnight campaigns.

  Class Sizes (St. Helens)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) five, (b) six and (c) seven-year-olds in (i) St. Helens, South, (ii) St. Helens metropolitan borough authority and (iii) Merseyside were in class sizes of over 30 in (A) 1997, (B) 1998, (C) 1999, (D) 2000 and (E) 2001. [33696]

  John Healey
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number of key stage 1 pupils in classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools1—as at January each year

  St. Helens, South

  St. Helens local education authority

  Merseyside Government office region

  England

  1997

  1,080

  2,463

  15,859

  476,822

  1998

  1,087

  2,519

  16,293

  485,311

  1999

  990

  2,271

  11,746

  356,586

  2000

  561

  1,050

  2—

  176,962

  2001

  32

  32

  2—

  35,813

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed

  2 Not applicable

  Source:

  Annual Schools Census

  From January 2000 the Merseyside region was included within the north-west Government office region.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his answer of 31 January 2002,Official Report, column 483W, how many learning providers fall into each decile measured by the amount owed to them by her Department (a) on 23 November 2001 and (b) on 24 October 2001; and what was the upper and lower value of each decile. [33786]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 5 February 2002): The figures for amounts owed in the tables include payments due for eligible claims and amounts withheld from providers already suspended prior to the closure of the programme on 23 November. The figures for amounts owed in the table for 23 November also include amounts withheld pending validation checks on claims.

  (a) Amounts owed to providers at 23 November 2001

  Decile

  Range start (£)

  Range end (£)

  Number of registered providers

  1

  1

  100,826

  2,323

  2

  100,826

  201,651

  23

  3

  201,651

  302,477

  9

  4

  302,477

  403,303

  6

  5

  403,303

  504,129

  0

  6

  504,129

  604,954

  2

  7

  604,954

  705,780

  0

  8

  705,780

  806,606

  1

  9

  806,606

  907,431

  0

  10

  907,431

  1,008,257

  1

  Total

  2,365

  (b) Amounts owed to providers at 24 October 2001

  Decile

  Range start (£)

  Range end (£)

  Number of registered providers

  1

  1

  34,660

  1,238

  2

  34,660

  69,320

  33

  3

  69,320

  103,980

  8

  4

  103,980

  138,640

  0

  5

  138,640

  173,300

  3

  6

  173,300

  207,960

  0

  7

  207,960

  242,620

  1

  8

  242,620

  277,280

  0

  9

  277,280

  311,940

  1

  10

  311,940

  346,600

  1

  Total

  1,285

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many learning providers under the ILA scheme fall into each decile measured by the value of their work for the Department; and what was the upper and lower value of each decile. [33787]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: The figures of registered learning providers listed in the table relate only to those providers who have at some stage made claims through the Individual Learning Account Centre system. The value of work covers the period from 1 September 2000 to 23 November 2001 and includes amounts withheld from providers already suspended prior to the programme closure on 23 November and amounts withheld pending validation checks on claims.
  99W

  Decile

  Range start (£)

  Range end (£)

  Number of registered providers

  1

  1

  626,347

  5,984

  2

  626,347

  1,252,694

  48

  3

  1,252,694

  1,879,042

  20

  4

  1,879,042

  2,505,389

  3

  5

  2,505,389

  3,131,736

  1

  6

  3,131,736

  3,758,083

  1

  7

  3,758,083

  4,384,430

  1

  8

  4,384,430

  5,010,778

  0

  9

  5,010,778

  5,637,125

  0

  10

  5,637,125

  6,263,472

  2

  Total

  6,060

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the level of fraud discovered in individual learning accounts. [34012]

  John Healey
  The Department's Special Investigations Unit is investigating 93 registered learning providers. Of these, police are investigating 13 and the Department's Special Investigation Unit is discussing a further 53 with the police.

  44 arrests have been made in relation to allegations of fraud with the operation of the individual learning account programme, 12 have been charged one of whom has been convicted.

  Lost/Stolen Property
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list those items valued at less than £50 each which have been stolen or lost from her Department in each of the last four years. [34207]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The following table details the equipment stolen or lost from the Department for Education and Skills, valued less than £50 each.

  Financial year 1998–99: Nil return

  Financial year 1999–2000: Nil return

  Financial year 2000–01: Nil return.

  Financial year 2001–02

  Description

  Telephone charger

  Dictaphone

  Number of items

  1

  1

  Approximate value per item (£)

  25

  40

  Total approximate value (£)

  25

  40

  Note:

  The total number of items stolen amounts to £65 for the last four years.

  English Baccalaureate
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans her Department has to introduce an English Baccalaureate; and if she will make a statement. [34565]

  Mr. Timms
  The White Paper, "Schools: achieving success" explains that we want to begin a debate about how to develop a coherent 14-19 education phase. As part of such a phase, the White Paper puts forward the proposal for an overarching award that would recognise 100W
  achievement in both academic and vocational subjects. A forthcoming 14-19 consultation paper will consider the proposal for such an award in more detail.

  AS Levels
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many representations have been made to the Hargreaves inquiry on the first year of AS levels. [34662]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority received 150 representations about AS levels while compiling its report into Curriculum 2000.

  Standard Spending Assessment (LEAs)
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will rank each local education authority by(a) the average salary per teacher and (b) the funding per pupil allocated through the standard spending assessment for the latest year for which figures are available. [34798]

  Mr. Timms
  The rankings of each LEA with regard to average teacher salary at 31 March 2000 and primary and secondary SSA per pupil in 2002–03 are as follows. A ranking of 1 denotes highest average salary and highest funding per pupil.

  Lea number

  LEA name

  Average salary rank

  SSA pp rank

  201

  City of London

  31

  13

  202

  Camden

  3

  8

  203

  Greenwich

  10

  12

  204

  Hackney

  2

  4

  205

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  8

  7

  206

  Islington

  11

  5

  207

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1

  6

  208

  Lambeth

  6

  3

  209

  Lewisham

  7

  10

  210

  Southwark

  4

  9

  211

  Tower Hamlets

  5

  2

  212

  Wandsworth

  15

  16

  213

  Westminster

  13

  11

  301

  Barking and Dagenham

  17

  22

  302

  Barnet

  25

  30

  303

  Bexley

  33

  40

  304

  Brent

  9

  17

  305

  Bromley

  21

  47

  306

  Croydon

  24

  25

  307

  Ealing

  19

  19

  308

  Enfield

  23

  23

  309

  Haringey

  12

  15

  310

  Harrow

  22

  31

  311

  Havering

  20

  45

  312

  Hillingdon

  32

  32

  313

  Hounslow

  26

  21

  314

  Kingston upon Thames

  27

  46

  315

  Merton

  14

  28

  316

  Newham

  16

  14

  317

  Redbridge

  28

  29

  318

  Richmond upon Thames

  29

  63

  319

  Sutton

  30

  41

  320

  Waltham Forest

  18

  18

  330

  Birmingham

  65

  33

  331

  Coventry

  40

  70

  332

  Dudley

  110

  133

  333

  Sandwell

  113

  57

  334

  Solihull

  129

  144

  335

  Walsall

  70

  92

  336

  Wolverhampton

  53

  55

  340

  Knowsley

  137

  26

  341

  Liverpool

  45

  27

  101W

  Lea number

  LEA name

  Average salary rank

  SSA pp rank

  342

  St. Helens

  42

  95

  343

  Sefton

  72

  101

  344

  Wirral

  36

  69

  350

  Bolton

  127

  103

  351

  Bury

  80

  123

  352

  Manchester1

  150

  24

  353

  Oldham

  106

  76

  354

  Rochdale

  102

  67

  355

  Salford

  149

  61

  356

  Stockport

  81

  143

  357

  Tameside

  130

  104

  358

  Trafford

  71

  119

  359

  Wigan

  62

  129

  370

  Barnsley1

  140

  100

  371

  Doncaster

  82

  77

  372

  Rotherham

  67

  112

  373

  Sheffield1

  96

  86

  380

  Bradford

  69

  51

  381

  Calderdale

  99

  93

  382

  Kirklees

  79

  89

  383

  Leeds

  58

  98

  384

  Wakefield

  139

  120

  390

  Gateshead

  142

  85

  391

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  118

  43

  392

  North Tyneside

  89

  115

  393

  South Tyneside

  55

  59

  394

  Sunderland

  104

  78

  420

  Isles of Scilly

  39

  1

  800

  Bath and North East Somerset

  78

  148

  801

  Bristol, City of

  105

  80

  802

  North Somerset

  95

  138

  803

  South Gloucestershire

  117

  150

  805

  Hartlepool

  141

  74

  806

  Middlesbrough

  107

  37

  807

  Redcar and Cleveland

  144

  71

  808

  Stockton-on-Tees

  132

  90

  810

  Kingston Upon Hull, City of

  94

  48

  811

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  92

  130

  812

  North East Lincolnshire

  116

  75

  813

  North Lincolnshire

  85

  94

  815

  North Yorkshire

  60

  118

  816

  York

  112

  137

  820

  Bedfordshire

  83

  82

  821

  Luton

  35

  34

  825

  Buckinghamshire

  73

  83

  826

  Milton Keynes

  100

  58

  830

  Derbyshire

  57

  134

  831

  Derby

  68

  79

  835

  Dorset

  108

  131

  836

  Poole

  101

  145

  837

  Bournemouth

  97

  110

  840

  Durham

  135

  91

  841

  Darlington

  133

  106

  845

  East Sussex

  122

  62

  846

  Brighton and Hove

  90

  44

  850

  Hampshire

  120

  113

  851

  Portsmouth

  119

  52

  852

  Southampton

  147

  39

  855

  Leicestershire1

  103

  149

  856

  Leicester

  84

  38

  857

  Rutland

  37

  147

  860

  Staffordshire

  98

  142

  861

  Stoke-on-Trent

  121

  81

  865

  Wiltshire

  77

  128

  866

  Swindon

  148

  136

  867

  Bracknell Forest

  51

  72

  868

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  34

  60

  869

  West Berkshire

  111

  107

  870

  Reading

  134

  49

  871

  Slough

  66

  20

  872

  Wokingham

  54

  139

  873

  Cambridgeshire

  128

  127

  874

  Peterborough

  136

  64

  875

  Cheshire

  114

  141

  876

  Halton

  124

  54

  102W

  Lea number

  LEA name

  Average salary rank

  SSA pp rank

  877

  Warrington

  143

  146

  878

  Devon

  75

  117

  879

  Plymouth

  59

  97

  880

  Torbay

  123

  105

  881

  Essex

  46

  65

  882

  Southend-on-Sea

  44

  53

  883

  Thurrock

  48

  36

  884

  Herefordshire

  91

  111

  885

  Worcestershire

  87

  140

  886

  Kent

  56

  66

  887

  Medway

  43

  73

  888

  Lancashire

  74

  109

  889

  Blackburn with Darwen

  76

  50

  890

  Blackpool

  145

  88

  891

  Nottinghamshire

  38

  126

  892

  Nottingham

  125

  35

  893

  Shropshire

  49

  121

  894

  Telford and Wrekin

  52

  96

  908

  Cornwall

  50

  99

  909

  Cumbria

  63

  114

  916

  Gloucestershire

  126

  132

  919

  Hertfordshire

  64

  56

  921

  Isle of Wight

  138

  42

  925

  Lincolnshire

  88

  108

  926

  Norfolk

  61

  102

  928

  Northamptonshire

  131

  124

  929

  Northumberland

  47

  116

  931

  Oxfordshire

  109

  84

  933

  Somerset

  41

  122

  935

  Suffolk

  86

  125

  936

  Surrey

  146

  68

  937

  Warwickshire

  115

  135

  938

  West Sussex

  93

  87

  1 These LEAs have returned data for less than 20 per cent. of their teachers. To estimate average salaries in these authorities, figures from March 1999 were grossed up by 3.9 per cent.

  Amy Gehring
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date her Department received notification from Surrey police of their concerns about Miss Amy Gehring; what action was taken to consider her inclusion on list 99 before the conclusion of recent criminal proceedings; and when Ministers were informed of the communication from Surrey police. [35222]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department received a letter on 20 November 2000 from Surrey police which contained factual information about allegations made against Miss Gehring, and stated that no further police action would be taken. The letter did not express concern about the risk that Miss Gehring might pose to children. By this time Timeplan had already placed Miss Gehring in the school where more alleged assaults took place, having failed to inform the LEA, DIES or the school of a Surrey child protection unit warning that she was a serious risk to children. After receiving information from the police my officials initiated their list 99 procedures, making a criminal background check and writing to Timeplan seeking copies of all the documents relating to the case. On 8 January 2001 my officials were informed by Surrey police that Miss Gehring's conduct was the subject of a fresh police investigation and they followed our normal practice of suspending further inquiries until documents, witness statements and other evidence from the police investigation and trial became available. Ministers were informed of the initial letter from Surrey police on 24 January 2002.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have(a) claimed and (b) been awarded the minimum income guarantee in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [32588]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  As at August 2001 there were 2,900 minimum income guarantee (MIG) claimants in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the proportion of(a) men and (b) women over state pension age who have income from earnings. [32616]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information required is not fully available in the format requested. However such information as is available shows that 15 per cent. of pensioner couples have income from earnings and 4 per cent. of single male pensioners and 4 per cent. of single female pensioners have income from earnings.

  Source:

  The Family Resources Survey 1999/2000

  Industrial Action (Jobcentre Plus)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus to discuss the industrial action by Public and Commercial Services Union staff; and what the outcome of the discussions were. [32646]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus to discuss a range of issues, including the current industrial dispute with the Public and Commercial Services Union.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2002,Official Report, column 38W, to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Fabricant), on pension savings, what the source is of his estimates of contributions to non-state pensions; and if he will provide a breakdown of these totals between different categories of employer and different categories of non-state pension scheme. [32756]

  Mr. McCartney
  [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The source of the estimates of contributions to non-state pensions provided to the hon. Member for Lichfield was the Office for National Statistics MQ5 publication as quoted in "Opportunity for All" (Cm 5260). The figures are calculated by summing the contributions of both employers and employees to self-administered pension funds and income for pension business of insurance companies. Data are not available to break down the information as requested.
  104W
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information will be provided on combined pension forecasts to advise individuals of any loss of entitlement to means-tested benefits. [15796]

  Mr. McCartney
  The purpose of the combined pension forecast is to provide people with good information about their current and future retirement incomes in order to help them make better informed decisions about their needs in retirement and raise awareness of the importance of making adequate provision.

  The forecast provides information from both employers/ pension scheme providers and the Department about current and projected entitlements that could be accrued through the payment of contributions.

  Motability
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what was(a) the total number of applicants for Motability vehicles, (b) the number of successful applicants (c) the number of successful applicants who cease to qualify after approval but before a vehicle is provided, in each of the last four years. [32892]

  Maria Eagle
  Information is not available in the form requested. The available information is shown in the table.

  Calendar years

  Applications received

  Agreements made live

  1998

  166,030

  136,023

  1999

  194,664

  147,022

  2000

  201,498

  146,076

  2001

  196,224

  141,445

  Applications may be made up to three months before delivery, and the differences between the numbers of applications received, processed and promulgated can be due to a number of causes, but principally are the result of either lack of appropriate benefit entitlement, dealer-related errors or changing customer preferences resulting in a fresh application for a different vehicle.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the length of waiting time and the number of people waiting for an application for a Motability vehicle, from initial application to delivery of the vehicle, was in each of the last three years. [32978]

  Maria Eagle
  There has never been a waiting list for the Motability main scheme.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2002,Official Report, column 262W, ref 29706, on winter fuel payments, in what format such information is available. [32921]

  Mr. McCartney
  Information relating to the number of winter fuel payments by age band is not available. The table shows the number of men, by local authority area, in Scotland who received a payment last year. The information is not available for earlier years, and the details for this winter are not yet available.
  105W

  Men in Scotland who received a winter fuel payment in 2000–01 by local authority area

  Number

  All

  409,500

  City of Aberdeen

  15,620

  Aberdeenshire

  17,980

  Angus

  9,700

  Argyll and Bute

  7,840

  Scottish Borders

  9,860

  Clackmannanshire

  3,500

  West Dumbartonshire

  7,100

  Dumfries and Galloway

  14,000

  City of Dundee

  12,220

  East Ayrshire

  10,040

  East Dumbartonshire

  8,760

  East Lothian

  8,360

  East Renfrewshire

  8,000

  City of Edinburgh

  33,000

  Falkirk

  11,980

  Fife

  28,780

  City of Glasgow

  43,380

  Highland

  17,820

  Inverclyde

  7,340

  Midlothian

  6,680

  Moray

  8,020

  North Ayrshire

  10,680

  North Lanarkshire

  22,660

  Orkney Islands

  2,060

  Perthshire and Kinross

  13,380

  Renfrewshire

  14,160

  Shetland Isles

  1,800

  South Ayrshire

  10,120

  South Lanarkshire

  24,480

  Stirling

  7,300

  West Lothian

  10,520

  Western Isles

  2,360

  Source:

  WPF data based on 5 per cent. sample from Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service, so subject to sampling error.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for each year since 1997,(a) how many and (b) what proportion of men aged between 60 and 64 years, who were not in receipt of a social security benefit, received a winter fuel payment. [33623]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, over 600,000 men who are not in receipt of a social security benefit received a winter fuel payment last year.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methods and outlets were used in 2000–01 to publicise entitlement to winter fuel payments. [18986]

  Mr. McCartney
  We have run information campaigns for both winter 2000 and winter 2001, to inform people aged 60 and over about winter fuel payments.

  Activities include: press advertisements in national newspapers including titles in Scotland and Wales; a leaflet and poster; a dedicated winter fuel payment helpline and on-going information on the internet. We distributed leaflets and posters to a variety of venues including: local social security offices; post offices; people in caring and advisory roles; libraries; town halls; hospitals; supermarkets; bingo halls; fuel outlets; doctors'
  106W
  surgeries; as well as from our orderline. We have worked successfully with a number of voluntary organisations who distributed our leaflets amongst their networks, including Age Concern, National Pensioners' Convention, Local Government Organisation and Citizens' Advice Bureaux. National and regional press releases were issued to highlight the winter fuel payment campaign to the press.

  A mailshot was also undertaken in spring each year to people we could identify as being newly eligible for a winter fuel payment, and who would need to claim it, to inform them of the payment.

  State Pension (Spanish Residents)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people receiving UK state pensions are resident in Spain. [33488]

  Mr. McCartney: At 31 March 2001 there were 43,100 people in receipt of UK state retirement pensions resident in Spain.

  Source:

  Pensions Strategy Computer System at 31 March 2001 based on a 5 per cent. sample.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Mortgages
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people no longer receive income support as a result of the fall in interest rates affecting mortgages over the past six months. [33962]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available.

  Departmental Events
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the(a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in each of the last four years, giving the title, purpose, date and cost of each. [34181]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Consultancy Services
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many contracts were let by his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to(a) PWC Consulting or PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) Deloitte & Touche, (d) KPMG and (e) Andersen for consultancy services for the financial years (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000, (iv) 2000–01 and (v) 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, indicating the remuneration in each case. [33842]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information requested on the number of contracts let is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information requested on remuneration is provided in the table.
  107W

  Remuneration

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  1.7

  1.2

  0.3

  0.5

  0.3

  Ernst & Young

  1.9

  2.7

  3.8

  0.98

  0.97

  Deloitte & Touche

  2.4

  2.4

  2.8

  10.7

  3.6

  KPMG

  0.1

  1.0

  0.42

  0.52

  0.90

  Andersen Consulting

  18.4

  21.3

  9.0

  Nil

  Nil

  Notes:

  1. Figures to 2000–01 relate to contracts awarded by the ex-Department of Social Security.

  2. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)—was formed on 1 July 1998 as the result of a merger of the Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand organisations. PWC spend for the 1997–98 was split with Price Waterhouse accounting for just over £1 million and Coopers & Lybrand, £685,000. Figures from 1 September 2000 may not show the full value of DSS/DWP business to PWC as payment for any work it has done, via its membership of the EDS-led Affinity consortium under the ACCORD contract, is made direct to EDS. Of the total shown so far for 2001–02, £54,000 is in respect of work done for the Employment Service part of DWP and £268,000 for the former DSS part.

  3. Ernst & Young/CGEY—The consulting arm of Ernst & Young was purchased by Cap Gemini in 2000 to form Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGEY). The figure for 2000–01 is made up of £620,000 paid to Ernst & Young and £357,000 to CGEY. All of the 2001–02 spend is with CGEY, £63,000 of this being in respect of work for the former ES part of DWP and £911,000 with the ex-DSS part.

  4. Andersen Consulting—The figures in the table relate to Andersen Consulting—rather than its former sister organisation within Andersen Worldwide, Arthur Andersen (AA). Andersen Consulting split from the Andersen Worldwide organisation in 1999 and has been known as Accenture since January 2000. The figures shown for 1997–98 to 1999–2000 largely reflect business which moved to Inland Revenue with the transfer of the Contributions Agency in April 2000.

  Benefit Recipients
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit recipients he estimates would be worse off obtaining a job paying(a) 50 per cent., (b) 60 per cent. and (c) 70 per cent. of the national average wage, assuming no travel to work costs were incurred. [35218]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in housing benefit by each local authority in the last year for which information is available; what the average weekly claim was, and what the administration costs per claim falling on the local authority were. [35220]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the changes in housing benefit regulations since 1997; and what the estimated administrative cost of implementing each change was. [35221]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Interviews (Travel Expenses)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department or its predecessor last reviewed its policy towards paying travelling expenses to potential employees coming for interview. [14856]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 14 November 2001]: Neither DWP, nor its predecessors, have ever paid travelling expenses to candidates applying for employment with the Department. There has been no evident need to review this position and there are no plans to do so. However, as an organisation, we do several things to help unemployed people with the costs of
  108W
  attending interviews which, subject to the normal eligibility criteria, could be useful for someone attending an interview with this Department. These include the Travel to Interview Scheme which aims to assist jobseekers in their search for work outside the normal area by refunding associated costs. Also the recently introduced adviser discretion fund allows new deal personal advisers the flexibility to make discretionary monetary awards to help people quickly into jobs.

  New Deal
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Arundel and South Downs are on the new deal programme, broken down by each category of the new deal. [18317]

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

  Numbers on the programme at end November 2001

  Programme

  Number

  New deal for young people

  8

  New deal 25plus

  17

  New deal for lone parents

  57

  New deal 50plus (employment credit claims)

  114

  1 End December 2001

  Note:

  Constituency level information is not available for the new deals for disabled people or partners.

  Source:

  New Deal Evaluation Database

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the private sector companies that are in receipt of funds from the new deal in Leicester. [31057]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The private sector companies that are in receipt of funds from the new deal in Leicester are Fern Training and Development (new deal for young people) and Pelcome Training Ltd. (new deal 25plus).

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money will be spent on the new deal for disabled people over the next three years. [19499]
  109W
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 11 December 2001]: £120 million for Job Broker services has been allocated to the new deal for disabled people for the financial years 2001–02 to 2003–04.

  Benefits Agency
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to improve standards of decision making at the Benefits Agency in response to the President of the Appeals Service report on Standards of Decision Making by the Secretary of State 2000–01. [27224]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to John Cryer, dated 6 February 2002:
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what steps he is taking to improve standards of decision making at the Benefits Agency (BA) in response to the President of the Appeals Service Report on Standards of Decision Making by the Secretary of State 2000–01.
  The BA Board receives regular reports on Decision Making and Appeals standards at its monthly meeting and monitors the situation closely. The President's quarterly reports are seen by the BA Standards Committee who consider the Judge's observations when framing recommendations for BA Board for future improvement activities. In addition the BA has reviewed its procedures and has introduced measures to more closely align the consideration of the President's conclusions alongside its processes for handling recommendations from other groups, such as Internal Audit.
  Early evaluation following the introduction of Decision Making and Appeals, and research undertaken by the Standards Committee, confirmed the need to review the training available to support Decision Makers. Refresher training on Decision Making and Appeals principles has therefore been delivered and Training Services have re-designed two of their packages to support staff, Appeals presentation and Appeals preparation. Both packages reinforce the need to reconsider a decision where new evidence has come to light or errors have been found. The training builds on products developed locally by trainers and has undergone extensive quality assurance by a range of key stakeholders and is one of a series of products designed to support Decision Makers in the BA. The resulting new products were distributed to delivery staff in October; others are planned for introduction later in the year.
  An internal review covering the quality of decision making, guidance and training available following the introduction of these measures is currently underway. The BA Board will consider any further recommendations for improvement as a result of the review.
  In conclusion, many decision errors are purely procedural and do not effect the correct level of payment being made to the customer. However, the BA takes all decision making errors seriously and is taking positive action to address the issues raised.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Airline Industry Redundancies
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to assist individuals made redundant as a result of the downturn in the airline industry; and if he will make a statement. [27548]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 23 January 2002]: The Rapid Response Service supports communities affected by redundancy and helps people make the transition into sustainable new jobs. This service will receive an additional £6 million over the next two years.
  110W
  This extra investment will boost the support offered and enable us to work even more effectively with employers to match people to new jobs.

  As well as the support of the Rapid Response Service, people made redundant can benefit from the wide range of help and advice on offer through jobcentres to enable them to move into work. We already have well established on-site jobcentres at Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports. Most people who lose their job are able to find another one quickly from among over 10,000 new vacancies that are notified to the Employment Service every working day.

  Benefit Fraud (Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions were made for benefit fraud in the York and North Yorkshire area in(a) 1997, (b) 1999, (c) 2000 and (d) 2001. [28196]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information on the number of prosecutions for fraud in benefits other than housing benefit in the York and North Yorkshire area is not available. Information on prosecutions for housing benefit fraud in the City of York and North Yorkshire is in the tables.

  Cases referred for prosecution

  Successful prosecutions

  City of York

  1996–97

  1

  0

  1998–99

  2

  2

  1999–2000

  6

  2

  2000–01

  1—

  1—

  North Yorkshire

  1996–97

  228

  219

  1998–99

  52

  24

  1999–2000

  51

  28

  2000–01

  236

  223

  1 Signifies the data are not available.

  2 Data are not available for all the North Yorkshire local authorities. For 1996–97 the figures exclude Ryedale local authority, and for 2000–01, the figures exclude Richmondshire local authority and the City of York.

  Notes:

  1. The data refer to households, which may be a single person, a couple or a family.

  2. Figures are taken from local authority management information returns. It is possible that there could be some double counting with Benefits Agency data if there were cases which involved a joint prosecution.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the reform of measures against housing benefit fraud. [29758]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We are introducing a comprehensive new anti-fraud scheme that provides financial incentives to local authorities to prevent, detect, sanction and prosecute benefit fraud. 63 authorities took on the new scheme in April 2001 and the remaining authorities will join in April 2002.

  In addition we are improving funding of the verification framework and breaking it into modules, making it easier for local authorities to introduce it incrementally. In April 2001 we began continuously measuring the levels of fraud

  111W
  and error in housing benefit. We have also developed a new set of standards for assessing local authorities' performance in several areas, including the prevention of housing benefit fraud. We intend to launch the standards in April.

  We are also working more closely with local authorities on fraud matters through joint regional boards to improve performance and spread good practice.

  Removal Loans
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have received loans from the Department of Social Security towards paying for removal costs when moving house in the past five years; how much these loans have totalled; how much of this has been repaid; and if he will make a statement. [32139]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer I February 2002]: The information is not available.

  Minimum Income Guarantee (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners he estimates are(a) eligible for and (b) claiming the minimum income guarantee in each parliamentary constituency in Wales. [32230]

  Mr. McCartney
  Estimates of the number of people who may be eligible for the minimum income guarantee (MIG) are not available below national level.

  The number of pensioners claiming the MIG in each parliamentary constituency in Wales is in the table:

  Income Support MIG claimants by parliamentary constituency in Wales—August 2001

  Parliamentary constituency

  Number of MIG Claimants

  Aberavon

  2,600

  Alyn and Deeside

  2,100

  Blaenau Gwent

  3,000

  Brecon and Radnorshire

  1,700

  Bridgend

  2,500

  Caernarfon

  2,400

  Caerphilly

  2,800

  Cardiff Central

  2,500

  Cardiff North

  1,400

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  4,000

  Cardiff West

  3,100

  Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

  2,400

  Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

  2,400

  Ceredigion

  1,500

  Clwyd South

  2,500

  Clwyd West

  2,900

  Conwy

  2,600

  Cynon Valley

  2,400

  Delyn

  2,100

  Gower

  2,400

  Islwyn

  2,500

  Llanelli

  3,600

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  1,700

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  2,500

  Monmouth

  1,800

  Montgomeryshire

  1,700

  Neath

  2,900

  Newport East

  2,100

  Newport West

  2,300

  Ogmore

  2,000

  112W

  Income Support MIG claimants by parliamentary constituency in Wales—August 2001

  Parliamentary constituency

  Number of MIG Claimants

  Pontypridd

  2,200

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  2,300

  Rhondda

  3,400

  Swansea East

  3,100

  Swansea West

  3,600

  Torfaen

  2,700

  Vale of Clwyd

  2,900

  Vale of Glamorgan

  2,400

  Wrexham

  2,300

  Ynys Mön

  2,400

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry August 2001

  Workless households
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of children(a) live in workless households and (b) lived in workless households in each of the last five years. [32274]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is in the table.

  Children living in workless households:

  As at spring

  Number

  Percentage

  1996

  2,256,000

  19.3

  1997

  2,078,000

  17.9

  1998

  2,076,000

  17.8

  1999

  2,015,000

  17.3

  2000

  1,831,000

  15.7

  2001

  1,779,000

  15.3

  Notes:

  1. Children' refers to all children aged under 16.

  2. A workless household is a household that includes at least one person of working age where no-one is in employment.

  3. The spring data are used annually in the set of Opportunity for All indicators.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey, Spring Quarters (covering March to May) GB figures. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a quarterly sample survey of over 60,000 households in the United Kingdom.

  Departmental Accounts
  Mr. Bacon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which years since 1972 his Department and its predecessors have had accounts qualified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General due to irregular expenditure; and if he will specify the irregular expenditure involved in each case. [26152]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 15 January 2002]: Pursuant to my written answer on 31 January 2002, Official report, column 758W, details of the accounts for the Department for Work and Pensions and its predecessors which have been qualified by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the basis of irregular expenditure since 1971–72 are shown in the table which has been placed in the Library.

  The Departmental Resource Account for 1999–2000 was also qualified, on the same basis as the Class XII Vote 1 and the National Insurance Fund Accounts.

TREASURY

  Secondments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have been seconded to jobs in the(a) private and (b) public sector in each of the last four years. [31770]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Deputy Prime Minister on 7 February 2002,Official Report, columns 1129-30W. HM Treasury provided this information to the Interchange Unit, Cabinet Office to complete the annual interchange statistical exercise.

  Income Tax
  Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the percentage of the total revenue from income tax which, in the last year for which figures are available, accrued from the emoluments of public sector employees. [32837]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Readily available information is in terms of "Pay-As-You-Earn" tax deductions from pay and is given in Inland Revenue Statistics table 2.10, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The latest version can be accessed on the Inland Revenue website http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/it_t10_1.htm). The categories "Education" and "Health and social work" in the table include a small proportion of private sector employees.

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the factors he will take into consideration when deciding if the Barnett formula will remain the basis upon which changes in public spending totals resulting from the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review will be applied to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [34308]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government's policy on funding the devolved Administrations is set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published by the Treasury in July 2000.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans to review the Barnett formula following the findings of Census 2001 about Scotland's population. [34309]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Barnett formula uses the latest published mid-year population estimates. The outcome of the 2001 census will be taken into account when available.

  Rural Tax Concessions
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce tax concessions for shops, post offices and pubs in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [34008]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep all taxes under review and any changes will be made as part of the normal Budget process.
  114W
  The Government have announced their intention to introduce a number of measures to help small businesses, including: the introduction of a VAT flat rate scheme for small businesses with a turnover of less than £100,000 and the extension of the lop starting rate of corporation tax in Budget 2002. And at the pre-Budget report the Government published the Carter review of payroll and are taking forward their consultation on its recommendations for helping small businesses deal with payroll.

  Meetings
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings(a) he and (b) his senior departmental officials have had with Enron and its subsidiaries in the last two years. [32432]

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) individuals and (b) organisations with whom he has had meetings about the future of the Barnett formula in the last 12 months; and what meetings on this subject he has planned for the next six months. [34310]

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what meetings have taken place between Ministers in his Department and employees of Citigate since 7 June 2001; and if will make a statement; [32811]

  (2) if he will list the meetings that Ministers in his Department have had since 1 January 2000 with representatives of (a) Chevron, (b) Texaco, (c) Phillips Petroleum, (d) IMC Global, (e) TXU and (f) CMS; and if he will make a statement; [32918]

  (3) what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have had with senior members of energy companies since 7 June 2001; and if he will make a statement; [33976]

  (4) if he will list the dates of meetings that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in his Department have had since 1 January 1999 with representatives of Global Crossing; and if he will make a statement; [34055]

  (5) if he will list the meetings that (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have had since 7 June 2001 with representatives of Seeboard; and if he will make a statement; [34059]

  (6) pursuant to his answer of 4 February 2002, Official Report, columns 704-05W, if he will list the attendees of each meeting with individuals external to the Government he attended in his official capacity in July 2001; and if he will make a statement; [34538]

  (7) on which dates in July 2001 he met (a) trade unions or their representatives and (b) employees of private companies or their representatives in his official capacity; and if he will make a statement. [34539]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Ministers and civil servants have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development and analysis. I refer to the answer given by my right hon Friend the Prime Minister on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 689W, stating that as with previous Administrations it is not this Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings. All such contacts are

  115W
  conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists.

  Euromarker
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his plans are for consultation on proposals for the introduction of the new Euromarker. [35971]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Customs and Excise consultation document "Improving markers in rebated fuels—Introduction of the 'Euromarker'" is published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and in the Library.

  Structural Funds
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the EU on the structural funds that will replace the Objective I funding programme in(a) Wales, (b) South Yorkshire, (c) Merseyside and (d) Cornwall. [33963]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government have regular discussions with their counterparts in EU member states on a wide range of topics. These include the implementation and effectiveness of the structural funds regime. As it is five years away, it is too early to speculate on the shape that Structural Funds might take outside the current financial perspective.

  Employment Rates
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest figures for employment rates are for each county in the UK. [34913]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Paul Flynn, dated 11 February 2002:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment rates. (34913)
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides estimates of the employment rates for each county of the United Kingdom. The latest available estimates are for autumn (September to November) 2001. These are available on Nomis®, which can be accessed by the House of Commons Library.

  Euro
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2002,Official Report, column 224W, whether the names of the Treasury management units which are involved in the preliminary technical work for evaluating the five economic tests are being withheld under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and if he will make a statement. [33074]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 6 February 2002]: No. A wide range of officials from several Treasury management units is contributing.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent by HM Treasury on special advisers in each year since May 1997. [7790]
  116W
  Ruth Kelly
  Expenditure on Treasury special advisers in the years since 1997 was as follows.

  £000

  1997–98

  214

  1998–99

  220

  1999–2000

  226

  2000–01

  247

  These figures are on a like for like basis, and therefore do not include the costs of the Council of Economic Advisers, that was established in 1997 with appointments made over the period.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit in 2001–02 will be accounted for by salary costs and pension contributions. [32015]

  Ruth Kelly
  Direct salary costs and pension contributions will account for 19 per cent. of HM Treasury DEL in 2001–02.

  Conference Sponsorship
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he sought advice from the Cabinet Office before approving the sponsorship arrangements for the April 1999 Conference, "Creating Knowledge: Creating Wealth"; and if he will make a statement. [34062]

  Ruth Kelly
  The conference "Creating Knowledge: Creating Wealth" was one of a series of conferences held following publication of the Treasury guidance "Selling Government Services into Wider Markets" in July 1998. The sponsorship arrangements for these conferences followed a competitive process and were fully in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines in place at the time the arrangements were made.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [34397]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information required is not held in the format required and could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

  Legal Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what legal costs have been incurred by his Department in each of the last four years. [34294]

  Ruth Kelly
  The table shows the legal fees incurred by the Treasury, Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue 1997–98. Figures for the current year are not yet available.
  117W

  £ million

  HM Treasury

  HM Customs and Excise

  Inland Revenue

  1997–98

  0.8

  18.6

  13.3

  1998–99

  1.7

  20.7

  11.9

  1999–2000

  1.4

  22.6

  17.1

  2000–01

  1.2

  24.1

  22.0

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in each of the last four years. [34169]

  Ruth Kelly
  It has not been possible to establish the cost of accountancy services in HM Treasury, Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise.

  The information is not held in the format required and any further examination would be of a disproportional cost.

  Information required for (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) each English region and (f) each local authority in the United Kingdom

  Information

  Source

  (i) GDP per head of population

  Regional Accounts articles in (a) Economic Trends March 2001 and (b) Economic Trends May 2001 www.statistics.ons.gov.uk/regional accounts: (a) GDP per capita for the countries and regions up to 1999 and (b) GDP per capita for sub-regions and local areas up to 1998

  (ii) Average gross weekly full-time earnings

  New Earnings Survey data are available from the NOMIS labour market data system. Countries and Regions of the United Kingdom and Local Authority District level information is available

  (iii) Average gross weekly household incomes

  Family Spending (2002), provides average gross weekly household incomes for Countries and Regions of the United Kingdom

  (iv) VAT registrations as a percentage of stock business and (v) VAT registered business per 10,000 population aged 16 and over

  VAT registration statistics are available from the Small Business Service of Department of Trade and Industry at www.sbs.gov.uk/statistics. Countries and Regions of the United Kingdom and Local Authority District level information is available.

  Commonwealth Education Fund
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the creation of a Commonwealth Education Fund; who will be in charge of it; and whether the £10 million funding will be for 2002 only. [34761]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under Clare Short's leadership, DFID have committed over £600 million since 1997 to achieving universal primary education. The Commonwealth Education Fund will complement this effort by supporting civil society to help Commonwealth Governments to ensure that the poorest and most marginalised children are able to enrol in and complete good quality primary education. The fund will support innovative ways of working with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children (including street children, former child soldiers and nomadic children). It will also help promote public participation in education planning and delivery in the Commonwealth.

  The Government have pledged an initial £10 million to kick-start the fund. They will also match contributions by business, pound for pound including tax relief. Money

  Economic Statistics
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) each English region and (f) each local authority in the United Kingdom (i) GDP per head of population, (ii) average gross weekly full-time earnings, (iii) average gross weekly household incomes, (iv) VAT registrations as a percentage of stock business and (v) VAT registered business per 10,000 population aged 16 and over. [34305]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Hugo Swire, dated 11 February 2002:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question with regard to a number of sub-national economic statistics. I am replying in his absence. (34305)
  The information you require is not readily available in the way you request. It could only be compiled from a variety of sources at disproportionate cost. The information that is available can be obtained from the following sources, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  raised by this year's Comic Relief "Sports Day" earmarked for education in Commonwealth countries will also be matched pound for pound, including tax relief, by the Government.

  Work in preparing the details of the Commonwealth Education Fund is on-going and we hope to make a further announcement on 26 February.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to promote a bankruptcy process for nations burdened with unpayable debts. [34760]

  Mr. Boateng
  Over the past three years, the Government have been working with our G7 partners to reform the international financial architecture and to deliver an international financial system that is less prone to crises and better able to withstand them when they occur. A key component of this reform effort has been the development of a new framework for private sector involvement in crisis prevention and resolution which ensures that all parties who benefit form the international financial system play their part in maintaining stability.
  119W
  Recent experience has highlighted some of the legal and practical obstacles that may prevent countries with unsustainable private debt burdens from restructuring those debts in a timely and orderly manner. An international bankruptcy procedure has the potential to address some of these obstacles and thereby improve the overall operability of the crisis resolution framework. The Government therefore welcome the recent proposal by the IMF to explore options for establishing a new Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism.

  Separately, the UK continues to work hard to ensure that the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative delivers a sustainable relief from debt for eligible countries. We also call on other countries to follow our leads on bilateral policies, such as 100 per cent. relief at Decision Point, and in holding payments in trust for those countries yet to receive debt relief. Already 24 countries have qualified for debt relief, and they will benefit from over $56 billion in debt reduction, which will bring their debts to below the average of developing countries.

HEALTH

  Medical Students
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical students in universities in 1997 were expected to qualify in the period 1998 to 2002. [27230]

  Margaret Hodge
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available data are given in the table. Figures for the number of medical students graduating in 2002 will be available in January 2003.

  Students on, first degree medical courses1 in HE institutions in the UK

  Number

  Students enrolled in 1997–982

  24,360

  of which, those graduating in:

  1998

  5,160

  1999

  4,910

  2000

  5,160

  2001

  5,160

  1 Includes home domiciled and overseas students on clinical and pre-clinical medical courses. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  2 Census count as at 1 December 1997.

  Following a review of the medical workforce, published in December 1997 which recommended that the intake to medical schools in the UK should be increased by 1,000 a year, and the commitments made in the Year 2000 NHS Plan, the number of places available to study medicine will increase to almost 5,900 by 2006—an increase of some 2,150 over 1997 levels.

  Disabled Doctors
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of doctors graduated from medical school this year who are registered disabled. [24660]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 8 January 2002]: I have been asked to reply.
  120W
  The latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that in 2001 6 per cent. of UK domiciled students who graduated in medicine reported that they had a disability.

  Agency Nurses
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by each acute trust on agency nurses as(a) a total annual amount and (b) a proportion of the annual expenditure in each of the last three years for which records are available. [16397]

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

  HIV
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department has taken to combat stigma in HIV(a) transmission and (b) illness. [20788]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department funds HIV and sexual health promotion for gay men, African communities and the general population. This includes information on how HIV is and is not transmitted and how to access national health service services. In addition, on 26 November last year, the National AIDS Trust, funded by the Department, launched a new pilot campaign, "Are You HIV Prejudiced?", aimed at raising awareness of HIV and AIDS and the negative effect of stigma and discrimination which can act as a barrier to people accessing testing and treatment and care services. The first ever national sexual health and HIV strategy highlighted the importance of reducing stigma associated with HIV. We are currently considering responses to the extensive consultation on the strategy, including replies specifically on addressing stigma.

  Dispensing
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reduction in dispensing fees paid to community pharmacists. [R] [20787]

  Ms Blears
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 8 January 2002,Official Report, columns 611W-12W.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have used the service provided by NHS Direct in each year since its introduction. [21606]

  Ms Blears
  Since NHS Direct was launched in March 1998 it has handled around 9,000,000 calls. This calendar year alone it has handled over 4,500,000 calls, NHS Direct currently handles 120,000 calls a week.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to reply to the letter of 24 July from the hon. Member for New Forest, West regarding placements for young people with learning difficulties. [22737]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent on 23 January 2002.
  121W
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 10 October 2001, 22 November 2001, 18 December 2001 and 16 January 2001 relating to her constituent, Mrs. Barbara Handley of Cheshunt. [29323]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 22 January 2002]: A reply was sent on 28 January.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Suffolk of 10 October 2001, concerning Mr. Dominique Porche, of Haverhill, a constituent. [29763]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 24 January 2002]: A reply was sent on 25 January.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 29 November 2001 with regard to Mr. Alan Robinson; [27322]

  (2) when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 3 December 2001 with regard to Mrs. J. Sharpe; [27323]

  (3) when he intends to reply to the written questions tabled to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. J. Sharpe (ref. 27323) and Mr. A. Robinson (ref. 27322) [29900]

  Ms Blears
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to my right hon. Friend's letter with regard to his constituent, Mrs. J. Sharpe, on 28 January.

  A reply was sent with regard to Mr. A. Robinson on 23 January.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Under-Secretary for Health intends to reply to the letter dated 20 November 2001 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mrs. B. Kennedy of Peterhead. [28754]

  Yvette Cooper
  A reply was sent on 24 January.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter of the hon. Member for Torbay of 10 September 2001 on behalf of the Haemophilia Society of Devon. [29272]

  Yvette Cooper
  A reply was sent on 28 January.

  Meat Industry
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abattoirs and meat processing plants have failed to pay inspection charges in the last 12 months for completed inspections in the last two years. [22668]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 13 December 2001]: Approximately 1,100 of 1,400 licensed fresh meat plants are currently operating in Great Britain. Of these, 11 companies operating licensed fresh meat plants have failed to make any payments to the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) in the period November 2000 to date for their inspection charges. These premises comprise five red meat full throughput slaughterhouses, one poultry meat full throughput slaughterhouse, one red meat low throughput slaughterhouse, three red meat full throughput cutting plants, and one poultry meat low throughput cutting plant. The total debt owed by these 11 companies is £468,652.21.
  122W
  Two of the 11 companies are still operating, but the other nine have ceased trading. The MHS has taken legal action against both of the companies that are still operating and has received Judgment against one, which will potentially lead to the withdrawal of service by the MHS. In the other case, proceedings are currently stayed pending receipt of fresh information from the defendant, as directed by the judge.

  In respect of the nine companies which have ceased trading:
  two companies have entered into voluntary arrangements;
  two companies went into liquidation before the MHS could obtain Judgment;
  The MHS obtained Judgment against three companies which subsequently went into liquidation;
  The MHS obtained Judgment against one company, however the Sheriff was unable to seize any goods as the company had ceased trading. Any further action by the MHS would not be cost effective in relation to the size of the debt (£3,195.43);
  One company owner was the subject of a bankruptcy order petitioned for by another creditor.

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were employed in his Department in each of the last four years. [23793]

  Ms Blears
  The numbers of staff in all Departments are shown in table C of "Civil Service Statistics 2000" published on 31 August 2001, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Registered Practitioners (Buckingham)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many registered practitioners there have been in the constituency of Buckingham in each year since 1997; [23716]

  (2) how many (a) general practitioners and (b) registered general practitioners there were in the Buckinghamshire health authority area in each year since 1997; [24856]

  (3) how many vacancies there were for general practitioners in the Buckinghamshire health authority area in each year since 1997. [24857]

  Ms Blears
  The information on general practitioner vacancies requested is not available centrally. Information may be obtained from the chairmen of Buckinghamshire health authority and the primary care groups and trusts in the Buckinghamshire health authority area.

  The information on the number of practitioners is as follows:

  All practitioners (excluding GP retainers)1 and unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)2 in England, South-east region, Buckinghamshire health authority and Aylesbury Vale primary care group, 1997–2000

  Headcount

  All Practitioners (excluding GP retainers)

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  England

  29,389

  29,697

  29,987

  30,252

  South-east region

  5,034

  5,134

  5,175

  5,177

  Buckinghamshire health authority

  397

  408

  423

  424

  Aylesbury Vale primary care group

  —

  —

  65

  67

  123W

  All practitioners (excluding GP retainers)1 and unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)2 in England, South-east region, Buckinghamshire health authority and Aylesbury Vale primary care group, 1997–2000

  Headcount

  All Practitioners (excluding GP retainers)

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  of which:

  UPEs

  England

  27,099

  27,392

  27,591

  27,704

  South-east region

  4,691

  4,740

  4,779

  4,803

  Buckinghamshire health authority

  372

  382

  396

  403

  Aylesbury Vale primary care group

  —

  —

  61

  65

  Notes:

  GP Retainers were collected for the first time in the 1999 census. In 1999 there were 972 GP retainers in England, 222 in South-east region, 12 in Buckinghamshire HA and one in Aylesbury Vale PCG. In 2000 there were 1,117 in England, 230 in South-east region, 0 in Buckinghamshire HA and 0 in Aylesbury Vale PCG.

  Data as at 1 October each year between 1997 and 1999 and at 30 September 2000.

  1 Practitioners (excluding GP retainers) including GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (para 52 SFA) and PMS other.

  2 UPEs include unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  GP Leavers
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs in Surrey have left the profession in each of the last five years. [23311]

  Ms Blears
  Information is collected on unrestricted principals and equivalents leaving Surrey health authorities but this does not indicate if they left the profession, took a career break or transferred to another area of work. Further information will be available from the chairmen of the primary care groups and trusts in Surrey.

  Information on leavers for the last five years currently available is shown in the table.

  Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1: Leavers2 from England, East Surrey and West Surrey health authorities 1995–2000

  Headcount

  Of which:

  England

  East Surrey HA

  West Surrey HA

  1995–96

  1,184

  10

  15

  1996–97

  1,058

  13

  21

  1997–98

  1,040

  12

  17

  1998–99

  1,030

  13

  17

  1999–2000

  1,090

  5

  16

  1 UPEs include Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.

  2 The estimate of leavers is based on those UPEs reported in the Department of Health's annual GP census in one year but not reported the following year. Leavers will include both longer term career breaks and wastage.

  Notes:

  1. Excludes UPEs who have moved between East and West Surrey or to another FHSA/HA.

  2. Data for 1995–96 has been converted to match April 1996 HA boundaries.

  3. Data as at 1 October each year between 1995 and 1999 and at 30 September 2000.

  Source:

  Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in the Buckinghamshire health authority area waited more than(a) 13 weeks and (b) 26 weeks for a first outpatient appointment in each reporting period over the last 10 years; [24858]

  (2) how many patients there were in the Buckinghamshire health authority area on in-patient waiting lists waiting more than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months, (d) 12 months, (e) 15 months, (f) 18 months and (g) 24 months for each reporting period since 1997; [24859]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to social services departments and the NHS concerning the role of health and social care staff in the development and delivery of strategies to prevent homelessness. [24191]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 19 December 2002]: The National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill currently before Parliament will devolve responsibility for developing a local health improvement and modernisation plan to local primary care trusts. They will also receive a statutory duty to work in partnership with local authorities to assess local care needs and ensure the delivery of appropriate services. PCTs will also be responsible for improving the health status of the local population; including working in partnership with local authorities to address issues such as homelessness.

  The Rough Sleepers Unit published a good practice handbook, "Preventing Tomorrow's Rough Sleepers", in 2001. This contains examples of action that can be taken by various service providers, including health practitioners and social services, to prevent people from becoming homeless. The Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions will also publish guidance to local authorities on developing homelessness strategies with local partners including health service providers.

  We are aware that children placed in temporary accommodation, especially in bed and breakfast, must have regular health and developmental checks by health staff. New guidance will be issued to local authorities on this issue in the near future.

  National Network for the Arts in Health
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the financial cost of the National Network for the Arts in Health project; and if he will publish an evaluation of its work. [24583]

  Ms Blears
  Art has long been used in hospital buildings, with many recognising the healing power of the arts. The arts can contribute very significantly to the provision of health care; by improving the environment for patients, visitors and staff; by encouraging community participation and social regeneration; through therapeutic activity and staff development.
  125W
  The National Network for the Arts in Health was established in October 2000 to provide a range of services for those interested and working in the field of Arts in Health.

  The National Network for the Arts in Health is funded through a variety of sources, including membership fees, and grants from the following bodies; Kings' Fund, Nuffield Trust, PPP Healthcare and Medical Trust, Arts Council for England, The Baring Foundation, Esmee Fairbarn Charitable Trust, London Forum for arts in health and various publications and activities. This totalled £116,440 in the year 2000–01.

  The HDA contracted the National Network to do a specific piece of work in updating an existing database of projects via a questionnaire and host the website by which the data is made available. (Total £15,000 in the year 2000–01).

  The Department has no plans to request or publish any evaluation of NNAH's work. It is expected that this will be the responsibility of the network's board of governors.

  Cancer
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent measures his Department has taken to increase awareness of cancer in schools. [24346]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 8 January 2002]: Our healthy schools programme addresses a range of health and lifestyle issues that will impact on the long-term health of young people. Issues covered include the:

  health risks from smoking and substance misuse,

  sun safety,

  promoting healthy eating,

  promoting physical activity.

  Total allocations for Tees HAZ and all HAZs including Tees

  £000

  Programme and development

  Innovations fund and employment pilots

  Smoking Cessation

  Drugs

  Targeted funding for Has in HAZ areas

  Total

  Tees

  1998–99

  20

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20

  1999–2000

  1,231

  320

  407

  0

  1,274

  3,232

  2000–01

  1,589

  704

  406

  135

  2,547

  5,381

  2001–02

  1,589

  802

  406

  135

  14,713

  7,645

  England

  1998–99

  5,682

  0

  0

  1,780

  0

  7,462

  1999–2000

  42,601

  2,016

  9,993

  1,880

  30,002

  86,492

  2000–01

  40,527

  7,147

  10,000

  1,800

  59,998

  119,472

  2001–02

  40,527

  8,448

  10,000

  1,800

  1101,813

  162,588

  1 Health inequalities adjustment

  Head Injuries
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase funding for voluntary organisations providing care services for people with head injuries. [25452]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 9 January 2002]: There are no plans to provide specific funds for voluntary organisations dealing with head injury. Commissioning local services for patients with head injuries is the responsibility of health authorities, trusts and primary care
  126W
  Increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables is widely recognised as a protection against some cancers and cardiovascular disease. Information about the protection afforded by fruit and vegetables against cancer is set out in the national school fruit scheme booklet, which is supplied to all participating schools. This information is also available on the national school fruit scheme website address www.doh.gov.uk/schoolfruitscheme.

  Urban Regeneration
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what schemes targeting urban regeneration needs are managed by his Department; how much each scheme has available to invest; what issues each scheme aims to tackle; and how much has been spent annually since 1997(a) in the United Kingdom,(b) in Teesside, (c) in Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough councils and (d) in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency. [25476]

  Ms Blears
  The Department does not manage any schemes specifically targeting urban regeneration. However, implementation of the NHS plan, particularly in relation to primary care reform, will have an impact on urban regeneration. Specifically there are 26 health action zones set up in 1998 and 1999 to tackle health inequalities. They have been taking forward a range of activity that impacts on the determinants of health through their programmes which have included action in areas such as housing, education, crime, employment and transport, and working with ex-drug users. They are also working closely with new deal for community projects in their areas.

  HAZ funding for Teesside is shown in the table and compared to national HAZ funding.

  teams. They are the people best placed to identify the health needs of local populations and they will decide whether these services are best provided by voluntary organisations, or by someone else.

  The Department provides funds to voluntary organisations through the Section 64 General Scheme (Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968). In 2001–02, for example, 575 grants totalling nearly £21 million were awarded to 397 voluntary organisations. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis

  127W
  and voluntary organisations providing care services for people with head injuries have an equal chance of obtaining awards.

  Data Treatment
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 26 November 2001 Official Report, column 737W, if he will establish standards to facilitate data quality maintenance, data transfer and data sharing. [25351]

  Ms Blears
  The National Health Service Information Authority is responsible for the development of NHS data standards, and supports the independent Information Standards Boards that approve data standards for use by the NHS.

  The NHS Information Authority has also been commissioned to maintain and develop data quality standards for use by NHS hospital trusts in the collection of data required for management purposes. The process enables a trust to demonstrate that it has systems in place that meet pre-defined standards of data quality to fulfil its own management information requirements, and those of the commissioners of the trust's services.

  In addition, the NHS is to adopt standards for the transfer and sharing of data compliant with the electronic Government interoperability framework (e-GIF). Implementing the e-GIF within the NHS will be managed as an integral part of the NHS Information for Health strategy. The e-GIF standards are mandated on all new systems. The NHS Information Authority is leading work on migrating existing legacy systems to comply with e-GIF standards.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many answers to parliamentary questions

  Admissions and bed days where main diagnosis may be related to musculoskeletal injuries—NHS Hospitals, England 2000–01

  Admissions

  Bed days

  S02 Fracture of skull and facial bones

  26,970

  46,500

  S03 Dislocation sprain and strain of joints and ligaments of head

  302

  344

  S07 Crushing injury of head

  4

  2

  S08 Traumatic amputation of part of head

  118

  282

  S09 Other and unspecified injuries of head

  37,466

  66,600

  S12 Fracture of neck

  1,686

  24,078

  S13 Dislocation sprain and strain of joints and ligaments at neck level

  1,163

  4,739

  S14 Injury of nerves and spinal cord at neck level

  443

  6,873

  S15 Injury of blood vessels at neck level

  47

  275

  S16 Injury of muscle and tendon at neck level

  55

  103

  S17 Crushing injury of neck

  20

  33

  S19 Other and unspecified injuries of neck

  1,084

  2,649

  S22 Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine

  7,718

  54,913

  S23 Dislocation sprain/strain of joints and ligaments of thorax

  71

  470

  S24 Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level

  52

  1,244

  S28 Crush injury thorax and traumatic amputation part of thorax

  37

  251

  S29 Other and unspecified injuries of thorax

  490

  1,813

  S32 Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis

  11,504

  150,123

  S33 Dislocation sprain and strain joint ligaments lumbar spine and pelvis

  161

  1,012

  S34 Injury nerves lumbar spinal cord abdomen low back and pelvis

  61

  828

  S38 Crushing injury/trauma amputation of part of abdomen lower back and pelvis

  55

  230

  S39 Other and unspecified injuries of abdomen lower back and pelvis

  2,725

  9,964

  S42 Fracture of shoulder and upper arm

  18,450

  122,002

  S43 Dislocation sprain and strain of joints and ligaments of shoulder girdle

  2,995

  11,893

  S46 Injury of muscle and tendon at shoulder and upper arm level

  378

  1,101

  128W
  have not been answered by his Department under exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in each year since 1994. [29421]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 22 January 2002]: The information requested is not available centrally.

  Departmental Expenditure (Publications)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in each of the last four years. [30085]

  Ms Blears
  Estimates of expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in the Department in the last four years are as follows:

  £

  1997–98

  415,890

  1998–99

  423,560

  1999–2000

  419,490

  2000–01

  423,160

  This expenditure covers central purchasing through the Department's library, the regional offices and direct purchasing by individual units. Expenditure of agencies has been excluded.

  Musculoskeletal Injuries
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed with musculoskeletal injuries in the last year for which figures are available; and how many(a) GP consultations, (b) physiotherapy sessions and (c) hospital beds were taken up in that year with those injuries. [30190]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 25 January 2002]: Information on general practitioner consultations and physiotherapy sessions are not collected centrally. Figures for musculoskeletal injuries and bed days are shown in the table.
  129W

  Admissions and bed days where main diagnosis may be related to musculoskeletal injuries—NHS Hospitals, England 2000–01

  Admissions

  Bed days

  S47 Crushing injury of shoulder and upper arm

  3

  9

  S48 Traumatic amputation of shoulder and upper arm

  10

  164

  S49 Other and unspecified injuries of shoulder and upper arm

  456

  1,966

  S52 Fracture of forearm

  48,698

  134,031

  S53 Dislocation sprain and strain of joints and ligaments elbow

  1,036

  1,630

  S56 Injury of muscle and tendon at forearm level

  1,925

  2,891

  S57 Crushing injury of forearm

  52

  283

  S58 Traumatic amputation of forearm

  16

  220

  S59 Other and unspecified injuries of forearm

  283

  952

  S62 Fracture at wrist and hand level

  17,337

  30,837

  S63 Dislocation sprain strain joint and ligaments at wrist and hand level

  2,299

  3,125

  S66 Injury of muscle and tendon at wrist and hand level

  9,592

  12,098

  S67 Crushing injury of wrist and hand

  1,505

  1,943

  S68 Traumatic amputation of wrist and hand

  3,347

  5,066

  S69 Other and unspecified injuries of wrist and hand

  1,281

  2,141

  S72 Fracture of femur

  63,385

  1,117,498

  S73 Dislocation, sprain and strain of joint and ligaments

  745

  6,799

  S76 Injury of muscle and tendon at hip and thigh level

  756

  4,254

  S77 Crushing injury of hip and thigh

  17

  129

  S78 Traumatic amputation of hip and thigh

  3

  180

  S79 Other and specified injuries of hip and thigh

  2,065

  15,888

  S82 Fracture of lower leg, including ankle

  42,930

  338,010

  S83 Dislocation sprain and strain of joints and ligaments of knee

  4,837

  9,399

  S84 Injury of nerves at lower leg level

  44

  164

  S87 Crushing injury of lower leg

  73

  344

  S88 Traumatic amputation of lower leg

  36

  1,630

  S89 Other and unspecified injuries of lower leg

  1,377

  6,986

  S92 Fracture of foot, except ankle

  5,288

  32,747

  S93 Dislocation sprain and strain joints and ligaments at ankle and foot level

  1,034

  4,325

  S96 Injury of muscle and tendon at ankle and foot level

  356

  793

  S97 Crushing injury of ankle and foot

  216

  1,323

  S98 Traumatic amputation of ankle and foot

  91

  576

  S99 Other and unspecified injuries of ankle and foot

  502

  2,177

  T02 Fractures involving multiple body regions

  516

  6,820

  T03 Dislocations sprains and strains involving multiple body regions

  27

  92

  T04 Crushing injuries involving multiple body regions

  39

  325

  T05 Traumatic amputations involving multiple body regions

  10

  213

  T06 Other injuries involving multiple body regions NEC

  29

  352

  T07 Unspecified multiple injuries

  24

  67

  T08 Fracture of spine, level unspecified

  112

  1,572

  T09 Other injuries of spine and trunk, level unspecified

  421

  2,530

  T10 Fracture of upper limb, level unspecified

  28

  187

  T11 Other injuries of upper limb, level unspecified

  555

  1,878

  T12 Fracture of lower limb, level unspecified

  23

  276

  T13 Other injuries of lower limb, level unspecified

  850

  5,066

  T14 Injury of unspecified body region

  2,624

  10,701

  These figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may be admitted more than once within the year. The main diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics data set, and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.

  NHS Dentists
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is to be made available to the review of NHS dentistry in Shropshire and Staffordshire; when the review is due to be completed; and if it is his policy to follow up the recommendations of the review. [30386]

  Ms Blears
  West Midlands North National Health Service Workforce Confederation is currently undertaking a review of NHS Dentistry in Shropshire and Staffordshire on behalf of Shropshire health authority, South Staffordshire health authority and North Staffordshire 130W
  health authority. This work will enable the health authorities to quantify recruitment and retention issues and identify possible local solutions.

  In keeping with our determination to decentralise decision-making in the NHS, and as this is a local review, all decisions with regard to funding and implementation will be a matter for the health authorities involved.

  GP Surgeries
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been burnt by radiators in GP surgeries in each of the past 10 years; and what he estimates to be the cost to GP practices of installing radiator guards in every surgery in the UK. [31029]

  Ms Blears
  There are about 10,500 general practitioner premises in England. Information on the numbers of radiators and incidents is not collected centrally.
  131W
  Burns from radiators are not reportable under the Reporting of Incidents, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. To collect the information requested would incur disproportionate costs.

  We estimate it would cost approximately £100 to fit a guard to a radiator.

  In 1998 National Health Service Estates issued guidance relating to low surface temperatures (Health Guidance Note "Safe Hot Water and Surface Temperatures"). The installation of low surface temperature radiators is advised in all health care settings. This eliminates the need for guard installation.

  NHS Service Reviews
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department is making of the efficacy of public and community involvement in local reviews of NHS services. [30793]

  Ms Blears
  Subject to the passage and subsequent enactment of section 19 of the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill, the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health will make an independent assessment of the efficacy of public and community involvement in local reviews through it's work with patients' forums and overview and scrutiny committees. These data will be collected locally by the commission and fed to Government via the commission's headquarters.

  A prime example of the involvement of local people in determining the future of their health services occurred in my hon. Friend's constituency. It was agreed, after strong views were expressed by Crawley residents, that a review of the future provision of health care in South East Surrey and North West Sussex would take place. This review will involve local stakeholders in seeking agreement on a configuration which will ensure appropriate local access and meet the requirement for high quality, professional care.

  Hormonal Treatments
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been conducted into the effects of hormonal treatments on women who are prone to(a) bipolar and (b) depressive illness; and if he will make a statement. [31075]

  Yvette Cooper
  Neither the Department nor the Medical Research Council (MRC) are currently supporting any research specifically into the effects of hormonal treatments on women who are prone to bipolar and depressive illness.

  The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the MRC which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC have a significant amount of research into mental disorders, including depression and is also funding the WISDOM (Women's International Study of Long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause) trial which is looking at women on long term hormone replacement therapy.

  The Department provides national health service support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that take place in the NHS.
  132W
  The Department is providing or has provided support for a number of projects on mental health in general. Details of research projects can be found on the National Research Register, which is available in the Library and most medical libraries on CD-ROM, or on the internet at www.doh.gov.uk/research/nrr.htm.

  Obesity
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the levels of obesity in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [31162]

  (2) what recent measures he has taken to reduce levels of obesity in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [31163]

  Yvette Cooper
  The most recent health survey for England, in 1999, showed that one in five adults suffers from obesity. The National Audit Office report: Tackling Obesity in England, published in February 2001, provides a comprehensive assessment on the levels of obesity in England. It found that obesity had nearly trebled in the last 20 years, and is responsible for 9,000 deaths each year, before the age of retirement. It also states that obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, cancer, stroke and type 2 diabetes. The most likely causes of obesity are identified as an increasingly sedentary lifestyle combined with changes in eating patterns.

  Obesity is a complex condition, but is largely preventable through addressing diet and physical activity. We have therefore put in place major cross-Government programmes of work to address these factors. The NHS Plan, Cancer Plan and National Service Frameworks all prioritise action to improve diet and increase physical activity.

  Also the National Service Framework for Diabetes, published in December 2001, recognises obesity as a modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes and that it will need to be the focus of prevention strategies for diabetes.

  The Health Development Agency is currently reviewing the evidence on effective interventions to prevent obesity. Their report, to be published early this year, will provide the evidence base on what works. To support primary care trusts, we have also asked the Health Development Agency to develop a framework to support the development of programmes to prevent overweight and obesity.

  Last year the National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued guidance on the anti-obesity drugs Orlistat and Sibutramine. Patients are prescribed these drugs to help them lose weight in combination with counselling and advice on diet and exercise.

  Ministerial Meetings
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the health minister in the Scottish Executive; and if he will make a statement. [31335]

  Ms Blears
  On Monday 28 January 2002.

  Kidney Dialysis
  Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many kidney dialysis machines have been
  133W
  issued to patients for use in their homes in each of the last five years in (a) the UK and (b) Hillingdon Health Authority. [31355]

  Jacqui Smith
  The available information is based on figures published in the third annual report of the United Kingdom Renal Registry, copies of which are available in the Library. In 1998 there were 516 patients in England using a haemodialysis machine at home. In addition, it is estimated that 1,150 adult patients and 83 children were using home automated cycling machines for peritoneal dialysis. Information for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations. Equivalent information is not available at health authority level.

  Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the penalties that apply to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Warrford if surgical waiting list targets across all surgical disciplines are not met. [31547]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 29 January 2002]: The performance against waiting list targets by the Royal Devon and Exeter healthcare national health service trust will be one of a number of criteria used to assess the trust in the annual performance ratings. There are no financial penalties if the trust does not reach key targets on waiting times; however, the trust's performance rating will determine how the trust can use additional monies from the performance fund. The best performing trusts gain additional freedoms in recognition of their success.

  Departmental Leave Entitlements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average annual leave entitlement of staff in his Department in each of the last four years. [31742]

  Ms Blears
  The Department holds no information on the average annual leave entitlement however actual leave entitlement in the last four years can be provided as shown in the table.

  Year

  On entry

  After one year

  After 10, 15 or 20 years service depending on civil service grade

  1997–98

  22

  25

  30

  1998–99

  22

  25

  30

  1999–2000

  22

  25

  30

  2000–01

  30

  30

  30

  As of 1 August

  Notes:

  1. Excludes staff in the senior civil service whose annual leave entitlement is currently set by Cabinet Office at 30 days and has been so for the last four years.

  2. Excludes part-time, job share and casual staff annual leave entitlement. This is calculated at a pro rata rate dependent on the terms of employment.

  Gross expenditure on residential care homes by region and client group, 1999–2000

  £000

  Government office region

  Older people

  Adults with physical disabilities

  Adults with learning disabilities

  Adults with mental health problems

  North East

  129,151

  5,387

  26,877

  6,286

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  221,718

  11,145

  61,947

  13,931

  East Midlands

  178,004

  9,705

  46,442

  11,262

  Infertility
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting list was for infertility treatment, broken down by health authority; how much each health authority spent on infertility treatment in each year since 1997; what action will be taken to address the differences according to area in infertility treatment; and if he will make a statement. [32717]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested on the waiting list and the amounts spent by health authorities is not available centrally. The Department undertook a baseline survey of infertility provision in the national health service in 1999. A report on this "Survey of NHS Infertility Services 1997–98" has been published and copies are available in the Library.

  We have listened carefully to the representations we have received from couples seeking infertility treatment, and from hon. Members and interested bodies working in the field. We have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to consider and update the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' existing guidelines on the management of infertility treatment in order to ensure that clinical guidance based on the latest knowledge and best practice are available for use throughout the NHS.

  We want to see an improved service and greater efficiency for the benefit of all patients. We see the referral of these guidelines to NICE as a major step forward in infertility treatment by which we can act positively to improve services and reduce the postcode lottery in this area of health care.

  Care Homes
  David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been to the East Riding of Yorkshire council for administrating the registration of care homes in the last 12 months. [32098]

  Jacqui Smith
  For 1999–2000, the latest year for which information is available, East Riding of Yorkshire council reported total gross expenditure on registration and inspection activities, other than inspection of under-8s, of £143,000. They reported that, of this, £76,000 was recovered in fees so that the net cost to them was £67,000.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) amount spent on funding care homes through local authorities and (b) the cost of care by region in 2001 was; and if he will make a statement. [33590]

  Jacqui Smith
  In 1999–2000 (the latest year for which data are available) £3.2 billion gross was spent on funding residential care homes through local authorities. The table gives a breakdown of this expenditure by region and client group.
  135W

  Gross expenditure on residential care homes by region and client group, 1999–2000

  £000

  Government office region

  Older people

  Adults with physical disabilities

  Adults with learning disabilities

  Adults with mental health problems

  West Midlands

  217,313

  14,949

  76,920

  13,659

  South West

  196,444

  14,883

  70,138

  14,513

  East of England

  233,319

  18,777

  101,014

  17,503

  London

  279,912

  35,528

  187,153

  65,472

  South East

  291,926

  23,712

  145,870

  19,478

  North West

  320,302

  23,172

  73,113

  25,508

  England

  2,068,089

  157,258

  789,474

  187,612

  Total gross expenditure all client groups, England 3,202,433

  Source: Form RO3, General Fund Services Revenue Account (Personal Social Services)

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to collect centrally the figures for survival rates following unplanned moves of care home residents from their care home; and if he will make a statement. [33593]

  Jacqui Smith
  Data on survival rates following unplanned moves of care home residents from their care home are not currently collected, and have not been prioritised for future collections.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many older people moved into care owing to reaching the cost ceiling for care in the home in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [33591]

  Jacqui Smith
  Data on the number of people moved into care as a result of reaching the cost ceiling for care at home are not collected centrally.

  Councils with social services responsibilities should plan supported admissions to residential care in consultation with prospective residents and other interested parties. Final decisions should be based on a full consideration of assessed needs, agreed outcomes, the quality of care, and costs. The Department will be publishing guidance on this point shortly.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many older people are waiting for an assessment before being admitted to a care home in the Portsmouth area; and if he will make a statement. [33922]

  Jacqui Smith
  In September 2001 (the latest information available centrally) 25 people of all ages within the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire health authority area had their discharge from hospital delayed because they were awaiting an assessment of their future care needs. The assessment determines their future care needs, these may be met in a range of settings, including care homes or their own home.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many county council residential homes for the elderly there were in England in(a) 1990, (b) 1997 and (c) at the most recent date for which figures are available. [34571]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on the number of local authority staffed residential care homes for older people1 is shown in the table.

  1 Includes local authority staffed care homes for elderly mentally infirm people.
  136W

  Number of local authority staffed homes and places for older people in England, 1990, 1997 and 2001

  Rounded numbers

  At 31 March

  local authority staffed homes

  Total places in Local authority staffed homes

  1990

  2,480

  103,600

  1997

  1,500

  54,680

  2001

  1,190

  41,830

  Source:

  Department of Health's annual returns

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nursing homes and (b) residential homes are (i) known to have conformed by 1 April 2001 and (ii) expected to conform by 1 April 2002 to the care home standards to be implemented on 1 April 2002; and what proportion they represent of all such homes. [34765]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: It will be for the National Care Standards Commission to decide in the particular circumstances of each individual home whether the home conforms to the standards necessary to meet the assessed needs of its residents. The standards were extensively consulted on and the Department has no evidence to suggest that large numbers of care homes will be unable to meet them. The Commission will form a more detailed picture of care homes' compliance with the national standards as it completes its first cycle of inspections of providers in England during 2002–03.

  Hospital Infections
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to protect surgical patients from exposure to poisons; [32779]

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made to ensure total sterilisation of surgical instruments; and if he will make a statement.
  [32798]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have received advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee that a key factor in reducing the risk of person-to-person spread of vCJD during surgery is a high standard of decontamination of surgical instruments. This is confirmed by the Risk Assessment that we published on 16 March 2001.

  Since October 2000, we have carried out a comprehensive survey of decontamination facilities and practices in the national health service in England, the

  137W
  results of which we published on 11 December 2001. Those hospitals falling below the standard required were helped to produce action plans. As a result, all NHS acute hospitals in England now have access to satisfactory decontamination services.

  The modernisation of NHS decontamination services is a long-term process, not a one-off event, and we will continue to ensure that appropriate precautions, based on evidence and scientific advice, are taken to ensure patient safety.

  Hospices
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sums of money that have been recently announced for the hospice movement will be available to the private sector. [32549]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 1 February 2002],: Hospices are provided either by the voluntary sector or by the national health service.

  In the NHS Cancer Plan we pledged that the NHS contribution to the costs of specialist palliative care (including voluntary sector hospices) would increase. By 2004 the NHS will invest an additional £50 million in specialist palliative care. This will match on a national basis the funding provided by the voluntary sector and will enable the NHS to increase their contribution to the costs hospices incur for agreed levels of services.

  Disabled Parking
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many disabled parking spaces are available at North Durham University Hospital. [33495]

  Jacqui Smith
  The University Hospital of North Durham has 876 car parking spaces of which 32 are disabled bays.

  Preventive Care
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is given to preventive support for older people; what assessment has been made of required resources for intermediate care; and if he will make a statement. [33920]

  Jacqui Smith
  The NHS Plan announced an extra £900 million annually by 2003–04 for new intermediate care and related services to promote independence and improve quality of care for older people, together with targets for additional intermediate care beds and non-residential places and the number of people to benefit.

  Full details are in the intermediate care circular Health Service Circular 2001/01: Local Authority Circular (2001)1 published in January last year, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the average patient waiting time for every month from I January 2001 to 31 January 2002 at the Royal Devon and Exeter accident and emergency department and (b) the monthly average of England's accident and emergency departments over the same period. [33601]
  138W
  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 5 February 2002]: The information requested is not available centrally.

  Neurological Conditions
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2002,Official Report, column 143W, on neurological conditions, (1) what the time scale is for scoping, planning and implementing the framework; [34342]

  (2) whether motor neurone disease will have its own section within the framework. [34313]

  Jacqui Smith
  The National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-term Conditions is likely to focus on the needs of people with neurological disease, and brain and spinal injury, as well as some of the common issues faced by people with a long-term condition. The Department expects to decide the specific scope and content of the NSF later this year.

  Mental Health Acts
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish a White Paper on the reform of the Mental Health Acts; and if he will make a statement. [34071]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]: We published the White Paper "Reforming the Mental Health Act" in December 2000. The White Paper made clear our intention to reform mental health legislation and bring it into line with the contemporary patterns of care and treatment, including the changes and new investment set out in the NHS Plan, and to improve the provisions for high risk offenders, including those who are dangerous and severely personality disordered.

  New legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who will appoint the non-executive directors of the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust; and when they will be appointed. [34495]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 8 February 2002]: The non-executive members of the board will be appointed by the National Health Service Appointments Commission, in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. It is anticipated that the appointments will be made in March.

  Delayed Discharges
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average delay for patients with delayed discharges is in the third quarter of 2001–02. [33617]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not yet available. The most recent information available (second quarter of 2001–02) is available in the Library.

  Bed Blocking
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of acute beds are blocked in each acute National Health Service hospital trust. [33618]
  139W
  Jacqui Smith
  Figures are collected centrally on the number of acute beds blocked in each health authority and these have been placed in the Library. Figures are not collected centrally on numbers in each hospital trust.

  Victoria Climbie Inquiry
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what arrangements have been made to publicise the seminars planned as part of the Victoria Climbie inquiry; who has been invited to attend; and when they will take place; [33989]
  140W
  (2) when he expects the Victoria Climbie inquiry to conclude its evidence gathering. [34046]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Victoria Climbie inquiry is an independent statutory inquiry commissioned by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Health and the Home Department. The Secretary of State for Health understands that Phase II of the inquiry will start in March and will consist of a series of five seminars. Further information about the seminars can be obtained from www.victoria-climbie-inquiry.org.uk.

  We understand that phase I of the inquiry is expected to end this month, and that phase II is expected to end in April. The report of the inquiry is expected later this year.

  Lord Chancellor's Functions:Human Rights Act 1998
  Lord Chancellor's Functions:Human Rights Act 1998
  Census Internet Site
  Census Internet Site
  OSCE: UK Delegation to Parliamentary Assembly
  OSCE: UK Delegation to Parliamentary Assembly
  Transsexual People
  Transsexual People
  Faith Communities
  Faith Communities
  Sussex Police Authority: Report into Shooting of James Ashley
  Sussex Police Authority: Report into Shooting of James Ashley
  Gibraltar: Diverted Aeroplane
  Gibraltar: Diverted Aeroplane
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers
  Rebated Fuels: Introduction of the Euromarker
  Rebated Fuels: Introduction of the Euromarker
  Economic and Monetary Union
  Economic and Monetary Union
  Taliban and Al' Qaeda Detainees
  Taliban and Al' Qaeda Detainees
  Chinook ZD576: Government Response to Select Committee Report
  Chinook ZD576: Government Response to Select Committee Report
  Health Authorities: Spending
  Health Authorities: Spending
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Rough Sleepers: Westminster Cathedral Piazza
  Rough Sleepers: Westminster Cathedral Piazza
  Benefit Sanctions: Rough Sleepers
  Benefit Sanctions: Rough Sleepers
  Class 142 Trains
  Class 142 Trains
  A14 in Suffolk
  A14 in Suffolk
  Parking Concessions for the Disabled
  Parking Concessions for the Disabled
  Slug Pellets
  Slug Pellets
  Interim Livestock Movements Regime
  Interim Livestock Movements Regime
  London Tourism: Visitor Bed Occupancy
  London Tourism: Visitor Bed Occupancy
  Attendance Allowance
  Attendance Allowance
  Department for Work and Pensions: Benefit Adjustment
  Department for Work and Pensions: Benefit Adjustment