Written Answers of 23 July 2002

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  India
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the High Commissioner for India to discuss the security situation there. [69590]

  Mr. Straw
  I last met the High Commissioner on 30 June.

  I visited India and Pakistan on 18–20 July. After my meetings I said that we welcomed the steps taken by Pakistan to stop cross-border infiltration and Indian de-escalatory measures, but we remained deeply concerned about the military mobilisation on both sides of the border I stressed the need for a permanent end to cross-border infiltration and the importance of the forthcoming Jammu & Kashmir elections being free, fair and inclusive. We will continue to work with our international partners to encourage India and Pakistan to find ways to return to productive dialogue on all the outstanding issues between them, including Kashmir.

  The House should also know that I published revised travel advice yesterday which, because of the reduced tension between India and Pakistan, no longer advises British citizens to avoid travelling to India or those already in India to consider leaving. I have modified the travel advice for Pakistan, but this has to take account of the continuing internal terrorist threat.

  Middle East
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the Government are playing in securing peace in the middle east. [69595]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Her Majesty's Government remains closely engaged in efforts to end the violence and resume a political process leading to a final settlement. We are supervising the detention of six Palestinian detainees in Jericho, and stand ready to assist with Palestinian reform in whatever way we can. I discussed the issue with Palestinian and Israeli leaders when I visited the region between 1 and 3 July.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the present situation in the middle east peace process. [69601]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government are committed to a negotiated and comprehensive settlement between Israel and her Arab neighbours along the lines set out in the declaration made by European leaders at Seville on 21 June. We welcome the Statement of the Quartet (US, EU, UN and Russia), which reaffirmed the goal of a final Israeli-Palestinian settlement within three years. It stated 880W
  that progress in the political, security, economic, humanitarian, and institution-building fields must proceed together. All parties have a role to play. The Palestinians must conduct security, political and economic reform, with an action plan agreed by the Quartet leading to a Palestinian state committed to combating terror. Israel must take immediate and concrete steps to support the emergence of a viable Palestinian state, including easing restrictions, releasing tax revenues, and freezing settlement activity consistent with the Mitchell Committee's recommendations. The UK will continue to offer political and practical assistance wherever possible.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is undertaking with Arab Governments to secure their help in the middle east peace process. [69606]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We welcomed the Arab peace initiative, adopted by Arab states in Beirut on 28 March. We welcome the role played by key Arab states in supporting the Quartet's Action Plan for Reform of the Palestinian Authority and Resumption of a Political Process. We regularly discuss the way forward with Arab leaders. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister recently met President Mubarak, King Abdullah, Prime Minister Hariri and Foreign Minister Maher. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is also in frequent contact with Arab leaders. We met Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Cooperation, Nabil Sha'ath, on 25 June. I met President Arafat and other Palestinian leaders when I visited the Palestinian Authority between 2 and 3 July.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role the Government are playing in securing peace in the middle east. [69613]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Her Majesty's Government remain closely engaged in efforts to end the violence and resume a political process leading to a final settlement. We are supervising the detention of six Palestinian detainees in Jericho, and stand ready to assist with Palestinian reform in whatever way we can. I discussed the issue with Palestinian and Israeli leaders when I visited the region between 1 and 3 July.

  EU Enlargement
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on progress being made towards the enlargement of the EU. [69596]

  Peter Hain
  The Foreign Secretary and I have had regular discussions with all our EU counterparts to keep progress on enlargement on track.

  EU Overseas Aid
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts about the policy underlying the distribution of the EU overseas aid package. [69597]

  Peter Hain
  EU Foreign Ministers discussed the overseas aid package at the General Affairs Council on 18 February. We agreed on the need to make the EU's external actions, including its aid programmes, more targeted, effective and responsive.

  UN Peacekeeping Operations
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of United Nations peacekeeping operations. [69598]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UN's involvement in peacekeeping and crisis management continues to be significant. There are 15 peacekeeping operations world wide, involving 45,145 troops, military observers and civilian police from 83 countries. Many of these operations are now in support of solutions to complex intra-state conflicts and tensions; many involve countries close to, or at risk of, collapse.

  EU Presidency
  James Purnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Greek Government about their priorities for the EU presidency. [69599]

  Peter Hain
  We are in regular touch with our Greek partners. I am visiting Athens tomorrow. Their presidency priorities include enlargement, immigration, and economic reform.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Greek Government about their forthcoming EU presidency and EU enlargement. [69577]

  Peter Hain
  We are in regular touch with our Greek partners. I am visiting Athens tomorrow. Their presidency priorities include enlargement, immigration and economic reform.

  Missile Defence
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the US administration regarding UK participation in the US missile defence programme. [69600]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK and the US administration have discussed over time issues relating to missile defence.

  These include the threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, and the role that missile defence could play in countering these threats. However, it remains the case that the US has not yet decided how it wishes to proceed with missile defence and has made no request for the use of facilities in the UK.

  Chechnya
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussion he has had with the Russian Government on Chechnya. [69603]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last raised the situation in Chechnya in June, when he discussed the human rights situation in the republic with the Russian Foreign Minister.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the economic situation in Zimbabwe. [69604]

  Mr. MacShane
  What is happening in Zimbabwe is a man-made tragedy. The country is running out of food and its economy is imploding. Ultimately, Zimbabwe's only way back to sustainable development is through respect for the rule of law, a return to democratic principles and sensible economic policies.

  European Union (Aspirant Countries)
  Mr. Mike Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with leaders of countries seeking to join the EU; and if he will make a statement. [69607]

  Peter Hain
  The Foreign Secretary and I have had regular discussions with all our EU counterparts to keep progress on enlargement on track.

  Sudan
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of the Sudan are out-of-bounds to humanitarian organisations; and if he will make a statement. [69608]

  Mr. MacShane
  Humanitarian access is difficult to many areas of Sudan where conflict exists. The Government of Sudan and the SPLM have committed themselves to facilitating humanitarian access to all legions of Sudan and there is no formal ban on access to any area.

  International Criminal Court
  John Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is having with his counterparts in the USA about the International Criminal Court. [69609]

  Mr. MacShane
  We are in regular contact with the US Administration in respect of this issue. Officials have made several approaches, both bilaterally and in conjunction with EU partners, encouraging the US to ratify the Rome Statute. And we have repeatedly made clear that, while we understand US concerns that the Court might bring malicious or politically-motivated charges against US personnel, we do not share them. The Statute of the Court contains safeguards against this. Most recently, and in connection with the renewal of the UN Security Council mandate in respect of peacekeepers in Bosnia (UNMIBH), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has had a number of conversations with his US counterpart. The outcome was Resolution 1422, unanimously adopted on 12 July 2002, which respects the Statute of the Court and allows the US to continue to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.

  Gibraltar
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will cease further talks with Spain about the future of Gibraltar. [69610]
  883W
  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 12 July 2002,Official Report, column 1165.

  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what way the infrastructure of Gibraltar would improve under the proposed sharing of sovereignty of Gibraltar between Britain and Spain. [71166]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 12 July 2002,Official Report, column 1166.

  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions were set by the Government of Gibraltar in order for the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in the talks. [71164]

  Peter Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 27 February 2002,Official Report, column 1307W.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in Gibraltar have indicated to him they would wish to take Spanish nationality. [71596]

  Peter Hain
  As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in the House on 12 July 2002,Official Report, column 1166, we are in broad agreement with Spain on many of the principles that should underpin a lasting settlement to the Gibraltar dispute, including that Gibraltarians should retain the right to British nationality and gain in addition the right to Spanish nationality as well if they so choose.

  Organisation of African Unity
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the OAU summit in South Africa. [69611]

  Mr. MacShane
  The conflict in the Great Lakes region must be resolved through negotiations between the parties. We therefore welcome the recent talks in Durban between the Presidents of Rwanda and the DRC. We are encouraged by the decision to hold follow-up talks between senior officials on 18 July in South Africa. We welcome the role that the Government of South Africa and in particular, President Mbeki, continue to play in trying to help resolve this long-standing conflict.

  Cyprus
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of Cyprus towards accession to the European Union. [69612]

  Peter Hain
  Cyprus has made good progress in its EU accession negotiations, having opened 30 of the 31 negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 28. At Seville, the European Council set out its intention of concluding negotiations with Cyprus along with nine other countries by the end of this year, provided progress 884W
  is maintained, and also reiterated that the Helsinki conclusions formed the basis of the EU's position in respect of the accession of Cyprus.

  Developing Countries
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the European Union's role with respect to supporting trade with, and increasing aid to, developing countries. [69614]

  Peter Hain
  We continue to push hard for an EU market more open to developing countries, especially the poorest, and for EU member states to join us in hugely increasing their aid budgets.

  Official Photographers
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions during the last 12 months an official photographer has accompanied(a) him and (b) other Ministers in his Department on official visits (i) overseas and (ii) within the UK; what (A) travel expenses, (B) costs of equipment and processing, (C) staff payment and (D) other costs were incurred on each occasion; what publications official photographs have appeared in during the last 12 months and what terms and conditions were attached to the publication of such photographs; and whether photographs taken on official visits are available for use in non-governmental literature. [62832]

  Mr. MacShane
  The FCO does not employ an official photographer. However, photographs, from a variety of sources, including those taken by Ministers and members of staff of the FCO's work are posted on the FCO website or are used in publications.

  Asylum Seekers
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many asylum seekers have entered a United Kingdom overseas mission in China in each year since 1997; what their nationality was; how many were granted asylum; and if he will make a statement. [62909]

  Mr. MacShane
  We have not received any applications for asylum in any of our missions in China since 1997.

  Open Source Software
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. [69317]

  Mr. MacShane
  The FCO awards software contracts on a value for money basis and is prepared to consider open source software solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements. We have no figures available on FCO usage of open source software.

  The FCO's use of OSS will follow the Government policy once it is published this summer. The draft policy can be viewed at: http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc_document.asp?docnum=429.

  Consultation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation(a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed. [69806]

  Mr. MacShane
  A list of consultations undertaken by the FCO since 1997 is as follows:Panel 2000 (future role of the FCO)

  (a) yes

  (b) yes

  (c) 10 September 1998

  (d) 15 November 1998

  Ascension Island

  (a) yes

  (b) yes

  (c) 22 April 1999

  (d) 30 June 1999

  International Criminal Court: consultation on draft legislation

  (a) yes

  (b) yes

  (c) 1 August 2000

  (d) 12 October 2000

  Private military companies: options for regulation

  (a) yes

  (b) yes

  (c) 12 February 2002

  (d) 12 August 2002

  Strengthening the biological and toxin weapons convention

  (a) yes

  (b) yes

  (c) 29 April 2002

  (d) 13 September 2002.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how long his Department allowed for consultation of each consultation document it published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form; [70453]

  (2) whether consultation documents published by his Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria as recommended in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations; [70454]

  (3) in what format his Department has published the results of its 2001 written consultations; [70455]

  (4) how many consultation documents published in 2001 in (a) electronic and (b) printed form his Department has monitored and evaluated in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations; [70456]

  (5) how many complaints his Department has received about its 2001 consultations in (a) electronic and (b) printed form; [70457]

  (6) which consultation documents published by his Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies. [70458]
  886W
  Mr. MacShane
  The FCO produced no consultation documents in 2001.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has a designated consultation co-ordinator in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. [70459]

  Mr. MacShane
  Yes.

  Sierra Leone
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential for the continued fighting in Liberia to threaten the stability of Sierra Leone. [70878]

  Mr. MacShane
  UNAMSIL and the Government of Sierra Leone have taken measures to minimise the impact of the conflict in Liberia on the emerging peace in Sierra Leone. The UK supports regional and international efforts to bring the conflict in Liberia to an end to halt the worsening humanitarian situation in the sub-region. A considerable number of innocent civilians have been displaced in Liberia, and others have sought refuge in Sierra Leone. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Macedonia
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 10 July,Official Report, column 1017W, what conditions in Macedonia have to be met. [71131]

  Mr. MacShane
  With regard to the UK ratification of the SAA, we have made it clear to the Macedonian Government that we expect to see the continuing implementation of the August 13 agreement, including free and democratic parliamentary elections, rights for all ethnic groups and rule of law.

  Nepal
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether military assistance to be provided to Nepal by the UK will include training and capacity building initiatives for its security forces. [71353]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Nepali government has our full support, and we are committed to providing continuity development, political and miliary assistance to help them overcome this crisis.

  We intend to implement a number of training programmes designed specifically for the Nepalese security forces. The Nepalese police will receive assistance to help them modernise and enhance their professionalism. We intend to do this through UK and local technical assistance and aim to help local communities by increasing their access to open and accountable policing.

  We will also provide training for the Royal Nepalese Army in peace support operations and human rights awareness programmes. This should increase the protection of human rights by way of improved awareness of humanitarian laws and the better reporting of human rights violations.

  Catherine Meyer Case
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Lord Chancellor concerning the Catherine Meyer case. [71591]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is the lead Department on Hague Convention cases. In 1995 Lady Meyer ceased to pursue court proceeding under the Hague Convention for the return of her children. At that point the Lord Chancellor's Department ceased to be involved in her case. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department have offered a joint meeting to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) to discuss Lady Meyer's case and the operation of the Hague Convention.

  Entry Clearance
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet hon. Member s to discuss entry clearance issues relating to his travel advice before 24 July. [71590]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I shall be meeting hon. Members on Wednesday 24 July from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm in Committee Room 18.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether sanctions on Iraq cover fibre optic cables. [71751]

  Mr. MacShane
  Yes. The Goods Review List (GRL) introduced by UN Security Council resolution 1409 (2002) lists all dual-use and military goods whose export to Iraq under the UN Oil for Food programme is subject t to review by the UN Sanctions Committee. The list, which is publicly accessible on the UN website at www.un.org/Departments/oip/index.html, includes fibre optic cables. All other exports under the Oil for Food programme not included on the GRL are approved automatically by the UN Secretariat.

  Information Campaigns
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on information literature, advertising and campaign material in financial year 2001–02; if he will list the campaigns that spent over £250,000; and if he will make a statement. [70206]

  Mr. MacShane
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: In financial year 2001–02 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent £1,448,314 on information literature and £6,434 on advertising. The figure for information literature includes expenditure on consular publicity campaigns, such as "Know Before You Go", which is run jointly with the travel industry to help ensure that travellers are well prepared for conditions abroad. Expenditure on advertising for recruitment is excluded, as identifying this expenditure would entail disproportionate effort and cost.

  British Council (Indemnity Undertakings)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many indemnity undertakings were given by his Department in respect of loss or damage to works of art loaned to the British Council for exhibition overseas for the 12-month period ended March 2002; and what the value was of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings which remained outstanding at that date. [72877]

  Mr. MacShane
  The British Council, although not a Government Department, receives a substantial grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Council regularly organises or sponsors exhibitions overseas of works of art loaned from national galleries and private collections in the United Kingdom. It provides certain assurances or guarantees in respect of loss or damage while these works are on loan.

  In the 12-month period ended 31 March 2002 the British Council provided such assurances to four national lenders and undertakings to 193 private lenders. The value of the contingent liabilities that remained outstanding as at 31 March 2002 in respect of private lenders was £4,358,822. No contingent liabilities remained outstanding at this date in respect of national lenders.

  Sino-British Declaration
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will publish the next report to Parliament on Hong Kong and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. [72878]

  Mr. MacShane
  The eleventh report in this series, covering the period January-June 2002, was published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. A copy of the report is also available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, www.fco.gov.uk. The report includes a foreword by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy will be available. [72879]

  Peter Hain
  I have arranged for copies of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy's annual report to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The Foundation has continued its crucial work in building and developing democracy overseas during the last 12 months. The Foundation received a grant-in-aid of £4.156 million from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and further £390,056 of funds earmarked for specific purposes. In addition it received funds from the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme and the Department for International Development.

  Most of the Foundation's activities were in its priority areas of central and eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Anglophone Africa. The Foundation initiated an important technical assistance programme in Sierra Leone, promoting the development of political parties in the principles of peaceful and responsible conduct

  889W
  in political life. The significant contribution that the Foundation has made to the development of democracy in the Balkans was strongly endorsed by an independent evaluation of its Bosnia programme.

  Cayman Islands (Human Rights)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of legislation passed in the Cayman Islands with the UK Human Rights Act 1998 and with the European convention on human rights 1972; and what decisions he has made as to whether such legislation is ultra vires with Orders in Council made by the Secretary of State under UK Acts of Parliament. [72161]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Cayman Islands' legislation is scrutinised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure its constitutionality and its compatibility with the Islands' obligations arising under the European convention on human rights and other international agreements. The UK Human Rights Act 1998 does not extend to the Cayman Islands and is therefore not directly considered.

  No Cayman Islands' legislation has been disallowed in recent years because it was found to be ultra vires with an Order in Council made under a UK Act of Parliament.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what independent reviews of human rights issues obtained in the Cayman Islands have been commissioned by his Department; and if he will place a copy of the reports on such reviews in the Library. [72160]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  An independent review of human rights in the Cayman Islands has been commissioned and is being undertaken by a UK consultancy. Once the report is available and has been released in the Caymans. a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Diplomatic Service
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many new entrants to the diplomatic service in 2001 were(a) educated at independent school, (b) educated at public school, (c) educated at state school and (d) describe themselves as disabled; and for each category, whether they were (i) policy entrants or (ii) operational entrants. [72052]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien

  (a) and (b) are counted together as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office only differentiates between independent and state schools. 28 new entrants were educated at independent schools. 14 were policy and 14 were operational entrants.

  (c) 48 new entrants were educated at state schools. 16 were policy and 32 were operational entrants.

  (d) Two new entrants described themselves as having a disability. One policy and one operational entrant.

  These figures are published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2002 departmental report.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ambassadors and high commissioners are(a) from an ethnic minority background and (b) describe themselves as disabled. [72051]
  890W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at 1 July 2002 there were three members of the Senior Management Structure (SMS) who had declared themselves to be from an ethnic minority background. None of them is currently serving as either an ambassador or as a high commissioner.

  Seven members of the SMS had declared themselves to have a disability. Two of these are currently serving as either an ambassador or a high commissioner.

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of publishing his Department's annual report for each of the past five years. [70478]

  Mr. MacShane
  The table shows the costs incurred by the FCO in publishing our annual departmental report; the figures do not include staff time which could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The table reflects only those costs that fall directly to the FCO, any other printing and publication costs are met directly by the publisher, The Stationery Office Ltd. (TSO), and do not fall to Government.

  £

  2002–03

  35,208

  2001–02

  24,314

  2000–01

  17,829

  1999–2000

  18,000

  1998–99

  20,114

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister how many complaints have been made by civil servants to the(a) Secretary of the Cabinet and (b) First Civil Service Commissioner regarding the actions of departmental special advisers since May 1997. [71721]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reply to the letter to him dated 23 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. J. Greenhalgh. [72137]

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary has replied to the right hon. Member's letter.

  Renewable Energy
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals in support of increasing the use of renewable energy he intends to present to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg; and what recent representations he has received in support of renewable energy. [72297]
  891W
  The Prime Minister
  The UK supports agreement at the World Summit on Sustainable Development on a range of measures to support the increased use of renewable energy, including removing harmful subsidies for the use of fossil fuels, setting a global target for the use of renewable energy, and enhanced international co-operation on research and development and market reform. The Government are investing over £260 million in the development of renewable power over three years,892W
  in addition to the work of the Carbon Trust and others active in this field. As a result of the spending review the DTI will he announcing further investment in renewable technologies.

  I have received over 400 campaign cards from members of the public supporting a campaign by Greenpeace and the Body Shop to provide renewable energy to the two billion people currently without access to energy.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Open Source Software
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in her Department. [69304]

  Clare Short
  Use of open source software within DFID is currently under review. At present no open source software is in operational use.

  CPI Consultancies
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide a

  HIV/AIDS related expenditure by country 1997–98 to 2001–021

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Afghanistan

  0

  0

  132

  0

  351

  Albania

  0

  0

  180

  0

  0

  Angola

  0

  0

  0

  106

  0

  Bangladesh

  1,873

  5,358

  15,011

  24,113

  17,886

  Belarus, Republic of

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  Bolivia

  180

  182

  499

  1,189

  2,294

  Brazil

  0

  0

  44

  65

  10

  Burkina Faso

  0

  0

  27

  0

  0

  Burma

  0

  332

  232

  463

  57

  Burundi

  0

  0

  146

  0

  0

  Cambodia

  151

  716

  438

  620

  906

  Cameroon

  19

  35

  70

  13

  0

  China

  0

  0

  1,185

  2,473

  2,426

  Colombia

  0

  95

  80

  0

  0

  Congo, Democratic Republic

  41

  41

  0

  0

  0

  Cuba

  0

  0

  0

  87

  49

  Ecuador

  0

  0

  0

  82

  83

  Ethiopia

  25

  41

  107

  183

  92

  Ghana

  19

  15

  136

  140

  129

  Guatemala

  96

  95

  96

  0

  0

  Guyana

  125

  146

  55

  188

  84

  Haiti

  0

  0

  0

  22

  72

  Honduras

  0

  0

  127

  153

  123

  India

  2,979

  2,571

  3,876

  4,196

  5,894

  Iran

  0

  0

  259

  161

  334

  Kazakhstan, Republic of

  0

  0

  181

  158

  13

  Kenya

  2,863

  5,684

  5,176

  5,986

  8,011

  Laos

  0

  0

  14

  9

  0

  Lesotho

  205

  142

  168

  130

  74

  Macedonia

  0

  0

  46

  12

  0

  Malawi

  5,270

  156

  1,663

  4,409

  14,219

  Mali

  0

  0

  0

  25

  80

  Mexico

  0

  0

  49

  55

  42

  Moldova, Republic of

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12

  Mongolia

  0

  0

  0

  45

  24

  Montserrat

  0

  33

  256

  300

  424

  Mozambique

  72

  283

  491

  6,500

  7,079

  Namibia

  7

  197

  261

  290

  166

  Nepal

  0

  162

  216

  363

  1,886

  Nicaragua

  0

  37

  181

  193

  90

  Nigeria

  524

  576

  795

  1,939

  2,015

  Pakistan

  595

  746

  1,242

  337

  2,472

  Peru

  650

  400

  499

  378

  118

  Russian Federation

  0

  67

  184

  246

  576

  Rwanda

  0

  0

  0

  34

  1,072

  Senegal

  0

  0

  45

  119

  147

  Serbia and Montenegro

  0

  0

  0

  204

  807

  894W
  breakdown of her Department's expenditure since 1998–99 on CPI consultancies referred to on page 105 of the 2002 departmental report. [67513]

  Clare Short
  This expenditure was incurred on price investigations for contracts funded by DFID, primarily arising out of continuing commitments under the aid and trade provision. A breakdown of these figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding her Department has given for HIV/AIDS projects in each country in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [67867]

  Clare Short
  The information requested is set out in the table. Please note these figures do not include expenditure on regional programmes or non-region specific work on programmes and research from the UK.
  895W

  HIV/AIDS related expenditure by country 1997–98 to 2001–021

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Sierra Leone

  0

  162

  709

  553

  408

  Somali Democratic Republic

  0

  28

  43

  52

  6

  South Africa, Republic of

  1,596

  3,933

  3,499

  6,215

  5,570

  South Pacific

  1,596

  3,959

  3,579

  6,312

  5,662

  Sri Lanka

  0

  25

  80

  97

  82

  States of ex Yugoslavia

  0

  0

  3,326

  417

  0

  Sudan

  0

  99

  107

  166

  452

  Swaziland

  56

  42

  50

  112

  54

  Tanzania

  1,844

  2,212

  3,161

  6,993

  46,944

  Togo

  80

  124

  114

  173

  47

  Uganda

  3,443

  3,382

  3,592

  2,972

  2,103

  Ukraine

  0

  0

  208

  112

  52

  Vietnam

  0

  0

  0

  0

  76

  West Bank and Gaza

  0

  0

  350

  962

  575

  Zambia

  1,808

  3,573

  2,941

  31,621

  32,012

  Zimbabwe

  1,731

  2,038

  3,498

  4,572

  8,778

  1Provisional

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact assessments have been made of the projects funded by her Department which seek to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS in developing countries. [68323]

  Clare Short
  My Department's bilateral programmes are routinely monitored and evaluated as a matter of course. Impact assessments have been conducted on a range of our HIV/AIDS-related work, including condom social marketing programmes, palliative care for people living with HIV/AIDS, and support for adolescent sexual and reproductive health education.

  Yugoslavia
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in de-mining in the former Yugoslavia. [68223]

  Clare Short
  It has proved difficult to obtain the full details requested from all parts of the FRY. I will write with the details and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Education for All
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the UK Government have taken in support of the World Bank's Action Plan to Accelerate Progress Towards Education for All; what input the UK delegation had in the discussions on the Education for All initiative at the recent G8 summit in Kananaskis; and how much financial assistance the UK Government plan to provide to the World bank's proposed fast-tracked countries within the Education for All initiative. [68121]

  Clare Short
  The Government are strongly committed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on education and are working to mobilise the international community in support of them. The World Bank has a critical role in supporting countries as they seek to give priority to education, and primary education in particular, within the overall context of their poverty reduction strategies. We have been working with the bank to develop its new Action Plan for Accelerating Progress Towards Education for All.
  896W
  We believe the World Bank action plan's fast-track initiative provides an opportunity to try to ensure that no country genuinely committed to economic development, poverty reduction and good governance is denied the chance to achieve universal primary education through lack of resources. The Government were successful in calling for the fast-track initiative to include Nigeria and Ethiopia, where over 14 million children are out of school. If offers 18 poor countries the chance to qualify for additional financing for primary education if they can demonstrate that their Government is fully committed and has effective policies in place. A further five countries can apply for assistance in building capacity, filling gaps in data and developing effective policies for primary education.

  At the Kananaskis summit, where G8 leaders considered the education needs of developing countries, the UK endorsed the action plan as an important opportunity to fast-track progress towards Education for All. G8 leaders approved the G8 Education Task Force report, which makes clear the need for increased support for basic education from the G8 countries and the importance of the bank's fast-track initiative in mobilising financial resources. Under its Africa Action Plan, the G8 agreed to increase significantly the support provided bilaterally to basic education for countries in Africa with a strong policy and financial commitment to the sector.

  The Government are committed to further increasing our support for basic education, particularly in Africa. We will continue to work with the World bank to support their fast track proposals. Further discussions will be held in Washington on 17 July. This meeting, together with the outcome of the spending review to be announced shortly by the Chancellor, will help determine the level of the Government's additional financial support for basic education in the proposed fast-track countries.

  Calgary G8 Meeting
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people attended the G8 meeting in Calgary from her Department; and what the total cost of the visit was. [68392]
  897W
  Clare Short
  [holding answer 10 July 2002]: No officials from the Department for International Development attended the G8 summit meeting in Canada.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking towards tackling hunger in Zimbabwe. [69011]

  Clare Short
  I have now allocated £32 million to help meet food and health needs in Zimbabwe in the current humanitarian situation.

  DFID has provided £4 million since September 2001 for a supplementary feeding programme implemented by NGOs, targeting 400,000 people (mainly children) in the worst hit areas of Zimbabwe. At the beginning of January 2002, we made a contribution of £6 million to the UN's Humanitarian Assistance and Recovery Programme; £3.5 million for WFP feeding programmes and £2.5 million for essential drugs and health supplies through the WHO.

  In response to the recent reassessment of needs by the World Food Programme and their new regional appeal, I have allocated a further £22 million for Zimbabwe, of which £7 million will be provided through the WFP appeal; £10 million will be channelled through nongovernmental organisations to extend direct feeding programmes; and £5 million will be spent again through NGOs on agricultural recovery. We are monitoring NGO and WFP feeding programmes closely to ensure that they are targeted on a needs basis, and that complaints about political bias are tackled effectively.

  Agency

  Country

  Project

  Funding 2002–03 (£)

  Islamic Relief

  Mali

  Gourma Rharous Community Development Programme

  44,096

  Christian Outreach

  Cambodia

  Agriculture. Business and Commodity Development Activities

  57,851

  Youth With a Mission

  Uganda

  Community Based Health Care

  9,845

  Quaker Peace

  Lebanon

  Vocational Training

  43,784

  SIL UK

  Ghana

  Adult Education and Development

  79,720

  World Vision

  Burma

  Street and Working Children

  83,329

  World Vision

  Burma

  Community Based Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation

  14,350

  World Vision

  Laos

  Savannekhet Integrated Rural Development Project

  39,180

  World Vision

  Laos

  Creating Opportunities

  29,406

  World Vision

  Angola

  Luanda Civil Society Strengthening Programme

  103,702

  World Vision

  Armenia

  Civic Initiatives Project

  83,969

  World Vision

  Burma

  Community Action for HIV/AIDS Support

  84,355

  World Vision

  Indonesia

  Maluka Peace and Reconciliation Project

  130,584

  World Vision

  Tanzania

  Advocating for FGM Eradication

  58,585

  World Vision

  Uganda

  Pokatusa Peace Project

  58,136

  Aga Khan Foundation

  Uganda

  Programme for Enhancement of Universal Primary Education

  94,588

  Aga Khan Foundation

  Tanzania

  Gender Equity and Children's Rights—Primary Education

  34,403

  Aga Khan Foundation

  Tajikistan

  Health promotion

  33,585

  Leprosy Mission

  Guinea

  Disability Control/Community Awareness

  74,100

  Leprosy Mission

  India

  Community Based Leprosy Control Project

  25,066

  Leprosy Mission

  India

  Access to Health Service and Information

  70,050

  Leprosy Mission

  India

  Vocational Training for Earning Power

  58,564

  Tear Fund

  Uganda

  Kigezi Diocese Water and Sanitation Programme

  75,000

  Tear Fund

  India

  Primary Health Care Training Programme

  16,112

  Christian Outreach (CORD)

  Cambodia

  Agriculture, Business and Community Development Programme

  57,851

  Y-Care International

  South Africa

  Adult Sexual Reproductive Health

  39,432

  Faith Communities
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list projects involving faith communities which are supported by her Department. [71850]

  Clare Short
  A full account of projects supported through my Department with faith communities is not held centrally. To provide full details would involve disproportionate cost.

  Through DFID country programmes we are supporting initiatives through faith based groups in the provision of services (health, micro credit); in peace-building processes; relief, rehabilitation and disaster preparedness; and in election monitoring and voter education.

  We are also providing £7.8 million during 2002–03 to faith based organisations in the UK (Christian Aid, CAFOD and CIIR) through Partnership Programme Agreements. One of the aims of the Christian Aid and CAFOD agreements is to strengthen a global alliance of Christian Churches and other faith groups to eradicate poverty.

  In developing faith-specific literature to promote awareness of the Millennium Development Goals and development issues, a series of booklets have been co-produced with a number of faith based groups: Christian (Protestant and Catholic), Jewish, Islamic and Sikh.

  We are also supporting 26 projects with UK faith based organisations in a variety of sectors through the Civil Society Challenge Fund—total value £1.5 million in 2002–03. Details are as follows:

  Uganda
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Sudan regarding the Lords Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. [71370]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: I discussed the activities of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) with the Government of Sudan during my visit to Sudan in January. I have also discussed the LRA with the Ugandans on a number of occasions. Our embassies in Khartoum and Kampala have had regular discussions with the Sudanese and the Ugandans about the LRA in northern Uganda.

  International Development Association
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the Government will contribute to the 13th Replenishment of the International Development Association. [73105]

  Clare Short
  I have decided that the UK will contribute £900 million to the three-year, 13th Replenishment of IDA (IDA-13)—the concessional lending arm of the World bank. This represents a 10.1 per cent. share of IDA-13 donor resources, up from £511 million (7.3 per cent. share) at the last replenishment. The increase reflects the high importance the British Government attaches to IDA, which is one of the most effective channels for reducing poverty in the poorest countries.

  The UK will also contribute up to an additional £100 million during the course of IDA-13 towards the cost of compensating IDA for the future loss in loan re-flows resulting from the provision of 18–21 per cent. of IDA-13 resources on grant terms. This contribution is conditional on donors agreeing an appropriate system for funding the enlarged grant provision at the IDA-13 Mid-Term Review in 2003.

  Microcredit Summit
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which Ministers will represent the Government at the Microcredit summit plus five meeting in New York in November; and if she will make a statement. [71389]

  Clare Short
  I plan to attend the annual CGAP meeting in September in Morocco to join discussions on how to improve donor effectiveness in micro-finance, but I do not plan to attend the Microcredit summit as well.

  DFID will be represented at the summit at official level. We have invited funding applications to enable would-be participants from developing countries to attend the event.

  Afghanistan
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the level of forced labour and forced militarisation of refugees in refugee camps in Afghanistan. [71142]

  Clare Short
  We are aware of reports of forcible recruitment of young men, militia domination of camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) and sexual violence. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), in close co-ordination with the Afghan Transitional 900W
  Administration (ATA), are currently investigating the reported security incidents and discussing what measures might be put in place to prevent further repetition.

  Parliamentary Answers
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether it is her policy to ensure that documents referred to in parliamentary answers are available via her Department's website. [72273]

  Clare Short
  Where documents published by DFID are referred to in parliamentary answers, it is normal policy to have those documents available in print and in electronic form from the date of publication.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for how long she retains documents referred to in parliamentary answers on her Department's website. [72269]

  Clare Short
  Where documents published by DFID are referred to in parliamentary answers, it is normal policy to keep those documents available in print and in electronic form from the date of publication until they are superseded by a subsequent edition or, in the case of consultation documents, by the final version of the document.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the(a) dates, (b) location and (c) sources were of attributable (i) articles, interviews or contributions for the media, books or other journals and (ii) speeches or presentations made in the public domain. by departmental special advisers since March 2001; who in her Department authorised the activity; and on what date this activity was recorded with the departmental Head of Information. [72249]

  Clare Short
  No such attributable activities were undertaken by departmental special advisers.

  Liberia
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the levels of political violence in Liberia; and what discussions she has had with the British High Commission in Liberia regarding political violence. [71146]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  We are very concerned at the escalation in fighting in Liberia and have called on all warring parties to declare a ceasefire and enter meaningful dialogue. We are also concerned that President Taylor has used the fighting to justify increased repression, including the imposition of a state of emergency. United National sanctions against Liberia have been effective in disrupting President Taylor's links with the RUF and made it harder for him to obtain weapons. We have urged all countries in the region to implement the sanctions vigorously.

  There is no permanent British representation in Liberia. We monitor the situation closely from our embassy in Abidjan, and hope shortly to have an officer based in the American embassy in Monrovia, reporting to our embassy in Abidjan.

DEFENCE

  Salisbury Plain
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are in place to inform National Air Traffic Services of(a) military flying exercises and (b) artillery firing exercises in the vicinity of Salisbury Plain. [65196]

  Mr. Ingram
  The procedures for informing National Air Traffic Services Ltd. of all military flying and artillery firing exercises are laid down in the Aeronautical Information Publication. I have placed copies of the most relevant extracts from this document in the Library of the House.

  Overseas Deployments
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK regular forces have been committed overseas in each month since 1 January. [69768]

  Dr. Moonie
  The table shows the average number and percentage of trained service personnel deployed on military tasks overseas in the first six months of 2002. This includes personnel deployed on operations (e.g. in Afghanistan) and ongoing commitments (e.g. in Cyprus).

  Number

  Percentage

  4th quarter 2001–021

  Navy (including Marines)

  5,270

  14.1

  Army

  9,843

  9.7

  Air Force

  4,574

  9.3

  1st quarter 2002–032

  Navy (including Marines)

  5,211

  13.9

  Army

  9,992

  9.9

  Air Force

  4,314

  8.8

  1 January-March 2002

  2 April"June 2002

  In addition to the above, we estimate that around 5–6 per cent. of trained service personnel are either preparing for, or recovering from, deployment on military tasks overseas.

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the cost to the defence budget of(a) opening a diagnostic and treatment centre at Haslar and (b) closing it in 2007. [69265]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 15 July 2002]: The Ministry of Defence has not incurred any additional costs following the decision to allow the NHS to develop a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre (DTC) on the Royal hospital Haslar site. The NHS would incur any costs associated with the closure of the DTC.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual running cost of the Royal hospital, Haslar was in the last year for which figures are available. [69263]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 15 July 2002]: The total operating cost of the Royal hospital, Haslar, including the financial arrangements for Ministry of Defence hospital unit, Portsmouth, for the financial year ending 31 March 2002, was £47.145 million.
  902W
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what value the Royal hospital, Haslar is assessed. [69262]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 15 July 2002]: As at 31 March 2002 the Defence Secondary Care Agency valued the Royal hospital, Haslar land and buildings at £34.555 million.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the financial arrangements are between the Ministry of Defence and the national health service relating to the Royal hospital, Haslar. [69264]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 15 July 2002]: Following the inception of Ministry of Defence hospital unit (MDHU) Portsmouth on 1 April 2001, Portsmouth Hospitals Trust (PHT) assumed responsibility for the delivery of the majority of the clinical services on the Haslar site. Under the financial and contractual arrangements between the MOD and PHT, the Trust is responsible for ensuring sufficient staffing levels for the clinical services it manages on the Haslar site. The Trust has separate financial arrangements with the MOD concerning the employment of military medical and clinical staff and for the provision of treatment for service personnel, both at the RHH and across PHT. These arrangements are broadly similar to those in place in other MDHUs.

  The Royal hospital, Haslar (RHH) is an MOD managed site. The estate and infrastructure is funded by the MOD. PHT pay the cost of any alterations to meet NHS requirements on the site. The financial arrangements also include payments by PHT for the use of RHH infrastructure and support services in MOD-retained Departments.

  Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what messing, accommodation and recreational facilities will be available for service personnel to be based at Queen Alexandra hospital, Cosham if the proposed expansion through a private finance initiative takes place. [69267]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 15 July 2002]: The Queen Alexandra hospital private finance initiative will include all Ministry of Defence clinical and administrative requirements but not single living accommodation, messing or recreational facilities. A study to determine options for the provision of these services is being carried out.

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what dockyard work will need to be carried out to accommodate the two new aircraft carriers; when that work is expected to commence: and if he will make a statement. [70757]

  Dr. Moonie
  The extent and timing of any modifications at Portsmouth will depend on developments in the carrier programme and the dimensions of the final design that is taken forward. In the light of these, consideration will be given to mitigating any access constraints together with some enhancements to shore
  903W
  support facilities, taking account of environmental issues. It is not yet possible to be firm on the timetable for this potential work.

  Consultation
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints his Department has received about its 2001 consultations in electronic or printed form. [70987]

  Dr. Moonie
  12. Of these, 11 were received in writing and one by electronic means.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which consultation documents published by his Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies. [70988]

  Dr. Moonie
  All of the Ministry of Defence's consultations issued in 2001 were either made available as paper copies or were available in paper copy on request.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long his Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form. [70983]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence published seven consultations in 2001. The amount of time given for responses did not differ according to the format of the consultation. Times allowed for response, either in writing or electronically, were:The Future of the Defence Diversification Agency: six weeks;
  The Military Maritime Graves and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986: three months;
  Proposed Introduction of the Voluntary Screening Programme Following Health Concerns in Respect of Depleted Uranium: four weeks;
  Armed Forces Pension Scheme Review: five months; Joint Compensation Review: five months;
  2nd Consultative Document on the Introduction of a Voluntary Screening Programme for Depleted Uranium: 12 weeks;
  MOD Police Quinquennial Review: six months.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether consultation documents published by his Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria a s recommended in the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultations. [70984]

  Dr. Moonie
  All of the consultation documents published by the Department in 2001 were published electronically, and the Ministry of Defence Consultation webpage includes links to the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultations, which contains the consultation criteria.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what format his Department has published the results of its 2001 written consultations. [70985]

  Dr. Moonie
  Of the seven consultations published in 2001, two have not yet reported. Of the remainder, results for one were published on the Consultation webpage of the Ministry of Defence website and in printed format, and two were published on the Consultation webpage of the MOD website but would have been made available in printed format if requested. The results of the last two will be published shortly.

  European Technology Acquisition Programme
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which elements of(a) watchkeeper and (b) the Future Offensive Air Strategy the Government intend to procure through the European technology acquisition programme. [70628]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: The European technology acquisition programme (ETAP) is a collaborative technology development programme related to combat air systems. Its aim is to sustain and develop generic European capabilities over the next two decades. Although United Kingdom decisions on which technologies to pursue under ETAP will take account of our Future Offensive Air System project, it is not aimed at a specific equipment, nor is it intended as a means of procuring equipment.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 December 2001,Official Report, column 221W, on ETAP, when he expects the ETAP joint study assessing the military capabilities the six nations' armed forces will need around 2020 to report. [70668]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: The study report was produced on time and presented to the European technology acquisition programme (ETAP) steering committee on 3 July 2002. The report will provide a focus for future ETAP research and technology programmes.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the criteria to be used in deciding which British procurement decisions to pursue through the European technology acquisition programme. [70629]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: The European technology acquisition programme (ETAP) is about collaborative technology development related to combat air systems rather than procurement of specific equipments. United Kingdom decisions on technology development within ETAP will reflect the key capabilities required of the UK's future offensive air system. If one or more of our ETAP partners identify the same technology area as a priority, we will jointly decide whether a collaborative ETAP technology demonstration programme with European industry represents best value for money.

  Systems Technology
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms are in place to ensure that in its procurement of systems technology the UK does not become beholden to one company with the intellectual property. [70766]

  Dr. Moonie
  When the Ministry of Defence funds development of equipment, it does so using intellectual property conditions which will allow for competition for further supplies of that equipment or its spare parts. Apart from an undertaking that the original developer will be invited to tender for such further supplies or its spare parts, there is no obligation on MOD to limit further contracts to the original developer.
  905W
  Most systems coming into defence service now, however, comprise an amalgam of commercially developed items and items for which the MOD has funded both the development costs and integration into the final system. Where commercial items are to be incorporated into a defence system, it is MOD's practice to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure continued availability of vital items on a fair and reasonable basis.

  In addition to the arrangements made through individual contracts, statutory arrangements exist under the Patent Act 1977 to enable Government use of patents for defence purposes in some circumstances on payment of compensation.

  Military Training (Quantocks)
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training was carried out on the Quantocks in 2001; and by whom. [71295]

  Dr. Moonie
  No military training was conducted on the Quantocks between February and July 2001 owing to the outbreak of food and mouth disease. Our records show the following training took place later in the year: a fieldcraft and map reading exercise undertaken by the King's College Combined Cadets Force; a Duke of Edinburgh's Award by Somerset Army Cadet Force; and a Royal Marines load-carrying exercise along roads and bridle paths.

  HMS Albion
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Albion will enter service. [71535]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 736W, to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin). I will write to the hon. Member once HMS Albion's in service date has been confirmed.

  Service Accommodation
  Bob Russell

  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many married families are awaiting the allocation of appropriate housing in Colchester; [71473]

  (2) how many married quarters there are in Colchester, broken down by standard of condition; [71475]

  (3) what plans he has to improve the standard of service families' accommodation in Colchester. [71474]

  Dr. Moonie
  There is no waiting list for the 1,207 service families' quarters in Colchester. Their standard for condition is shown in the table.
  906W

  Standard

  Numbers

  Standard 1

  400

  Standard 2

  750

  Standard 3

  57

  Standard 4

  —

  Total

  1,207

  Around 95 per cent. of the properties are at Standard 1 or Standard 2 for condition. Having completed two phases of a long term programme of upgrade to service housing in Colchester, further phases are planned provisionally for financial years 2003–04 and 2004–05, which will raise over 600 more properties to Standard 1 for condition.

  Enhanced Capability Grenade
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the enhanced capability grenade programme; what its size will be; and what weight of explosive will be carried by the new weapon. [71635]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The enhanced performance grenade entered service in July 2001. It is 9.5 cm high, including the fuse assembly, and 6 cm wide. It weights 465 grams, of which the explosives account for 155 grams.

  Weapons Systems
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Spike missile systems, manufactured by Rafael of Israel, have been purchased by the Defence Procurement Agency; [71636]

  (2) when he will make his decision on the Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System requirements for a replacement for the Milan missile; [71637]

  (3) when the Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System will enter service; [71638]

  (4) what trials of the Spike missile system have been held by the Defence Procurement Agency. [71639]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The Ministry of Defence is considering the Spike and Javelin systems for the requirement in question. The Defence Procurement Agency acquired small quantities of components of both systems for the purpose of conducting comparative assessment trials. We plan to select the preferred weapon around the turn of the year and to introduce it into service in 2005.

  Military Exercises
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the military exercises held in the Llandovery area on 17 June. [71764]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 5 July (D/US of S/LM 3032/02/C) which explained that the exercise was conducted by the Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG), who were practising wide-ranging deployments, manoeuvres and communications over long distances—skills essential for their operational training. 'This exercise was originally scheduled for Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA), but the location was changed at less than one month's notice due to urgent operational training requirements of a higher priority unit. The QDG
  907W
  are themselves a high readiness unit and their training was considered of sufficient importance to relocate to another area rather than to delay until SPTA became available.

  Waste
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of programmes designed to reduce waste and encourage re-use and recycling in each of the dual services in each year since 1997. [71663]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence does not currently collect data on the cost of programmes designed to reduce waste and encourage re-use and recycling. However, data collection on all environmental issues, including waste, should be greatly enhanced once implementation of the Department's corporate environmental management system has been completed in 2003–04.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of waste have been diverted from landfill by the environmental policies pursued by his Department in the past five years. [71667]

  Dr. Moonie
  While it is Ministry of Defence policy to divert waste away from landfill by encouraging recycling and minimisation schemes, waste management is handled in practice at a local level by a number of different professional waste contractors.

  As these contractors are employed on an individual basis by various budget holders across the Department, information on the quantities of waste diverted from landfill is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Modernisation
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being undertaken to ensure that Britain's military forces undergo modernisation and have the latest technology available. [72540]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) set in hand a programme of equipment modernisation to ensure that our forces are fully able to meet future challenges. Those conclusions remain valid. But operations in Afghanistan, and work on the SDR New Chapter, have recently demonstrated that our forces will require the controlled, precise and rapid delivery of military effect—particularly through what is called `network-centric capability', bringing together sensors and strike assets. The increase in the defence budget as a result of SR2002 will enable us to make investment necessary to acquire these sorts of capabilities.

  General Service Medal
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the award of a general service medal to those who served in the armed forces in the Suez canal zone from 1951 to 1954. [72881]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Government consider it important to respect the principle that where there is a clear, demonstrable decision taken within five years of a campaign that a general service medal should not be awarded, that decision should not be reopened.
  908W
  The evidence relating to consideration of a general service medal for the Suez canal zone is, however, less clear-cut. A number of representations have been made by the veterans of that campaign with which the Government have considerable sympathy.

  In view of these exceptional circumstances, the Government are setting up a small sub-committee of HD Committee under the chairmanship of General Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank to report on the case for an exceptional award of a general service medal for the Suez canal zone without creating wider precedent or breaching long-standing principles which underpin the making of such awards.

  Defence Housing Executive
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Housing Executive for the financial year 2002–03. [72882]

  Dr. Moonie
  The following key targets have been set for the Defence Housing Executive for 2002–03.

  Key Target 1
  To house at least 72 per cent. of families in accommodation that matches their entitlement by posting date or on return to GB from overseas, and at least 93 per cent. within 28 days of their required date;
  and to give notice of address within 14 days of receipt of an application for accommodation.1

  Key Target 2
  Less than 5 per cent. of occupants should experience significant defects within 14 days of moving in.

  Key Target 3
  To complete the upgrade of 1,200 properties by 31 March 2003 as part of the programme to upgrade all core stock required for the longer term.

  Key Target 4
  To complete:

  at least 95 per cent. of emergency repairs within 24 hours of notification;

  at least 90 per cent. of urgent repairs within five working days of notification;

  at least 95 per cent. of routine repairs within two months of notification.

  Key Target 5
  To reduce the management margin progressively towards 10 per cent. by November 2005, to better balance supply and demand while delivering other key targets. (The DHE's interim target for 31 March 2003 is to have a management margin of 12.1 per cent.).

  Key Target 6
  To develop a method for indexing the level of satisfaction of SFA occupants2

  1 The revised notice of address procedure will be introduced in December 2002. Therefore, benchmarking will take place over the last half of FY 2002–03 in order to determine the performance targets for subsequent years.
  2Benchmarking will take place during 2002–03 in order for DHE to be in a position by April 2003 to define precise targets for subsequent years.

  Regarding key target 3 on the upgrade programme, as a result of good progress made to date, over 19,000 properties managed by DHE are now at standard one for condition, and some 90 per cent. of families are housed in properties at Standard one or two. The upgrade programme will

  909W
  continue to progress, with demanding targets set for DHE each year until the programme is completed against the services' long-term core requirements for family housing.

  Copies of DHE's corporate plan will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Gulf War
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest figures are for deaths of(a) Gulf veterans and (b) among the control group; and if he will make a statement. [72883]

  Dr. Moonie
  The latest data, as al 30 June 2002, are shown in Table 1. Because of concern among some Gulf veterans over deaths caused by cancer, Table 2 provides a detailed breakdown of deaths from cancer (malignant neoplasm) by anatomical site.

  Table 1: Deaths to UK Gulf veterans1

  1 April 1991–30 June 2002—Causes2

  ICD Chapter/Cause of death

  Gulf

  Era

  Mortality rate ratio3

  All deaths

  551

  547

  1.00

  All cause coded deaths

  542

  537

  1.00

  I-XVI—Disease-related causes

  213

  256

  0.83

  I—Infectious and parasitic diseases

  4

  2

  1.99

  II—Cancers

  92

  99

  0.93

  III—Endocrine and immune disorders

  1

  4

  0.25

  V—Mental disorders

  11

  12

  0.91

  VI—Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs

  10

  8

  1.24

  VII—Diseases of the circulatory system

  71

  99

  0.71

  VIII—Diseases of the respiratory system

  10

  5

  1.99

  IX—Diseases of the digestive system

  12

  17

  0.70

  IV, X-XVI—All other disease-related causes

  2

  10

  0.20

  EXVII—External causes of injury and poisoning

  329

  281

  1.17

  Railway accidents

  4

  1

  3.98

  Motor vehicle accidents

  118

  92

  1.27

  Water transport accidents

  4

  1

  3.98

  Air and space accidents

  25

  18

  1.38

  Other vehicle accidents

  0

  2

  0.00

  Accidental poisoning

  11

  14

  0.78

  Accidental falls

  8

  7

  1.14

  Accidents due to fire/flames

  0

  2

  0.00

  Accidents due to natural environmental factors

  2

  2

  1.00

  Accidents due to submersion/suffocation/foreign bodies

  17

  7

  2.42

  Other accidents

  31

  28

  1.14

  Late effects of accident/injury

  0

  2

  0.00

  Suicide and injury undetermined whether accidental

  100

  97

  1.03

  Homicide

  6

  4

  1.49

  Injury resulting from the operations of war

  3

  4

  0.75

  Other deaths for which coded cause data are not yet available

  5

  4

  —

  Overseas deaths for which cause data are not available

  4

  6

  —

  1Service and ex-service personnel only.

  2 (Coded to ICD-9). World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977.

  3Mortality rate ratios differ marginally from the crude deaths ratio owing to some small differences between the Gulf and Era cohorts.

  Table 2: Deaths due to neoplasms among UK Gulf veterans1

  1 April 1991–30 June 2002—Major anatomical sites2

  ICD 9

  Site

  Gulf

  Era

  140–239

  All neoplasms

  92

  99

  140–149

  Malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity and pharynx

  3

  4

  150–159

  Malignant neoplasm of digestive organs and peritoneum

  18

  23

  160–165

  Malignant neoplasm of respiratory and intrathoracic organs

  15

  21

  170–175

  Malignant neoplasm of bone, connective tissue, skin and breast

  14

  8

  910W
  We are currently discussing with the university of Manchester proposals for a detailed comparative study of the incidence of cancers among Gulf veterans and the Era comparison group and underlying factors, and hope to place a contract shortly. We also plan to commission a study of a cohort of Bosnia veterans on whom data are already available.

  We are also discussing with the university of Manchester a detailed study of the factors underlying the figures for road traffic accident deaths, and hope to place a contract in the near future.

  In addition, we have asked the Medical Research Council (MRC) to undertake an independent review of the research work that has been carried out into Gulf veterans' illnesses and advise on appropriate areas for future research. The MRC's conclusions will be published.
  911W

  Table 2: Deaths due to neoplasms among UK Gulf veterans1

  1 April 1991–30 June 2002—Major anatomical sites2

  ICD 9

  Site

  Gulf

  Era

  179–189

  Malignant neoplasm of genitourinary organs

  2

  4

  190–199

  Malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified site

  18

  26

  200–208

  Malignant neoplasm of lymphatic and haematopoietic tissue

  19

  11

  239

  Unspecified nature

  3

  2

  1Service and ex-service personnel only.

  2Coded to ICD-9. World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases 9th revision 1977.

  Defence Aviation Repair Agency
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency for financial year 2002–03. [72884]

  DARA key performance indicators for financial year 2002–03

  Title

  Details

  Target

  KPI 1—Financial performance 1

  The measurement of DARA's ROCE

  To achieve a minimum average ROCE of 6 per cent. over the first three years of trading—subject to the maintenance of current MOD customer planning assumptions, the availability of sufficient funding and the understanding that directed sub-contract work will count towards the obligation.

  KP1 2—Financial performance 2

  The measurement of value of contracts won.

  To achieve order intake to the value of at least £60 million.

  KPI-3—Quality

  The measurement of attributable major customer concerns received from DARA's customers

  To have no more attributable major customer concerns than the baseline set on DARA's performance of financial year 2001–02

  KPI4—Efficiency

  The measurement of the reduction in unit production price of a representative basket of DARA outputs

  To achieve a reduction in the unit production price of 4 per cent. in real terms, of the basket of products (weighted by value of annual task quantity), baselined from financial year 2001–02—subject to the maintenance of current MOD customer planning assumptions, the availability of sufficient funding and the understanding that directed sub-contract work will count towards the obligation.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the public-private partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [72885]

  Dr. Moonie
  On 1 July 2001 the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was successfully divided into QinetiQ plc, currently a wholly Government-owned company, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, which remains part of the Ministry of Defence.

  On 6 March 2002, I informed the House that we had decided to sell a substantial stake in QinetiQ to a strategic partner who would help to develop the company in preparation for a future flotation on the stockmarket. Our decision followed a detailed analysis of market conditions, which led us to conclude that this approach offered best value for the taxpayer, and would meet our objectives for a successful public private partnership.

  Immediately following this announcement we initiated an open competition and carried out a pre-qualification process to identify potential partners. Almost 40 expressions of interest were received, and at the end of April 2002 12 organisations were selected to receive an Information Memorandum describing the company. Following an evaluation in late May 2002 of indicative offers from bidders, several companies were then
  912W
  Dr. Moonie
  Key Performance Indicators have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) for financial year 2002–03 as follows:

  provided with access to more detailed information on QinetiQ and invited to submit final binding bids. In order to maximise competition we do not propose to reveal how many companies were selected to participate in this stage, or their identities.

  We have received a number of responses within the last few days from the shortlisted bidders, and these are now being comprehensively evaluated by officials and specialist advisers. The results of the selection process are not yet available but we remain on track to identify the preferred bidder within the next few weeks, and complete the initial sale later this year.

  QinetiQ
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, in respect of his departmental minute concerning the Ministry of Defence's agreement with QinetiQ on the allocation of pre-vesting liabilities dated 8 July, he will withhold final approval of the proposed indemnity for inherited environmental liabilities to be provided for QinetiQ until such time as a detailed financial appraisal of the prospective size of the liabilities is provided to Parliament for debate. [72296]

  Dr. Moonie
  No. It is important to understand that the vast majority of environmental liabilities on freehold sites have transferred to QinetiQ. The small number of liabilities inherited by QinetiQ to which the departmental
  913W
  minute refers is being retained in Government as detailed analysis has shown that this represents best value for money in the light of reasonable commercial insurance not being available. The very low level of past claims and specialist analysis suggest actual risk associated with these specific liabilities is extremely small.

  Lancer Reconnaissance System
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Lancer reconnaissance integrated technology system is expected to replace the reconnaissance vehicles in service in the UK military; and if he will make a statement. [70056]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Lancer integrated demonstrator vehicle was one of two developed under the assessment phase of the joint UK/US Tracer programme. This vehicle is undergoing a series of user trials to demonstrate the technical maturity and military utility of a number of key armoured vehicle technologies.

  Although the participating nations decided, jointly, to terminate the Tracer programme at the end of the assessment phase, we expect to be able to apply some of the key technologies to future equipment programmes, in particular the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme, which is due to enter service around the end of the decade.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Staff Training
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years. [61051]

  The Solicitor-General
  The amount spent by each of the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible in each of the last five years is set out below.Crown Prosecution Service

  1997–98: £1,234,217

  1998–99: £1,339,271

  1999–2000: £2,069,216

  2000–01: £2,700,903

  2001–02: £5,620,922

  Serious Fraud Office

  1996–97: £127,051

  1997–98: £134,692

  1998–99: £124,949

  1999–2000: £180,936

  2000–01: £237,996

  Treasury Solicitor's Department
  Figures for the last four years are:

  1998–99: £213,460

  1999–2000: £230,690

  2000–01: £337,900

  2001–02: £402,080

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  1998–99: £13,820

  1999–2000: £8,800

  2000–01: £11,750

  2001–02: £10,500

  914W
  HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
  Information is only available for the year 2001–02 as before 1 April 2001 the inspectorate was part of the Crown Prosecution Service and training costs form part of the figures provided by the CPTs. The sum expended on training in 2001–02 was £26,600.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Radioactive Discharges
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish the UK strategy for radioactive discharges. [73103]

  Mr. Meacher
  The strategy is currently being printed and will be published very shortly. Copies will be placed in the Library. The document will also be available on the DEFRA website.

  The strategy demonstrates how the UK will achieve substantial reductions in radioactive discharges in the period to 2020, to implement agreements reached at the 1998 ministerial meeting and subsequent meetings of the OSPAR Commission.

  Radioactive discharges in the UK have already been reduced to around 1 per cent. of peak levels in the 1970s. This strategy represents the next chapter of what has been an increasingly effective policy to minimise such discharges and shows that the Government are determined to maintain the downward pressure and achieve the objective of the OSPAR radioactive substances strategy.

  Rural Payments Agency
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what targets she has set the Rural Payments Agency for 2002–03. [72961]

  Margaret Beckett
  I have set the Rural Payments Agency the following performance targets for 2002–03:Efficiency Performance

  1. To successfully negotiate Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Gateway 3 by 31 December 2002.

  2. To ensure the main programme contract is ready to let by 31 December 2002, once Gateway 3 is achieved.

  Financial Performance

  3. To operate within the 2002–03 resource budget allocations as agreed with DEFRA.

  4. To ensure that disallowance within the control of RPA due to non-compliance with EU requirement remains below 2 per cent. of the value of CAP payments made by the Agency.

  5. To account accurately and to deadline for EAGGF funds.

  Business Continuity and Service Delivery

  6. To process and pay at least 96.14 per cent. of valid IACS claims by value within the EU deadline.

  7. To process and pay at least 85 per cent. of valid non-IACS claims by volume within ministerial deadlines and all claims within the set EU deadlines or in their absence 60 days.

  8. To process at least 98.5 per cent. of all valid claims correctly.

  Service Quality and Delivery

  9. To publish customer service standards that meet Charter Mark guidelines by 30 June 2002.

  10. To use the customer survey to establish a baseline for customer satisfaction and agree and undertake improvement activities by 31 December 2002.

  915W

  11. To use the EFQM Excellence Model in all RPA business units to assess current enablers' ability to deliver required targets and outcomes, agreeing change action plans by 31 March 2003.

  Reform Initiatives

  12. To use the staff survey to establish a baseline for staff satisfaction by 31 December 2002 and agree and undertake improvement activities by 31 March 2003.

  13. To complete roll out of diversity training across RPA by 31 March 2003.

  14. To reduce sick absence to no more than 7.9 days per staff year by 31 March 2003.

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2001–02 annual report for the Central Science Laboratory. [72958]

  Mr. Morley
  The 2001–02 annual report and accounts for the Central Science Laboratory were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Enriched Cages
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the public consultation on
  on a possible ban on enriched cages in England will begin. [72959]

  Mr. Morley
  The public consultation will start on 24 July and last for three months.

  Common Land
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to announce the outcome of the review of common land policy and legislation, following the consultation exercise that took place in 2000. [72957]

  Alun Michael
  We have today published a "Common Land Policy Statement" jointly with the National Assembly for Wales. This, together with the "Report on Consultation Responses", is available in the Library of the House, on the DEFRA website, and from the National Assembly for Wales.

  The policy statement contains a comprehensive package of proposals relating to the registration and protection of common land and village greens. It also outlines our objectives for improving the agricultural management of common land and announces our intention to set up as soon as possible a working party of stakeholders to make recommendations on how these objectives can best be met.

  In the rural White Paper, issued in November 2000, the Government gave a commitment to legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows. We hope to be able to do so in the 2004–05 session.

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2001–02 annual report for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. [72962]
  916W
  Mr. Morley
  The 2001–02 annual report and accounts for th,. Veterinary Medicines Directorate were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the 2001–02 annual report for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. [72956]

  Mr. Morley
  The 2001–02 annual report and accounts for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the consultation paper on competition in the water industry will be published. [72960]

  Mr. Meacher
  I announced to the House on 19 March 2002, the Government's proposals for increasing competition in the water industry in England and Wales,Official Report, column 265W. I promised to publish a consultation paper with further details of our proposals later in the year.

  I can now confirm that the consultation paper on competition in the water industry will be published in the next few weeks.

  Public Relations Consultants
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by(a) her Department and (b) bodies for which it is responsible on external public relations consultants in each of the last four years. [27387]

  Mr. Morley
  As DEFRA was created in June 2001, retrospective information prior to that date does not exist for the Department. Information on such expenditure by DEFRA's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

  There have been three DEFRA managed campaigns where PR consultants were employed. The costs of their services over the past financial year were as follows:

  'Are you Doing your Bit?' campaign—£12,000
  UK's Emissions Trading Scheme campaign—E95,000
  'Your Countryside, You're Welcome' campaign—£210,000.

  The delay in supplying this answer to the hon. Gentleman is regretted.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2002,Official Report, column 200, what recent discussions she has had with her French counterpart on reform of the CAP. [63532]

  Mr. Morley
  All member states set out their initial responses to the European Commission's proposals for the next stage of CAP reform at the EU Agriculture Council
  917W
  on 15 July. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be discussing these proposals with all of her EU agriculture colleagues over the coming months.

  Ministerial Speeches
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will list the speeches which(a) she and (b) other Ministers from her Department have made to external organisations and businesses since 7 June 2001, in each case saying where the speech is publicly available; if she will place copies of speeches not available in the Library; and if she will make a statement; [56552]

  (2) when she will answer the question of the hon. Member for Gordon, reference 56552, on departmental speeches. [64736]

  Mr. Morley
  All DEFRA Ministers make a number of speeches every week and so it would be only at disproportionate cost that a fully comprehensive list could be assembled. However, a list has been placed in the Library of the House which shows the principal keynote speeches made by DEFRA Ministers since 7 June 2001. Some of these are available on the DEFRA website (as are other, more minor speeches) and, where possible, the others are available upon request although generally not in an 'as delivered' format.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representation the Scottish Executive will have on delegations to meetings with the European Commission to discuss their proposals for reform of the CAP. [70436]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: In accordance with the Concordat on Co-ordination of European Policy Issues (Part IIB of Cm 4444) and a bilateral concordat, the role of Ministers and officials of the devolved Administrations in the CAP reform negotiations will be to support and advance the single UK negotiating line which they will have played a part in developing. How that role is best fulfilled will be a matter for discussion with the devolved Administrations, but it is expected that Scottish Executive representatives wi 11 form part of the UK delegation for appropriate EU meetings.

  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's response is to the European Commission's proposals for the reform of the CAP, as referred to in the mid-term review. [69602]

  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the EU Commission's proposals to reform the CAP. [69605]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government welcome publication of the European Commission's proposals for reform of the CAP which will form a good basis for discussion. We believe that the general thrust of the proposals for further market reform, decoupling of direct payments from production, and reinforcement of the rural development regulation is the right one, although in a number of key areas the Government consider that the proposals do not go far enough and do not adequately respond to the challenges ahead.
  918W
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on what progress she expects on the reform of the common agricultural policy; and what timetable she expects will be agreed for its reform. [71723]

  Mr. Morley
  On 10 July the European Commission published a communication to the European Council and European Parliament on reform of the common agricultural policy. Having been discussed at the Agriculture Council on 15 July, we expect it to be discussed again at future Councils during the Danish presidency. We are still at a very early stage in these complex negotiations, and it is difficult to predict when agreement will be reached. However, it is expected that the Commission will not table legislative proposals until late October at the earliest. The Commission has proposed that any reform agreed will apply from 1 January 2004.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on the incomes of hill farmers in(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England of the proposed changes in the common agricultural policy announced by the European Commission; what representations she made to the European Commission relating to the CAP prior to their recommendations; what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executives on reform of the common agricultural policy; and what meetings she has al ranged with the European Commission to discuss their proposals for reform of the CAP. [70373]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: An assessment has yet to be made of the impact on the incomes of hill farmers in England of the changes outlined in the Commission's CAP reform communication. It would be for the devolved Administrations to make such an assessment for farmers in Scotland and Wales. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, met Commissioner Fischler before publication of the Commission's communication to discuss related issues, and she has met him again since publication to discuss the specific proposals. CAP reform has been a recurring agenda item for the regular meetings my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has with Ministers from the devolved Administrations prior to EU Agriculture Council meetings. The most recent such meeting took place in Brussels on 15 July, focusing on the Commission's communication. No further meetings have been arranged with the EU Commission at this stage.

  Farming Research
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 20 June 2002,Official Report, column 472W, on farming research, how many projects, by category, were funded in each year since 1991–92. [64851]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 June 2002]: Many hundreds of new research projects are initiated every year. I regret that a breakdown of these projects in the form requested could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. However, details of current DEFRA funded projects can be found on the Department's website at http:// www.defra.gov.uk/research/projects. Information on all rural livelihoods, natural resources and environment projects funded by the Department for International

  919W
  Development since 1992 can be found on the Natural, al Resources Information System (NARSIS) searchable on-line database www.narsis.org.

  Feed Additives
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the use of feed additives for animals reared for country sports; and if she will make a statement. [67251]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 July 2002]: Any additive used in animal feed for food producing animals (including birds reared to be shot for the table) must he authorised centrally by the European Commission under EU law. Under these arrangements each product is considered on its own merits.

  No general assessment has been made of the use of feed additives for animals reared for country sports. We are aware that dimetridazole (DMZ) is used by game bi;d producers as a veterinary medicinal product in feed. DMZ was also authorised as a feed additive for use in turkeys and quail but this authorisation was withdrawn by the European Commission after a six month selling off period on 15 May 2002 because the manufacturer did not provide sufficient data to support the product under a review of all feed additive authorisations.

  The legality of the UK's authorisation of DMZ as the active ingredient in three veterinary medicinal products for game birds has been challenged by the European Commission. We are seeking early discussions with the European Commission on this issue. In the meantime the marketing authorisations for these three veterinary medicines remain valid.

  Fisheries
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the UK Government's policy that the principle of relative stability underpinning the CFP is non-negotiable. [67318]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 8 July 2002]: The Government have stated on many occasions that we consider relative stability to be an integral part of the common fisheries policy (CFP), and we have no intention of moving from that position. We shall argue for this, and our other objectives, to be achieved during this year's review of the CFP.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers' markets have not re-opened since the foot and mouth crisis last year; where these markets are; and what information she has collated on the reasons why they have not re-opened. [70269]

  Mr. Morley
  The re-opening of livestock markets has been monitored since the introduction of the interim livestock movement rules on 11 February this year.

  A livestock market has been taken to be a market opening on a non-seasonal basis, selling livestock species susceptible to foot and mouth disease and which had been operating as a livestock market prior to last year's outbreak.
  920W
  As of 1 July 2002, of the 171 livestock markets to which the above definition applied:
  130 (76 per cent.) had re-opened;
  29 (17 per cent.) had indicated they hoped to re-open;
  12 (7 per cent.) had indicated they had no plans to re-open.

  Of those markets with no plans to re-open, the reasons for not re-opening were understood to be:
  Seven (58 per cent.) due to the livestock movement and biosecurity rules;
  Three (25 per cent.) due to commercial reasons not connected with the interim rules;
  Two (17 per cent.) reasons unclear (reasons are being sought).
  These 12 markets are set out in the table:

  Market

  County

  Reason

  Aylsham

  Norfolk

  Interim rules

  Llanfair Caereinion

  Powys

  Interim rules

  Gowerton

  Swansea

  Interim rules

  Broughton

  Cumbria

  Unclear

  Pembroke

  Pembrokeshire

  Unclear

  Gloucester

  Gloucestershire

  Commercial

  Knaresborough

  North Yorkshire

  Interim rules

  Ripon

  North Yorkshire

  Commercial

  Grantham

  Lincolnshire

  Interim rules

  Newport (Isle of Wight)

  Isle of Wight

  Interim rules

  Rye

  Sussex

  Interim rules

  Leominster

  Herefordshire

  Commercial

  These data have been collected from DEFRA Animal Health Offices and are kept under review.

  Illegal Meat Imports
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department has plans to form a partnership with countries in central and west Africa to tackle the trade in illegal meat imports. [70304]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has already established links with countries in central and west Africa through the establishment of the CITES Bushmeat Working Group and via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's UK diplomatic missions in Harare, Accra, Abuja, Cairo, Pretoria, Kampala, Abidjan, Maseru, Dakar, Luanda, Nairobi, Kigali, Mbabane and Tunis. We believe the latter approach, in particular, to be important in raising the profile of UK restrictions and rules for personal imports of meat and other food items.

  Egg Industry
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the EU in respect of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations in order to prevent loss of competitiveness in the UK egg industry from(a) increased domestic regulatory costs and (b) reducing barriers to trade. [70335]

  Mr. Morley
  Reducing barriers to trade is fundamental to Government policy. However, I am concerned that there should be no competitive disadvantage as a result of higher EU regulatory costs than those faced by third country competitors. We have played an active part in formulating EU policy in this area and these concerns are
  921W
  fully reflected in the context of specific proposals on animal welfare that the European Commission has submitted in the Doha Development Agenda.

  State Veterinary Service
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to increase the numbers of vets employed by the State Veterinary Service. [70265]

  Mr. Morley
  The State Veterinary Service has recently received additional funding in 2002–03 which will allow the lifting of a moratorium on the recruitment of veterinary staff in the current financial year. We will be reviewing how best to take forward the recruitment of replacement and additional staff in the context of this year's revised budget and anticipated budgets for future years in the light of the SR2002 settlement.

  Due consideration will also be given to any relevant recommendations made by the Lessons Learned and Royal Society inquiries.

  Department-sponsored Organisations
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs further to her answer of 8 July 2002,Official Report, column 685W, on department-sponsored organisations, what plans she has to ensure that organisations sponsored by her Department are given their budgets prior to the beginning of the financial year. [70294]

  Mr. Morley
  The Spending Review 2002 settlement will provide the opportunity to allocate indicative budgets for 2003–04 to 2005–06. This also provides the opportunity to give an indication of the anticipated level of support over the period. Following the crea:ion of DEFRA, we are further examining how the budget planning process can be enhanced, and the timetable we are working to should finalise allocation decisions prior to the start of the financial year.

  Animal Welfare
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned and what assessment she has made of evidence on how high standards of farm animal welfare can be incorporated in an economically viable manner in her strategy for the future of farming. [70611]

  Mr. Morley
  Developing and maintaining high standards of farm animal welfare are at the heart of Government policy. Comprehensive legislation and species-specific welfare codes will form the basis to any new sustainable strategy for food and farming.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where health certification was carried out in respect of the five consignments of live sheep exported from Dover to continental Europe on 15 July, how many of the sheep were rejected as unfit for the intended journey; where those sheep were taken; what final destination address was given on the route plan for each of the consignments; and what responsibility she had to check whether the arrangement foreseen in the route plan to rest, feed and 922W
  water the animals, and the requirements of European Community law, were adhered to once the animals left the United Kingdom. [71540]

  Mr. Morley
  Health certification was carried out at four approved assembly centres in North Wales. At the time of inspection for certification, three sheep were rejected as unfit for their intended journey and eight sheep were rejected on animal health grounds. The sheep were transported from the assembly centres to Dover and then via Holland to EU approved slaughterhouses, four in France and one in Italy. All route plans are checked before they are stamped to ensure that the proposed journey complies with requirements for rest, feed and water. Completed route plans must be returned within 15 days of the end of the journey showing details of the actual journey and any deviations from the planned journey. Returned route plans are checked and any queries followed up.

  Livestock Movements
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the 20-day standstill rules on animal movement; and if she will make a statement. [70113]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 July 2002]: No decisions about the future of the 20-day standstill will be taken before the consideration of the report of the Lessons Learned inquiry.

  EU Committees
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Joint Meetings of Management and/or Regulatory Committees in the field of agriculture-trade mechanisms is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64898]

  Mr. Morley
  The next meeting of the DG Agri Trade Mechanisms Management Committee is scheduled for 17 September 2002. The Committee oversees a number of import and export CAP market support and control measures. These measures are administered for the UK by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. In view of the RPA's UK wide remit representatives from SERAD do not routinely attend. However arrangements are in place in order to ensure that meeting agendas are notified to SERAD with an invitation to comment on any issues of interest.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Madagascar) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it: and if she will make a statement. [70586]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Madagascar. The European Commission negotiates directly with Madagascar on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting
  923W
  and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these Working Groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State I or Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Angola) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70594]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Angola. The European Commission negotiates directly with Angola on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these Working Groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Comoros) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70592]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Comoros. The European Commission negotiates directly with Comoros on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these Working Groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Gambia) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70936]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Gambia. The European Commission negotiates directly with Gambia on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Equatorial Guinea) is next due to 924W
  meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70935]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Equatorial Guinea. The European Commission negotiates directly with Equatorial Guinea on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Russia) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70931]

  Mr. Morley
  A meeting to discuss the possibility of a new fisheries agreement between the EU and Russia will take place on 24 and 25 July 2002. The European Commission will represent member states in the negotiations. Officials in my Department have consulted with SEERAD colleagues and are aware of the interests of Scottish fishermen in any opportunities afforded under any agreement with Russia. UK representation for EU co-ordination for this and other meetings varies according to the agenda for the meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Lithuania) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70585]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Lithuania. The European Commission negotiates directly with Lithuania on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Poland) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70584]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Poland. The European Commission negotiates directly with Poland on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation
  925W
  at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Greenland) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70590]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Greenland. The European Commission negotiates directly with Greenland on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Estonia) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70937]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Estonia. The European Commission negotiates directly with Estonia on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Sáo Tomé and Principe) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70932]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Sáo Tomé and Principe. The European Commission negotiates directly with Sáo Tomé and Principe on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Guinea Bissau) is next due to 926W
  meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70934]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Guinea Bissau. The European Commission negotiates directly with Guinea Bissau on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Morocco) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70933]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU Morocco. The European Commission negotiates directly with Morocco on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Cape Verde) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70580]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Cape Verde. The European Commission negotiates directly with Cape Verde on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Côte d'Ivoire) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70579]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Côte d'Ivoire. The European Commission negotiates directly with Côte d'Ivoire on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK
  927W
  representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Mauritius) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70588]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Mauritius. The European Commission negotiates directly with Mauritius on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Seychelles) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70582]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Seychelles. The European Commission negotiates directly with Seychelles on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Latvia) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70587]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Latvia. The European Commission negotiates directly with Latvia on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Senegal) is next due to meet;928W
  whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70583]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Senegal. The European Commission negotiates directly with Senegal on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Argentina) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70593]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Argentina. The European Commission negotiates directly with Argentina on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Fisheries Joint Committee (EEC-Guinea) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70591]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no scheduled date yet available for the next meeting between the EU and Guinea. The European Commission negotiates directly with Guinea on fishery matters on behalf of the EU. However, fishery issues with third countries are discussed at European Council Working Groups on Fisheries. UK representation at European Council Working Group on Fisheries varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of specific interest. The Scottish Executive regularly attends these working groups.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Advisory Committee on Community Policy regarding Forestry and Forest-based Industries is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70578]

  Mr. Morley
  The EU Advisory Committee on Community Policy regarding Forestry and Forest-based Industries meets as and when business arises. The date of its next meeting has not been fixed as yet. The UK is
  929W
  represented by an official from the Forestry Commission, which reports to forestry Ministers in England, Scotland and Wales.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Plants of fruit Genera and Species is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70569]

  Mr. Morley
  The European Commission has indicated that the EU Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Plants of Fruit Genera and Species is likely to next meet sometime this autumn, although a date for the meeting has yet to be announced. UK representation varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of sufficient interest.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (g) have been and(b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70571]

  Mr. Morley
  The next meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health is provisionally on 26–27 September 2002. UK representation varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include officials from the Scottish Executive, other devolved Administrations and the Forestry Commission, where there are items of sufficient interest.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Ornamental Plants is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70568]

  Mr. Morley
  The European Commission has indicated that the EU Standing Committee on Propagating Material and Ornamental Plants is likely to next meet sometime this autumn, although a date for the meeting has yet to be announced. UK representation varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations where there are items of sufficient interest.

  New Rural Businesses
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost has been in each of the past five years of programmes designed to start new businesses in rural communities. [71134]

  Alun Michael
  One aim of the England Rural Development Programme is to encourage new business activity which benefits rural economies and communities. This may be helped through the expansion of existing business activity, new business activity within an existing business, or activity in a new and separate business in a rural area. There is no separate funding programme which solely targets new businesses only.
  930W
  Within the ERDP, the Rural Enterprise Scheme supports both farmers diversifying via new and expanded business activity, and non-farmers with projects in the rural tourism and food marketing sectors. Similarly, the Processing and Marketing Grant supports both new and expanded business activity in the processing of primary foods. Equivalent measures also exist in objective one areas. We do not have separate figures for assistance to new business start-ups and it would depend how 'new businesses' were to be defined. For example, if a farm business diversifies into running a children's nursery or selling clothes over the internet, it might either still be a single diversified farm business or the nursery and clothing sales might be considered new businesses.

  Government Funding
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding the Government provide for the(a) Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and (b) Veterinary Laboratories Agency; and if this sum will be increased in 2003. [71018]

  Mr. Morley
  DEFRA has no research contracts with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute directly. At present, there is no commitment of funds to them for this year or the future.

  The accounts for VLA show an income of £74,082,000 from DEFRA for the financial year 2001–02. VLA received a further £4,820,000 from other Government sources (e.g. FSA) giving a total income from Government of £78,902,000. These are figures from the VLA annual accounts which are due to be laid in Parliament on 23 July.

  At this stage of the financial year, VLA's anticipated budgets show £78 million receivable from DEFRA and £5 million from other Government sources, giving a total forecast income for 2002–03 from Government of £83 million (an anticipated increase of approximately 5.2 per cent. over 2001–02).

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) cattle and (b) sheep were transported from (i) England to Scottish abattoirs and (ii) Scotland to English abattoirs in each of the last five years; and how many (A) cattle and (B) sheep were transported from (1) the Irish Republic to :abattoirs in Northern Ireland and (2) Northern Ireland to abattoirs in the Irish Republic in each of the last five years. [70374]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: The full range of statistics requested is not available. However, data from the Cattle Tracing Scheme indicates that:

  (a) 56.0 thousand cattle in 2000 and 17.3 thousand cattle in 2001, born in England or Wales and not previously on Scottish agricultural holdings, were slaughtered in Scottish abattoirs; and

  (b) 36.7 thousand cattle born in Scotland were slaughtered in English or Welsh abattoirs in 2001—these may include cattle retained on farm in England or Wales for a period of time and not represent those transported directly to an abattoir.

  Control measures taken during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease last year will have impacted on animal movements. No data are available for movement of sheep between England and Scotland.
  931W
  Data provided by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, show that:

  (c) In 2001, 25.1 thousand cattle were imported from the Republic of Ireland for slaughter in abattoirs in Northern Ireland. Data for the last five calendar years are shown in the table:

  Thousand

  1997

  17.0

  1998

  1.4

  1999

  7.0

  2000

  14.4

  2001

  25 1

  1 Excluding the 1,200 cattle slaughtered under the Calf Processing Aid Scheme.

  No cattle born in Northern Ireland were slaughtered in abattoirs in the Republic of Ireland during this period because exports of live cattle were banned as part of BSE control measures.

  (d) In 2001, 22.8 thousand sheep were imported from the Republic of Ireland for slaughter in abattoirs in Northern Ireland. Data for the last five calendar years are shown in the table:

  Thousand

  1997

  108.8

  1998

  93.7

  1999

  127.2

  2000

  169.4

  2001

  22.8

  Recorded sheep exports from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland are available only since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The figures available are:

  Thousand

  2001 (from March)

  161.1

  2002 (to 6 July)

  79.4

  Nuclear Waste (Sellafield)
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many shipments of nuclear waste are expected to be made by sea to Sellafield within the next two years. [70369]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 17 July 2002]: None. The Government's policy is that radioactive waste should not be imported to (or exported from) the UK, except for the recovery of reusable materials, or, in certain circumstances, for treatment that will make its subsequent storage or disposal more manageable. In accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency and Euratom definitions, spent fuel is not categorised as waste while the option of reprocessing it remains open and a future use for the fuel can be foreseen.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the ISG's preliminary analysis of the risk factors associated with cattle TB. [71029]
  932W
  Mr. Morley
  The ISG's preliminary analysis of data from the 'TB99' epidemiological survey is included in its third report which is available on DEFRA's website at: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/point5/p5prog

  We have accepted the main conclusion that a full analysis of data is not possible at present. The preliminary comparative analyses that have been undertaken do, however, indicate the value of the TB99 questionnaire and the soundness of its design based on ISG advice. The completion of TB99 questionnaires has been delayed by the foot and mouth disease outbreak and the subsequent deployment of veterinary resources to address the backlog of cattle TB testing. However, negotiations are under way to employ contractors to help catch up in this important area of the cattle TB research programme.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average time has been between when cattle are being compulsorily slaughtered under TB control measures and the receipt of compensation payments by the farmer over the last 12 months for which figures are available. [71019]

  Mr. Morley
  The information requested is not readily available for the GB as a whole and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  The Government believe that compensation for animals slaughtered should be paid promptly. We are aware of payment delays in some areas due to the pressure of work generated by increased bovine TB testing.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategy options have been considered regarding the economic difficulties and movement restrictions regarding bovine TB; and when a decision will be made on these options. [71031]

  Mr. Morley
  My officials met industry representatives on 27 June to discuss a range of options for softening the economic impact on farmers of movement restrictions applied to herds as a result of TB breakdowns.

  Our priority is to ensure that disease control will not be compromised by any new measures applied, therefore, objective risk assessments of the proposals made by industry representatives are being commissioned. No decisions can be made until the risk assessments and full cost be refit analyses have been completed. Officials plan to meet with industry representatives again on this matter in September.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many false positives for bovine TB have been recorded in the current year; and how many false positives there were(a) as a percentage of positive tests and (b) as a percentage of all the tests. [71025]

  Mr. Morley
  No test for the diagnosis of bovine TB is 100 per cent. specific.

  In the UK, the diagnosis of bovine TB in live cattle relies on the single intradermal comparative test which involves the use of both avian and bovine tuberculins. This test is designed to exclude animals which react to other, often non-pathogenic bacteria, which would otherwise interfere with the test and produce 'false positive' reactions.
  933W
  Reactors to the skin test, including animals which give an inconclusive reaction after two retests, are slaughtered and examined post-mortem. Infection is confirmed by either the presence of typical, visible lesions or by the laboratory culture of the organism. In the year 2000, of approximately 7,000 reactors slaughtered, post-mortem examination failed to confirm infection in about 45 per cent. of cases. Infection is confirmed in around 60 to 65 per cent. of herds with one or more reactors.

  However, these post-mortem examinations are also less than 100 per cent. sensitive, so failure to detect visible lesions or failure to culture the organism does not confirm the absence of infection. It is not therefore possible to determine how many animals which reacted to the skin test are 'false positives'.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what delays there are in compensation payments for cattle compulsorily slaughtered under TB control; and what extra compensation has been paid for the delays. [71020]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government recognise that compensation for animals slaughtered should be paid promptly. We are aware of some delays in payment in some areas due to the priority given by Animal Health Offices to clearing the backlog of TB testing after the foot and mouth disease outbreak. No extra compensation payments have been made in these cases.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what compensation is provided for cattle that falsely test positive for bovine TB. [71014]

  Mr. Morley
  It is Government policy to pay 100 per cent. of market value, with no upper limit, for cattle that are compulsorily slaughtered under TB control measures.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research she has commissioned on a bovine TB vaccine that is better than 60 per cent. effective; and if she will make a statement on progress. [71294]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has commissioned an extensive programme of research on the vaccination of animals against bovine TB following recommendations made in the Krebs report. Currently we have four projects which are directly related to generating and testing new vaccine candidates and these involve collaboration between Government agencies, institutes and universities both in the UK and internationally. There are also several allied projects to the vaccine programme which include using information from sequencing the M. bovis genome, studying the immune response and pathogenesis of TB, and developing improved diagnostic tests. However, success in developing a bovine TB vaccine that 's better than 60 per cent. effective cannot be guaranteed.

  The Independent Scientific Group on cattle TB is at present carrying out a scoping study into the feasibility of vaccination and is due to report at the end of the year.

  Flooding
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure 934W
  that special precautions are taken to protect the people of Canvey Island at the time of the high tide expected in October. [71455]

  Mr. Morley
  Responsibility for flood forecasting and warning falls to the Environment Agency (EA) who have well-established arrangements with the Meteorological Office for securing accurate and timely weather forecasts. he emergency response to flooding falls primarily to local authorities, working with the emergency services and in close consultation and liaison with the EA.

  In recent years flood warning has been improved, emergency plans checked and amended and liaison arrangements between the EA, local authorities and emergency services improved.

  Canvey Island is protected by flood defences to a standard which is among the highest in the country. These defences protect against all but the most extreme conditions (those with a probability of occurrence of 0.001 or less in any one year). No special measures are therefore considered to be necessary to provide further protection during October above those already in place.

  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department gives to local authorities regarding the granting of planning permission on(a) flood plains and (b) areas considered at risk from flooding. [70411]

  Mr. McNulty
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions published planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 25 Development and flood risk for Transport Local Government and the Regions in July 2001. PPG 25 advises on the consideration of flooding issues that is needed at all stages of the planning system. In particular, it establishes a risk-based sequential test that gives priority to lower-risk areas and advises that built development on the functional flood plain should be wholly exceptional.

  Canoeists
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions, he has had with the new chairs of the regional fisheries, ecology and recreation advisory committees for the(a) Southern, (b) South West, (c) North West and (d) Thames region, on increasing access to water in their legion for canoeists. [71586]

  Alun Michael
  No such discussions have taken place. The new appointees do not take up their posts until 1 October 2002.

  French Beef Ban
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to(a) the European Commission and (b) her French counterpart on the French ban on the import of UK beef since the expiry of the 15 day period imposed by the European Court for the lifting of the ban. [70673]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: The Secretary of State made representations to the French Agriculture Minister on 15 July during the Agriculture

  935W
  Council. The European Commission decided on 17 July to refer France to the European Court of Justice for a second time in order to enforce the judgment given by the Court on 13 December 2001 that the ban should be lifted. The Commission also requested the Court to impose a substantial daily fine on France of 158,250 euro per day for failure to comply with the judgment.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what input the Government have into the process to be followed by the European Court following the refusal of the French Government to lift the ban on the import of UK beef within the 15 day time limit set down by the European Court. [70633]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: The European Commission decided on 17 July to refer France to the European Court of Justice for a second time in order to enforce the judgment given by the Court on 13 December 2001 that the ban should be lifted. Member states may apply to the Court to intervene in the case.

  Pet Passports
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about extending the overseas travel arrangements for pets to the USA and Canada; and when she expects to implement the policy. [70798]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: I announced on 1 July that the Government intend to extend the Pet Travel Scheme to pets entering the UK from the USA and Canada, subject to satisfactory conclusions from further work to assess the risk of importing rabies. I expect this work to be completed in the autumn.

  Agricultural Wages Board
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations her Department has had with the NFU over the 2002 wages award recommended by the Agricultural Wages Board. [71190]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) wrote on 10 July to Lord Whitty, the Under-Secretary, expressing concern about the decisions made by the Agricultural Wages Board at is meeting on 3–4 July.

  In subsequent discussions with the president of the NFU, Lord Whitty has made it clear that the Agricultural Wages Board is an independent body and it is not for Ministers to interfere in the processes of the Board.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what consultations her Department has had with the Agricultural Wages Board about the 2002 wages award. [71188]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The Department has had no consultations with the Agricultural Wages Board about the 2002 wages award. The Agricultural Wages Board is an independent organisation and it would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene or seek to influence Board decisions.
  936W
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to the horticultural industry of the 2002 wages award recommended by the Agricultural Wages Board. [71186]

  Mr Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The Department provides statistical information to the Agricultural Wages Board in advance of its negotiations each year. This includes a ready reckoner showing the cost of a 1 per cent. and a £1 per week increase in pay rates for the agricultural industry as a whole.

  The proposals made by the Board for 2002 involve a number of changes to the wage structure contained in the Agricultural Wages Order. As a result, the ready reckoner cannot be relied on to provide a reliable estimate of the cost of the proposed 2002 award. However, DEFRA officials are working with the Board to cost its proposals and will share this information with the industry as soon as it is available.

  Carbaryl
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department will reconsider its decision to ban the use of Carbaryl (Thinsec). [71187]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The loss of Carbaryl (Thinsec) stems from a commercial decision by the approval holder not to support the compound in the UK review of anticholinesterase pesticides. I see no reason, in the absence of modern safety data, why any pesticide product containing Carbaryl should be allowed back on to the market.

  French Lamb Ban
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with(a) the Scottish NFU and (b) NFU Wales on the potential effects of the ban on the export of lamb as proposed by the French Government. [71676]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: The Government are very well aware of concerns about the potentially serious effects of proposed French measures on sheep SRM in relation to the Scottish and Welsh sheep industries. Not least as a result of representations from the NFU, the MLC and from officials in the devolved Administrations who have been assiduous in representing the concerns of their stakeholders.

  Both Ministers and officials are continuing to emphasise to the French authorities the very considerable importance of complying with EU rules on sheep SRM. We are also in touch with the European Commission about this issue.

  The Government will continue to argue strongly for the cancellation of the French proposals banning spinal cords of animals aged between six and 12 months, which provide no significant consumer protection benefit and are widely regarded as a disproportionate measure. Any further restrictions on sheep SRM must be agreed at Community level, not imposed unilaterally by member states. That is the way to maintain consumer confidence across Europe. It also ensures a level playing field for all member states regarding trade.
  937W
  Nonetheless, there is encouragement in France's recent decision to postpone these measures for six months. This shows that our arguments are having an effect.

  Consultation
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how long the Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form. [70087]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department issued 55 consultation documents in 2001 published both in electronic and printed form. 20 out of these had periods given for responses of less than 12 weeks.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in what format her Department has published the results of its 2001 written consultations. [69847]

  Mr. Morley
  The Departmental Guidance Notes for Written Consultations provides that at the end of all consultation exercises, sponsoring divisions should place all documents in the Department's main library where it is made accessible to members of the public on request.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies. [69827]

  Mr. Morley
  All consultation documents published by the Department in 2001 were made available as paper copies.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints her Department has received about its 2001 consultations by(a) electronic and (b) printed means. [69826]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has received nine complaints about its 2001 consultations by electronic means and in addition a further six were received by telephone. No other complaints were received.

  Consultation

  Date issued

  Deadline

  Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control: a Practical Guide, 2 edition—published for comment

  28 June 2002

  1 November 2002

  New draft Environmental Information Regulations

  15 July 2002

  4 October 2002

  Consultation on CAP reform: mid-term review of Agenda 2000

  11 July 2002

  4 October 2002

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (COM (2002) 119 final)

  5 July 2002

  30 September 2002

  Review of Access in Agri-Environment Schemes

  8 July 2002

  27 September 2002

  Consultation exercise on the bio-energy infrastructure scheme

  25 June 2002

  16 September 2002

  Crime prevention on rights of way: public consultation paper on the designation of areas and other procedural matters

  19 June 2002

  20 September 2002

  Enforcement of highway authorities' duty to prevent obstructions on rights of way consultation paper on the implementation of section 63 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

  19 June 2002

  20 September 2002

  Implementation of Directive 2000/76/EC on the Incineration of Waste

  21 June 2002

  9 September 2002

  Consultation on shrimp trawls: separator trawls (sieve/veil nets) and sorting grids

  18 June 2002

  6 September 2002

  Draft guidance on control of Johne's disease in dairy herds

  31 May 2002

  31 August 2002

  Energy labelling of household air conditioners and electric ovens: Consultation on New Regulations for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

  11 June 2002

  30 August 2002

  Implementation of Directive 2001/18/EC on the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms into the Environment: second consultation on new regulations for England

  31 May 2002

  26 August 2002

  Consultation on Water Grid PPP: Removal of Restrictions on British Waterways' Statutory Powers

  15 May 2002

  16 August 2002

  Statistical methodology review of the monitoring sites used in the air quality headline indicator

  15 May 2002

  8 August 2002

  Consultation on The Government's Strategy for Combined Heat and Power to 2010

  15 May 2002

  7 August 2002

  Policy Review of Woodland Creation in England under the Woodland Grant Scheme and the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

  13 May 2002

  7 August 2002

  LAPC Consultation on Risk-Based Regulation and Inspection Frequency

  3 May 2002

  2 August 2002

  938W
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department for has a designated consultation co-ordinator in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice oil Written Consultations. [69828]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department's designated consultation co-ordinator is Bronwen Jones. Her contact details are:

  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  Room 534, Nobel House

  17 Smith Square

  London

  SW 1P 3JR

  Bronwen Jones: 020 7238 5457

  email: "bronwen.jones@defra.gsi.gov.uk"

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria as recommended in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. [70088]

  Mr. Morley
  The departmental guidance notes for written consultations provides that consultation documents should include a summary of the criteria set out in the Code of Practice on Written Consultations. Compliance with this criteria is not monitored so information is not available.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation(a) if copies were available on-line, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed. [69804]

  Mr. Morley
  The Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation applies to all formal national public consultation documents issued by Departments from 1 January 2001. The information requested for consultations undertaken before that date is not available. All consultation documents issued by the Department since 1 January 2001 were made available in print and on-line.

  The table shown sets out the consultations undertaken by the Department since 1 January 2001 indicating the date it was issued and the deadline for responses.
  939W

  Consultation

  Date issued

  Deadline

  Consultation on Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery

  16 April 2002

  9 July 2002

  Review of seed certification in England: draft seeds regulations and registration, licensing and enforcement regulation

  12 April 2002

  8 July 2002

  Consultation on draft code of recommendations for the welfare of cattle

  26 March 2002

  28 June 2002

  Economic evaluation of the Apple and Pear Research Council

  5 April 2002

  27 June 2002

  Consultation on UK Ratification of the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals

  20 March 2002

  11 June 2002

  Consultation on proposed Agricultural Development Scheme

  10 April 2002

  31 May 2002

  Consultation on Public Rights of Way: Rules for procedures for Inquiries and Hearings held under The Highways Act 1980, Wildlife And Countryside Act 1981 and Town and Country Planning Act 1990

  1 March 2002

  31 May 2002

  Consultation on proposals for amendment to the Potato Industry Development Council Order 1997 (as amended)

  6 March 2002

  29 May 2002

  Review of agri-environmental schemes in England

  26 March 2002

  27 May 2002

  Consultation on Food And Environment Protection Act 1985 (Part II): Charges for Licences to Deposit Materials At Sea and Approval Of Oil Spill Treatment Products

  28 March 2002

  25 May 2002

  Consultation on proposals for an EU Directive on environmental liability

  12 April 2002

  24 May 2002

  Consultation on flood and coastal defence funding review

  13 February 2002

  17 May 2002

  Consultation on Fees for Seed Certification 2002/03

  11 March 2002

  13 May 2002

  Consultation on Fees for National Listing and Plant Breeders' Rights

  11 March 2002

  13 May 2002

  Consultation on the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (England) Regulations 2002

  8 February 2002

  11 March 2002

  Consultation on developing a draft strategy for antimicrobial resistance in animals (VMD consultation)

  13 February 2002

  7 May 2002

  Consultation on detailed rules for determining the mesh size of fishing nets

  2 April 2002

  6 May 2002

  Consultation on an Animal Welfare Bill

  2 January 2002

  30 April 2002

  Consultation on the environmental impact of growing sugar beet

  28 January 2002

  24 April 2002

  Consultation on the Environment Agency's Objectives and Contribution to Sustainable Development

  25 January 2002

  18 April 2002

  Consultation on proposals for Regulations on Dedication of Access Land under Section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

  21 January 2002

  15 April 2002

  National Forest Company Quinquennial Review

  29 January 2002

  20 April 2002

  Consultation on changes to the EU sheepmeat regime

  29 January 2002

  15 March 2002

  Consultation on Better Quality Service review of the Egg Marketing Inspectorate

  29 January 2002

  28 February 2002

  Consultation on proposals for Regulations on Dedication of Access Land under Section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

  21 January 2002

  15 April 2002

  Consultation on implementation of powers in Animal Health Bill

  11 January 2002

  15 March 2002

  Consultation on conservation of native freshwater fish stocks—amendments to the Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (Specified Species) Order 1998

  4 January 2002

  1 April 2002

  Consultation on quinquennial review and better quality services review of the UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS)

  21 December 2001

  31 March 20002

  Consultation on draft guidance to Local Highway Authorities on the preparation of Rights of Way Improvement Plans

  21 December 2001

  28 March 2002

  Consultation on quinquennial review of Horticulture Research International (HRI)

  21 December 2001

  22 March 2002

  Consultation on proposals for regulations on the exclusion or restriction of access to open countryside and registered common land under the Countryside And Rights of Way Act 2000

  21 December 2001

  22 March 2002

  Consultation outlining two options for reducing nitrate pollution of waters from agriculture in England

  20 December 2001

  15 March 2002

  Consultation on proposed national ambient noise strategy for England

  20 December 2001

  15 March 2002

  Amendments to 'The Welfare Of Animals (Slaughter Or Killing) Regulations 1995' (Wask)

  11 December 2001

  5 March 2002

  Consultation on Distribution of the £140 Million Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund

  21 November 2001

  21 January 2002

  Consultation on Proposals for Regulations on Provisional and Conclusive Maps under Section 11 of the

  19 November 2001

  8 February 2002

  Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

  Consultation on changes in the Protected Zone for Rhizomania

  15 November 2001

  14 January 2002

  Quality town and parish councils—consultation

  7 November 2001

  31 January 2002

  Consultation on review of Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

  31 October 2001

  31 January 2002

  Consultation on guidance to draft codes of practice to minimise noise

  26 October 2001

  31 January 2002

  Consultation on changes to the BSE Offspring Slaughter Regulations

  25 October 2001

  22 November 2001

  Consultation on amendment to the BSE Monitoring (England) Regulations 2001

  22 October 2001

  14 November 2001

  Pollution Prevention & Control (England And Wales) Regulations 2000: Consultation on a Deferral of the Relevant Period for Applications of certain A2 and B Installations

  19 October 2001

  19 December 2001

  Consultation on extending the National Scrapie Plan and issues relating to scrapie reporting

  9 October 2001

  1 November 2001

  Consultation on implementation of Council Directive 1999/22/EC on the keeping of wild animals in zoos

  5 October 2001

  23 November 2001

  Milk Quotas: Consultation on new consolidated Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations

  5 October 2001

  10 December 2001

  Consultation European Commission proposals on measures for the control and prevention of zoonoses

  5 October 2001

  5 January 2002

  Consultation on a contingency plan for the possibility of BSE in Sheep

  28 September 2001

  21 December 2001

  Code of Practice on the Welfare of Red Meat Animals at Slaughter

  14 September 2001

  7 December 2001

  Consultation on managing radioactive waste safely

  12 September 2001

  12 March 2002

  Consultation on flood and coastal defence managed realignment: land purchase, compensation and payment for alternative beneficial land use

  24 September 2001

  31 December 2001

  Consultation on guidance on the role of flood and coastal defence in nature conservation in England

  24 September 2001

  31 December 2001

  Consultation on Radioactive Substances: Proposed Natural Gas Exemption Order

  19 September 2001

  19 December 2001

  Air Quality Strategy: Particles, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

  17 September 2001

  12 December 2001

  Consultation on DEFRA voluntary Code of Practice for the prevention and control of salmonella in broiler flocks on farm

  3 September 2001

  3 December 2001

  Second consultation on Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Scheme Prioritisation System

  24 September 2001

  26 November 2001

  Consultation on recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste in 2002

  20 September 2001

  7 November 2001

  Consultation on UK implementation of Regulation (EC) 1093–2001, controlling third country imports of hemp

  7 September 2001

  3 December 2001

  Review of Seed Certification in England: draft Cereal Seed Regulations

  12 September 2001

  5 December 2001

  Second Consultation on Implementing the Uncultivated Land and Semi-Natural Areas Provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive

  4 September 2001

  31 October 2001

  Energy Efficiency Commitment—2002–2005: Consultation Proposals

  17 August 2001

  12 October 2001

  Consultation on National Park Authorities and Broads Authority review

  8 August 2001

  2 November 2001

  Consultation on waste management controls: proposed amendment to the duly of care

  10 August 2001

  26 October 2001

  Consultation on implementation of Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste (second consultation paper)

  8 August 2001

  26 October 2001

  Consultation on proposed EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings

  9 August 2001

  26 October 2001

  940W 941W

  Consultation

  Date issued

  Deadline

  Consultation on draft Regulations on vehicular access over common land, under Section 68 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

  8 August 2001

  1 October 2001

  Consultation on DEFRA Aim and Objectives

  August 2001

  28 September 2001

  Consultation on Implementation of Directive 2001/18/EC on deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment

  27 July 2001

  26 October 2001

  Consultation on proposed changes to the Plant Health Directive 2000/29/EC

  31 July 2001

  26 October 2001

  Proposals for regulations on Local Access Forums under sections 94 & 95 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

  31 July 2001

  23 October 2001

  Consultation on draft Groundwater Protection Code for Fuel Dispensing Facilities Involving Underground Storage Tanks

  10 July 2001

  19 October 2001

  Consultation on the Veterinary Surgeon's Act 1966 Equine Dentisiry Exemption Order

  23 July 2001

  12 October 2001

  Consultation on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Appeals Regulations

  13 July 2001

  23 August 2001

  Technical Amendments to the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994

  28 June 2001

  23 August 2001

  Consultation on the proposed reform of the EU sheepmeat regime

  5 June 2001

  20 July 2001

  Consultation on scallop technical conservation

  26 April 2001

  20 July 2001

  Consultation on the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 Artificial Insemination of Marea Exemption Order

  27 April 2001

  20 July 2001

  Consultation on MAFF's Welsh Language Scheme

  19 March 2001

  25 May 2001

  Consultation on new surveillance and testing measures over TB in cattle

  16 February 2001

  17 May 2001

  Quinquennial review of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

  16 January 2001

  9 April 2001

  Consultation on External Waters licences for Redfish at Iceland

  January 2001

  16 March 2001

  Consultation on a Statutory Instrument controlling Waste Waters from Rendering Plants

  8 January 2001

  5 March 2001

  Further information on all of the consultations shown in the table can be obtained from the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk)

  Landfill
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with(a) the European Commission, (b) the Environment Agency, (c) local authorities, (d) industry and (e) others on building developments on former landfill sites; and if she will make a statement. [65961]

  Mr. McNulty
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have had no such recent discussions on the subject of building on former landfill sites but officials are in regular contact with these organisations.

  The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions published planning guidance that included building on former landfill sites in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 14 "Development on unstable land" Annex 2 "Subsidence and planning" and in the Consultation document on draft planning technical advice on land affected by contamination in February 2002.

  In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently revising Part C "Site preparation and resistance to moisture" of the Building Regulations 2000, which includes the precautions to be taken to avoid danger to health and safety caused by substances found on or in the ground to be covered by the building.

  Public Finance Initiative
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) guidance (i) has been given and (ii) is planned from her Department to local authorities and (b) legislation (1) is in place and (2) is planned regarding the environmental implications of developments through the Public Finance Initiative; and if she will make a statement. [65601]

  Mr. McNulty
  I have been asked to reply.

  Local government PFI projects seeking central government support are required to indicate how they promote sustainable development, by demonstrating an integrated approach to the social. environmental and
  942W
  economic well-being of the area served, now and for future generations. They should also reflect the objectives of any Local Agenda 21 strategy for the area. Advice on enhancing environmental benefits is available in the context of design quality in the OGC guidance "How to achieve Design Quality in PFI Projects" and the 4ps "Achieving Quality in Local Authority PFI Building Projects" and authorities are expected to take account of this. This department plans to issue guidance on 'Green Public Private Partnerships' shortly. No legislation specifically concerning PFI is in place or planned.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the recent quinquennial review of the National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux. [72972]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The review, which started in January 2002, was recently completed and the subsequent report produced by our consultants was extremely positive about both NACAB and the CAB Service. The report concluded that NACAB is an organisation that represents significant value for money, has made real improvements in its governance and organisation since the last review and is making a very useful contribution in terms of the modernisation and e-Government agendas.

  The review demonstrates that, in all areas, both NACAB and the CAB Service make a significant and positive contribution, to individuals and Government at both a local and national level, are performing well and the report gives some useful examples of this.

  I am arranging for a comprehensive summary of the report, its findings and recommendations to be made available on the DTI website. Copies of the full report will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Radioactive Metals (Civil Stocks)
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish figures for the United Kingdom's stocks of civil plutonium and uranium as at 31 December 2001. [72966]
  943W
  Nigel Griffiths
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House figures for the United Kingdom's national holdings of civil plutonium and uranium as at 31 December 2001. In accordance with our commitment under the "Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium", I have today also sent the figures to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who will be circulating them to member states in due course.

  Science, Engineering and Technology
  Albert Owen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her plans are for the future of science, engineering and technology in the United Kingdom. [72212]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government is today publishing "Investing in Innovation: a strategy for science engineering and technology". This document sets out tht Government's strategy for science, underpinned by the substantial new investment in science announced on 15 July by my right hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown).

  It sets out what the Government proposes to do. in partnership with other stakeholders, to ensure the long-term sustainability of our university research base. It provides details of how the Government intends to implement the recommendations of the Roberts Review. It makes clear the Government's commitment to continuing to expand our research base by strengthening existing research programmes through the Research Councils and allowing for research into exciting and promising new areas of science.

  The document shows how Government will further encourage collaboration between universities and the business sector through increased investment in knowledge transfer activities, and in particular, through an expansion of the Higher Education Innovation Fund. It also sets out how the DTI will increase the diffusion of advances in science and technology in the economy.

  Finally, it shows what steps the Government will take to improve the quality of the science done by Government Departments, and commissioned from others.

  Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of the House and may be viewed at http://www.ost.gov.uk/whatsnew.htm.

  Nuclear Energy
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations her Department has received regarding the economic competitiveness of nuclear energy. [69445]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his question on 17 July 2002,Official Report, column 346W.

  Energy Policy
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures her Department will implement to solicit public involvement in the development of energy policy; and if she will make a statement. [71522]
  944W
  Mr. Wilson
  The Government launched a consultation on energy policy on 14 May with a view to publishing a White Paper around the turn of the year. The consultation paper has been sent to a wide range of stakeholders and is also available on the Department's website. A series of conferences and seminars associated with the consultation paper are being conducted.

  In addition, we are undertaking an innovative programme of events to engage members of the general public, including a stand at the Tomorrow's World Live Roadshows where the public can feed in their views on energy policy via a questionnaire which is also on the Department's website. We are also using focus groups and interactive workshops as a way to explore public views and understanding in more depth.

  Renewable Energy
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's methods are for assessing price imbalance exposure of(a) CHP and (b) renewable energy generators. [71581]

  Mr. Wilson
  The DTI does not make formal or detailed assessments of CHP and renewable generators' exposure to the imbalance prices that exist as part of the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (NETA). This is a commercial matter for generators.

  On 4 April 2002 the Government published its response to the consultation on NETA and smaller generators of 1 November 2001 http://www2.dti.gov.uk/energy/domesticmarkets/electricitytrading/netaresp.pdf.

  This identified the following actions that would be taken:

  (i) work with OFGEM to look at whether so-called "embedded benefits" could or should be made directly available to smaller generators;

  (ii) address some of the administrative burdens faced by smaller generators;

  (iii) ask OFGEM to ensure that imbalance prices are genuinely cost-reflective; and

  (iv) allow all generators to notify their predicted output closer to "real time".

  The Government continues to monitor the situation closely.

  Sub-post Offices
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices were closed due to a lack of suitable sub postmasters at the latest available date. [70875]

  Mr. Timms
  Sub-postmaster vacancies are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the number of sub-post offices that are expected to close in the next year in(a) the UK and (b) Scotland. [72011]

  Mr. Timms
  The programme to restructure the urban post office network has not yet started and I am advised by Post Office Ltd. that, until it does, there are no specific plans for post office closures in the UK or in Scotland. When the programme starts it will be taken forward
  945W
  in consultation with individual sub-postmasters, the community, local stakeholders and Postwatch. Under the Code of Practice, Post Office Ltd. is required to consult Postwatch on individual changes and is briefing it on the process envisaged for reaching decisions.

  The objective of the urban network restructuring programme is to provide modernised and improved facilities which meet customers' needs and expectations and are in the right location for the local community.

  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she had made of the effect of the closure of sub-post offices on the provision of universal banking in(a) the UK and (b) Scotland. [72020]

  Mr. Timms
  The Performance and Innovation Unit recommended a programme of modernisation and restructuring designed to ensure that urban sub-post offices can operate as viable businesses for their owners and offer improved services from the right locations to serve their communities. The programme to restructure the urban post office network will be taken forward in consultation with individual sub-postmasters.

  In some urban areas, there are too many post offices in very close proximity to each other for them all to be viable, regardless of the provision of universal banking services at the Post Office, Universal Banking Services are due to be introduced in 2003 when migration of benefit payments to automated credit transfer (ACT) is scheduled to begin.

  The Government are committed to ensuring that on migration to ACT, those people who wish to do so will be able to continue to get their benefits in cash at post offices, in full without charge.

  Information Campaigns
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department spent on information literature, advertising and campaign material in financial year 2001–02; if she will list the campaigns that spent over £250,000; and if she will make a statement. [70216]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: The cost of external publications as notified to my Department's Publications Unit and advertising expenditure through COI in 2001-02 was £4,553,677 and £6,630,590 respectively. Expenditure on campaign material is not held centrally.

  The following advertising campaigns cost more than £250,000 in 2001–02:

  £

  UK Online for Business

  2,509,823

  Business Link Awareness

  2,450,781

  Quality Mark Scheme

  908,179

  National Minimum Wage

  324,906

  Home Safety

  299,558

  Diesel Directive
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects on UK diesel engine marinising companies and on UK agents for EU manufacturers of recreational craft engines of(a) the proposed EU Directive Com (2000) 639
  946W
  and (b) an amendment exempting producers of less than 5000 engines per annum from compliance for five years after the directive comes into effect. [71643]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: A Regulatory Impact Assessment submitted to the European Scrutiny Committee on 5 July 2001 provided an assessment of the effect of COM (2000)639 on affected parties including engine marinisers. No specific assessment has been made in respect of UK agents for EU manufacturers of recreational craft. Also no assessment has been made of the effect such an amendment would have on either of the two groups. COM (2000)639 has been under discussion within the Council and European Parliament for some time and the Council reached a Common Position, the text of which was published on 22 April 2002. The European Parliament made no such amendment during the first reading and it is unlikely that such an amendment would be considered at this late stage if it was not already proposed during the first reading. However, it is my understanding that a Council Working Group will meet some time in September to consider any second reading amendments. Once all these amendments have been forwarded to the Council, we will with our partners take a view on the whole package of amendments. Following that, and before the European Parliament second reading takes place, the UK Government will as usual issue briefing to UK MEPs which will make our position clear. In addition, the UK Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees will be kept informed.

  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Grade and Industry if she will make it her policy to support an amendment exempting diesel marinisers producing less than 5000 engines per annum from compliance with Com 2000) 639 for five years after it comes into force. [71642]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: COM (2000)639 relating to exhaust gas and noise emissions from recreational craft has been under discussion within the Council and European Parliament for some time and the Council reached a Common Position, the text of which was published on 22 April 2002. The European Parliament made no such amendment during the first reading and it is unlikely that such an amendment would be considered at this late stage if it was not already proposed during the first reading. However, it is my understanding that a Council Working Group will meet some time in September to consider any second reading amendments. Once all these amendments have been forwarded to the Council, we will with our partners take a view on the whole package of amendments. Following that, and before the European Parliament second reading takes place, the UK Government will as usual issue briefing to UK MEPs which will make our position clear. In addition, the UK Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees will be kept informed.

  Air and Noise Pollution
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects of Corn (2000) 639 on air and noise pollution. [71641]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: No specific assessment has been made. COM (2000) 639 indicated that there would he a slight decrease in overall

  947W
  pollution as a result of implementation. However, this measure is proposed under Article 95 of the Treaty and is mainly concerned with the reduction of technical barriers to trade within the EU. It was on this basis that the UK supported the proposal while noting that in the long term there was likely to be some improvement in air quality and reduction in noise levels.

  Developing Countries
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage developing countries(a) to conduct an impact assessment before deciding whether to liberalise service sectors and (b) to consult civil society and carry out an assessment before the March 2003 deadline for offers. [70939]

  Ms Hewitt
  The United Kingdom is fully committed to helping developing countries to carry out impact assessments on the liberalisation requests they are receiving. The Department for International Development is providing funding to both the World bank and UNCTAD to support projects aimed at helping to build the capacity of developing countries to carry out such assessments and to participate effectively in the GATS negotiations. We are also working with the key international agencies to make the most appropriate and effective use of the funding that has been made available to help with the assessment question.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 8 July 2002,Official Report, column 672W, what evidence she draws on to suggest that liberalisation of business, financial, telecommunications and transport services are most likely to contribute to development in developing countries. [70938]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are a number of studies on the actual or potential impact of liberalisation of services on developing countries. The World Bank's report "Global Economic Prospects and the Developing Countries 2002" gives a useful overview of the available evidence.

  Post Office
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the report evaluating the results of the pilot of the Your Guide service. [72968]

  Mr. Timms
  The report evaluating the results of the Your Guide service has been published today. Copies are now available in the Libraries of the House.

  Manufacturing (Productivity and Competitiveness)
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when her Department will respond to the Trade and Industry Select Committee inquiry into the productivity and competiveness of manufacturing. [72971]

  Ms Hewitt
  I am delighted to report that my Department is today publishing a Command Paper in response to the report by the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report into the productivity and competitiveness of UK manufacturing.
  948W
  I warmly welcome the Committee's report, which has made a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of UK manufacturing. There is much in the Committee's excellent analysis with which the Government agrees, not least the importance of manufacturing to the UK economy.

  Manufacturing matters hugely. It produces a fifth of our national income, directly employs almost four million people and millions more in dependent businesses; and it supports many good jobs in some of the poorer regions of Britain. Manufacturing accounts for 60 per cent. of our exports and 80 per cent. of commercial research and development, so it is a driver of innovation and technology uptake. It is a key to future prosperity, our economy and the society in which we live.

  There are great opportunities for British manufacturers. The UK has real strengths to build on. We have many world-class companies. We have a stable macro-economic environment, a first class science base and membership of the EU giving access to the world's largest single market. But we recognise that we also have significant weaknesses; lower levels of skills, investment, R & D and innovation. Companies that rely mainly on labour intensive products and processes will find it ever more difficult to compete unless they evolve to meet the challenges. Companies must increase the value they add through innovative management, products and processes to succeed in the longer term.

  In particular, if UK manufacturers could match the productivity performance of France, Germany and the US, all else remaining equal, we would be £70 billion better off. Returns on investments would be higher, jobs better paid and companies more competitive. That is why the Department of Trade and Industry has put manufacturing at the heart of its agenda—a fact reflected in the Command Paper—and we have set challenging targets on productivity and are taking significant action across a wide front to deliver on them in the longer term.

  I welcome the Committee's call to give a greater focus across the DTI on the importance of the manufacturing industry and its needs, and to work with other Government departments in pushing forward the manufacturing agenda. Much progress has been made since the Committee began its inquiry and published its conclusions. A significant amount of what Government—and particularly DTI—does, supports manufacturing and has done for many years. But I have also instigated a step change by increasing both departmental and ministerial resources focused on manufacturing. The role of the Minister of State for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions has been strengthened—effectively creating a Minister with responsibility for manufacturing. The Department also has a strengthened structure with a new Manufacturing Policy Team and a new Director General for Innovation, when appointed, will play an important role as Chief Adviser on Manufacturing, reinforcing the importance of innovation as a key driver of manufacturing productivity. These changes are already meeting the Committee's recommendation that DTI should have a stronger and more strategic focus, commensurate with the importance of manufacturing.
  949W
  The Government also published, on 16 May, its Manufacturing Strategy; the first comprehensive and cohesive framework for manufacturing set out by any UK Government for over 30 years.

  A key role highlighted in the strategy will be to ensure that DTI champions more effectively the importance and needs of manufacturing and provides a vigorous lead on manufacturing issues. We are working to strengthen communication and co-operation between Whitehall departments and the regions to help UK manufacturers build on the opportunities of renewed world growth. Much progress is already being made here: at Ministerial level, a close working partnership with DTI, DfES, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Treasury has already been established on training and skills issues. This is already yielding benefits, including a better skills policy balance between the supply side—what schools and colleges provide—and the demand side—what employers need from their work forces. We have also seen a joined-up UK approach to strengthening demand side leadership by employers through the creation of new Sector Skills Councils and better co-ordination of regional delivery through initiatives such as the DTI Manufacturing Advisory Service already being delivered in most regions by their designated regional centres for manufacturing excellence (RCMEs).

  I am confident that, as outlined in the Command Paper, the combination of a clear and coherent manufacturing strategy with enhanced and better focused Departmental resources in DTI provides a fresh basis for a stronger, better co-ordinated approach and more effective action to contribute to a successful UK manufacturing sector.

  Employment Businesses Regulations
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will finalise the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations. [72973]

  Alan Johnson: I have today published a consultation document on certain aspects of the draft regulations. After the end of the consultation period on 1 November 2002, I intend to lay the draft regulations, subject to any final amendments, with a view to bringing them into force in the first half of 2003. Copies of the consultation document have been sent to those who responded to the previous consultation and I have also placed copies of the document in the Libraries of the House and on the DTI website.

  The Government's response to the recent fixed-term public consultation on the draft Fixed-term Employees' (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 was also published today. We intend the fixed-term regulations to come into force on 1 October 2002.

  Broadband
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements she intends to make for the licensing of broadband fixed wireless access at 3.4 GHz. [72970]

  Mr. Timms
  Following extensive consultation with interested parties, I intend to award licences by auction later this year for the provision of public fixed wireless access at 3.4 GHz. There will be seven metropolitan and 950W
  seven provincial licences for England, Scotland and Wales and a single licence for Northern Ireland. Each licence will have a forward and return channel both of 20 MHz. There will be no roll-out obligations included in the licences and the proposed service restrictions have been removed. Licences will be for a term of up to 15 years.

  Regulations providing for the running of the auction have been made and will be laid before the House this week. I will issue a notice under the regulations that will set out the procedures to be followed during the auction. Once the regulations have come into force, I expect to invite applications for licences in September so that the auction may begin by early October.

  Coal Authority
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Coal Authority's report and accounts for 2001–02 will be laid before Parliament. [72967]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have today laid a copy before each House of Parliament.

  Consultation
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria as recommended in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. [70991]

  Ms Hewitt
  Consultation documents published by the Department are required to comply with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. Internal DTI guidance also enforces the compliance requirements in the code.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints her Department has received about its 2001 consultations in electronic or printed form. [70994]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department received 11 complaints in 2001 regarding its compliance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations.

  Other complaints regarding consultation exercises are not held centrally.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long her Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form. [70990]

  Ms Hewitt
  Criterion 5 of the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation requires that 12 weeks should be the standard minimum period for a consultation. If the period is less than 12 weeks, the document should state Ministers' reasons for departing from the code, and what special measures—for example advance notice of at least the broad issues covered—have been taken to ensure that consultation is nevertheless as effective as possible.

  The Department is committed to the code and makes every effort possible to ensure that its consultation exercises comply with criterion 5. Data on the Department's performance in complying with the code is

  951W
  currently being compiled. I will write to the hon. Member with the requested information as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment her Department has made of the time horizons for the likely impact of hydrogen fuel cell technology on road vehicles; [72194]

  (2) what contracts her Department has awarded to (a) TNO (Netherlands), (b) IAV (Germany), (c) AVL (Austria), (d) FEV (Germany) and (e) IKA (Germany); [72193]

  (3) what funding her Department is providing for development of hydrogen fuel cell technology. [72208]

  Mr. Wilson
  In support of the objective to promote productivity and competitiveness, the DTI part funds collaborative R&D in the Foresight Vehicle programme to help accelerate the transfer of technology from the science base and promote its subsequent exploitation by industry. Foresight Vehicle is open to all UK-based companies and universities to submit proposals which if successful may receive grant funding. The programme does not commission research and therefore does not invite tenders from any company either in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. No DTI contracts have been awarded to TNO, IAV, AVL, FEV or IKA. Foresight Vehicle, as the national automotive R&D programme, issues calls for proposals based on rigorous technology road mapping conducted in partnership with industry. The latest technology road map, which has a 20 year time horizon, is in preparation and takes account of various options for powering future vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cells. The road map, which we hope to publish in the autumn, identifies enabling technologies and stages in the development of hydrogen fuel cells that are seen as prerequisites for the successful introduction of fuel cell road vehicles. The DTI is also a partner in the "Powering Future Vehicles" strategy and I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  The Department of Trade and Industry has been supporting work on fuel cells and hydrogen under the DTI Advanced Fuel Cells Programme since 1992. The total DTI spend is £12.2 million, and the current expenditure approximately £2 million pa. The programme supports work related to both stationary power generation and transport applications for fuel cells. It is estimated that approximately £6 million of the expenditure to date has been on transport-related fuel cell work.

  The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) also supports fundamental research in universities on topics that relate to fuel cell/hydrogen research. Funding in these areas amounts to £15.7 million in the period 1992–93 to 2002–03.

  EU Committees
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Accounting Directives Contact Committee is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70901]
  952W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The EU Accounting Directives Contact Committee is next due to meet on 10 and 11 October 2002. Company accounting is not a devolved issue and therefore members of the Scottish Executive are not members of the Committee.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on opening up public contracts is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [71822]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Advisory Committee on opening up public contracts is next due to meet on 8 November 2002. The Committee is composed of independent experts appointed by the European Commission after consultation with business and industry. There are no Government officials on the Committee.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of electroinedical equipment used in human or veterinary medicine is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66421]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am not aware that the Committee has ever met, or of any plans for it to meet.

  Solar Power
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to expand her Department's support of photo-voltaic solar power; [72818]

  (2) if her Department will continue to provide support for the installation of photo-voltaic solar panels in the UK. [72817]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government's aim is to work with industry and others to achieve a UK solar photovoltaic demonstration programme in line with those of our major competitors.

  I announced the first phase of this major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme (PV MDP) on 26 March. The £20 million made available under the first phase is expected to increase tenfold the number of domestic PV installations in the UK by 2005.

  Decisions on the next phase will be taken in the light of experience gained with the first phase.

  Town Planners
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many registered(a) town planners and (b) landscape designers work in each Regional Development Agency. [71871]

  Alan Johnson
  There are 34 registered town planners working in the Regional Development Agencies at present. This figure is broken down as follows.
  953W

  Regional development agency

  Number of town planners

  Advantage West Midlands

  12

  East of England Development Agency

  3

  East Midlands Development Agency

  5

  North West Development Agency

  3

  One NorthEast

  0

  South East of England Development Agency

  5

  South West of England Development Agency

  5

  Yorkshire Forward

  1

  There are no landscape designers working in the agencies.

  Universal Bank
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the timescale for the development of the universal bank; and whether it will be fully operational by 2003. [70845]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: Detailed work is being carried out on implementing universal banking services for delivery in advance of the migration of benefit payment to automated credit transfer from April 2003.

  Ex-miners (Compensation Claims)
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims by(a) ex-miners and (b) widows of families of ex-miners suffering from vibration white finger, chronic bronchitis and emphysema have been processed; and how many still await to be processed, broken down by nation and region of the UK. [69574]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 July 2002]: The figures are as follows. They are constantly changing due to the fact that claims continue to be received at the rate of 800 per week for vibration white finger (VWF) and respiratory disease respectively. Claims received very recently are therefore included in the total of "outstanding claims".

  Full and final settlements and outstanding claims by region as at 11 July 2002 for VWF

  VWF outstanding claims

  Live

  Widows/families

  Total

  Wales

  10,312

  962

  11,274

  Scotland

  5,377

  195

  5,572

  Nottinghamshire

  5,966

  1,026

  6,992

  Yorkshire

  35,895

  2,444

  38,339

  North East

  28,817

  906

  29,723

  North West

  2,564

  73

  2,637

  Midlands

  5,836

  192

  6,028

  South

  2,367

  84

  2,451

  Other

  321

  59

  380

  VWF full and final settlements (including denied/withdrawn)

  Live

  Widows/families

  Total

  Wales

  6,771

  219

  6,990

  Scotland

  3,015

  138

  3,153

  Nottinghamshire

  4,267

  91

  4,358

  Yorkshire

  12,384

  364

  12,748

  North East

  10,790

  449

  11,239

  North West

  1,714

  48

  1,762

  Midlands

  2,014

  38

  2,052

  South

  1,163

  9

  1,172

  Other

  117

  22

  139

  954W
  In addition there are over 10,000 VWF general damages offers with solicitors for consideration.

  The Department's claims handlers are unable to provide the breakdown of outstanding offers for VWF by region in the time given.

  Full and final settlements and outstanding claims by region for respiratory disease as at 11 July 2002

  COPD outstanding claims

  Alive

  Widows/families

  Total

  Wales

  15,165

  15,231

  30,396

  Scotland

  5,862

  5,645

  11,507

  Nottinghamshire

  5,906

  711

  6,617

  Yorkshire

  31,626

  16,817

  48,443

  North East

  20,858

  28,492

  49,350

  North West

  2,881

  2,200

  5,081

  Midlands

  4,475

  2,134

  6,609

  South

  2,540

  1,428

  3,968

  Other

  920

  701

  1,621

  COPD full and final settlements (including denied/withdrawn) as at 14 July 2002

  Alive

  Widows/families

  Total

  Wales

  5,019

  1,756

  6,775

  Scotland

  1,572

  172

  1,744

  Nottinghamshire

  1,799

  110

  1,909

  Yorkshire

  9,017

  1,314

  10,331

  North East

  5,118

  1,031

  6,149

  North West

  913

  164

  1,077

  Midlands

  1,358

  202

  1,560

  South

  890

  103

  993

  Other

  10

  6

  16

  In addition there are over 13,000 full and final offers with solicitors for consideration. The breakdown is:

  COPD outstanding offers (including denied) as at 15 July 2002

  Total

  Wales

  5,303

  Scotland

  1,644

  Nottinghamshire

  1,288

  Yorkshire

  6,916

  North East

  4,089

  North West

  491

  Midlands

  1,084

  South

  741

  Other

  1

  Employment Tribunals
  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the length of time it takes to convene an employment tribunal. [71793]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: Cases are dealt with on an individual basis by the judiciary of the Employment Tribunals and it is not possible to state how long a case will wait before being heard. In 2001–02, 69 per cent. of single Employment Tribunal cases reached a first hearing within 26 weeks of receipt.

  0870 Telephone Numbers
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies. [66190]
  955W
  Ms Hewitt
  [pursuant to my reply, 11 July 2002, c. 1092W]I can now provide the individual Chief Executive replies.

  Letter from Julia Fraser to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  Radiocommunications Agency does not use any 0870 telephone numbers for enquiries from the public to the Agency.

  We do, however, have an 0845 local-call rate telephone number advertised as the number to call for members of the public wanting to report radio or TV interference, which connects to our main telephone enquiry point.

  Letter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  I am Chief Executive of The Insolvency Service and have been asked by the Secretary of State to reply to your question (2001/5280) on our policy on using 0870 telephone numbers.

  The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency of the DTI and operates from 33 nationwide locations. Each office has a local telephone number, rather than a central 0870 number, which together with an extensive catalogue of information booklets comprises our primary information-giving service.

  Additionally The Service operates a central enquiry line from London with calls charged at the national rate.

  Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  You tabled a Parliamentary Question on I July 2002 to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry concerning the policy on using 0870 numbers for enquires by the public to the department and its agencies. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) which is an executive agency of the DTI.

  The ETS does not use any 0870 numbers and has no policy on their usage.

  Our public enquiry line and its companion minicom line are operated on 0845 numbers. Calls to these two lines are charged at the local rate regardless of where in the United Kingdom from the call originates.

  Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question regarding the policy on using 0870 telephone numbers for enquiries by the public to the Department and its Agencies.

  The national Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) does not employ any 0870 numbers.

  Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  I am responding on behalf of Companies House Executive Agency to your Parliamentary Question on the Department of Trade and Industry's policy on the use of 0870 telephone numbers for public enquiries.

  Companies House uses an 0870 telephone number for our national public enquiry call centre. The decision to employ this type of number is consistent with the guidance set down by the Office of e-Envoy, which states that the choice of a national rate, local rate, freefone or premium rate number should be determined by individual business requirements. As a Trading fund the Agency has to cover the cost of providing services and to avoid cross subsidy. These factors led to the decision to use an 0870 number.

  Letter from Caren Fullerton to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary question, tabled on 1 July 2002, relating to the use of 0870 telephone numbers for enquiries by the public.
  956W
  The Patent Office does not use 0870 telephone numbers. It provides 0845 numbers to be used for enquiries by the general public, who are charged local call rates for their telephone calls. This policy, determined by the business requirements of the Patent Office, conforms with the e-Envoy-s Guidelines for UK Government Call Centres.

  Letter from Martin Wyn Griffith to Mr. John Randall, dated July 2002:

  To ask the SoS what her policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for enquiries by the public to the Department and its Agencies.

  In response to the above Parliamentary Question, please note that:

  The Small Business Service's Small Firms Finance team contracts with EC Logistics who distribute Late Payment Guidance and other publications for the SBS via an "0870" number; and

  The SBS' Business Services directorate uses an "0870" number for the following purposes:
  The "CONNECT" hotline
  a) for Business Advisors—
  to enable direct contact for Business Advisors to the CONNECT team for booking equipment/technician for shows;
  for ordering CD-ROMS, technical advice, requests for presentation and clip finding service; and
  for general advice and requests for literature.
  b) for small business customers—
  for advice on how they can access the CONNECT series via their local Business Link
  The Benchmark Index hotline
  a) for Business Advisors—
  to enable direct contact with the Benchmark Index team for technical queries;
  for advice on questionnaires;
  for advice on the make up of data sets; and
  requests for literature and other general support.
  And b) for our small business customers–
  sign-posting them to their nearest Business Link operator for access to the Benchmark Index and general help and information.
  The Small Business Service uses these 0870 numbers in accordance with DTI central guidelines.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Deregulation Task Force
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how often the Deregulation Task Force has met in the last 12 months: what recommendations they have made; how many recommendations have been implemented; what savings businesses have made as a result; and if she will make a statement. [72156]

  Mr. Alexander
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Better Regulation Task Force meets every month but August. Since July 2001, the Task Force has produced six reports, on regulatory issues concerning: Local Shops, Economic Regulators; Housing Benefit; Employment Regulations; Local delivery of Central Policy; and Higher Education. These reports together made 54 recommendations. The Government have, to date, responded to three of these reports and has rejected only one recommendation. The Task Force is an advisory body and cannot itself directly reduce costs on business.

  Nuclear Industry
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will exempt the nuclear energy industry from the climate change levy. [71549]

  John Healey
  I have been asked to reply.

  The climate change levy is designed to encourage energy efficiency across the business and public sectors and to increase the use of sustainable forms of energy. The Government have no plans to exempt nuclear energy from the levy.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directive on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in Electromedical Equipment used in Human or Veterinary Medicine is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55212]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directives for Removing Technical Barriers to Trade in Electromedical Equipment used in Human or Veterinary Medicine was established under Council Directive 84/539/EEC on the approximation of laws of the member states relating to Electromedical Equipment used in Human or Veterinary Medicine to give an opinion on:
  any amendments to Annex 1 of the Directive made necessary by the adaptation to technical progress of the harmonised standards by the relevant standards organisation,
  any amendments to Annex 1 which are desirable because of adaptation to technical progress where the relevant standards of the organisation has not made the corresponding amendments to the harmonised standard.

  We are not aware that the Committee has ever met.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police Ombudsman
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to lay before each House the first annual report of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. [72872]

  Jane Kennedy
  Copies of the Police Ombudsman's first annual report, covering the period from November 2000 when the office was created to March 2002, have today been placed in the Library. It is a general report on the discharge of the Ombudsman's function during this period which is submitted to me for laying before Parliament in accordance with Section 61 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998.
  958W

TREASURY

  Regional Funding
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer., pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2002,Official Report, column 862W, on regional funding, if his staff are working on potential changes to the way the departmental expenditure level is al located to the devolved regions. [72605]

  Mr. Boateng
  No. The Government's funding policies for the devolved administrations were set out in the updated Statement of Funding Policy published by the Treasury on 15 July.

  Withholding Tax
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Swiss Government about the reclaiming of the withholding tax on dividends by UK residents; and if he will make a statement. [72473]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government has held no such discussions with the Swiss Government.

  UK Debt Management Office
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the UK Debt Management Office's annual report and accounts. [72873]

  Ruth Kelly
  The DMO's annual report and administrative accounts for 2001–02 are being laid before the House of Commons and published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Reports
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the 2002 departmental reports were published. [72876]

  Mr. Boateng
  The publication dates of the 2002 departmental reports are as follows.

  Departmental report

  Date

  Department for International Development

  24 April

  Department for Work and Pensions

  23 May

  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  10 June

  Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

  10 June

  HM Treasury

  10 June

  Inland Revenue

  10 June

  Department for Education and Skills and Office for Standards in Education

  11 June

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  11 June

  Charity Commission for England and Wales

  12 June

  Department for Culture. Media and Sport

  12 June

  Lord Chancellor's Departments

  12 June

  Home Office

  13 June

  Office for National Statistics

  13 June

  Scotland Office

  13 June

  Wales Office

  13 June

  British Trade International

  14 June

  Department of Trade and Industry

  14 June

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  14 June

  Food Standards Agency

  14 June

  Government Actuary's Department

  14 June

  Law Officers' Departments

  14 June

  National Savings and Investments

  14 June

  Northern Ireland Office

  14 June

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise

  19 June

  Cabinet Office

  26 June

  Office of Fair Trading

  27 June

  959W

  Departmental report

  Date

  Ministry of Defence

  9 July

  Department of Health

  18 July

  Criminal Finances
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further measures he proposes to take on disclosure of beneficial ownership of companies in attacking criminal finances. [73099]

  Ruth Kelly
  In response to a recommendation in the report "Recovering the Proceeds of Crime", the Government are today publishing a Consultation Document on the findings of a Regulatory Impact Assessment. This assessment examines ways in which greater disclosure of beneficial ownership of companies could assist law enforcement in tackling serious organised crime and funding of terrorism. The assessment identifies a range of benefits and gauges the potential additional burdens on companies; it concludes that advantages could be derived from enhanced disclosure while imposing limited additional costs on industry. The Government wish to consider the proposals further and welcome responses to the Consultation Document from those with interests in this area.

  Publication of the assessment marks the Government's continuing determination that the UK should remain at the forefront of the international fight against organised crime and terrorist funding. At the same time, the Government wish to ensure that UK companies are not subject to disproportionate new burdens and will carefully consider the impact of potential changes in the field of company law.

  Copies of the Consultation Document and Regulatory Impact Assessment have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Double Taxation Protocol
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to submit to the House the double taxation protocol that the Government recently concluded with Lithuania; and if he will make a statement. [73101]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Protocol with Lithuania was signed on 21 May 2002. The text of the Protocol with Lithuania has been published today as a schedule to a draft Order in Council and laid before the House. After signature the text was deposited in the Library of the House and made available on the Inland Revenue's website.

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the new double taxation convention with South Africa. [72875]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The double taxation convention was signed on behalf of the two governments on 4 July. The text has been deposited in the Library of the House and made available on the Inland Revenue's website. It will be scheduled to a draft Order in Council and laid for consideration by the House at the earliest convenient opportunity.

  Tax Benefit Reference Manual
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the next edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual will be published. [72874]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Copies of the 2002–03 edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual are today being deposited in the Library of the House.

  Pool Re Scheme
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how negotiations are progressing with industry on changes to the Pool Re scheme to take account of changes in the terrorism insurance and reinsurance markets since 1993 and in particular since 11 September 2001. [73100]

  Ruth Kelly
  Today I am announcing changes to the Pool Re scheme which will enable insurers to offer terrorism insurance across a wider range of risks. The outcome is part of a package of reforms which have been agreed by a government-industry working group set up to look at changes to Pool Re needed after 11 September.

  The working group has reached agreement on the main changes to the scheme. The changes include extension of Pool Re cover from "fire and explosion" only, to an "all risks basis", to ensure that a terrorist attack involving, for example contamination, impact by aircraft, or flood damage could be covered by the scheme. This increased cover will be available in the next few weeks and will be reflected in higher premiums for the period covered. There will be an option to backdate to 1 January 2002. The existing exclusion for nuclear risks will also be removed as soon as practicable, and by 1 January 2003 at the latest.

  Other changes to the scheme include changes to the financing of Pool Re to encourage competition, and changes to make governance arrangements more transparent in the public interest. These will take effect from 1 January 2003.

  The details will need to be finalised over the coming months. Further information about these changes are published on the Treasury's website and in an explanatory statement in the House Library.

  EU Committees
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the EU Contact Committee—European economic interest grouping is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [70905]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of any plans for a meeting.

  The Committee consists of representatives of the Member States and the EU Commission. The Scottish Executive is not separately represented on the Committee.

  E-commerce
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Treasury is taking to introduce public-private partnerships into the e-commerce sector; and if he will make a statement. [71600]
  961W
  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Government has no specific policy to bring public-private partnerships into the e-commerce sector. All Departments when assessing the funding options for a project will consider the possibility of a PFI. However, the final decision will always be based upon which option offers the best value for money for the taxpayer.

TRANSPORT

  Departmental Contracts
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contracts his Department has recently awarded to(a) TNO (Netherlands), (b) IAV (Germany), (c) AVL (Austria), (d) FEV (Germany) and (e) IKA (Germany). [72200]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department has no contracts with those companies.

  Cranford Agreement
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 26 November 2001,Official Report, column 616W, if he will place a copy of the Cranford Agreement in the Library; when he expects to have completed the review of it; if he will list the parties involved in the Cranford Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the status of the agreement. [72431]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The arrangement normally referred to as the Cranford Agreement is believed to date from 31 July 1952. It would appear that it was an undertaking given by a senior airport official during a local public meeting of the Cranford Residents and District Amenities Association, which was attended on that occasion by the Minister of Civil Aviation ("Mr. Lenox-Boyd"). If there was a written record, it appears not to have survived. The evidence given by the former DETR to the Terminal 5 Inquiry in July 1997 includes a fuller account and history of the undertaking, and I have placed an extract from that evidence in the Library. Our aim is to complete the technical review stage this year. I will then issue a consultation paper.

  Press Office
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) full time equivalents were employed by his press office and (b) secondees were placed in his press office in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [70535]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: Detailed information on the numbers of permanent press officers employed in departmental press offices during the financial years 1997–98 were provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on The Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770) in July 1998. Copies are in the Libraries of the House.
  962W
  The number of full time equivalent press officers employed in the relevant departmental press office on 1 January for subsequent years were:

  Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (Central)

  Year

  Numbers

  1999

  34.3

  2000

  40.8

  2001

  38.0

  Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Central)

  Year

  Numbers

  2002

  27.8

  Secondees to the press office during the full calendar years for which information is available were:

  Year

  Numbers

  1999

  0

  2000

  1

  2001

  5

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the speeches made by Ministers with responsibility for transport issues to external organisations between 1 January and 31 May. [71449]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Ministers responsible for transport issues have undertaken a very wide range of speaking engagements between 1 January and 31 May 2002. A record of all speeches is not held centrally. Archived DTLR speech material can be viewed at www.dtlr.gov.uk/about/ministers/speeches/index.htm

  Departmental Reorganisation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes there have been in the total wage expenditure budget since the departmental reorganisation in June; and if he will make a statement. [70712]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There have been no changes in the total pay budget associated with the Department of Transport., Local Government and the Regions' total administration resources. The division of these resources between the two new departments—the Department for Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister—is currently being finalised. However, no additional resources are being made available from the Exchequer as a result of the departmental reorganisation.

  European and International Business
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work is being undertaken in his Department by the division responsible for European and International Business; and if he will make a statement. [70655]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 July 2002,Official Report, columns 455–56W.

  Travel Times
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the differences between travel times road users would achieve in free-flowing conditions and the travel times they actually achieve, in average time lost per kilometre driven(a) on inter-urban trunk roads, (b) on roads in large urban areas, (c) in other urban areas, (d) in London, (e) in all other areas and (f) on all roads in each of the last three years. [71316]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: We hope to publish a year 2000 baseline figure for congestion.

  Transport Benchmarks
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the benchmark is for(a) accessibility, (b) punctuality, (c) reliability and (d) use of local public transport against which the PSA targets for transport contained in the 2002 Spending Review are set. [71620]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The underlying target of increasing the use of local public transport (bus and light rail) by more than 12 per cent. by 2010 will be measured against the baseline figure of 3,881 million passenger journeys by light rail and local bus services in England in 2000–01.

  We are considering the most appropriate means of measuring improvements to accessibility, punctuality and reliability in relation to this target.

  Fuel Reduction Technology
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on providing collaboration funding for development of fuel reduction technology with British companies; and whether it is the policy of his Department to seek tenders for other European companies before awarding such funding. [72317]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department's New Vehicle Technology Fund supports the development of clean and low-carbon vehicles and technologies The Fund invites proposals and provides funding towards the costs of successful projects.

  Invitations and funding are not restricted to British companies and applications currently being assessed involve a range of British, European and international collaborators.

  Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of road journeys in the UK were made by vehicles powered by biodiesel and alternatively fuelled vehicles in 2001. [72820]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is not possible to provide figures in the form requested; traffic data collected by the Department for Transport (DfT) is collected according to vehicle type not propulsion type. Calculating the proportion of journeys for cars powered by alternative fuels such as biodiesel is extremely difficult as they are almost always capable of running on pure conventional fuels.
  964W
  The DfT publishes figures for the total number of vehicles registered according to propulsion type based on DVLA records. As table 1 shows, in 2001, of a total of 29,747,100 vehicles licensed in the UK, 46,700 were alternatively powered, representing 0.16 per cent. of total registrations. This figures does not include vehicles capable of being solely or partially powered by biofuels for the reason outlined earlier.

  Table 1. Breakdown of vehicles licensed in the UK in 200] according to propulsion type

  Thousand

  Number

  Petrol

  23,219.0

  Diesel

  6,481.5

  Petrol/gas

  24.0

  Gas/gas Bifuel/Gas-diesel

  6.0

  Electric and hybrid electric

  15.1

  Steam/fuel cells

  1.6

  All

  29,747.1

  Further information is available from the DtT's traffic statistics website at: http://www.transtat.dft.gov.uk.

  But this understates the number of alternatively-fuelled vehicles because not all conversions to alternative fuelling are notified to DVLA. There are currently estimated to be over 100,000 alternatively fuelled vehicles in the UK, the vast majority of which are LPG cars.

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of the Traffic Area Network and the Vehicle Inspectorate. [72955]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Following an internal departmental review, I intend to establish a new executive agency (name to be determined) on 1 April 2003 to bring together the work of the Traffic Area Network and the Vehicle Inspectorate. The new agency will play a key role in promoting safe, fair and environmentally responsible road haulage and bus industries. It will also provide support for Traffic Commissioners in their role of regulating the road haulage and bus industries.

  The agency will be one of four executive agencies which make up the Driver, Vehicle and Operator (DVO) group of agencies within my Department. The other agencies are the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). The creation of this new agency within the DVO group will allow a more joined up and customer-focused approach to the services provided to road transport industry, and better targeted enforcement to the benefit of road safety. Traffic Commissioners will be wholly independent of the new agency in the same way that they are independent of TAN and VI now.

  The new agency is a positive, practical demonstration of the Government's commitment to promoting road safety and delivery of modern customer services.

  Hydrogen Fuel
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the time horizons for the likely impact of hydrogen fuel cell technology on road vehicles. [72201]
  965W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government in December published and invited comment on its proposed "Powering Future Vehicles" strategy for promoting the development, introduction and take-up of new low-carbon vehicles and fuels, including hydrogen fuel cell technology. Following wide consultation, the strategy will be finalised and issued shortly. I shall send the hon. Member a copy of the document.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding his Department is providing for development of hydrogen fuel cell technology. [72202]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Mmister for Energy and Construction.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the number of fraudulent driving licences in circulation. [72108]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is not possible to provide the estimate which the hon. Member is seeking.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the bar code on the(a) driving licence card and (b) counterpart driving licence accesses information additional to the information contained on the face of the driving licence card and the counterpart driving licence. [72116]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The bar codes on these two documents are only for processing purposes. They do not allow access to any additional information.

  Cycling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a bicycle awareness campaign. [71929]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department is currently developing a cycle safety campaign for teenagers which it intends to launch in early 2003. This is a new departmental commitment and complements existing material for younger cyclists.

  Roads
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what national guidelines there are on the use of road signs alerting road users to the presence of cyclists. [71718]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The primary guidance on the use of traffic signs to alert road users to the presence of cyclists is contained in Chapter 4 of the Traffic Signs Manual, "Warning Signs". Further general guidance on cycle signing is given in Local Transport Note 2–87 "Signs for Cycle Facilities". There is also a wide range of Traffic Advisory Leaflets dealing with the provision of special facilities for cyclists, including guidance on how these should be signed.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road users in the Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr constituency had accidents in the last year for which figures are available; and what the UK average is. [71763]
  966W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Information is not available for parliamentary constituencies. The table gives the number of casualties in road accidents in 2000 and the number of casualties per 100,000 population in the Carmarthenshire unitary authority and the UK.

  Road casualties and casualty rates per 100,000 population: 2000

  Carmarthenshire

  UK

  Road casualties

  856

  335,003

  Casualty rate per 100,000

  506

  560

  The casualty rate is the number of casualties per 100,000 people.

  Congestion
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the loss of time per kilometre in hours for drivers and passengers on roads in(a) England and (b) Great Britain in each of the last three years as a result of congestion. [71323]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: We hope to publish the year 2000 baseline for congestion in the autumn.

  Road and Bridge Maintenance
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2002,Official Report, column 668W, on road and bridge maintenance, if he will place copies of the assessment made by his Department on the condition of roads and bridges as set out by the local transport plans and annual progress reports submitted by the highways authorities last year in the Library; and what assessment he has made of the annual progress reports, submitted by the highways authorities last year, as to the progress made in road and bridge maintenance. [71376]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: The individual assessments of the highway maintenance elements of the Local Transport Plans and Annual Progress Reports were rough working documents. For this reason I have not placed them in the Library. Feedback on the assessments is provided to authorities in their decision letters.

  The Annual Progress Reports (APRs) for 2001 showed that most authorities had made progress towards halting the deterioration in the condition of principal roads by 2004, and were tackling the strengthening and structural maintenance work outstanding on bridges. This is of course as a result of the increased investment in roads.

  A140
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for(a) bypasses, (b) road widening and (c) road schemes on the A 140. [71866]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The A140, from Norwich to the A14 in Suffolk, was detrunked in May 2001 and is now the responsibility of Norfolk and Suffolk county councils. The Councils are jointly developing a route management strategy for the A 140, which is expected to be completed later this year. The Strategy will identify a future programme of improvements along this route. Any road
  967W
  improvement schemes, which are identified through this study, will be for the local authority to take forward within the context of their local transport plan.

  "In Town Without My Car! Day"
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote and facilitate local authorities participation in the "In Town Without My Car! Day"; and if he will make a statement. [71228]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department established a website www.itwmc.gov.uk and appointed a national co-ordinator to give advice to local authorities and others who wish to participate in the European "In Town Without My Car!" campaign on 22 September 2002. The closing date for local authorities to register formal participation is Friday 19 July. By 18 July, 36 authorities had registered.

  Drink-driving
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crashes in which people were(a) killed, (b) seriously injured, (c) slightly injured and (d) not injured on roads in England and Wales were caused by a driver who was over the drink-drive limit in each of the last 10 years. [70956]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Estimates of the numbers of road accidents in Great Britain which involved personal injury and where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit are given in the table. Information on the number of accidents involving drink-driving where injuries did not occur is not available.

  Estimates of accidents involving illegal alcohol levels: Great Britain 1991–2000

  Number of accidents

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  1991

  570

  2,590

  8,530

  11,690

  1992

  540

  2,360

  7,890

  10,790

  1993

  460

  1,870

  7,160

  9,480

  1994

  470

  2,090

  7,330

  9,900

  1995

  460

  2,140

  7,590

  10,180

  1996

  480

  2,150

  8,240

  10,870

  1997

  470

  2,140

  8,100

  10,710

  1998

  410

  1,860

  7,840

  10,100

  1999

  400

  1,850

  8,800

  11,050

  20001

  430

  1,950

  9,410

  11,780

  1 Provisional

  Harbours
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) fishing and (b) non-fishing harbours there are in each country and region of the UK. [72563]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department does not keep information on the exact overall numbers of harbours in the UK. There are 74 Fishery Harbours in England and 21 in Wales, listed in Schedule 4 to the Sea Fish Industry Act 1951. Responsibility for fishery harbours in Scotland is a devolved matter and related questions should therefore be addressed to the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis he classes harbours as(a) fishing and (b) non-fishing. [72562]
  968W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Fishery Harbours in England and Wales are designated by virtue of being listed in Schedule 4 of the Sea Fish Industry Act 1951. There is no process of designating general harbours. Responsibility for harbour legislation in Scotland is a devolved matter and related questions should therefore be addressed to the Scottish Parliament.

  Housing
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on the transport implications of the Deputy Prime Minister's oral statement on housing of 18 July. [72111]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State and the Deputy Prime Minister have regular discussions on a range of issues of mutual interest.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to revise(a) the 10-Year Transport Plan and (b) the SRA 10-Year Plan to accord with the Deputy Prime Minister's oral statement on housing strategy on 18 July. [72113]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Deputy Prime Minister's statement on housing strategy will be taken into account in any future review of either Plan.

  Mersey Passenger Transport Authority
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the experience and qualifications in rail expertise in the Mersey Passenger Transport Authority. [72486]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 11 July 2002,Official Report, column 1114W.

  Rail Freight
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guarantee he has had from the French Government that previous levels of cross channel rail freight will be resumed; and when he expects the full and reliable 100 services each way each week to be achieved. [72093]

  Mr. Spellar
  After their meeting on 12 July, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the French Interior Minister announced that they would visit in September to confirm the effectiveness of security measures taken to ensure normal service.

  A full and reliable service is one which meets demand. Immediately prior to the current disruptions the scheduled inbound service was 96 trains per week.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made towards rail freight targets under the 10-year plan. [72092]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority set out in its Freight Strategy last year the detailed plans for achieving the significant rail freight growth envisaged by the Government's 10-year plan for Transport. During the financial year 2001–02, the first full year of the plan, the amount of rail freight moved has grown by 9 per cent.

  We will be producing a review of the 10-year plan later in the year.

  West Coast Main Line
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Strategic Rail Authority to present its report on the upgrading of the West Coast Main Line. [71725]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The SRA are currently expecting their draft strategy for the West Coast Main Line to be issued for consultation in September.

  Train Operating Companies
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue has been lost by train operating companies in each of the past five years as a result of(a) no staff being available to collect fares on services and (b) staff being unable to proceed along trains owing to overcrowding. [71538]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None. Revenue protection is a matter for the train operating companies. It is in their commercial interest to ensure that passengers travel with valid tickets.

  Rail Journey Times
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the reduction in rail journey times in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [71155]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: The Strategic Rail Authority generally considers journey time improvements at the level of specific routes or investment propositions.

  Trains (Punctuality)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what figures he has collated relating to the(a) punctuality and (b) reliability of trains as given under the former Passenger's Charter measure, in each of the last three years. [71059]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: Passenger's Charter data are still published by individual TOCs but are no longer collated by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). They have been superseded by Public Performance Measure (PPM) which, unlike the Passengers' Charter data covers all trains, on all lines, all days of the week.

  Performance data are published quarterly by the SRA in 'On Track' (copies of which are in the Libraries of the House).

  Annual Rail Freight Conference
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place a copy of the speech made by the Minister for Transport on 20 June to the annual rail freight conference in the Library. [70644]

  Mr. Spellar
  A copy has now been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Rail Investment Programmes
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in real terms(a) rail investment programmes for 2002 and (b) projected plans for 2003. [72462]
  970W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The prioritised programme for rail investment was set out in the SRA's Strategic Plan. Individual investment projects within programmes such as the Rail Passenger Partnership fund and the freight grant scheme are appraised on an on-going basis.

  Air Services (Scotland)
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Government will publish the transportation document on the future of Scotland's air services and airports. [72439]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We are today publishing the consultation document on the future of air transport in Scotland, which has been prepared jointly with the Scottish Executive.

  Aviation White Paper
  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to meet the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association to discuss the forthcoming Aviation White Paper. [71849]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State has no plans to meet the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association. The UAVSA will, however, be sent a copy of the Department's consultation paper on development options at airports around the UK, to which the Association may respond. If the Association has other concerns it wishes to raise then it should make representations to the relevant departmental officials.

  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecast he has made of the change in the numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles over the next five years; what assessment he has made of the safety and economic benefits of unmanned aerial vehicles; and what assessment he has made of the civilian and commercial[ applications of unmanned aerial vehicle systems. [71841]

  Mr. Jamieson
  It is difficult to forecast the change in numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the next five years, but the CAA has established a framework to help ensure that any future UAV operations are integrated safely and with minimal impact on existing, airspace users.

  The CAA's Directorate of Airspace Policy has published a guidance document, "Guidance for UAV Operations in UK Airspace", designed to provide consolidated information for UAV operators, both military and civil. The CAA is awaiting applications from Industry to fly UAVs but to date there has been little Interest.

  Flight BA 2069
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who invited the Civil Aviation Authority to participate in the investigation of the incident on flight BA 2069; on what date the Civil Aviation Authority began its investigation; and what the brief was of that investigation. [71233]

  Mr. Jamieson
  British Airways notified the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the incident on the day it occurred, 29 December 2000, and immediately began its own investigation. The CAA has monitored and reviewed
  971W
  the British Airways investigation throughout as part of its ongoing regulatory oversight of UK airlines. As a result, 12 new safety requirements were issued to all UK operators on 18 September 2001.

  The Government asked the CAA to keep it advised of the progress of its review and the completed review was sent to the then Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on 23 January 2002. An abbreviated version was placed in the Libraries of bosh Houses.

  Thameslink
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his predecessor received the report of the inspector following the public inquiry into proposals by Thameslink; and what the earliest and latest dates are which he has set for a decision. [72087]

  Mr. McNulty
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Inspector provided his report on the inquiry into the Thameslink 2000 scheme in January this year. He later provided two addenda reports in May and June. These reports will be published when we make an announcement on this scheme, which we expect to do shortly.

CABINET OFFICE

  Government Car and Despatch Agency
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he will publish the Government Cm and Despatch Agency's annual report and accounts 2001–02. [73104]

  Title

  Opening date for responses

  Closing date for responses

  National Gallery/National Portrait Gallery Review: stage one consultation

  8 January 2001

  30 January 2001

  National Heritage Memorial Fund Review: stage one consultation

  4 April 2001

  25 May 2001

  Report of the Gambling Review Body

  17 July 2001

  31 October 2001

  National Museum of Science and Industry Review: stage one consultation

  1 August 2001

  19 October 2001

  Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum/Museum of London Review: stage one consultation

  8 August 2000

  12 October 2001

  Consultation on the draft Digital Television Action Plan

  12 October 2001

  2 January 2001

  English Heritage Review: stage one consultation

  16 October 2001

  11 January 2002

  Public Lending Right. Quinquennial Performance Review: Consultation Paper

  13 November 2001

  1 February 2002

  Quinquennial Review on the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  19 November 2001

  8 February 2002

  National Maritime Museum Quinquennial Performance Review

  22 November 2001

  8 February 2002

  Consultation on Media Ownership Rules

  26 November 2001

  25 January 2002

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester: Quinquennial Performance Review

  5 December 2001

  28 February 2002

  Spectrum Planning Consultation

  11 December 2001

  12 April 2002

  Council of Europe—Convention on the Protection of Audiovisual Heritage*

  20 December 2001

  19 March 2002

  Review of Progress toward digital switchover

  14 February 2002

  8 May 2002

  Regent's Park Sports Facilities Consultations

  18 March 2002

  10 May 2002

  UK's Open General Export Licensing (OGEL) Limits

  19 April 2002

  14 June 2002

  Changes to Licensing Hours during All New Year's Eves

  24 April 2002

  19 June 2002

  The Draft Communications Bill

  7 May 2002

  2 August 2002

  Prize Competitions

  23 May 2002

  31 August 2002

  National Lottery Licensing and Regulation Consultation

  27 June 2002

  30 September 2002

  Note:

  All consultations were available in print and all were available on-line except for those indicated with a *.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies. [70981]

  Dr. Howells
  None—all consultation documents were made available as paper copies.
  972W
  Mr. Alexander
  I have today laid the GCDA annual report and accounts 2001–02 before Parliament, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Regulatory Assessment
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the baseline measures for overall compliance with the regulatory assessment process will be published; and if he will make a statement. [69535]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office is currently undertaking work to calculate a baseline measure for overall compliance with the regulatory impact assessment process. Some further work remains to be done to validate the data underlying the baseline. However, it is currently expected that the Cabinet Office will be in a position to publish the baseline measure before the end of the financial year.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Consultation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation(a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (cl) the date the time period given for responses closed [69794]

  Dr. Howells
  The Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation applies to all formal national public consultation documents issued by Departments from 1 January 2001 and the information requested is not available before that date. Since 2001, the details are as follows:

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complaints her Department has received about its 2001 consultations in electronic or printed form. [70980]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department received two complaints in electronic or printed form about the consultation process of its 2001 consultations.
  973W
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how long her Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form. [70976]

  Document name

  Total time allowed for consultation

  National Gallery/National Portrait Gallery Review: stage one consultation

  3 weeks

  National Heritage Memorial Fund Review: stage one consultation

  7 weeks and 2 days

  Report of the Gambling Review Body

  15 weeks

  National Museum of Science & Industry Review: stage one consultation

  11 weeks and 2 days

  Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum/Museum of London Review: stage one consultation

  9 weeks and 2 days

  Consultation on the draft Digital Television Action Plan

  12 weeks

  English Heritage Review: stage one consultation

  12 weeks

  Public Lending Right. Quinquennial Performance Review: Consultation Paper

  11 weeks

  Quinquennial Review on the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  12 weeks

  National Maritime Museum Quinquennial Performance Review

  11 weeks and 1 day

  Consultation on Media Ownership Rules

  9 weeks

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester Quinquennial Performance Review

  12 weeks

  Spectrum Planning Consultation

  Extended to 17 weeks

  Council of Europe—Convention on the Protection of Audiovisual Heritage*

  12 weeks and 5 days

  Review of Progress towards digital switchover

  12 weeks

  Regent's Park Sports Facilities Consultation

  8 weeks

  UK's Open General Export Licensing (OGEL) Limits

  8 weeks

  Changes to Licensing Hours during All New Year's Eves

  8 weeks

  The Draft Communications Bill

  12 weeks

  Prize Competitions

  14 weeks

  National Lottery Licensing and Regulations Consultation

  13 weeks and 2 days

  Note:

  All of these were available in both electronic and printed form, except for the one marked with an*, which was available only in printed form.

  National Lottery
  Ann McKechin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimates her Department has made of the effect on the income for good causes of the rebranding and relaunch of the National Lottery. [71726]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has made no separate assessment of the financial impact of this part of Camelot's marketing expenditure; and it would be difficult to make a meaningful assessment at this stage.

  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements she has made to take forward the review of the National Lottery announced on 20 March. [72871]

  Tessa Jowell
  The review is to be in two parts, one dealing with licensing arrangements and the other looking at distribution of Lottery funding to good causes. A consultation paper on the licensing process was published on 27 June.

  I will publish a consultation document on the distribution of Lottery funding to good causes on 29 July. The document is intended to initiate a process of public consultation and I wish to encourage as many people as possible to contribute to the debate.

  I will arrange to deposit copies of the consultation document in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Title of public consultation

  Closing date

  Website address

  UK's Open General Export Licensing (OGEL) Limits

  4 June 2002

  www.communicationsbill.gov.uk

  Changes to Licensing Houses during All New Year's Eve

  19 June 2002

  www.culture.gov.uk

  The Draft Communications Bill

  2 August 2002

  www.culture.gov.uk

  Prize Competitions

  31 August 2002

  www.culture.gov.uk

  National Lottery Licensing and Regulation Consultation

  30 September 2002

  www.culture.gov.uk

  974W
  Dr. Howells
  The following table indicates the length of time allowed for consultation on each consultation published in 2001.

  Sporting Talent
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what she is doing to nurture future sporting talent among young people. [72045]

  Mr. Caborn
  This Department is working in partnership with the Department for Education and Skills to improve access to and the quality of PE, school sport and club links for 5 to 16-year-olds. Gifted and talented sportspeople, specifically, will benefit from: a national support network based around specialist sports colleges; a programme of summer schools and performance camps; a much stronger emphasis on sporting talent within all parts of our national strategy for gifted and talented education; improved coaching; and stronger links between schools and sports clubs. As far as the last is concerned, we aim to increase the numbers of children and young people moving into sports specific junior clubs in seven major sports from 386,000 now to 1 million by 2006.

  Public Consultations
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public consultations have been commenced by her Department since 1 April; and what the(a) closing date and (b) website address of each were. [72072]

  Dr. Howells
  The following table shows all public consultations commissioned by the Department since 1 April, and the(a) closing date and (b) website address of each consultation.

  Sport
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Interdepartmental Group on Sport has discussed the relationship of sport and health; and what conclusions were reached. [72235]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Interdepartmental Group on sport which includes my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health, has discussed a wide range of issues related to sport policy, including the relationship of sport and health. It is agreed that the promotion of sport can play a valuable role in improving health across the population and we have been working closely with the Department of Health to ensure the co-ordination of sport and health policy.

  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about progress achieved towards meeting the aim of significantly raising the time spent on sport and physical activity by five to 16-year-olds. [72234]

  Mr. Caborn
  We have no data on overall progress as yet. The baseline was set by Sport England's Young People and Sport survey, last carried out in 1999. The survey will be repeated this year in June (with results available in December) and again in 2004. However, there are indicators of performance from individual programmes that suggest a positive trend overall. For example by September this year there will be 142 Specialist Sports Colleges supporting 742 SSCos and 3,576 Primary Link Teachers and 45 Sports Partnerships have been established to enable young people to participate in sport more frequently, improve their skills, and compete at various levels.

  Sport England
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she expects the number of staff positions at Sport England which have a remuneration package worth over £50,000 per annum to increase by 2005–06. [72472]

  Mr. Caborn
  Sport England expect that the number of staff receiving remuneration packages worth over £50,000 will increase from 14 to 26 by 2005–06. This is due mainly to the regrading of the Regional Director posts and the creation of a new post of Head of Placements and Alliances under the proposed restructuring of Sport England.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grant-in-aid to(a) Sport England, (b) UK Sport, (c) Sports Scotland, (d) the Sports Council for Wales and (e) the Sports Council for Northern Ireland has been in each year since 1972. [72467]

  Mr. Caborn
  Grant-in-aid provided to Sport England and UK Sport is as follows. Funding for sport in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter and an issue for those administrations.

  £ million

  Year

  GBSC

  ESC

  UKSC

  1972–73

  3.6

  —

  —

  1973–74

  5.0

  —

  —

  1974–75

  6.6

  —

  —

  1975–76

  8.3

  —

  —

  1976–77

  10.2

  —

  —

  1977–78

  11.5

  —

  —

  976W

  £ million

  Year

  GBSC

  ESC

  UKSC

  1978–79

  15.2

  —

  —

  1979–80

  15.6

  —

  —

  1980–81

  19.3

  —

  —

  1981–82

  21.0

  —

  —

  1982–83

  28.0

  —

  —

  1983–84

  27.1

  —

  —

  1984–85

  28.6

  —

  —

  1985–86

  30.1

  —

  —

  1986–87

  37.4

  —

  —

  1987–88

  37.2

  —

  —

  1988–89

  38.4

  —

  —

  1989–91

  41.9

  —

  —

  1990–91

  44.8

  —

  —

  1991–92

  46.7

  —

  —

  1992–93

  48.6

  —

  —

  1993–94

  50.6

  —

  —

  1994–95

  48.9

  —

  —

  1995–96

  49.3

  —

  —

  1996–97

  28.2

  15.2

  4.0

  1997–98

  —

  33.7

  11.8

  1998–99

  —

  136.5

  11.6

  1999–2000

  —

  137.9

  12.6

  2000–01

  —

  138.0

  12.6

  2001–02

  —

  143.2

  17.6

  2002–03

  —

  153.3

  19.6

  2003–04

  —

  178.3

  19.6

  1Includes funding for Sportsmatch

  Notes:

  GBSC Great Britain Sports Council;

  ESC = English Sports Council;

  UKSC:= United Kingdom Sports Council (established in September 1996 and became fully operational in January 1997)

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 1 July 2002,Official Report, column 123W, what assessment has been made of the impact on national governing bodies of the reduction in their Exchequer grant aid from 2000–01 to 2002–03. [72595]

  Mr. Caborn
  The grant that it pays to national governing bodies of sport is a matter for Sport England. The total amount that Sport England has paid to national governing bodies has increased each year from 2000–01 to 2002–03.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 1 July 2002,Official Report, column 123W, if she will provide a breakdown of Sport England's regional support, listing the budget heads for (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [72503]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information is set out in the following table.

  Sport England grant-in-aid regional support

  £000

  2002–03

  2003–02

  2004–01

  Activities

  School sports co-ordinators

  15,000

  5,038

  —

  Sportsmatch

  3,550

  3,550

  3,373

  Active schools

  1,625

  1,587

  1,999

  Active sports

  —

  843

  1,680

  Equity and social inclusion

  801

  770

  959

  Active communities

  1,098

  1,169

  529

  Positive futures

  320

  508

  235

  Training

  436

  772

  828

  Regional sports boards

  297

  247

  255

  Places—participation

  378

  365

  348

  Places-environment

  553

  454

  525

  977W

  Sport England grant-in-aid regional support

  £000

  2002–03

  2003–02

  2004–01

  Other

  114

  44

  129

  Total

  24,172

  15,347

  10,860

  £

  Exchequer grants to NGBs

  2002–031

  2001–022

  2000–012

  Angling—National Federation of Anglers

  40,000

  80,500

  45,625

  Angling—National Federation of Sea Anglers

  47,000

  38,250

  30,000

  Angling—Salmon/Trout Association

  40,000

  32,000

  25,000

  Archery—Grand National Archery Society

  15,000

  —

  —

  Association Football—Football Association

  144,000

  108,000

  132,000

  Athletics—Amateur Athletics Association

  293,000

  293,000

  193,000

  Badminton—Badminton Association of England

  280,000

  280,000

  280,000

  Basketball—English Basketball Association

  454,000

  473,334

  457,500

  Boxing—Amateur boxing Association

  95,000

  98,000

  49,333

  Canoeing—British Canoe Union

  208,000

  200,000

  200,000

  Cricket—England and Wales Cricket Board

  205,000

  284,500

  266,917

  Cycling—British Cycling Federation

  300,000

  270,000

  270,000

  Equestrian—British Equestrian Federation

  40,000

  40,000

  40,000

  Fencing—British Fencing Association

  65,000

  50,000

  45,000

  Fitness—Exercise Association of England

  —

  —

  28,000

  Golf—Golf Foundation

  92,000

  92,000

  94,000

  Gymnastics—British Amateur Gymnastics Association

  200,000

  201,000

  200,000

  Hockey—English Hockey Network

  450,000

  450,000

  470,000

  Ice Skating—National Ice Skating Association

  25,000

  16,750

  25,000

  Judo—British Judo Association

  125,000

  121,000

  79,550

  Karate—English Karate Governing Body

  35,000

  16,250

  31,250

  Lacrosse—English Lacrosse Association

  140,000

  151,250

  213,750

  Mountaineering—British Mountaineering Association

  65,000

  65,000

  72,000

  Movement and Dance—English Amateur Dancesport

  8,000

  8,500

  8,500

  Movement and Dance—English Folk Song and Dance Society

  17,000

  17,000

  17,000

  Movement and Dance—Health and Beauty Exercise Association

  15,000

  15,500

  15.000

  Movement and Dance—Keep Fit Association

  36,000

  36,667

  37,333

  Movement and Dance—Margaret Morris Movement

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Movement and Dance—CCPR

  42,000

  42,000

  27,913

  Movement and Dance—Medau Society

  20,000

  20,000

  20,000

  Netball—All England Netball Association

  442,000

  460,000

  447,500

  Rowing—Amateur Rowing Association

  265,000

  250,000

  200,000

  British Amateur Rugby League Association

  150,000

  320,000

  320,000

  Rugby League Joint Policy Board

  190,000

  —

  —

  Rugby Football—Rugby Football Union

  200,000

  225,312

  297,188

  Rugby Football—RFU for Women

  141,000

  150,000

  131,666

  Sailing—Royal Yachting Association

  135,000

  130,000

  100,000

  Shooting—English Shooting Council

  6,750

  24,125

  7,000

  Skiing—English Skiing Council

  40,000

  30,000

  50,000

  Squash—Squash Rackets Association

  248,000

  242,500

  252,500

  Swimming—Amateur Swimming Association

  340,000

  340,000

  330,000

  Table Tennis—English Table Tennis Association

  435,000

  435,000

  450.000

  Triathlon—British Triathlon Association

  75,000

  40,000

  30,000

  Volleyball—English Volleyball Association

  208,000

  208,000

  208,000

  Water Skiing—British water Skiing Federation

  35,000

  35,000

  35,000

  Weightlifting—British Amateur Weightlifting Association

  40,000

  40,000

  40,000

  Wrestling—British Amateur Wrestling Association

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Petanque—British Petanque Association

  5,000

  —

  3,750

  Caving—National Caving Association

  5,000

  5,000

  5,000

  Handball—British Handball Association

  7,000

  7,000

  7,000

  Orienteering—British Orienteering Federation

  90,000

  90,000

  82,500

  Rounders—National Rounders Association

  32,000

  32,000

  23,500

  Surfing—Surf Life Saving Association

  7,000

  4,612

  6,787

  Real Tennis—Tennis and Racquets Association

  11,000

  12,000

  12,000

  Tug-of-War Association

  3,000

  6,583

  4,567

  Softball—British Softball Association

  25,000

  25,000

  25,000

  Yoga—British Wheel of Yoga

  10,000

  10,000

  7,084

  Baseball—British Baseball Federation

  16,000

  16,000

  16,000

  British Roller Sports Federation

  20,000

  —

  —

  English Ice Hockey Association

  20,000

  —

  —

  Modern Pentathlon Association

  5,000

  —

  —

  Governing Body Development Grants

  6,722,750

  6,658,633

  6,485,713

  1 Annual budget

  22 Actual

  978W
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for (Culture, Media and Sport what the value of Sport England's Exchequer grant aid is to each national governing bodies for(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [72475]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information is set out in the following table.
  979W
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list how many staff positions at Sport England have a remuneration package worth over £50,000 per annum for(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [72474]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is as follows:

  2000–01: 14

  2001–02: 14

  2002–03: 23.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what instructions Sport England has been given about senior executive salary ranges. [72471]

  Mr. Caborn
  No instructions have been given to Sport England on the salary ranges of its senior executives.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on staffing levels in(a) Sport England headquarters and (b) its regional offices for (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03. [72468]

  Mr. Caborn
  Details of staff levels are in the table.

  Headquarters

  Regional offices

  Complement

  In post

  Complement

  In post

  2000–01

  328

  268

  170

  159

  2001–02

  345

  272

  209

  178

  2002–031

  182

  —

  291

  —

  1 Proposed

  Sport England estimates that its restructuring will result in savings of £1.2 million a year.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission whether the Commission has considered the National Audit Office's Corporate Plan for 2003–04 to 2005–06. [73004]

  Mr. Alan Williams
  At its meeting on 9 July 2002 the Commission examined the Comptroller and Auditor General and officials of the National Audit Office on the NAO's Corporate Plan for 2003–04 to 2005–06. The plan envisages an increase in spending by the NAO for 2003–04 of some 10 per cent. compared with the current financial year. The additional funding is required for four main purposes: to implement the wide-ranging recommendations of the Sharman report on public expenditure audit: to maintain service to Parliament at a time of rapid public expenditure growth and more complex service delivery mechanisms; to strengthen the audit of revenue departments; and to enable the NAO to increase from 50 to 60, over time, the number of Value for Money studies it carries out annually, as proposed by the Commission and agreed with the Public Accounts Committee.

  After satisfying itself on a number of points, including the robustness of the NAO's expenditure plans and its response to comments contained in external evaluations of its Value for Money studies, the Commission approved the Corporate Plan.
  980W
  A transcript of the evidence given by the NAO to the Commission will be placed in the Library shortly. A report containing more details about the Commission's activities, including its own response to the Sharman report, together with further information provided by the NAO in response to questions from the Commission, will be published in due course.

SCOTLAND

  Refurbishment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost of refurbishing each ministerial private office was in each year since May 1997. [37824]

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

  Ministerial offices are decorated or refurbished as part of a rolling programme. in accordance with the terms of the buildings' lease. Redecoration work was carried out during 2001–02 in ministerial offices in my Department's London building. Final costs are not yet available but are likely to be around £20,000.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people have been employed by her Department in each of the last three years under(a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds. [44920]

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

  Since that date my Department has employed one person under the New Deal for Young People, one under the New Deal for Over 50s and two under the New Deal for Lone Parents. The only costs to my Department have been salary costs.

  Staff Pay
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in her Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03. [50402]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The cost of pay increases to staff in my Department in 2001–02 was £91,000. Details of the cost of pay awards for 2002–03 are not yet available.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters were received by each Minister in her Department in each month since June 1997. [59309]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on Parliament on the volume of Members' correspondence received by Departments. The report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002,Official Report, columns 673–76W. Copies of previous reports are available in the Library of the House.
  981W
  Records of other correspondence by my Department are not kept centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Press Releases
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press releases were issued by her Department in each month from the creation of her Department in July 1999 to 2001 inclusive. [59471]

  Mrs. Liddell
  From July 1999 to end 2001, the following number of press releases have been issued by my Department (this does not include operational notes issued to the media):

  July 1999: 11

  August 1999: 6

  September 1999: 13

  October 1999: 16

  November 1999: 32

  December 1999: 20

  January 2000: 20

  February 2000: 20

  March 2000: 30

  April 2000: 15

  May 2000: 33

  June 2000: 34

  July 2000: 22

  August 2000: 15

  September 2000: 27

  October 2000: 30

  November 2000: 42

  December 2000: 27

  January 2001: 26

  February 2001: 25

  March 2001: 33

  April 2001: 23

  May 2001: 11

  June 2001: 12

  July 2001: 17

  August 2001: 20

  September 2001: 20

  October 2001: 20

  November 2001: 33

  December 2001: 20.

  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press releases have been issued by her Department in each month of 2002. [59472]

  Mrs. Liddell
  All news releases issued by the Scotland Office are published on the Department's website. The number of news releases issued in 2002 is as follows, and does not include operational notes issued to the media in connection with public engagements carried out by Ministers:

  Up to 19 July:8

  June: 9

  May: 20

  April: 16

  March: 20

  February: 18

  January: 17.

  Eurostar
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the importance of securing a Eurostar link from Scotland to the continent. [60789]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government believe that all areas of the country should have good access to Channel Tunnel rail services.

  The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) have said that they plan to publish a strategy later this year on facilitating rail services through the Channel Tunnel from various parts of Great Britain.

  The SRA announced last year that a consortium led by WS Atkins Consultants has been awarded the contract to undertake a feasibility study to ascertain the need for, and viability of, a new dedicated high speed line between London and the "north".

  The study should report in the latter half of this year. The resultant report will feed into proposals for the implementation of the Government's 10-year plan and will inform an SRA strategy document regarding long-term capacity between London, the Midlands, the north of England and Scotland.

  Outcomes from this study may identify options for greater interconnection between high speed Channel Tunnel services and those from London to Scotland.

  Members of Parliament (Personal Data)
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland hat information is held by her Department on each hon. Member in relation to(a) personal relationships, both current and past, (b) financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002. [61831]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Ministers and officials in this Department have access to published reference sources, as, well as to the information about hon. Members made publicly available by the House authorities, for the purpose of parliamentary business.

  Ministerial Visits (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the(a) date, (b) location and (c) purpose was of visits by Ministers in her Department to Wales since 1997; and when she next intends to visit Wales. [62072]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 17 June 2002]:The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.

  I attended a join ministerial committee in Cardiff on 30 October 2001. All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and Travels by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Neither of my Scotland Office ministerial colleagues has visited Wales in an official capacity and none of us has, at present, any immediate plans to do so.

  Female Staff
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the staff of her Department are women; and what the percentage was in June 1997. [66912]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, on 5 July 2002,Official Report, column 622W.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the(a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case. [68737]

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

  Since that date no officials have undertaken overseas trips on departmental business, other than to accompany Scotland Office Ministers.

  Hewlett Packard
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with(a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) the Scottish Executive regarding the recent redundancies announced by Hewlett Packard. [72442]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have regular discussions with Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise colleagues on a range of issues, including the recent disappointing announcement by Hewlett Packard of the loss of 450 permanent and 180 temporary jobs at its facility in Erskine.

  The Scottish Executive takes the lead in responding to local redundancies. Support will be provided to those affected through the Renfrewshire local response team (LRT) in conjunction with the Executive's PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) framework. This will ensure a rapid response from local agencies in terms of offering advice, support and guidance on the range of retraining/upskilling and employment opportunities.

  Air Services
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Government will publish the transportation document on the future of Scotland's air services and airports. [72435]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport made to the House earlier today at column 848–50.

  Unemployment
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with(a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) the Scottish Executive regarding unemployment in Scotland. [72434]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I last met Scottish Enterprise on 2 July. I also have regular discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers on a wide range of issues. The latest figures show that claimant count unemployment in Scotland has 984W
  fallen by 1,900 over the last year to its lowest level for 25 years. There are 2,388,000 people in work in Scotland, the highest for a generation.

  Funding Policy
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to publication of the third Statement on Funding Policy as it affects Scotland. [72408]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have discussions with Treasury Ministers on a range of subjects. The Statement of Funding Policy sets out the arrangements that govern funding for the devolved administrations. These arrangements provide a fair, transparent and flexible basis for deciding spending plans in Scotland.

  North Sea Tax
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received from oil companies since the announcement of the North Sea tax changes. [72409]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Following the Chancellor's Budget statement, I have had contact with a number of companies involved in oil and gas operations and held a meeting with UKOOA, which represents 31 oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in the UK.

  Anglo-Irish Ministerial Meetings
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when and where Ministers in her Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 June 2000; which Ministers were involved in each meeting; which Irish Government departments were involved in each meeting; and which Ministers and officials from the Irish Government attended each meeting. [72697]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, on 20 June 2002,Official Report, col. 533W.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer with regards to public expenditure in Scotland prior to the publication of the most recent comprehensive spending review. [72407]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have discussions with Treasury Ministers on a range of subjects. I welcome the outcome of the comprehensive spending review, which produced an excellent settlement for Scotland. Our successful management of the economy and sound public finances mean hat, by 2005–06, spending will be £4.1 billion higher in Scotland than in 2002–03. This shows that Scotland continues to benefit from being part of the United Kingdom and that devolution is working for the benefit of all Scotland's people.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General how many people have been employed by her Department in each of the last three years under(a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over-50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds. [44915]

  The Advocate-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland at column 981W.

  Staff Pay
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in her Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03. [50401]

  The Advocate-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland at column 981W.

  Female Staff
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General what percentage of the staff of her Office are women; and what the percentage was in June 1997. [66913]

  The Advocate-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 5 July 2002,Official Report, column 622W.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Consultation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation(a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available ire print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed. [69795]

  Estelle Morris
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies. [69824]

  Estelle Morris
  All consultation documents published by my Department in 2001 were made available in both paper and electronic formats.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether consultation documents published by her Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria as recommended in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. [70086]
  986W
  Estelle Morris
  My Department reproduced the consultation criteria from the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations in 25 per cent. of the consultation documents published in 2001. All on-line consultations have two available links to the Cabinet Office Code of Practice.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department has a designated consultation co-ordinator in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. [69825]

  Estelle Morris
  Yes, my Department does have a designated consultation co-ordinator.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many consultation documents published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form his Department has monitored and evaluated in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultations. [69822]

  Estelle Morris
  All 66 consultations carried out by my Department in 2001 were available electronically, in printed form and were included in the Cabinet Office monitoring and evaluation return for 2001.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many complaints her Department has received about its 2001 consultations by(a) electronic and (b) printed means. [69823]

  Estelle Morris
  I have not received any formal complaints about my Department's 2001 consultations. However, I have responded to feedback from respondents to improve consultations.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what format her Department has published the results of its 2001 written consultations. [69846]

  Estelle Morris
  The favoured format for publication of results is electronic, via the Consultation website at www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations. Other methods have also been used including: press releases, notifying individuals and by placing results in the House of Commons Library.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how long her Department allowed for consultation on each consultation document it published in 2001 in(a) electronic and (b) printed form. [70085]

  Estelle Morris
  Of the 66 consultations my Department published in 2001,36 per cent. allowed 12 weeks or more for consultation, 27 per cent. allowed 8–12 weeks and 18 per cent. under 8 weeks. All consultations were available in printed and electronic formats. In planning consultations with the public, my Department complies with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation, applying formal exemptions where appropriate. The introduction to the Code of Practice also states that"occasionally, being a responsive government means acting quickly, because it is clearly in the public interest to do so".

  Student Funding
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much capital was made available to(a) FE and (b) HE in each of the years 1992–93 to 2001–02 as expressed at 2001–02 prices. [65396]
  987W
  Margaret Hodge
  The capital funding made available was as follows:

  £ million

  Capital funding FE1

  Capital funding HE1

  1992–93

  171

  281

  1993–94

  185

  389

  1994–95

  189

  387

  1995–96

  187

  409

  1996–97

  0

  0

  1997–98

  0

  0

  1998–99

  0

  0

  1999–2000

  42

  167

  2000–01

  56

  243

  2001–022

  136

  381

  1 2001–02 prices

  2 Estimated

  Notes

  1. All figures are in 2001–02 prices, are rounded to £ million and exclude student loans.

  2. All figures from 1992–93 to 2000–01 cover the separately identified capital grants made available by the Department to the Funding Councils.

  3. The division between FE and HE in 1992–93 is based on allocations made by the then Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council (PCFC) and the Universities Funding Council (UFC) respectively.

  4. The figure for HE in 1992–93 includes £9 million expenditure Higher Education outside of the Universities Funding Council.

  5. For 1996–97,1997–98 and 1998–99 no separate capital payments were made and the capital was funded from the Councils' allocations and not disaggregated.

  6. For 1999–2000 and 2000–01, figures cover some additional capital grants made available separately by the Department. Figures for HE in the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 include moneys made available to higher education institutions by the Office of Science and Technology (OST) through the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF).

  7. The figures for 2001–02 cover total capital expenditure by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Higher Education Funding Council (HEFC) themselves which, under resource budgeting form 2001–02, counts as departmental expenditure.

  Sixth Form Colleges
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the additional funding in the spending review will be allocated to sixth form colleges; and when she expects funding for sixth form colleges to be increased to match the level allocated to sixth forms in schools. [71606]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  As a result of the spending review, the core unit of funding per full-time equivalent student for further education colleges will increase 1 per cent. in real terms in each of the next three years in return for improved outcomes from colleges. We will be agreeing new improvement targets with colleges to make sure we maximise the return on these resources. We are now considering further the outcome of the spending review and other decisions on allocations, including to further education, will be announced in the autumn. We remain committed to bringing up the level of funding for colleges towards that of school sixth forms. This will take time and can be done only as resources allow.

  Children's Centres
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the 988W
  activities to be carried out in the Children's Centres referred to in the Chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review; and what funding will be available for them. [71081]

  Estelle Morris
  Children's Centres will provide a core offer of services including high quality early years education and child care. They will also provide extensive parental outreach, family support services and child and family health services.

  The Comprehensive Spending Review announced a £1.5 billion combined budget for child care, early years and Sure Start by 2005–06, which will be committed to the development of integrated services, including the development of new Children's Centres.

  Additional Investment
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much additional investment will result from the spending review for each(a) primary and (b) secondary school in Cheltenham. [71753]

  Estelle Morris
  I will take the decisions on the distribution of the additional resources provided by the spending review between and within the various sectors of education later in the year. Decisions on how each primary and secondary school on Cheltenham will be funded will continue to be taken by Gloucestershire local education authority but typical primary and secondary schools in Cheltenham, as in the rest of England, will get a year-on-year increase of "£10,000 and £50,000 in direct funding through School Standards Grant and devolved formula capital.

  Press Office
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) full time equivalents were employed by her press office and (b) secondees were placed in her press office in the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [70536]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: The following table shows the average number of Press Office-s employed in the DfEE/DfES press office in each of the last 5 years:

  Total (fte)

  1997

  20.5

  1998

  29.5

  1999

  27.5

  2000

  28

  2001

  23

  2002

  26

  In addition, for each of the years an average of eight administrative staff were also employed in the Press Office. Since 2001 there have been two posts available in the press office for short-term secondments for staff from other areas of the Department (posts filled sporadically so not included in table). In 2001 there was one press officer on long-term secondment to the Press Office. Currently there are two. They are included in the table.

  Higher and Further Education
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the expected total of spending
  989W
  on (a) higher and (b) further education was (i) in 2002–03 and 2003–04 before the CSR and (ii) in 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 after the CSR. [71388]

  Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: Prior to the Spending Review 2002, the total publicly planned funding to higher education institutions and on further education in England was:

  £ billion

  Higher education1

  Further education

  2002–03

  6.1

  4.3

  2003–04

  6.4

  4.6

  1 These figures are taken from the grant letter issued to the Higher Education Funding Council for England in November 2001

  The new total allocations for higher and further education in 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 following the Spending Review 2002 will be announced later.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what regulations exist on the space provided for the education of students in further education colleges. [65363]

  Margaret Hodge
  There are no such regulations for further education colleges.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school playing fields have been sold since 1997. [68971]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 was introduced on 1 October 1998 to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields that occurred in the 1980s and early to mid 1990s. There are no central records of how many school playing fields were sold before October 1998.

  A total of 115 applications to sell areas of school playing field larger than a small sports pitch for the under 10s—that is, over 2,000m2, have been approved since October 1998. Some 50 of these approved applications involved sports pitches at closed schools, while a further 17 were at operating schools where the playing fields were no longer used by the schools and were not needed by other local schools. In a further 15 cases, alternative sports pitches have been provided to replace those that have been lost. In all cases, we have ensured that the remaining playing fields would meet the full needs of the schools involved and of other schools in the local area.

  Applications to sell school playing fields are only approved where it is clear that any proceeds will be used to improve school sports provision or education facilities. Some of the proceeds from these approved applications have been earmarked to provide new sports halls and to improve other sports facilities at schools, such as new all-weather pitches and to bring other, poorly drained pitches back into use. The rest of the proceeds are being used to help lever up standards in our schools—for example, by providing modern, up to date, teaching accommodation, such as science and technology classrooms. In a number of cases, the proceeds are to be used to help build new schools or to enable multi site schools to consolidate on to one site.
  990W
  All applications made since 16 July 2001 are scrutinised by the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel to make sure that they meet our published criteria. The panel comprises representatives from the National Playing Fields Association, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, Learning through Landscapes, the National Association of Headteachers and the Local Government Association.

  Dyslexia
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to assist adult students who have ADHD and dyslexia. [70157]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Government is committed to encouraging more students, including those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, to continue in education and training and to raising attainment levels.

  We have introduced a range of legislation designed to ensure that people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are not discriminated against in respect of their access to education and training. As a result the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is required, under section 13 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, to consider the needs of people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in the discharge of its duties to secure facilities for education, training and work experience.

  From September 2002, it will be unlawful for those bodies responsible for the provision of further education, higher education, adult and community learning and youth services to discriminate against disabled students and other disabled people and they will be required to make reasonable adjustments to provision where disabled students or other disabled people might otherwise be substantially disadvantaged.

  In addition we have made available a range of learning and learner support funds to enable access to and participation in post-16 learning. These funds recognise the need for additional support that may arise for an individual with a learning difficulty and/or disability and help us to provide equality of opportunity and tackle social exclusion.

  The department and the LSC are currently reviewing the arrangements for the funding of additional learning support across the post-16 education and training sector and will consider any necessary changes as part of the review.

  Apprenticeships
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the(a) past, (b) current and (c) future funding of (i) HNDs and (ii) HNCs within apprenticeship training. [70296]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Before 1999–2000 the further education funding council provided funding for HNDs and HNCs to colleges and universities; since then funding has come from the higher education funding council for England and is allocated through the council's normal funding method for teaching. HND and HNC courses do not form a compulsory part of apprenticeship training.
  991W
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many modern apprenticeships there were in each of the past 10 years; what the average cost is of a modern apprenticeship; and what percentage of modern apprenticeships are(a) commenced and (b) completed by (i) men and (ii) women. [71133]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  (a) Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (AMA, formerly known as Modern Apprenticeships) were fully operational from September 1995. Foundation Modem Apprenticeships (FMA, formerly known as National Traineeships) were introduced nationally in September 1997.

  The numbers of Modern Apprenticeships (Foundation and Advanced) started are as follows:

  AMA and FMA starts

  % men

  % women

  1995–96

  25,800

  66

  34

  1996–97

  70,300

  54

  46

  1997–98

  84,200

  53

  47

  1998–99

  119,100

  50

  50

  1999–2000

  170,700

  49

  51

  2000–01

  188,300

  49

  51

  2001–021

  167,800

  50

  50

  1 Starts after 25 March 2001 exclude transfers between AMA, FM A and Other (work-based) Training.

  (b) Information on completion of modern apprenticeship (MA) framework is not available.

  An average figure for the cost of a model n apprenticeship is not available because the funding paid to training providers varies according to the length of stay, apprenticeship framework, the occupational sector, the age of the apprentice and from year to year.

  In 2001–02 payments by the Learning and Skills Council to learning providers for AMAs and FMAs amounted to approximately £432.5 million but this does not include other costs such as administration, learner expenses or publicity.

  The funding rates for those in learning on MAs 2002–03, and completing training, are based on the following:

  Advanced modern apprenticeship

  Learners aged 16–18 years

  Learners aged 19–24 years

  Occupational Sector

  Total Funding (£)

  Total Funding (£)

  Agriculture

  6,081

  4,061

  Construction

  13,783

  7,685

  Engineering

  14,560

  8,850

  Manufacturing

  13,135

  8,364

  Transportation

  11,191

  7,423

  Management and Professional

  6,981

  4,304

  Business Administration

  5,822

  4,077

  Retailing and Customer Service

  4,736

  3,552

  Leisure, Sport and Travel

  5,498

  3,834

  Hospitality

  5,316

  3,552

  Hair and Beauty

  6,657

  4,061

  Health, Care and Public Services

  8,181

  5,825

  Media and Design

  9,107

  4,993

  Foundation modern apprenticeship

  Learners aged 16–18 years

  Learners aged 19–24 years

  Occupational Sector

  Total Funding (£)

  Total Funding (£)

  Agriculture

  4,587

  2,379

  Construction

  5,630

  3,641

  Engineering

  6,579

  3,411

  Manufacturing

  4,595

  3,252

  Transportation

  6,878

  3,670

  992W

  Foundation modern apprenticeship

  Learners aged 16–18 years

  Learners aged 19–24 years

  Management and Professional

  4,117

  2,467

  Business Administration

  3,717

  2,353

  Retailing and Customer Service

  3,018

  1,829

  Leisure, Sport and Travel

  3,586

  2,110

  Hospitality

  3,018

  1,829

  Hair and Beauty

  5,622

  2,845

  Health, Care and Public Services

  3,586

  2,379

  Media and Design

  4,000

  2,379

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to replace individual learning accounts with a successor programme; and if she will make a statement. [70450]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: The Government is committed to introducing a successor scheme to Individual Learning Accounts. An announcement will be made in the autumn.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many learning providers have been investigated by the Individual Learning Accounts Compliance Unit since 1 November 2001; and how many prosecutions have taken place. [70447]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: Since 1 November 2001, 698 registered Individual Learning Account (ILA) providers have been referred to the ILA Compliance Unit. Currently 145 providers are being followed up through correspondence; three of these have been referred to the Department's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and a further 17 providers have been subject to visits by the audit review team. 96 other providers have been referred directly to SIU. 77 of those referred to SIU have been passed to the police. So far no prosecutions have resulted from this action. A further 440 providers are awaiting follow-up.

  In total 132 cases have been passed to the SIU; of these, 98 have been referred to the police. To date there have been 45 arrests, which have resulted in 10 people accepting cautions and charges being brought against 13 individuals, 12 of whom are awaiting court appearances. One person has been convicted.

  Arts and Humanities Research Funding
  Mike Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the results were of the review of Arts and Humanities Research Funding announced by the Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education in September 2001. [72880]

  Margaret Hodge
  The review, which was commissioned in conjunction with education Ministers in the devolved Administrations, concluded that the current Arts and Humanities Research Board has done much since its creation in 1998 to establish an effective system for awarding research grants and funding for postgraduate students. It recommended that there should now be a
  993W
  further step, the creation of an Arts and Humanities Research Council. It concludes that this body should have UK-wide responsibilities and the same status as the existing Research Councils, with which it should be closely linked. A copy of the review report has been placed in the Library. The Government will respond to the report in due course, when there has been chance fully to consult the devolved Administrations on the, way forward.

  SMEs
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many SMEs have lost their Investors in People Award status as of January; and if she will make a statement. [70195]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: The numbers of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that have lost their EP award at January 2002 are as follows:

  Size of enterprise (UK wide)

  Total revoked since the first liP recognitions in October 1991

  Less than 10

  289

  10–49

  908

  50–249

  975

  Investors in People has a very high customer retention

  Percentage1 of three-years-olds2 by type of early education provider 1997-2002 (provisional estimates) position in January each year—England

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Private and voluntary providers3

  4—

  4—

  4—

  44

  47

  47

  Independent schools

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  Nursery and primary schools:

  34

  35

  37

  38

  37

  37

  Nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools

  34

  35

  37

  37

  4—

  37

  Infant classes in primary schools5

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  4—

  0.2

  Special schools6

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  0.3

  All providers7

  38

  40

  42

  86

  89

  89

  1 Number of three-year-olds attending provider expressed as a percentage of the three-year-old population.

  2 Any child attending more than one provider may have been counted twice.

  3 Includes some local authority providers (other than schools) registered to receive nursery education grants; excludes independent schools and providers not registered to receive nursery education grants.

  4 Not available.

  5 Includes reception and other classes not designated as nursery classes.

  6 Includes general hospital schools.

  7 Private and voluntary provider information was not available for the years 1997–99.

  We are committed to providing all three-year-olds, whose parents want one, with a free nursery education place by September 2004.

  Latest figures on three-year-olds in early years education providers were published by the Department in the Statistical First Release "Provision for Children Under Five Years of Age in England—2002 (Provisional Estimates) (09/2002)" in May 2002, a copy of which is available from the Library. An electronic copy of this publication is also available on the Department's website (www.dfes.gov.uk/ statistics).

  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the annual cost is of providing a child with five full days per week in a nursery school in the latest year for which figures are available [69749]
  994W
  rate. Over the past decade it has maintained a customer retention rate of over 90 per cent. on organisations that have been recognised.

  Child Care (Regulation)
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care professionals the Government estimate are working in the U K. [69139]

  Estelle Morris
  The latest published Childcare Workforce Survey shows that in spring 2001 there were 274,520 paid employees, working in nurseries (94,294), playgroups (79,800), Out of School Clubs (28,126) and child minders (72,300), in England.

  The latest quarterly Labour Force Survey for spring 2001, which uses a wider definition of child care and covers the whole of the UK, shows that there were 305,000 paid employees within the child care sector.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of three-year-olds were in nursery education on(a) 1 May 1997, (b) 31 December 1998, (c) 31 December 2001 and (d) the latest date for which information is available; and if she will make a statement. [69296]

  Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]: The available information on three-year-olds in early years education provision is shown in the following table.

  Estelle Morris
  My Department does not collect the information requested.

  In England all funding for full and part-time nursery education places for four-year-olds, along with the majority of funding for three-year-olds, in the local authority maintained sector, is determined locally.

  The balance of funding for three-year-olds comes through the Nursery Education Grant. In 2002–03 the grant for a free, part-time early education place for three-year-olds is £1,218 per child. This funding purchases five, two and a half hour sessions per week, for 33 weeks per year.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines exist on the provision of pre-school education to children with special educational needs. [69721]

  Estelle Morris
  All children in the early years should be treated as individuals to ensure each has equal opportunity to develop their full potential. This message is reinforced throughout the joint DfES/Qualifications and Curriculum Authority publication, "Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage", which has been made available to all early years practitioners. The guidance stresses the importance of early intervention and the key role practitioners play in identifying learning needs, and in the planning required to support those needs.

  The requirements of the Nursery Education Grant require all early years settings that receive it to have an SEN policy and have regard to the revised SEN Code of Practice. We included a new chapter in the revised SEN Code of Practice entitled, "Identification, Assessment and Provision in Early Education Settings", which expands significantly on SEN provision for children under five years of age. In addition, the SEN and Disability Act 2001 enables private, voluntary and independent sector settings to request statutory assessments for the four year olds in their care, and for three year olds by 2004 when we expect universal provision for this age group.

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial support is available to children with special educational needs to attend mainstream pre-school in the same circumstances as other children. [69722]

  Estelle Morris
  In March 2001, we announced a £25 million three year programme to support children with disabilities or special educational needs in the early years. This funding supports a number of DIES SEN and disability initiatives all of which are focused on enabling children with SEN to participate in mainstream provision. These initiatives include £9.5 million for local training over three years of identified Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) in the private, voluntary and independent sector early years settings; £11 million additional funding for LEAs and Early Years Development and Child care Partnerships (EYDCPs) this financial year and the next, to support and improve existing SEN support activities; £3 million for support services such as Portage schemes, projects aimed at early identification and intervention for SEN, and better resources for children with low incidence disability; and £1 million for the development of national training materials to support local SEN training activity. The funding has also resourced 4 Area SENCO pilot projects in 2001–02. We are drafting guidance following the conclusion of the pilot projects on the role and objectives of Area SENCOs, and encouraging EYDCPs to start developing networks of "Area SENCOs" who will work with early years settings by the autumn of this year.

  The Department continues to work closely with EYDCPs who are making SEN and disability support a priority over the three financial years 2001–02 to 2002–03 and 2003–04. In 2002–03 we asked them through the statutory planning process, to develop local joined up SEN and disability support/resource strategies, and to build
  996W
  networks with local education, social and health support services and other key local agencies. We also asked EYDCPs to provide us with details on planned working groups in 2002–03 involving key local services and to highlight the difficulties in bringing these services together.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. May
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Maidenhead of 11 March(a) on the electoral systems used for elections to (i) the office of London Mayor, (ii) the Greater London Assembly, (iii) the Scottish Parliament and (iv) the Welsh Assembly, (b) on the closed list electoral system for the European Parliament, (c) concerning the electoral system used for electing the House, (d) concerning electoral systems that may be used for electing the elected element of a reformed second chamber in Parliament and (e) concerning electoral systems used for electing directly-elected mayors in England and Wales. [71490]

  Mr. Beith
  I have already written to apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying to her questions of 11 March. At the time she asked similar questions of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. I regret that her separate questions to the Speaker's Committee were not noticed. Each of her questions sought information on the plans of the Electoral Commission for work in the areas listed. This answer deals with all five of them.

  I understand that the Electoral Commission has no plans to carry out any reviews of existing or proposed electoral systems in the UK. However, the Commission will, in accordance with its statutory duties, report on the administration of elections to the European, United Kingdom and Scottish Parliaments, and elections to the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies. No such duty exists in relation to other elections mentioned, although the Commission is required to keep under review, and from time-to-time submit reports to the Secretary of State on, a range of elections and referendums including local elections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  It is expected that these statutory election reports from the Electoral Commission will examine a wide range of issues linked to the administration and conduct of the election in question, including levels of voter participation and public understanding of the voting system. However, the Commission has taken the view that it would not be appropriate for it to adopt any policy view in relation to the merits of current or alternative systems of voting while there is a prospect of the Government asking the Commission to conduct a referendum on the use of a form or proportional representation for voting in elections to the House of Commons.

  Financial Contributions to Political Parties
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, on behalf of the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what plans the Commission has to review legislation regarding financial contributions to political parties. [71030]
  997W
  Mr. Beith
  I understand from the Chairman that the Electoral Commission will be launching this summer a review of the funding of political parties, which will examine a number of issues including the capping of donations. The Commission is also undertaking a review of the operation of the financial regulatory framework set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and a separate review of the policy development grants scheme that it administers.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) affirmative and (b) negative resolutions his Department plans to make in the next 12 months. [61616]

  Mr. Leslie
  The negative and affirmative resolutions planned over the next 12 months will be announced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the normal course of business in the usual manner.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what statutory powers are vested in(a) local housing authorities, (b) local social services authorities and (c) other authorities to offer financial assistance to intentionally homeless families with a child in order to secure for that child a permanent home with his or her family. [69240]

  Mr. McNulty
  Under section 190(2)(b) of the Housing Act 1996, local housing authorities have a duty to ensure that applicants who are eligible for assistance, intentionally homeless and who have dependant children are provided with advice and assistance in any attempts they may make to secure accommodation for themselves. Advice and assistance may include the provision of financial assistance.

  Under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, social services authorities have a duty:

  (a) to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area who are in need; and

  (b) so far as is consistent with that duty, to promote the upbringing of such children by their families.

  Where the child is a child in need solely as a result of family homelessness the social services authority can assist the family to obtain accommodation, possibly by providing temporary accommodation or a rent deposit, if they consider that this is the best way of meeting his needs.

  Under section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, local authorities have a power to promote the economic, social or environmental well-being of their area, which includes a power to give financial assistance. If the authority chooses, the power in section 2 can be exercised for the benefit of individuals in the area. This power does not apply where an activity is prohibited by other legislation.
  998W
  The Government have introduced an amendment to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, that will curtail the support that local authorities can provide to certain categories of new arrivals in the UK who seek support.

  Sub-post Offices
  Clive Efford
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the need to maintain sub-post offices in deprived urban areas; and if he will make a statement; [69510]

  (2) what action he is taking to support sub-post offices in deprived urban areas. [69509]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to develop a scheme to maintain sub-post offices in deprived urban areas. In particular ring-fenced funding of £15 million has been set aside to support a fund that is being set up to contribute to practical measures to improve and modernise post office premises in deprived urban areas.

  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the degree to which cost of living elements are adequately weighted in the local government funding formula; and by what mechanism sparsity and rurality elements are included in the present mechanism. [71853]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The cost of living is allowed for within the local government grant distribution system by the Area Cost Adjustment. We are currently consulting on options for a new grant distribution formula, and this includes a range of alternatives to the existing Area Cost Adjustment. We will be carefully considering all the views that are put to us during the consultation period before making a final assessment on the best way forward.

  In the existing formula, sparsity and rurality are reflected by using a population sparsity indicator that reflects the number of hectares per capita in each authority. This indicator is used in the current formulae for education, elderly domiciliary social services, police and environmental, protective and cultural services. Full details are in the Local Government Finance Report that we publish each year, and which is available in the Libraries of the House.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how he will ensure that the new financial system for local authorities will provide an effective framework within which councils can initiate innovative ways of delivering customer-food services. [69986]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our comprehensive agenda for reform of the local government finance system was set out in last December's White Paper "Strong Local leadership—Quality Public Services". Our finance reforms will give councils more space to innovate in all areas of service delivery by providing local authorities with greater freedom to borrow, invest, trade, charge and set spending priorities.

  Local Government Act
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress on the review of access to information in local authorities relating to the Local Government Act 2000. [73109]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The implementation plan which we issued, following the publication of the 2001 White Paper "Strong Local Leadership, quality Public Services" indicated that we would be reviewing the local authority access to information regime from June 2002. Officials have now begun discussions with the Information Commissioner, the Local Government Association and others to identify key issues for analysis in the review.

  We intend, as the next step, to publish during the summer a policy paper to examine the key issues involved, including the future implications for the local government sector of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The paper will seek to identify practical issues which local authorities are now facing and invite views, in particular from councils, the Local Government Association and the Campaign for Freedom of Information, on the issues discussed and to come forward with examples of good practice. We will place copies of the policy paper the House Library.

  We plan to continue working with the Local Government Association, the Information Commissioner and others to secure the most sound and practical implementation by local government of the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We want to link this with a streamlining of the current access to information requirements to maintain and re-enforce the culture of openness and transparency which is essential to effective, democratic local government.

  Local Councillors
  Paul Clark
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he intends to make regulations governing the local investigation and determination of misconduct allegations concerning local councillors. [73108]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department issued a consultation paper on 20 May, setting out a proposed framework within which the Standards Board for England would refer certain allegations of misconduct for local investigation and determination by standards committees. We have received around 1,000 responses to that consultation which we are now considering carefully. We intend in October, having had regard to these responses, to make regulations putting in place a regime for local investigation and determination of misconduct allegations.

  Annual Report
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of publishing his Department's annual report and those of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in each of the past five years; and if he will provide a breakdown of the costs incurred. [70104]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Before June 2002, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was part of the Cabinet Office, and its expenditure and work were therefore not separately reported. The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions was created in June 2001, from the former Department of the Environment,
  1000W
  Transport and the Regions (DETR). The publication costs of the DETR Annual Reports for 1998–2000 can be identified only at disproportionate cost; those for the 2000–01 report were approximately £5,200. The final publication costs for the DTLR report for 2001–02, which was published last month are not yet known. I will write to the right hon. Member with the details when they are available.

  Office Accommodation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent in relation to changes in office accommodation which have taken place as a result of the change in Department structure since June; and if he will make a statement. [70743]

  Mr. Leslie
  Expenditure since June to date on changes in office accommodation resulting from the change in Department structure amounts to £16,000 plus VAT.

  Rebranding
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Department in rebranding his Department, broken down by(a) design of the departmental logo, (b) design and orders of new stationery, (c) Department signage and (d) website designs, as a result of the Department structural change in June; and if he will make a statement. [70746]

  Mr. Leslie
  ODPM uses the Royal Crest as the main part of its corporate identity and has incurred no 'design' costs as such. A nominal amount has been spent on originating artwork for print and electronic publishing.

  My Department's costs have been low as it makes extensive use of electronic templates, keeps low stocks of stationery and generally uses out of date stationery for purposes such as internal photocopying and notepads.

  Cost breakdown is as follows:

  (a) logo £525 plus VAT

  (b) stationery £7,400 including value of existing stock

  (c) signage £3,600 plus VAT

  (d) website £3,145.

  The figure of £3,145 for the website represents half the cost of dividing one site into two sites. The other half of the cost is attributable to the Department for Transport.

  Consultancy Fees
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent on consultancy fees in relation to the change in Department structure since June; and if he will make a statement. [70744]

  Mr. Leslie
  Additional consultancy costs of £10,858 (plus VAT) have been incurred, under an existing contract, for estates advice following the creation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Transport.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list those unitary authorities that made representations regarding the review of the SSA formula. [70951]
  1001W
  Mr. Leslie
  We have had at least one written representation making at least one point relating to the SSA system from the following shire unitary authorities since the publication of the Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance" in September 2000:

  Bath and North East Somerset

  Blackburn with Darwen

  Blackpool

  Bournemouth

  Bracknell Forest

  Brighton and Hove

  Bristol

  Darlington Derby

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  Halton

  Hartlepool

  Isle of Wight Council

  Kingston upon Hull

  Leicester

  Luton

  Medway

  Middlesbrough

  Milton Keynes

  North East Lincolnshire

  North Lincolnshire

  North Somerset

  Nottingham

  Peterborough

  Plymouth

  Poole

  Portsmouth

  Reading

  Redcar and Cleveland

  Rutland

  Slough

  South Gloucestershire

  Stockton-on-Tees

  Stoke-on-Trent

  Swindon

  Telford and the Wrekin

  Thurrock

  Torbay

  Warrington

  West Berkshire

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  Wokingham

  York

  Others may have made representations either before that point, via representative groupings of authorities, in meetings with Ministers, or when talking to officials. As of Tuesday 15 July, we have not yet received any formal responses from unitary authorities to the current consultation.

  Firefighters' Pay
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the formula is for calculating firefighters' pay; and what other public servants have their pay determined by similar calculations. [71017

  Mr. Leslie
  Firefighters' pay is negotiated between the local authorities employers and the Fire Brigades' Union in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades. Annual pay increases since 1978 have been determined by a formula linking the pay of a fully qualified fire-fighter to the earnings of the top quarter of adult male manual workers.

  No other public service pay group has their pay determined by the same formula but Police forces in England and Wales also have their pay determined by a formula. The formula used since 1994 is the median of private sector non-manual pay settlements in the past year.

  Departmental Reorganisation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes there have been in the total wage expenditure budget of his Department since the departmental reorganisation in June; and if he will make a statement. [71450]

  Mr. Leslie
  There have been no changes in the total pay budget associated with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions' total administration resources. The division of these resources between the two new Departments—the Department for Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister—is currently being finalised. However, no additional resources are being made available from the Exchequer as a result of the departmental reorganisation.

  Air-conditioning
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2002,Official Report, column 584W, on air-conditioning, what his policy is on implementation of the ban on the use of chlorofluorocarbons in chiller plant in buildings owned by his Department; when a decision will be taken on a choice of air-conditioning for the QEII building to replace the present refrigerants of chlorofluorocarbon provenance; and whether it is intended that the new provision will contain not-in-kind and HFC refrigerants. [71597]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends not to purchase products that contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFCs) or any other ozone-depleting substances, where there are suitable alternatives.

  In respect of the QEII conference centre, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffatt) on 9 July 2002, Official Report, column 874–75W.

  Town and Country Finance
  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to meet the leaders of the Town and Country Finance Issues Group. [71852]
  1003W
  Mr. Raynsford
  There are no meetings fixed at present, but I would be happy to meet the TACFIG group to discuss the current consultation on the system to distribute general grant to local authorities.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2002,Official Report, column 196W, on children in care, what figures his Department holds on the number of children that are (a) homeless, (b) in bed and breakfast accommodation and (c) in temporary accommodation. [171887]

  Mr. McNulty
  Summary information on activity under statutory homelessness provisions is reported to the Department by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance. unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and the number of these households resident in various types of temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfast, at the end of each quarter.

  Precise information on the total number of children is not collected, but from data reported we estimate there were some 112,500 children in households accepted as homeless during 2001–02. Available information indicates that on 31 March 2002 there were some 6,500 households living in bed and breakfast style accommodation, and the Bed & Breakfast Unit have estimated that this represents around 11,000 children. There were 40,700 households with dependent children in all forms of temporary accommodation provided by local authorities for the homeless, but no estimates for the number of children are available.

  Mobile Phone Operators
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to review the mobile phone operators' voluntary code of operation on planning. [71790]

  Mr. McNulty
  My noble Friend the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Regeneration met representatives of the five mobile phone network operators on 8 May 2002 to discuss their progress in meeting their commitments to best mast siting practice and the audit arrangements that they have put in place to assess continuing compliance with the commitments.

  Work currently under way to revise the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Masts is building on the commitments and on our guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 (Telecommunications) to improve consultation on mast proposals with local communities and local planning authorities. The Working Group established to take that work forward will monitor the operation of the revised code and effectiveness of the commitments themselves.

  Empty Homes
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many empty homes there are(a) in England and (b) in each county or metropolitan district; and what each represents as percentage of housing stock. [72282]
  1004W
  Mr. McNulty
  The number of empty homes in England at 1 April 2001 (latest data available) was 755,100. This figure represents 3.5 per cent. of all housing stock.

  The number of empty homes in each county, unitary or metropolitan district at 1 April 2001 is shown in the table. Also given is the percentage of housing stock the vacant dwellings represent.

  Region/county/local authority

  Total number of vacant dwellings

  Percentage of stock vacant

  North East

  Metropolitan districts

  Gateshead

  3,220

  3.7

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,767

  3.1

  North Tyneside

  3,814

  4.2

  South Tyneside

  2,578

  3.8

  Sunderland

  4,934

  4.0

  Unitary authorities

  Hartlepool

  1,708

  4.3

  Middlesbrough

  1,977

  3.4

  Redcar and Cleveland

  2,822

  4.6

  Stockton-on-Tees

  3,046

  4.0

  Darlington

  2,095

  4.8

  Counties

  County Durham

  11,341

  5.1

  Northumberland

  1—

  1—

  North West

  Metropolitan districts

  Bolton

  4,643

  4.1

  Bury

  1,299

  1.6

  Manchester

  17,081

  8.8

  Oldham

  3,362

  3.6

  Rochdale

  4,817

  5.4

  Salford

  5,543

  5.5

  Stockport

  4,255

  3.5

  Tameside

  1—

  1—

  Trafford

  2,386

  2.6

  Wigan

  5,146

  3.9

  Knowsley

  2,700

  4.0

  Liverpool

  18,734

  9.1

  Sefton

  4,433

  3.6

  St. Helens

  1—

  1—

  Wirral

  6,493

  4.6

  Unitary authorities

  Halton

  1,842

  3.6

  Warrington

  1,425

  1.8

  Blackburn with Darwen

  4,374

  7.5

  Blackpool

  3,498

  5.2

  Counties

  Cheshire

  1—

  1—

  Cumbria

  8,540

  3.8

  Lancashire

  23,462

  4.7

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Metropolitan districts

  Barnsley

  4,602

  4.8

  Doncaster

  6,086

  4.7

  Rotherham

  1—

  1—

  Sheffield

  11,980

  5.3

  Bradford

  9,980

  5.0

  Calderdale

  5,382

  6.1

  1005W

  Region/county/local authority

  Total number of vacant dwellings

  Percentage of stock vacant

  Kirklees

  5,798

  3.5

  Leeds

  14,338

  4.6

  Wakefield

  5,197

  3.8

  Unitary authorities

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  4,516

  3.3

  Kingston upon Hull

  8,388

  7.3

  North East Lincolnshire

  3,303

  4.8

  North Lincolnshire

  2,511

  3.8

  York

  3,062

  3.9

  Counties

  North Yorkshire

  11,044

  4.4

  East Midlands

  Unitary authorities

  Derby

  4,470

  4.5

  Leicester

  6,585

  5.6

  Rutland

  543

  3.9

  Nottingham City

  3,328

  2.8

  Counties

  Derbyshire

  10,919

  3.4

  Leicestershire

  1—

  1—

  Lincolnshire

  1—

  1—

  Northamptonshire

  8,129

  3.1

  Nottinghamshire

  10,609

  3.3

  West Midlands

  Metropolitan districts

  Birmingham

  21,538

  5.3

  Coventry

  4,807

  3.8

  Dudley

  3,191

  2.5

  Sandwell

  4,542

  3.7

  Solihull

  891

  1.1

  Walsall

  4,178

  3.9

  Wolverhampton

  5,424

  5.3

  Unitary authorities

  Herefordshire

  2,375

  3.2

  Telford and Wrekin

  2,247

  3.6

  Stoke-on-Trent

  6,141

  5.7

  Counties

  Hereford and Worcester

  4,941

  2.2

  Shropshire

  4,211

  3.5

  Staffordshire

  1—

  1—

  Warwickshire

  1—

  1—

  East

  Unitary authorities

  Luton

  2,456

  3.4

  Peterborough

  2,517

  3.6

  Southend-on-Sea

  1,889

  2.5

  Thurrock

  1,981

  3.4

  Counties

  Bedfordshire

  3,815

  2.4

  Cambridgeshire

  1—

  1—

  Essex

  1—

  1—

  Hertfordshire

  1—

  1—

  Norfolk

  1—

  1—

  Suffolk

  1—

  1—

  London

  Metropolitan districts

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,329

  2.0

  Barnet

  3,153

  2.3

  Bexley

  1,982

  2.1

  Brent

  5,504

  5.3

  Bromley

  4,318

  3.3

  Camden

  4,335

  4.7

  City of London

  31

  0.6

  Croydon

  4,401

  3.2

  Ealing

  2,449

  2.1

  1006W

  Region/county/local authority

  Total number of vacant dwellings

  Percentage of stock vacant

  Enfield

  1—

  1—

  Greenwich

  3,058

  3.3

  Hackney

  3,254

  3.8

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  4,557

  5.9

  Haringey

  4,815

  5.1

  Harrow

  1,218

  1.5

  Havering

  2,702

  2.9

  Hillingdon

  2,511

  2.5

  Hounslow

  1,050

  1.2

  Islington

  3,237

  3.8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  6,067

  6.9

  Kingston upon Thames

  1—

  1—

  Lambeth

  2,572

  2.1

  Lewisham

  4,025

  3.5

  Merton

  2,114

  2.8

  Newham

  5,102

  5.5

  Redbridge

  1—

  1—

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,757

  2.3

  Southwark

  6,367

  5.6

  Sutton

  2,238

  2.9

  Tower Hamlets

  5,429

  6.6

  Waltham Forest

  2,739

  2.9

  Wandsworth

  2,079

  1.7

  Westminster

  2,957

  2.7

  South East

  Unitary authorities

  Bracknell Forest

  801

  1.8

  Reading

  2,221

  3.8

  Slough

  575

  1.3

  West Berkshire

  1,596

  2.7

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  865

  1.5

  Wokingham

  1,139

  1.9

  Milton Keynes

  2,259

  2.6

  Brighton and Hove

  2,167

  1.8

  Portsmouth

  1,675

  2.1

  Southampton

  4,411

  5.0

  Isle of Wight

  1,969

  3.2

  The Medway Towns

  2,687

  2.6

  Counties

  Buckinghamshire

  3,953

  2.1

  East Sussex

  10,000

  4.4

  Hampshire

  1—

  1—

  Kent

  1—

  1—

  Oxfordshire

  5,355

  2.2

  Surrey

  1—

  1—

  West Sussex

  1—

  1—

  South West

  Unitary authorities

  Bath and North East Somerset

  550

  0.8

  Bristol

  6,168

  3.6

  North Somerset

  3,015

  3.8

  South Gloucestershire

  1,842

  1.8

  Plymouth

  4,508

  4.3

  Torbay

  355

  0.6

  Bournemouth

  4,120

  5.4

  Poole

  2,151

  3.5

  Swindon

  1,826

  2.3

  Counties

  Cornwall

  5,035

  2.2

  Devon

  15,970

  5.1

  Dorset

  3,843

  2.2

  Gloucestershire

  1—

  1—

  Somerset

  1—

  1—

  Wiltshire

  5,131

  2.8

  1 Unknown (missing or only partial data provided by one or more local authorities within a county).

  Sources:

  ODPM's 2001 Housing Strategy statistical appendix returns and Housing Corporation's 2001 Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR).

  Sustainable Communities
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes will take place to the planned total house numbers in each county or unitary authority as a result of his statement on sustainable communities; and how many houses there were in each in 1997. [72285]

  Mr. McNulty
  We expect all local authorities to deliver the housing strategy set out in regional planning guidance. We will work with regional and local partners in the four growth areas identified in regional planning guidance for the South East to accelerate the proposals for significant growth. Information on the number of dwellings is given in the Department's Annual Housing Investment Programme Operational Information return submitted by local authorities. A copy of this information is held in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Access for Disabled People
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Government proposes to amend Part M of the Building Regulations relating to access for disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [72303]

  Mr. Leslie
  My officials, with the assistance of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, have been preparing proposals for amendments to Part M of the Building Regulations relating to access for disabled people. The proposals for public consultation will be published during the summer recess. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House, and the document will be available online on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and in hard copy on request. The document will be available in a range of formats to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.

  Planning
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what were the median and upper and lower decile periods between(a) the receipt and determination of planning applications, (b) appeals against refusal of planning permission and inquiries into those appeals, (c) inquiries into appeals against refusal of planning permission and inspectors' reports thereon and(d) publication of inspectors' reports and determinations by Ministers in the last year for which information is available. [72320]

  Mr. McNulty
  Available information for the last financial year (1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002) is as follows:

  (a) Data are not collected from local authorities on the time taken to determine every planning application. Information from district authorities is collected on the number of applications decided within eight weeks of receipt, between eight and 13 weeks and over 13 weeks.

  2001–02

  Percentage

  Planning applications decided

  Less than eight weeks

  65

  Eight to 13 weeks

  18

  More than 13 weeks

  17

  1008W
  (b) and (c)

  2001–02

  Upper decile

  Median decile

  Lower decile

  (b) From start date (notice of appeal) to inquiry in weeks

  15

  19

  31

  (c) From start date to submission of report in weeks

  28

  58

  160

  (d) Information on cases which fall to be determined by the Secretary of State (recovered appeals and called in planning applications) is available on the following basis:

  Number of recovered appeals decided within eight weeks, between eight and 13 weeks, and over 13 weeks from receipt of inspector's report

  2001–02

  Percentage

  Recovered appeals cases determined by the Secretary of State

  Less than eight weeks

  44

  Eight to 13 weeks

  13

  More than 13 weeks

  43

  Number of called in planning applications decided within 13 weeks, between 13 and 20 weeks, and over 20 weeks from
  receipt of inspector's report

  2001–02

  Percentage

  Called in planning applications cases determined by the Secretary of State

  Less than 13 weeks

  36

  13 to 20 weeks

  18

  More than 20 weeks

  46

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the proposals for the revision of Part M of the Building Regulations will be published for consultation. [72870]

  Mr. Leslie
  My officials, with the assistance of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, have been preparing proposals for amendments to Part M of the Building Regulations relating to access for disabled people. The proposals for public consultation will be published during the summer recess. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House, and the document will be available online on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and in hard copy on request. The document will be available in a range of formats to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received on his proposals for planning reforms. [72091]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published a comprehensive statement on the outcome of consultation on the planning Green Paper and copies are available in the Library.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he intends to bring forward to use the planning system to raise the required density of dwellings in new developments. [72816]

  Mr. McNulty
  Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing, states in paragraph 58 that local authorities should "avoid developments that make inefficient use of land (those at less than 30 dwellings per hectare net)".
  1009W
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to intervene in planning applications for housing that involve a density of less than 30 dwellings per hectare.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the way in which proposals to reconcile provision for the retention by local authorities of tariffs for the granting of planning permission on major developments as set out in the document, "Reforming Planning Obligations", can be implemented alongside proposals for the reform of the local authority capital finance system as set out in the document, Local Government Finance Formula Grant Distribution-A Consultation Paper. [70111]

  Mr. Leslie
  We do not consider that there is a significant relationship between proposals on the retention of receipts from planning tariffs and the options for reforming how revenue support for capital finance is distributed, as set out in the Formula Grant distribution consultation paper. Therefore no such assessment has been made.

  Parish Councillors
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many resignations of parish councillors he has received notice of by reason of the new Model Code of Conduct for Parish Councils. [72806]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer to the answer the Minister for Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), gave to the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) on 21 June 2001,Official Report, column 629W.

  Since that answer, some 20 more parish councillors (making around 50 in all) have written saying that they have resigned in response to the introduction of the code.

  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he is intending to review next the new Model Code of Conduct for Parish Councillors. [72805]

  Mr. Leslie
  We will decide the timing and form of any review of the Model Code in the light of the experience of councils' adopting and implementing their own codes of conduct in accord with the Model Code.

  Telecommunications Working Group
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the remit is of the Telecommunications Working Group set up by his Department. [72803]

  Mr. McNulty
  The mobile phone operators have made a series of commitments to improve the handling of telecommunications development.

  The Telecommunications Working Group was set up to update the existing Code of Best Practice for Telecommunications.

  The terms of reference for the group are:

  to produce a Mobile Phone Network Development Code of Best Practice;

  to oversee the implementation of the operators' 10 commitments;

  and to monitor the effectiveness of the operators' 10 commitments and the Code of Best Practice.

  National Land Use Database
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have submitted returns to National Land Use Database; and which authorities have not made a submission. [72845]

  Mr. McNulty
  344 local authorities submitted returns to the National Land Use Database, reporting on previously-developed sites in England in 1998. The following authorities did not make a return then:

  Aylesbury Vale District Council

  Bradford City Council

  Council of the Isles of Scilly

  Croydon LBC

  Kettering Borough Council

  Lake District National Park

  Maldon District Council

  Mid Devon District Council

  North Yorkshire Moors National Park

  Peak District National Park Authority

  Redbridge LBC

  Ryedale District Council (outside National Park)

  South Bedfordshire District Council

  South Oxfordshire District Council

  Southwark LBC

  Teesdale District Council

  Tendring District Council

  Tower Hamlets LBC

  227 local authorities have made a return updating the data to 31 March 2001. 135 authorities, as follows have not made a return for 2001:

  Arun District Council

  Aylesbury Vale District Council

  Babergh District Council

  Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

  Bassetlaw District Council

  Berwick upon Tweed Borough Council

  Boston Borough Council

  Bradford City Council

  Braintree District Council

  Brent LBC

  Brighton and Hove Borough Council

  Broadland District Council

  Bromley LBC

  Broxtowe Borough Council

  Calderdale Borough Council

  Carrick District Council

  Castle Morpeth Borough Council

  Castle Point Borough Council

  Chelmsford Borough Council

  Chester City Council

  Chester Le Street District Council

  Chichester District Council

  City of Canterbury

  City of Oxford

  City of Worcester

  Colchester Borough Council

  1011W

  Congleton Borough Council

  Council of the Isles of Scilly

  Craven District Council

  Dacorum District Council

  Dartmoor National Park

  Derby City Council

  Derbyshire Dales District Council

  Durham City Council

  Ealing LBC

  Easington District Council

  East Devon District Council

  East Dorset District Council

  East Hampshire District Council

  East Hertfordshire District Council

  East Lindsey District Council

  East Staffordshire Borough Council

  Eden District Council

  Enfield LBC

  Erewash Borough Council

  Exeter City Council

  Forest Heath District Council

  Gateshead Borough Council

  Gedling Borough Council

  Gloucester City Council

  Gravesham Borough Council

  Great Yarmouth Borough Council

  Harlow District Council

  Hart District Council

  Hastings Borough Council

  High Peak Borough Council

  Kerrier District Council

  Kettering Borough Council

  Lake District National Park

  Lewes District Council

  Lichfield District Council

  Maldon District Council

  Mansfield District Council

  Mendip District Council

  Merton LBC

  Mid Bedfordshire District Council

  Mid Devon District Council

  Mid Suffolk District Council

  Mid Sussex District Council

  North Devon District Council

  North Hertfordshire District Council

  North Shropshire District Council

  North Somerset Unitary Authority

  North Tyneside Borough Council

  North Warwickshire Borough Council

  North Wiltshire District Council

  North Yorkshire Moors National Park

  Northampton Borough Council

  Norwich City Council

  Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

  Oadby and Wigston Council

  Peak District National Park Authority

  Pendle Borough Council

  Peterborough City Unitary Authority Council

  Reading Borough Unitary Authority Council

  1012W

  Richmond Upon Thames LBC

  Rochdale Borough Council

  Rochford District Council

  Rother District Council

  Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  Rugby Borough Council

  Rushcliffe Borough Council

  Ryedale District Council

  Scarborough Borough Council

  Sedgefield District Council

  Sedgemoor District Council

  Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council

  Slough Borough Council

  Sough Cambridgeshire District Council

  South Hams District Council

  South Holland District Council

  South Northamptonshire District Council

  South Oxfordshire District Council

  South Tyneside Borough Council

  Spelthorne Borough Council

  Staffordshire Moors District Council

  Stevenage Borough Council

  Stroud District Council

  Sutton LBC

  Taunton Deane Borough Council

  Teesdale District Council

  Teignbridge District Council

  Tewkesbury Borough Council

  The Broads Authority

  Three Rivers District Council

  Thurtock Borough Council

  Torbay Borough Council

  Torridge District Council

  Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

  Warwick District Council

  Watford Borough Council

  Wealden District Council

  Wear Valley District Council

  Welwyn Hatfield District Council

  West Devon Borough Council

  West Lindsey District Council

  West Oxfordshire District Council

  West Somerset District Council

  West Wiltshire District Council

  Westminster City Council

  Winchester City Council

  Wokingham Council

  Wolverhampton Borough Council

  Wycombe District Council

  Wyre Borough Council.

  Ordnance Survey
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Quinquennial Review of Ordnance Survey. [72983]

  Mr. McNulty
  I am pleased to announce today the outcome of the second and final stage of the Quinquennial Review of Ordnance Survey.
  1013W
  On 19 December 2001 it was announced that the Government were minded to accept the recommendation from stage 1 of the Review of Ordnance Survey, that it should move to become a Government-owned public limited company (G0p1c). Ordnance Survey is a Government Department and Executive Agency operating within a trading fund regime. The stage 1 review considered that it needed additional freedoms and flexibilities to enable it to use its full potential to develop the geographic information and e-business marketplace, and concluded that a change in status could offer such freedoms.

  Subsequently, a Steering Group chaired by this Department, including representatives from Ordnance Survey, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and two external members from the Association for Geographic Information, and the London borough of Lewisham, undertook further work based on the stage 1 findings consulting external advisers. As with the stage 1 review, consultation took place with a wide range of stakeholders and customers in the geographic information business in Great Britain.

  Following work on stage 2 of the Quinquennial Review, I am now of the opinion that there is no clear evidence to support the view that Ordnance Survey would benefit from a change of status to GOplc.

  The stage 2 review has drawn attention to three issues:
  first, there is a need to reach agreement on enhanced financial freedoms and flexibilities that should be made available to Ordnance Survey;
  secondly, the provision and location of policy advice to Government on geographic information, currently provided by Ordnance Survey alongside its data supply role, will be reviewed;
  and thirdly, in the context of a review of Ordnance Survey's Framework Document, we will consider issues surrounding Ordnance Survey's relationship with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  The importance of geographic data to Government has recently been underlined by the pilot agreement to make Ordnance Survey data widely available within central Government to help match the extensive benefit that local government already gains from using such data. Ordnance Survey's work in underpinning Great Britain with geographic information and its successful operation since becoming a Trading Fund in 1999, are clearly worth sustaining in the most appropriate way.

  I am satisfied that sustaining Ordnance Survey as a trading fund with some extended freedoms will enable it to continue to develop—and continue to progress its impressive programme of cultural change—to the benefit of all who use its geographic data. Ordnance Survey must be given the right operating framework to enable it to respond to the demands of the geographic information marketplace, which is dependent on the quality, consistency and availability of Ordnance Survey geographic data.

  Ordnance Survey must also, quite crucially, be able to play a full part in ensuring geographic information firmly underpins the e-government agenda, and informs policy formulation and delivery of information and services.

  I have asked my officials to take forward work as a matter of urgency on the three issues I have referred to, and ensure that the decisions reached are reflected in a
  1014W
  new published framework document for Ordnance Survey as soon as possible after the House reconvenes in October, but certainly no later than December 2002.

  Press Office
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) full-time equivalents were employed by his press office and (b) secondees were placed in his press office in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [70544]

  Mr. Leslie
  Detailed information on the numbers of permanent press officers employed in departmental press offices during the financial years 1997–98 were provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on The Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  The number of full-time equivalent press officers employed in the relevant departmental press office on 1 January for subsequent years were:

  Full-time equivalents

  Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (Central)

  1999

  34.3

  2000

  40.8

  2001

  38.0

  Cabinet Office

  2002

  18.0

  Secondees to the press office during the full calendar years for which information is available were:

  Number of secondees

  1999

  Nil

  2000

  1

  2001

  1

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people claimed housing benefit as a percentage of the total population in(a) Leeds, (b) Yorkshire and Humber region and (c) the London region, in the period 1998 to 2002. [69940]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is in the table.

  Housing benefit recipients in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber and London as a percentage of the total population aged 16 or over in each area: 1998 to 2002

  Leeds city council area

  Government office region of Yorkshire and the Humber

  Government office region of London

  1998

  11.7

  10.4

  12.7

  1999

  11.1

  10.1

  11.9

  2000

  11.1

  9.1

  10.6

  1015W

  Housing benefit recipients in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber and London as a percentage of the total population aged 16 or over in each area: 1998 to 2002

  Leeds city council area

  Government office region of Yorkshire and the Humber

  Government office region of London

  2001

  9.9

  8.7

  10.1

  2002

  9.6

  8.5

  10.0

  Notes:

  1. The data refer to households claiming housing benefit which may be a single person, a couple or a family. More than one benefit household can live in one property, for example, two or more adults in a flat or house share arrangement.

  2. Figures exclude any housing benefit extended payment cases.

  3. figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

  Sources:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System quarterly 100 per cent. counts taken in February of each year.

  Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates for 1998, 1999 and 2000.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people claimed housing benefit as a percentage of the total population in(a) the Colchester constituency and (b) Essex between 1998 and 2002. [71472]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available information is in the table:

  Housing benefit recipients in Colchester and Essex as a percentage of the total population aged 16 or over in each area: 1998 to 2002

  Colchester borough council area1

  Essex

  1998

  6.9

  7.1

  1999

  6.7

  6.6

  2000

  6.3

  6.5

  2001

  3.1

  6.1

  2002

  5.9

  5.8

  Notes:

  1. Housing benefit data for the parliamentary constituency of Colchester are not available; figures are only available by local authority area.

  2. Essex figures refer to the local authorities of Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Tendring and Uttlesford.

  3. The data refer to households claiming housing benefit which may be a single person, a couple of a family. More than one benefit household can live in one property, for example two or more adults in a flat or house share arrangement.

  4. Figures exclude any housing benefit extended payment cases.

  5. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.

  Sources:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System quarterly 100 per cent. counts taken in February of each year.

  Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates for 1998, 1999 and 2000.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2002,Official Report, column 1088W, on the fire service, how much money his Department has provided for rescues by the fire service that did not involve a fire in the last three years. [70767]

  Mr. Leslie
  Fire service funding is supported through the standard spending assessment arrangements. Over the period in question, the funding distribution formula has included a factor based on the number of fires, false 1016W
  alarms and calls to road traffic accidents, rail and air incidents, and leaks and spills attended by each brigade. Responses to other types of calls are not counted. Responsibility for setting budgets and the allocation of funds received through these arrangements are a matter for individual fire authorities.

  Urban Regeneration Company
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will introduce an urban regeneration company to Gloucester. [70844]

  Mr. McNulty
  Urban regeneration companies (URCs) are established by the relevant local authority, Regional Development Agency, English Partnerships (if appropriate), the private sector and other key partners. It will be for the South West Regional Development Agency and its local partners to decide whether, and when, to bring forward a proposal to central Government for an urban regeneration company in Gloucester.

  Congestion
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Plans he has to promote and facilitate local authorities' participation in the 'In Town Without My Car Day' ; and if he will make a statement. [71227]

  Mr. McNulty
  The UK Government have signed a pledge to support the European 'In Town Without My Car Day'. Responsibility for this now rests with my colleagues in the Department for Transport.

  Voting Arrangements
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who the intended recipients are of the funding for e-voting announced in the 2002 Spending Review. [71231]

  Mr. Leslie
  Under the 2002 Spending Review, there is provision of £30 million: £10 million for each of the three years 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06, for local e-voting, enabling the Government to contribute this sum to the costs of those local authorities and their IT partners participating in e-voting pilot schemes over the next three years.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total Government expenditure on the trials into new methods of voting undertaken at the May elections was, broken down into(a) e-voting, (b) postal ballots and (c) other. [71226]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Government made £4.135 million available to contribute to the costs of the 16 local authorities running electronic voting and counting schemes in the May 2002 electoral modernisation pilot programme. The costs of piloting all-postal or other voting techniques were borne by the 14 local authorities concerned.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what study has been made of the trials of e-voting at the May elections. [71229]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Electoral Commission is evaluating the local authorities that ran e-voting pilot schemes in the May 2002 local and mayoral elections and will provide a detailed assessment of the impact of each scheme to the Deputy Prime Minister by 1 August 2002.

  Best Value Programme
  Angela Watkinson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost to local government of administering the Best Value programme was in each of the last three years. [71720]

  Mr. Leslie
  No reliable estimates exist of the costs incurred by local authorities in complying with their duty under the Local Government Act 1999. Any such costs would have to be set against the benefits of improved services.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has commissioned Cardiff Business School to evaluate the long-term impact of best value in English local authorities from 2001 until 2005. Part of this involves an assessment of the impact of Best Value in delivering improved services, including an element of cost-effectiveness. However, this is reliant upon year-on-year Best Value performance indicator data, which is currently being collected to monitor improvements. In the meantime, we are aiming to publish the results arising from the first year's census of local authorities. The census provides the benchmark against which the implementation of Best Value and its impact on service delivery will he assessed.

  Housing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has to ensure that empty homes are(a) located and (b) put to use. [71204]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government set out their policies for locating and bringing back into use empty and abandoned properties in their response to the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Committee's report on empty homes, published on 8 May 2002. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The range of measures in place include: funding for the Empty Homes Agency to help local authorities bring empty properties back into use; the reform of private sector renewal legislation; and the introduction of low demand pathfinder projects.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures there are to ensure that public sector workers are able to find affordable homes in(a) Coventry, (b) London and (c) the rest of the UK. [71205]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by our right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 18 July. This set out our plans for tackling the shortage of affordable homes in London and the south-east, and providing homes for key workers and those in the most need.

  With the additional funding for housing and planning announced by our right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, spending will rise to £4.7 billion by 2005–06—up by £1.5 billion on this year's figures.

  The new plans will supplement our existing measures to deliver new homes for key workers, which include the £250 million Starter Home Initiative (SHI). This aims to help 10,000 key workers in England, particularly teachers, police, nurses and other essential health staff to buy homes within a reasonable travelling distance from their work place in areas where the high cost of housing is undermining recruitment and retention.
  1018W
  Key workers may also be helped through the increased investment provided for rent and low cost home ownership through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme and local authorities. Since 1997, we have almost doubled funding for affordable housing to £1.2 billion a year and this is now supporting the creation of 20,000 new homes every year. As well as the additional funding for new homes, we will be looking at ways to extend our existing programmes for affordable housing through greater partnership with employers and public and private sector landlords.

  Measures to assist public sector workers in the rest of the UK to find homes are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Executives.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many new homes have been(a) built and (b) improved in Coventry since 1997. [71206]

  Mr. McNulty
  The number of new homes by tenure built within the district of Coventry city council since 1997 is shown in table A. It is not possible to report exactly how many homes have been improved in Coventry since 1997. However, figures for the numbers of local authority dwellings which received 'capital type' investment and the number of private sector renovation grants allocated is given in table B. This information is available by financial year only.

  Table A: Permanent dwellings completed in Coventry

  Number of dwellings

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Private enterprise

  379

  408

  483

  311

  425

  Registered social landlords

  69

  132

  69

  11

  36

  Local authority

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  All dwellings

  448

  540

  552

  322

  461

  Table B: Housing investment ('capital type') and renovation grants in Coventry

  Local authority dwellings that receive 'capital type' investment1

  Private sector renovation grants

  1997–98

  5,585

  427

  1998–99

  3,007

  574

  1999–2000

  5,497

  597

  2000–01

  0

  594

  1 Coventry city council became an LSVT authority in 2000–01 and they reported doing no 'capital type' investment work on their own dwellings in that year.

  Source:

  ODPM Housing Investment Programme returns.

  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for housing construction in the Huntingdon constituency. [72804]

  Mr. McNulty
  RPG6 identifies that development plans should provide 4,000 additional dwellings in Cambridgeshire each year between 1996 and 2016. It is the role of the local planning authorities to prepare development plans to accommodate the development proposed in RPG. The replacement Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan, prepared by Cambridgeshire county and Peterborough city councils, proposes that 9,500 dwellings be built in Huntingdonshire over the
  1019W
  period 1999 and 2016. The structure plan's proposed housing distribution will be debated at an examination in public starting in October.

  Last week the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his concerns that housing needs are not being met and that tackling the housing shortage is national responsibility. The Deputy Prime Minister also announced that over the coming months he intended to work with regional and local partners to establish where, at what scale, and how quickly development could be achieved in the potential growth areas, including within the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor. The Local Government Conference has commenced a review of regional planning guidance for the East of England and I would expect this to consider the issues of where, at what scale and how quickly development can he delivered.

  Housing Association Stock
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) houses and (b) flats have been completed by housing associations in each of the years 1990 to 2001. [71299]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information requested is available for financial years and is given, for England, in the table.

  Numbers of dwellings completed by housing associations: England

  Thousand

  Houses

  Flats

  1990–91

  5.5

  9.1

  1991–92

  7.0

  9.0

  1992–93

  13.1

  10.9

  1993–94

  19.5

  10.7

  1994–95

  21.6

  9.7

  1995–96

  21.5

  8.7

  1996–97

  16.7

  7.8

  1997–98

  15.2

  6.2

  1998–99

  13.5

  5.4

  1999–2000

  12.3

  5.1

  2000–01

  10.9

  6.4

  Land Development
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much(a) greenfield and (b) brownfield land has been redeveloped by each regional development agency in each year since their formation. [71752]

  Mr. McNulty
  This information is held by individual regional development agencies, and it has not been possible to obtain all the data in the time available. I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Right-to-buy Receipts
  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from borough councils regarding the proposed redistribution of right-to-buy receipts from local authorities. [72395]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Written representations have been received from about 20 local authorities, either directly or via local MPs. We will be consulting on the details of the new arrangement shortly.

  Local Government Contracts
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Government will publish the draft code of practice on work force matters in local government contracting, relating to the review of best value. [73110]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Code of Practice, setting out an approach to work force matters in local government service contracts which involve a transfer of staff, is being published today as part of a draft Government circular for public consultation "Best Value and Performance Improvement".

  The draft code will ensure that all contracting exercises and contracts are designed in a way that secures a high quality work force over the life of a contract. It meets our commitment to act to end the threat of a 'two-tier workforce' of transferees and new joiners in local government contracting. And it is consistent with the message in the draft circular that all local authorities must adopt a positive approach to work force matters if they are to achieve best value.

  In publishing the draft circular, the Government are delivering on their commitment in the local government White Paper "Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services", to streamline and reform best value. The circular consolidates and replaces existing guidance, and emphasises the key role that best value can play in driving up the delivery of local services and improving the quality of life for all. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the House Libraries.

  Physical Regeneration
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the implications of the comprehensive spending review for the future direction of(a) funding for physical regeneration and (b) regional development agencies; [71756]

  (2) what the levels of spending on physical regeneration will be following the comprehensive spending review; and if he will break down the figures into the various funding streams for which he is responsible. [71855]

  Mr. McNulty
  Physical regeneration is undertaken on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by the regional development agencies and English Partnerships.

  RDAs are funded through a single programme that enables them to undertake a holistic approach to economic development and regeneration. The level of spending on physical regeneration is not distinguished from other spending within this single programme.

  Following the spending review, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced substantial new resources and responsibilities for the RDAs, further strengthening their role as catalysts for economic development and regeneration in the regions. The details are set out in Chapter 23 of the Spending Review 2002 White Paper.

  English Partnerships is currently subject to a quinquennial review and we intend to make a further announcement about its future remit shortly, although as my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister told the House on 18 July he has
  "instructed English Partnerships to use its new role on brown fields to search out and to deliver even more land for housing".
  1021W
  The expenditure consequences of English Partnerships' new role have not yet been finalised.

  New Deal for Communities
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the(a) total expenditure and (b) expenditure in capacity building was in each year in each New Deal for Communities area; what the (i) total planned expenditure and (ii) planned expenditure on capacity building will be until the end of each project; and if he will make a statement. [69187]

  Mr. McNulty
  The tables, which I shall place in the Library, illustrate the total expenditure and expenditure in capacity building in each year in each New Deal for Communities area so far and the total planned expenditure and planned expenditure on capacity building until the end of each project.

  Good regeneration schemes are developed by genuine and effective partnerships. And good regeneration partnerships genuinely empower the local community, local business, schools, service providers and others in the district. Building and maintaining such partnerships, however, takes time and effort.

  The Government have designed the New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme so as to enable local partnerships to build the capacity of all those involved, including local residents and statutory agencies.

  There is no single definition of community capacity building, and so the figures in the tables should not be used as a basis for comparison between partnerships. Community capacity building can involve a wide range of differing activities—for example it may involve training community representatives, providing support workers to help the community develop skills, or providing access to administrative or office resources. Retaining the involvement and support of the community should be a priority throughout the life of any regeneration scheme.

  Government guidance for NDC partnerships has made clear that we expect them to spend time and money in building the capacity of local people and agencies to participate. NDC partnerships were given considerably longer to prepare their Delivery Plans than in previous regeneration programmes. For the first time, the Government provided funding to help the partnership prepare its Delivery Plan, so that local people could be genuinely involved in the process of preparing the plan. The rules for NDC partnerships allow them to spend up to 10 per cent. of their funding on management and administration costs (that is double the amount allowed under previous programmes), to ensure that the partnership is properly resourced to deliver a programme with communities at its heart. We have asked each partnership to develop and implement a local learning plan, to equip all of the key players to play their full part in the process of neighbourhood renewal.

  WORK AND PENSIONS
  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department for Work and Pensions follows the Cabinet Office's guidance on written consultation which sets 12 weeks as the standard minimum period for a consultation. The table lists the

  Title of consultation

  Start date

  Period in weeks

  Reason for shorter consultation

  Changes to Invalid Care Allowance

  23 July 2001

  12

  —

  Amending the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979

  23 July 2002

  12

  —

  The Minimum Funding Requirement: The next stage of reform. Consultation on the draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Minimum Funding Requirement and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2001 (Occupational Pensions Minimum funding requirements)

  18 September 2001

  12

  —

  Occupational Pension Scheme Winding up Notices and Reports (etc.) Regulations 2001

  1 August 2001

  12

  —

  Occupational and Personal Pension schemes (Disclosure of Information) Amendment Regulations 2001

  13 August 2001

  12

  —

  Private Pensions Simplification

  19 October 2001

  14

  —

  Bulk transfer of accrued pensions rights without member consent

  20 December 2001

  13

  —

  Revised code of practice on for gathering of information as required in Social Security Fraud Act 2001

  8 April 2002

  2

  This was a follow-up to a previous exercise to which minor technical changes were introduced

  Consultation exercise on Pension Scheme Trustees, Independent Custodians and Encouraging Shareholder Activism (Myners report)

  4 February 2002

  12

  —

  Member nominated trustees and directors

  12 February 2002

  4

  The shorter period was needed to fit into a regulatory timetable

  Child Poverty measures

  18 April 2002

  12

  —

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) quinquennial review

  10 May 2002

  12

  —

  Residential Allowance

  22 May 2002

  14

  —

  Equality, opportunity, and independence for all (RRAA)

  30 May 2002

  17

  —

  Rent
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he estimates has been saved by the introduction of local reference rent and single room rent. [61382]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The local reference rent and single room rent were introduced to ensure that the needs of people receiving benefit are balanced against those of the taxpayer. These rules ensure that people receiving housing benefit do not have their rent met in full if it exceeds the broadly average rent for similar sized properties in the locality in which they live, and that the benefit system does not provide unemployed young adults with better housing than their working peers can afford.

  The information is in the table.

  Estimated reduction in housing benefit expenditure arising from the introduction of the local reference rent and single room rent

  £ million

  Financial year

  Estimated reduction in housing benefit expenditure

  1995–96

  5

  1996–97

  55

  1997–98

  135

  1998–99

  150

  1999–2000

  150

  2000–01

  145

  2001–02

  145

  2002–03

  160

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are expressed in nominal terms.

  2. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest £5 million.

  3. Estimates for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are based on forecast caseload and price levels.

  Sources:

  Rent Officer data and Housing Benefit administrative data 1996 to 2001.

  People's Consultative Forums
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many seats pensioners voluntary groups have on Older People's Consultative Forums, broken down by each nation and region. [64843]

  Mr. McCartney
  Within central Government pensioners voluntary groups are represented on the Partnership Group on Older People, established to focus on the provision of advice to the Cabinet Ministerial Committee on Domestic Affairs Sub-committee on Older People. There are 22 members, who include voluntary organisations such as Age Concern England, Help the Aged and the National Pensioners Convention.

  There is one other central Government forum, the Department of Health's Older People's Taskforce, which includes Age Concern England.

  Consultative forums within the devolved Administrations are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive. Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. Consultative forums are also organised by local authorities.

  Information on representation on these and other forums is not held centrally.

  Recycling
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of waste produced in his Department was(a) recycled, (b) composted, and (c) re-used, broken down into (i) paper, (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans and (iv) other in each year since 1997; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement. [65699]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. In 2001, the former Department of Social Security produced 24,000 tonnes of waste, of which 37 per cent. was recycled. The vast majority of recycled waste was paper. No waste was composted. Details are not available prior to 2001.

  For 2002, figures show that paper recycling has risen to 55 per cent. of the total waste produced, amounting to 16,172 tonnes. We plan to extend our paper-recycling scheme across the whole Department in the coming year.

  Redundant office furniture is recycled by DWP's estates partners wherever possible. Metal components are reused and desktops are pulped and recycled where possible. Volume figures are not available for this.

  Surplus IT equipment is refurbished and reused wherever possible. This is facilitated by the Disposal Service Agency, and the refurbished equipment is then distributed through the Computers Within Reach initiative.

  DWP as a whole does not currently separate plastics and aluminium cans from the general waste stream, although local schemes to recycle waste are encouraged and are in place at a number of locations. We plan to examine the potential for a national scheme to recycle these waste streams.

  In addition to the recycling initiatives in place, staff are also actively encouraged to reduce the amount of waste that they generate.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of(a) paper and (b) other goods purchased by his Department was recycled paper in each year since 1997; what the annual total cost of these purchases was; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement. [65770]

  Maria Eagle
  2.12 per cent. of the 1,824,682 reams of paper purchased by DWP in 2001–02 was recycled paper. Of this 1,330,392 reams were purchased from the joint OGC/DWP contract at a cost of £4,913,629. Costs for the remaining 494,290 reams are not available.

  In 2001–02 DWP also purchased 8,434 tonnes of preprinted paper (leaflets and forms), of which 16 per cent. was recycled. 721 tonnes of card and board were also purchased of which 68 per cent. was recycled. Costs are not currently available.

  Information is not available prior to 2001–02.

  We are currently reviewing the measures we have in place to reduce the overall amount of paper used within the Department at the same time as increasing the percentage of recycled paper used.

  Departmental Energy Use
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated(a) level and (b) cost of
  1024W
  energy use in his Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement. [65955]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs on 3 July 2002,Official Report, columns 385–86W.

  Statistics
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the statistics that are collected by his Department by English parliamentary constituency; and if he will make a statement. [67097]

  Mr. McCartney
  [holding answer 8 July 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Ruth Kelly) on 8 July 2002, Official Report, column 769W.

  Sanctions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what sanctions have been applied against claimants over 24 on the Government's New Deal programme; and if he will make a statement. [67725]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Up to March 2002, we estimate that around 17,979 sanctions1 had been applied to people aged over 24 on the New Deal programme. This represents the number of sanctions applied, not the number of people sanctioned as some people will have been sanctioned more than once.
  1 This information has been collected by undertaking a special exercise and is based on a combination of IT-generated statistics and information supplied clerically. The figure is therefore an estimate and should be treated as a guide to the number of sanctions applied only.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many claimants there were to whom deductions in their income support or income based jobseeker's allowance would have been made on their refusal to co-operate with the Department but where the sanctions were not applied because(a) their application would put the claimant or their children at risk of harm and (b) the claimant was in receipt of the disabled premium, disability premium, or a higher pensioner premium, in the latest year for which figures are available; [66727]

  (2) how many claimants there were have had deductions of benefit on the grounds of their refusal to co-operate with the Child Support Agency; what sanctions have been applied; and for what average length of time the sanctions have been applied. [66726]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 4 July 2002]: Every child has a right to a decent start in life whether their parents live together or apart. Children are entitled to care and support and both parents are responsible for providing it. It is reasonable to expect that the parent with care should co-operate with the Child Support Agency unless there are reasonable grounds for believing there would be a risk of harm or undue distress to the parent or any child living with them. If a parent with care refuses, without

  1025W
  good cause, to co-operate with the agency, their benefit may be reduced by up to 40 per cent. of the income support personal allowance for a person aged 25 or over.

  The available information is in the tables. Following the introduction in April 1998 of face-to-face interviews with parents with care claiming benefits, there has been a sharp rise in compliance and a corresponding fall in the number of reduced benefit directions issued. These interviews provide the opportunity to explain to parents with care the advantages of co-operating with the agency as well as the good cause rules.

  Reduced benefit directions issued in respect of parents with care who have failed to co-operate with the Child Support Agency

  Benefit

  Income support/jobseeker's Allowance

  Family credit

  1997–98

  55,115

  19,165

  1998–99

  36,251

  13,437

  1999–2000

  22,115

  6,164

  2000–01

  13,338

  84

  2001–02

  8,163

  6

  Notes:

  1. Figures are not available before April 1997.

  2. Family credit was superseded by working families tax credit in October 1999. Decisions were made on a few residual cases after this date.

  3. Data are not held on the average length of time the directions are in place.

  Source:

  Child Support agency Performance Monitoring Team.

  Cases where a reduced benefit direction was not issued because the parent with care could show good cause for not co-operating with the Child Support Agency—2001–02

  Reason good cause accepted

  Number

  Risk of physical or mental harm to the parent with care or child

  14,393

  Other

  3,118

  Note:

  Other reasons include risk of sexual abuse, rape or incest.

  Source:

  Child Support Agency Performance Monitoring Team.

  Reduced benefit direction exemptions—1999–2000

  Benefit

  Number

  Income support/jobseeker's allowance

  2,028

  Family credit

  403

  Notes:

  1. A parent with care receiving a disability premium, disabled child's premium or higher pensioner premium is exempt from a reduced benefit direction.

  2. Figures have not been collated centrally since 1999–2000.

  Source:

  Child Support Agency Performance Monitoring Team.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for how many people in each of the last five years in(a) the UK, and (b) the (i) Brighton Pavilion, (ii) Brighton Kemptown and (iii) Hove constituencies (A) the sanction of loss of benefits for up to 26 weeks has been applied and (B) benefit has been restored following a review or an appeal. [63527]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in the tables.
  1026W

  Unemployment benefit and jobseeker"s sanctions applied in Great Britian.

  Year

  Sanctions applied

  1997–98

  195,343

  1998–99

  153,420

  1999–2000

  158,531

  2000–01

  164,516

  2001–02

  160,200

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1997–98 include 93 sanctions applied against residual Unemployment Benefit cases.

  2. Data on the number of cases where benefit was reinstated following review or appeal are not available.

  3. Social Security matters in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Source:

  Employment Service Labour Market Statistics, Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions/Sector Decision Making, for years ending 31 March 1998 to 31 March 2002

  Jobseeker"s allowance sanctions applied in the Brighton and Hove area.

  Year

  Sanctions applied

  2000–01

  1,160

  Notes:

  1. Information is not available by parliamentary constituency.

  2. The Brighton and Hove area comprises the area covered by the Brighton Phonenix, Brighton Pavilion, Brighton Regent and Hove Jobcentre Plus offices.

  3. Due to a computer failure local information is limited to 2000–01.

  4. Data on the number of cases where benefit was reinstated following review or appeal are not available.

  Source:

  Employment Service Labour Market Statistics for year ending 31 March 2001.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to give the Child Support Agency the power of surveillance in tackling fraud; and if he will make a statement. [67042]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to hon. my Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mrs. Merron) on 24 June 2002,Official Report, column 676W.

  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether student loan repayments and student overdraft interest payments are counted as outgoings when the CSA calculates payments due from absent parents. [70749]

  Malcolm Wicks
  No.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases a parent with care withdrew a claim for income support after action by the Child Support Agency in each year from 1993–94 to 2001–02. [67237]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available.

  Public Consultations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by his Department since 8 June 2001. [68742]

  Consultation
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether consultation documents published by his Department in 2001 carried the consultation criteria as recommended in the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultations. [70084]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. From then to the end of 2001, the Department published eight consultation documents. Of these, two included the consultation criteria listed in the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on written consultation. Procedures are now in place to ensure that all new consultations include this information.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which consultation documents published by his Department in 2001 were not made available as paper copies. [69830]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security and parts of the Department
  1028W
  consultations the Department has begun, or completed since 8 June 2001. There were two occasions where shorter consultations have been conducted, and the reasons for this are included in the table.

  for Education and Employment. All written consultations published by the Department were available as paper copies.

  Benefits
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps have been taken to simplify the benefits system over each of the past three years; what steps it is proposed to take to simplify the system further; and if he will make a statement. [69249]

  Malcolm Wicks
  There will always be an element of complexity in the benefits system due to the diverse range of contingencies for which it must cater. However, we are overhauling service delivery to meet the different needs of the Department's client groups and investing in improved and modernised services that are more accurate, make better use of technology, and are simpler for people to understand and access.

  For people of working age, we are delivering this through Jobcentre Plus, building on the success of the ONE pilots in bringing together employment and benefit
  1029W
  services at a single point of contact. Some 50 pathfinder offices opened in October 2001, and Jobcentre Plus was launched as a national organisation at the beginning of April 2002. 56 integrated Jobcentre Plus offices are now open, and we aim to roll out a further 225 between October of this year and April 2003. The 2002 spending review further advances our reform and modernisation programme by announcing the roll-out of Jobcentre Plus nationally by 2006 to deliver an enhanced work-focused service for all people of working age.

  Further steps to promote work include the introduction of the Working Tax Credit from April 2003 which extends support to low income workers without children. And the new Child Tax Credit, also from April 2003 will provide a single, seamless system of support for families.

  The new Disability and Carer Directorate operates as a discrete business within the Department, responsible for the civil rights agenda for disabled people. Through the Disability and Carers Service, it also delivers Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Invalid Care Allowance and will, over time, streamline benefits delivery and improve customer service.

  The Pension Service replaced the Benefits Agency services for pensioners from April 2002, and is working to introduce an improved service tailored to the needs of today's and future pensioners. For the first time, there is a service dedicated to the needs of pensioners and helping people understand their pension options and ways to save for their retirement. Pensioners can use The Pension Service as a gateway to other services such as Housing Benefit and Attendance Allowance.

  The Pension Service will also deliver Pension Credit from October 2003. This replaces the Minimum Income Guarantee and represents a major simplification of provision for pensioners. For example, it does away with the rules excluding pensioners with savings of £12,000 or more from receiving help and, from age 65, most pensioners will not have to report changes in income for a fixed period of five years, effectively abolishing the weekly means test.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what notification his Department has provided to benefit recipients about the move to automated credit transfer from April 2003; and what role Jobcentre Plus and the Pension Service will have in ensuring that all claimants are aware of the changes. [70021]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The department intends to conduct a customer information campaign, which will inform customers about the changes to the way we pay benefits and pensions. The campaign will begin in the run up to April 2003 when we will start to move customers to payment into bank or building society accounts so that customers have the information they need at the point of their transfer from payment by order book. The campaign will incorporate the Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he will take to co-ordinate activities between the Child Support Agency and the Benefits Agency to combat benefit fraud; and if he will assess the advantages of measures to deal with deliberate evasion of child support maintenance by absent parents. [69741]
  1030W
  Malcolm Wicks
  Jobcentre Plus and the Child Support Agency (CSA) already work closely to identify and investigate benefit fraud.

  In a Child Support case where either parent is in receipt of prescribed benefits and fraud is suspected or detected, the case is referred to Jobcentre Plus to investigate. All Departmental fraud investigations (including those carried out by the CSA) are to a common standard informed by a single Professional Standards Unit established in Jobcentre Plus. All fraud structures and processes are informed by the Fraud Head of Profession in Jobcentre Plus who has the function of integrating and co-ordinating good practice.

  In January 2001 new criminal offences were introduced to the Child Support legislation. Parents who seek to avoid their child support responsibilities by lying to the Child Support Agency or refusing to provide information now face criminal proceedings. The legislation provides for a fine of up to £1000. The CSA has so far successfully prosecuted 5 non-resident parents under this legislation.

  Legislation was also introduced in April 2001 to allow the courts to consider disqualifying a non-resident parent from holding or obtaining a driving licence as an alternative to a term of imprisonment for non-payment of maintenance. The courts decide which, if either, option to use. Since April 2001 the CSA has submitted 94 cases for committal. Of these, 44 non-resident parents began paying maintenance when they learned of the possible disqualification. The courts withdrew one driving licence and imposed a suspended disqualification in three other cases.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he intends to take following the second report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate on the administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit in Kirklees Metropolitan Council. [72979]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Using the powers available to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in Section 139D of the Social Security Administration Act 1992, my right hon. Friend is today giving Directions to Kirklees Metropolitan Council, following the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's second report on the Council's administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  We are disappointed that Kirklees Metropolitan Council has been the subject of two critical reports by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate before taking action to remedy their problems with benefit administration.

  However, we are pleased that the Council is now starting to take its responsibilities seriously and that significant improvements are being made in benefit administration.

  We hope the council will look upon the Directions as a further stimulus for continuing improvement.

  A copy of the Directions has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the(a) total cost of benefit fraud investigations and (b) the net savings from benefit fraud investigations in each of the last five years. [71778]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: We set out our strategy for tackling fraud and error in the paper "A New Contract for Welfare: Safeguarding Social
  1031W
  Security" (CM4276) published on 23 March 1999. The overall aim of the strategy is to have a benefit system that is secure from first claim to first payment.

  The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of the Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments. It is therefore not possible to account for the cost of anti-fraud work separately.

  The work of benefit fraud investigators has an important effect both through fraud detected and as a deterrent that prevents fraud happening in the first place. It is therefore not possible to provide an estimate of net savings from benefit fraud investigations. However, we know from our continuous measurement of the level of fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance that by March 2001 we had achieved a reduction of 18 per cent.—almost twice the target of 10 per cent. for March 2002 and a year ahead of schedule.

  The Spending Review announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15 July includes an increase in our existing target to reduce fraud and error in payments of income support and jobseeker's allowance. We are now committed to a 33 per cent. reduction in these payments by March 2004, as a milestone towards a 50 per cent. reduction by March 2006. And for the first time we have set a target for tackling fraud and error in housing benefit that aims for a 25 per cent. reduction by 2006.

  Pension Rights
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to introduce primary legislation to protect the pension rights of British citizens who have worked in Australia. [69936]

  Mr. McCartney
  We will legislate at the earliest suitable opportunity to ensure that, for British citizens who went to live in Australia before the end of the reciprocal Social Security Agreement on 28 February 2001, any periods of residence in Australia from the start of the Agreement on 29 January 1958 up to and including 5 April 2001 will be used in the calculation of basic state pension if they return to live permanently in the United Kingdom.

  Until we can introduce primary legislation, we will continue to make extra statutory payments to such people who return to the UK on a permanent basis, if they have less than the standard rate of basic pension.

  ACT
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government expects the installation of the hardware and software for the ACT system to commence; when the training for Post Office staff will commence; and when guidance for customers will be issued. [70189]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: Plans are progressing to put all of the necessary changes in place from April 2003.

  Training for Post Office staff is an operational matter for the Post Office, who say they are also on track for April 2003.
  1032W
  The Department is currently planning an information campaign to give customers the information they need about the move to paying directly into bank/building society accounts.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in the Hastings and Rye constituency who will benefit from(a) the guaranteed credit and (b) the savings credit when the pension credit provisions take effect in April 2003. [70332]

  Mr. McCartney
  I regret that the information requested is not available. Pension Credit will be introduced in October 2003. The guarantee credit will ensure that no pensioner need live on less than £100 a week. The savings credit will ensure that even those with modest savings will see that it pays to have saved. On average pensioners who qualify for Pension Credit will be £400 a year better off.

  Currently in the Hastings and Rye constituency there are around 3,600 pensioners receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee. Those in receipt in October 2003 will be automatically transferred onto Pension Credit which will subsume the Minimum Income Guarantee.

  Notes:

  1. Based on a 5 per cent. sample; therefore subject to sampling variation.

  2. Figure has been rounded to the nearest 100.

  3. Parliamentary Constituency has been allocated using the relevant ONS postcode directory.

  4. Minimum Income Guarantee claimants are defined as Income Support benefit units where the claimant, and/or partner, is aged 60 and over.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, February 2002.

  Age Discrimination
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Government are doing to encourage private companies to combat age discrimination. [71360]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Government are determined to combat age discrimination in employment, and are actively doing so under the banner of our Age Positive campaign. We are working hard to encourage companies to use non-ageist employment practices, leading up to the implementation of age legislation in 2006.

  In consultation with employers, we have produced the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment. The Code sets the standard for non-ageist employment practices. Evaluation of the impact of the code shows that the number of companies whose policies discriminate against older people has halved, from 14 per cent. to 7 per cent., since 1999.

  Our Age Positive campaign is strongly promoting the business benefits of an age diverse work force to employers of all types. Small and medium sized companies are currently participating in our second series of 20 good-practice workshops. Age Positive awards recognise businesses that are tackling discrimination by means of non-ageist employment policies. Employers are
  1033W
  supporting the campaign by sharing their experiences with others. These case studies are on the Age Positive website, together with the Code of Practice and other guidance. Last month we published the report 'Flexible Retirement—a snapshot of large employers' initiatives', which shows that an increasing number of companies are now adopting more flexible retirement policies.

  Children (Low-income Families)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what baseline figure is to be used in assessing progress in meeting his target of reducing the number of children living in low-income households by at least a quarter by 2004. [71783]

  Malcolm Wicks
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: The baseline used to measure this Public Service Agreement target is 1998–99 Households Below Average Income figures. This target is shared with HM Treasury. Full details of the target, its baseline and how it is measured are contained in a technical note which has been placed in the Library.

  The latest available HBAI figures for 2000–01 show that there has been a fall of 0.3 million children on the after housing costs measure and 0.4 million children on the before housing costs measure. Therefore, after a third of the way through monitoring this PSA target we are a third of the way to meeting it.

  Car Allowance
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what rate of car allowance is payable to a person attending a medical or appeal board; when the rate was set; how the rate is calculated; whether there are plans to raise it; and if he will make a statement. [72013]

  Maria Eagle
  For people attending a medical board, the standard rate of car allowance payable is 6.5 pence per mile, which is paid towards meeting the fuel costs of customers attending for a medical examination when public transport is not available.

  The rate, which was chosen by the Department for Work and Pensions, reflected the rate in payment to its own staff, at the time it was set, where the only element of reimbursement was in respect of fuel. This decision was taken in the interests of safeguarding public resources and was intended to correct the wide variations in interpretation of previous instructions, so as to ensure that customers received the same rate of recompense regardless of where in the country they lived.

  In order to continue improving the standard of information provided to its customers, SchlumbergerSema have revised the ALIC form that provides important information about the medical examination.

  The ALIC form now states: 'if you do not travel by public transport we will make a 6.5 pence per mile contribution to fuel costs if you use a private motor vehicle'. This will enable the customer to be aware of exactly how much they will receive if they travel by car.

  The rate of car allowance payable to people attending an appeal board is set by the Appeals Service, who pay 12 pence per mile and 2 pence per mile for each additional passenger. The rate was set on 1 January 2002. It is
  1034W
  calculated by using the average petrol costs as researched by the Automobile Association. The rate is for actual fuel costs and does not cover running costs.

  There are no immediate plans to raise the rates. However, a full review of departmental policy with regard to the reimbursement of travelling expenses to interviews, tribunals and examinations is being carried out, with the recommendations to be made later in the year.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the(a) annual report on the social fund 2001–02 and (b) Social Fund Commissioner's annual report on the standard of social fund inspectors' decisions will be published. [72421]

  Malcolm Wicks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's annual report on the social fund for 2001–02 (CM 5492) was published today and has been laid before Parliament.

  The report records that gross expenditure, excluding winter fuel payments, in 2001–02 was £761.8 million. Together with expenditure on winter fuel payments of around £1.7 billion, this resulted in total gross expenditure of almost £2.5 billion. The discretionary social fund helped more people than ever before with around 2.5 million awards made. This included more than 233,000 non-repayable grants and more than 2,231,000 interest-free loans together worth £646.9 million. 42,000 funeral and 1.8 million cold weather payments totalling £53.7 million were made. More than 11 million people aged 60 or over in eight million households benefited from a winter fuel payment. In addition, 201,000 sure start maternity grants worth £61.2 million were made.

  The Social Fund Commissioner's report has also been published today and copies placed in the Library.

  Pensions Policy
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to change pensions policy. [72458]

  Mr. McCartney
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 July 2002,Official Report, column 1054.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answers of 12 March 2002,Official Report, column 959W, 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 242W and 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 88W, on winter fuel payments, if he has concluded his discussions with the European Commission about the extent of the United Kingdom's legal obligations under European regulations on winter fuel payments; and if he will make a statement. [72604]

  Mr. McCartney
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Wayne David) on 19 July 2002,Official Report, column 599W.

  Annual Reports
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the 2000–01 annual reports and accounts for each of his agencies. [72980]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The 2001–02 annual reports and accounts for Benefits Agency (HC 929) and Employment Service (HC 955) which ceased to operate on the 31 March 2002 and those for The Appeals Service (HC1068) and Child Support Agency (HC 894) and have been laid before Parliament today.

  Employer Direct
  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employers have contacted Employer Direct since it was introduced; and what measures have been taken to ensure that this initiative meets the needs of employers. [61487]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive, Leigh Lewis. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Phil Sawford Esq MP, dated June 2002:
  As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of employers who have contacted Employer Direct since it was introduced and the measures that have been taken to ensure that this initiative meets the needs of employers. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Since the national implementation of Employer Direct on 26 January 2002 over 700,000 calls from employers have been received and nearly 600,000 vacancies notified.
  During the development of Employer Direct there was wide ranging consultation with employers. This included the formation of a national group of employers in addition to discussion and liaison at local level.
  In addition to taking employers' views in the development and roll out of Employer Direct we seek feedback from employers as a matter of course whenever they use the Employer Direct service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Specialist Training
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance and specialist training is given to staff in benefits offices and jobcentres in dealing with people with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement. [65785]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive, Leigh Lewis. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  General Matching Service

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  /999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Referrals issued

  62,937

  85,071

  137,307

  139,292

  217,039

  234,671

  167,950

  Positive results1

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  67,121

  86,598

  83,742

  Successful prosecutions

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  63

  844

  952

  Cautions and administrative penalties

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  288

  2,417

  2,497

  Total overpayments3 (£ million)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  35.0

  59.5

  65.5

  Total negative monetary value adjustment4 (£ million)

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1.9

  2.5

  3.0

  Benefit. Information (Pilot Schemes)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what pilot schemes he will run to ensure that information and procedures given to benefit recipients will have been fully tested prior to the April 2003 deadline; and if he will make a statement. [70556]

  Mr. McCartney
  There will be a phased introduction of different benefit types and customer volumes. This is aimed at reducing risk and operational complexity during the early part of the conversion period and will also be a way to test conversion processes and the information to he given to customers to ensure that it meets their needs.

  Benefits Data
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals' personal data have been processed in data matching exercises in connection with benefit fraud; how many cases were identified as part of that data matching exercise as being possible cases of benefit fraud requiring further investigation; how many cases after investigation were deemed likely to be fraudulent; how many cases were prosecuted; what the total costs were of all data matching exercises, including staff and computer costs; and what the estimated total savings to the public purse are and the multiplier used in this calculation. [59210]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Data-matching is a powerful tool in the detection of fraud and incorrectness in the benefit system. The Department's Matching Intelligence Data Analysis Service (MIDAS) operates the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) for benefits administered by the Department, and the Housing Benefit Matching Service (HBMS) for housing benefit and council tax benefit which are administered by local authorities.

  The data-matching process involves data extracts being taken from the Department's main benefit computer systems and local authority benefit systems which are matched against each other using data matching "rules" to identify discrepancies between the data sets. Such discrepancies are then referred for local investigation. Legislation also provides for personal data held by other Government Departments to be matched against departmental and local authority data to identify discrepancies.

  It is not possible to say how many individuals' personal data have been processed in data-matching exercises because each individual's details may be held on several systems at the same time.

  Information on the overall cost of conducting data-matching exercises and investigating discrepancies is not available.

  The available information on the results from GMS and HBMS data-matching operations is in the tables.
  1037W

  Housing Benefit Matching Service5

  Up to 1998

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Referrals issued

  25,940

  49.084

  65,143

  86,006

  78,144

  Positive results1

  2—

  2—

  2—

  29,037

  32,243

  Successful prosecutions

  2—

  75

  208

  392

  319

  Total overpayments3 (£ million)

  3.4

  10.6

  18.6

  37.2

  36.8

  Weekly benefit savings × 32 weeks (£ million)

  4.3

  12.9

  17.8

  22.2

  21.8

  1Cases where, following investigation, there was an increase or decrease in the rate of benefit because of fraud, customer error or official error.

  2Information is not available.

  3Arising from fraud, customer error or official error.

  4Monetary Value Adjustment (MVA) is the difference between the weekly amount of benefit that would have been paid, or would have continued to be paid, and the benefit paid following the decision-maker's decision on the information gathered. MVA was introduced during the 1999–2000 financial year. Prior to the GMS recorded a Weekly Benefit Savings (WBS) figure that used a multiplier of 32 weeks. This method of recording savings was used by HBMS until 31 March 2002, after which it began to use MVA. Separate GMS figures for WBS and overpayments prior to 1999–2000 are not available.

  5HBMS does not record sanctions information.

  Source:

  Matching Intelligence Detection Analysis Services management information.

  Press Office
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) full time equivalents were employed by his press office and (b) secondees were placed in his press office in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [70537]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, parts of the former Department for Education and Employment and the Employment service,

  The Department for Work and Pensions currently employs 21 full time press officers. No secondees have been placed in the press office.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to analyse the potential effects of council tax revaluation on the levels of council tax benefit restriction; and if he will make a statement. [68906]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Council Tax revaluation will start in 2005 and Council Tax bills based on updated property values will be issued in 2007. Nearer the time, when the implications of Council Tax revaluation become clear, we will consider what impact this may have on Council Tax Benefit restrictions.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the annual saving has been to the Exchequer since the council tax benefit restriction scheme was introduced; [70033]

  (2) what average cost was borne by each restricted household in (a) band F, (b) band G arid (c) band H in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region, in the most recent year for which figures are available; [70026]

  (3) how many council tax benefit cases there were in (a) band F, (b) band G and (c) band Hr in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region in the most recent year for which figures are available; [70027]

  (4) how many and what percentage of council tax benefit claims restricted to band E are (a) owner occupied and (b) rented in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region; [70029]
  1038W
  (5)how many and what percentage of council tax benefit cases are (a) owner occupied and (b) rented in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region; [70028]

  (6) how many and what percentage of council tax benefit claims were restricted to band E for (a) all properties, (b) RSLs and (c) local authority properties in (i) England and (ii) each Government office region in the most recent year for which figures are available; [70030]

  (7) how many restricted council tax benefit cases there were in (a) band F, (b) band G and (c) band H for (i) England and (ii) each Government office region in the most recent year for which figures are available. [70025]

  Malcolm Wicks
  We do not believe it is right that people living in more expensive properties and who therefore have a higher council tax liability, should, as a matter of course, have all that liability met by taxpayers.

  Since 2 July 2001, local authorities have been able to make discretionary housing payments to people entitled to housing benefit and council tax benefit who require additional help with their rent or council tax, including those people whose council tax benefit has been restricted. These payments are at the discretion of the local authority and subject to an annual cash limit. For 2002–03, the Government are contributing £20 million nationally towards the overall limit of £50 million which local authorities can spend.

  Comparative data from which to calculate the actual reduction in spending since the restrictions were introduced in April 1998, are not available.

  Such other information as is available has been placed in the Library.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Wiggin

  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact on the disabled of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [71015]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department has commissioned a number of research studies that examine how the Disability Discrimination Act is having an impact on disabled people. Some have yet to report but it is clear that the number of cases being taken under the DDA is increasing, demonstrating that disabled people are making use of their rights'. A body of case law is being developed, which will
  1039W
  help disabled people to understand the practical application of the law to their own circumstances. There is also evidence that employers are changing their policies and practices with an increase in the number of employers with policies on the employment of disabled people since the Act's introduction in 19962.
  1Leverton, S. (2002) Monitoring the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Phase 2), DWP in-house report 91. This is a follow-up study to research commissioned by DfEE: Meager et al. (1999) Monitoring the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, DfEE Research Report RR119).
  2Golstone, C. (2002) Barriers to Employment for Disabled People, DWP In-House Report 95.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people reached state pension age in each of the last five years; and how many people are expected to do so in each of the next five years. [72417]

  Mr. McCartney
  The available information is set out in the table.

  Number of women aged 60 and the number of men aged 65

  1997

  540,000

  1998

  540,000

  I999

  540,000

  2000

  550,000

  2001

  530,000

  2002

  560,000

  2003

  590,000

  2004

  610,000

  2005

  600,000

  2006

  590,000

  2007

  710,000

  Notes:

  1 Information is taken from the Government Actuary's Department population statistics.

  2. The figures are based on people reaching age 60–65 in a particular year.

  3. The total number of people is rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  Pensions Advice
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research has been undertaken into the preferred methods by pensioners of accessing pensions advice; and if he will make a statement. [72188]

  Mr. McCartney
  A number of research projects have been undertaken by the Department and other organisations looking at pensioners' preferred methods of obtaining advice and of claiming pensions and benefits. The research published by the Department is listed below and copies of the reports are available in the Library.

  In 2001 the Department commissioned BMRB International to carry out a large scale survey of peoples' attitudes to electronic methods of conducting benefits business. The survey topics include pensioners' current and preferred methods of applying for benefits and pensions. Findings from the research will be published in the autumn.
  Bunt K., Adams L. and Vivian D. (2000) Evaluation of the Pension Power For You Helpline, DSS Research report No. 121, CDS, Leeds
  Bunt K., Adams L. and Vivian D. (2000) The Pension Power For You Helpline: Final report, DSS In-house report No.70
  Chang, D., Spicer, N., Irving, A., Sparham, I. and Neeve, L. (2001), The Better Government For Older People Prototypes, DSS Research report No. 136, CDS, Leeds
  Rose, T. (1999) Modernising Service Delivery: The Integrated Services Prototype. DSS Research report 104, Corporate Document Services, Leeds
  Stafford, B., Kellard, K. and Horsley, E. (1997) Customer Contact with the Benefits Agency DSS Research report 65, Corporate Document Services, Leeds.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in his Department; and what the(a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case. [68723]

  Mr. McCartney
  All overseas travel by officials in the Department is undertaken in accordance with the principles set out in chapter 8 of the Civil Service Management Code, and the detailed rules and guidance set out in the Departmental Business Travel and Relocation Expenses Guide. The detailed information requested about individual trips is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is planned for HIV-positive mothers in the new asylum seekers accommodation centres. [70561]

  Beverley Hughes
  HIV positive mothers in accommodation centres will be advised not to breast-feed. We will ensure that safe alternatives to breast milk are available for HIV-infected mothers with young babies, and that these can be accessed in a way that preserves their privacy.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the employment concession for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [72779]

  Beverley Hughes
  The asylum system is working increasingly quickly, through reforms and increased resources. Measures in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill will continue this process. This means that the employment concession, whereby asylum seekers could apply for permission to work if their application remained outstanding for longer than six months without a decision being made, is becoming increasingly irrelevant. The vast majority—around 80 per cent. of asylum seekers—receive a decision within six months, and work is continuing to improve that further. An increasingly small number of people, therefore, are entitled to apply for the concession. It is also the case that the great majority of new asylum applicants will have their cases decided within two months arid the concession, which dates from a time when lengthy delays were widespread in the asylum system, is therefore no longer appropriate.

  I am determined to make it clear that there is a distinct separation between asylum processes and labour migration channels. It is essential that we have a robust asylum process that works effectively and swiftly in the interests of refugees, and also is not open to abuse by those who would seek to come here to work. But that does not mean we are 'fortress Britain'. The Government are putting in place an effective managed migration programme and continues to create a number of work routes to allow more people to come and work here legally in ways which boost our economy. For example, the Government have overhauled the work permits system and the number of work permits issued has doubled over the past two years—in 2001 we issued work permits to nearly 140,000 people. Other entry routes for people who want to work in the United Kingdom include the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, the Working Holidaymakers Scheme (under which nearly 40,000 Commonwealth young people a year come to the United Kingdom for a working holiday) and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (which brings in nearly 20,000 seasonal workers a year). In addition, the Government are currently consulting on schemes to bring in more temporary workers in industries with recruitment difficulties.

  Those who are granted refugee status can work immediately, and we welcome the enormous contribution that the skills and knowledge of refugees can make to our society and to our economy. However, our asylum system
  1042W
  exists to help those fleeing persecution—those who want to come here to work must do so through the various economic routes available rather than abuse the asylum system.

  I have therefore decided, with immediate effect, that the concession should he abolished. Asylum seekers who already have permission to work will retain that right until such time as a final decision is made on their claim. Asylum seekers who, prior to this announcement, had sought permission to work but have not had a response, will have their requests considered in line with our previous policy. I will retain a discretion to grant permission to work for asylum seekers in exceptional cases.

  It is absolutely vital, of course, that all asylum seekers use their time constructively while their case is considered. Therefore, I have also decided to review our current rules governing the voluntary work which asylum seekers can undertake, in order to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers to participation.

  To demonstrate our on-going commitment to purposeful activity for asylum seekers, we have also awarded over £900,000 to 135 projects across the United Kingdom for summer programmes to give them the opportunity to get involved in voluntary activities in the community, or partake in sports-orientated and educational events.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives his officials as to the acceptable time within which a decision is notified to asylum seekers after interview. [70383]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]: The Government's target in 2002–03 is for officials in the Integrated Casework Directorate of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to make and serve decisions within two months from the date of application in 65 per cent. of new substantive asylum claims. Against that target the aim is to notify decisions as soon after interview as full consideration of the individual merits of each case can take place.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the length of time set by him an applicant for indefinite leave to remain in the UK should normally be required to wait for their application to be considered; and what information about the progress of the application is provided to the applicant during this period. [70142]

  Beverley Hughes
  We aim to decide straightforward general immigration applications, which can include those for indefinite leave to remain, on initial consideration within three weeks. At present such applicants are taking on average around four weeks to decide but we are working to reduce this to three weeks as soon as possible. Some applications that need more detailed consideration of further inquiries are, at present, taking up to 12 months to consider due to the large number of cases currently in the system.

  All applications are acknowledged within two weeks of receipt which includes advice as to the likely time scale for initial consideration. If the application cannot be completed on initial consideration a further letter is sent advising the likely time scale for considering such cases.
  1043W
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the maternity grant is available to asylum seekers who are mothers living in emergency accommodation. [70562]

  Beverley Hughes
  Asylum seekers in emergency accommodation are provided with temporary support under section 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (the 1999 Act). Asylum seeking mothers in emergency accommodation are not eligible to receive a maternity grant because this is available only to asylum seekers assessed as eligible to receive support and in receipt of support under section 95 of the 1999 Act. Asylum seekers in emergency accommodation who give birth to a baby are provided with a pack of items to enable them to meet the needs of their baby.

  Asylum Removals Centres
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are included which take into account the proximity of schools, housing estates, industrial and regeneration sites in respect of asylum removals centres. [70945]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]: When examining individual sites differing criteria are used, dependant upon our requirements. These will be specific to a particular site or project.

  National Asylum Support Service
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 May 2002,Official Report, column 329W, on the National Asylum Support Service, what the average time taken by NASS to respond to correspondence from (a) supported asylum seekers and (b) their representatives is. [56636]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Operations Section of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for determining applications for support and answering correspondence about the support offered. All correspondence received within the Operations Section of NASS—currently in excess of 4,000 pieces per week—is subject to a target for completion. Targets are applied across the board—there is no distinction between correspondence received from an asylum seeker or a third party.

  Targets for response depend on the nature of the correspondence. Correspondence which can be fast tracked will receive meaningful action within three working days. Correspondence raising complex issues will receive meaningful action within 10 working days. For example, an application for a single additional payment will be assessed within three working days of receipt and the applicant is notified of the outcome at this stage. Any payment approved will be included in the support applicant's regular payment within three weeks of the application being made.

  All targets are monitored to ensure compliance and any backlog is addressed to avoid unnecessary delay.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the annual report for
  1044W
  2001–02 of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's independent Complaints Audit Committee; and if he will make a statement. [72982]

  Beverley Hughes
  A copy of the report has been placed in the Library and will be placed on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website. It is a useful and informative document, and I am grateful to the Committee for its comments and its recommendations. I am currently considering how best to implement the recommendations.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the programme of training, exchanges and co-operation in the field of asylum, immigration and crossing of external borders (Odysseus) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58454]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Odysseus Committee assisted the European Commission in the management and implementation of a programme to co-fund projects to promote co-operation in matters of asylum, immigration, the crossing of external borders and the security of identity documents. The programme expired on 31 March 2002.

  The Odysseus Committee met once a year to discuss the proposed bids for funding and agree the allocation of funds to successful projects. One of the first projects to receive such funding was a seminar held at the Civil Service College in Sunningdale in 1998 on combating illegal immigration.

  The United Kingdom was represented on the Committee by a Home Office official and an official from the United Kingdom Permanent Representation in Brussels.

  The Odysseus programme was funded by the European Community budget and travel costs to attend Committee meetings were met by the European Commission. However, the Home Office paid a subsistence allowance to cover attendance at a Committee meeting.

  The European Commission was required to prepare an annual report on the implementation of the Odysseus programme and is currently preparing the report for its final year. This will he sent to the European Parliament and Council, and will be published on the EUROPA internet website. I did not see a need for further measures to increase the Committee's accountability and transparency during its lifetime.

  The Odysseus programme is to be replaced by a new funding programme for co-operation in the fields of external borders, visas, asylum and immigration to be known as ARGO.

  Deportees
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in jails in the UK have been deported to the US to face charges that could result in the death penalty in that country in each of the last five years. [71327]
  1045W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  None. Our policy is in accordance with the Sixth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, and with the provisions of the Extradition Act 1989. We do not extradite any persons to a jurisdiction where the offence for which they could be tried, or for which they have been tried, carries the death penalty, unless sufficient assurances are provided by the requesting state that the death penalty will not be imposed, or if imposed, will not be carried out.

  Accommodation Centres
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the per capita cost of education provision in accommodation centres. [71326]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]: We are in the process of running a competition for the delivery of accommodation centres. Information about costs is commercially confidential.

  Police
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of service was for a(a) policewoman and (b) policeman in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available. [50682]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest figures available are for March 2000 and they are set out in the table.

  The lower average length of service for women officers in part reflects the increase in recent years in the number and proportion of women in the police service from 14,496 female officers (11.6 per cent. of strength) in 1990 to 21,800 (17.4 per cent. of strength) by September 2001.

  However, the rate of voluntary resignation by women is higher than the rate for men and this also contributes to the shorter average length of service.

  As part of the Dismantling Barriers initiative, we have asked forces to carry out externally audited exit interviews with departing staff to build a picture of why those leaving have decided to do so, and identify where changes might help retain staff.

  We are liaising with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Work/Life Balance Team to determine how the Home Office can assist forces in using flexible working.

  A research project into the retention of policy officers is under way, to inform the development of effective and practical approaches by forces to improve the retention of police officers. The focus of the research is on those forces identified as having high or increasing levels of resignations and among those groups of officers (including women officers) that have disproportionately high levels of resignations.

  Mean average length of service in years for female and male police officers March 20001,2

  Mean

  Female officers (0–30 years' service only3)

  9.7

  All female officers (includes over 30 years' service3)

  9.7

  1046W

  Mean average length of service in years for female and male police officers March 20001,2

  Mean

  Male officers (0–30 years' service only3)

  14.6

  All male officers (includes over 30 years' service3)

  15.0

  1Source—Dismantling Barriers monitoring return March 2002.

  2Individual officers' length of service is not available centrally. These figures are calculated from aggregate returns showing the total number of officers in each year of service and are therefore approximate.

  3Two figures are shown. The standard period of service 30 years, although some officers elect to serve beyond this, with the agreement of their chief constable. The first figure is therefore the average for officers who have 0–30 years' service. The second figure includes officers who have over 30 years' service. There are very few female officers with over 30 years' service, so the average length of service does not increase if they are included, where it does for male officers.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans he has in place should the police work to rule, ban overtime or strike. [38817]

  Mr. Denham
  Police officers do not have the right to strike. Under section 91 of the Police Act 1996, it is a criminal offence for anyone to cause disaffection among police officers or to induce any police officer to withhold his services. Police officers are under a duty to carry out all lawful orders, so would have to work overtime if required to do so.

  On 9 May, we reached agreement in the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) on a package of reforms to police pay and conditions of service. PNB is the statutory negotiating body for police pay and conditions of service, on which all the main police organisations are represented, including the Police Federation, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities. The PNB was, in part, set up to compensate for police officers not having the right to strike. Due process was followed throughout the negotiations leading up to the Agreement on 9 May.

  Police Retention
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 299W, on police retention, what proportion of police officers retired from each force in each year since 1997 (a) on medical grounds (b) at normal retirement age and (c) on other grounds: and what the net change was as a proportion of each force in each year since 1997. [38032]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 February 2002]: The figures given in the answer of 12 February 2001, were those collected by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate (RDS) and published as Police Personnel Statistics. For the purpose of these statistics, wastage is collected on a headcount basis (ie the number of persons) in the following categories: retirements, resignations and other. The statistics do not distinguish between medical and other retirements.
  1047W
  In addition to the information collected by RDS, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) collects information annually about wastage from the police service broken down into the following categories:

  Dismissals from force (including requirements to resign)

  Voluntary resignations

  Medical retirements

  Ordinary retirements

  Transfers from force

  Deaths

  Forces are asked to provide these figures on a full-time equivalent basis, not on a headcount basis. HMIC's information has been used to provide the figures in a table for the numbers and proportion of medical and ordinary retirements and other leavers (excluding transfers), a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Information for 2001–02 will not be available until later in the year.

  As the statistics collected by HMIC are gathered on a different basis from those collected twice a year by RDS, information from the two sources cannot be reconciled directly. We are aware of the inconsistent basis between the two sets of figures and established a task force to consider these issues. The task force report was issued for consultation on 18 December 2001. The report of the task force proposes a comprehensive revision to the current requirements on police personnel statistics. Following consultation with the police service we will implement the necessary changes from September 2002.

  Police Firearms
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent statistics are for the police use of firearms. [72974]

  Mr. Denham
  The statistics for April 2000 to March 2001 show that the number of police operations in which firearms were issued was 11,109. The number of occasions on which firearms were discharged by police increased to nine.

  There was a small decrease in the number of operations in which armed response vehicles were deployed.

  Full details are set out in the tables:

  Number of operations in which firearms were authorized

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  139

  88

  90

  65

  Bedfordshire

  323

  260

  190

  294

  Cambridgeshire

  96

  43

  75

  71

  Cheshire

  216

  29

  386

  545

  Cleveland

  103

  35

  76

  28

  City of London

  307

  147

  125

  3

  Cumbria

  68

  52

  24

  30

  Derbyshire

  147

  176

  178

  167

  Devon and Cornwall

  133

  61

  65

  151

  Dorset

  54

  69

  79

  174

  Durham

  103

  114

  114

  40

  Essex

  505

  590

  497

  435

  Gloucestershire

  51

  52

  52

  48

  Greater Manchester

  165

  160

  224

  357

  1048W

  Number of operations in which firearms were authorized

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Hampshire

  217

  129

  103

  114

  Hertfordshire

  82

  75

  73

  86

  Humberside

  472

  317

  193

  158

  Kent

  423

  92

  85

  83

  Lancashire

  338

  616

  267

  242

  Leicestershire

  89

  109

  222

  217

  Lincolnshire

  52

  57

  155

  336

  Merseyside

  675

  484

  489

  825

  Metropolitan

  2,578

  2,742

  2,862

  1,862

  Norfolk

  128

  185

  239

  226

  Northamptonshire

  77

  51

  57

  58

  Northumbria

  823

  683

  465

  708

  North Yorkshire

  102

  69

  61

  72

  Nottinghamshire

  306

  266

  255

  233

  South Yorkshire

  302

  135

  237

  127

  Staffordshire

  240

  209

  174

  203

  Suffolk

  193

  174

  165

  176

  Surrey

  87

  60

  143

  221

  Sussex

  330

  123

  185

  353

  Thames Valley

  227

  158

  110

  153

  Warwickshire

  152

  291

  194

  233

  West Mercia

  132

  130

  110

  36

  West Midlands

  227

  305

  362

  485

  West Yorkshire

  630

  662

  813

  822

  Wiltshire

  26

  24

  19

  66

  Dyfed Powys

  27

  38

  37

  18

  Gwent

  86

  64

  39

  30

  North Wales

  310

  386

  371

  195

  South Wales

  101

  148

  255

  363

  Total

  11,842

  10,928

  10,915

  11,109

  Number of authorised firearms officers (AFOs)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  161

  153

  150

  135

  Bedfordshire

  42

  50

  46

  45

  Cambridgeshire

  80

  80

  77

  73

  Cheshire

  82

  70

  75

  74

  Cleveland

  84

  78

  80

  75

  City of London

  81

  55

  73

  74

  Cumbria

  122

  98

  98

  94

  Derbyshire

  100

  87

  77

  81

  Devon and Cornwall

  147

  82

  119

  100

  Dorset

  72

  72

  66

  67

  Durham

  144

  96

  101

  101

  Essex

  217

  235

  228

  195

  Gloucestershire

  84

  79

  77

  72

  Greater Manchester

  182

  217

  218

  240

  Hampshire

  112

  110

  111

  100

  Hertfordshire

  41

  43

  52

  44

  Humberside

  102

  102

  97

  102

  Kent

  150

  130

  136

  136

  Lancashire

  125

  132

  143

  132

  Leicestershire

  94

  90

  90

  85

  Lincolnshire

  85

  75

  78

  80

  Merseyside

  165

  121

  96

  103

  Metropolitan

  1,971

  1,951

  1,977

  1,940

  Norfolk

  102

  109

  110

  114

  Northamptonshire

  92

  92

  75

  77

  Northumbria

  126

  123

  114

  109

  North Yorkshire

  95

  83

  59

  66

  Nottinghamshire

  129

  120

  116

  137

  South Yorkshire

  108

  90

  100

  98

  Staffordshire

  86

  92

  81

  67

  Suffolk

  96

  101

  98

  90

  Surrey

  61

  69

  71

  72

  Sussex

  146

  156

  131

  118

  Thames Valley

  194

  179

  187

  185

  Warwickshire

  38

  44

  54

  45

  West Mercia

  159

  139

  129

  130

  West Midlands

  95

  92

  93

  83

  West Yorkshire

  114

  128

  110

  117

  Wiltshire

  105

  88

  89

  71

  Dyfed Powys

  71

  67

  65

  61

  Gwent

  59

  64

  68

  66

  North Wales

  90

  97

  92

  67

  South Wales

  176

  169

  155

  143

  Total

  6,585

  6,308

  6,262

  6,064

  1049W

  Number of operations involving armed response vehicles (ARVs)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  121

  83

  78

  56

  Bedfordshire

  285

  240

  172

  253

  Cambridgeshire

  19

  27

  54

  36

  Cheshire

  166

  247

  330

  441

  Cleveland

  157

  29

  25

  16

  City of London

  34

  32

  24

  30

  Cumbria

  43

  38

  21

  27

  Derbyshire

  99

  153

  167

  152

  Devon and Cornwall

  58

  43

  52

  121

  Dorset

  50

  66

  69

  155

  Durham

  85

  84

  67

  31

  Essex

  180

  285

  244

  206

  Gloucestershire

  48

  49

  44

  39

  Greater Manchester

  56

  43

  173

  302

  Hampshire

  170

  114

  90

  84

  Hertfordshire

  25

  26

  44

  65

  Humberside

  437

  277

  181

  136

  Kent

  212

  74

  58

  64

  Lancashire

  321

  596

  250

  177

  Leicestershire

  68

  109

  144

  195

  Lincolnshire

  34

  42

  141

  324

  Merseyside

  559

  396

  466

  75

  Metropolitan

  954

  1,573

  1,812

  1,380

  Norfolk

  117

  167

  210

  192

  Northamptonshire

  29

  32

  21

  35

  Northumbria

  515

  503

  397

  655

  North Yorkshire

  52

  30

  40

  54

  Nottinghamshire

  '256

  246

  232

  207

  South Yorkshire

  252

  115

  214

  103

  Staffordshire

  206

  185

  131

  136

  Suffolk

  135

  104

  101

  103

  Surrey

  76

  46

  110

  192

  Sussex

  284

  '0

  172

  245

  Thames Valley

  184

  139

  108

  108

  Warwickshire

  127

  220

  158

  194

  West Mercia

  98

  99

  98

  26

  West Midlands

  102

  129

  138

  243

  West Yorkshire

  586

  630

  787

  785

  Wiltshire

  21

  17

  15

  48

  Dyfed Powys

  19

  30

  37

  18

  Police officers

  Percentage of all police officers

  Civilian support staff and traffic wardens

  Percentage of all civilian support staff etc.

  All staff

  Percentage of all staff

  Average daily number of working days lost to sickness absence

  710.5

  2.7

  328.4

  2.9

  1038.9

  2.7

  Number of staff who took self-certificated sick leave

  1,827

  6.9

  128.5

  11.5

  3,112

  8.2

  Number of staff on sick leave for less than seven days

  1,872

  7.0

  1,488

  13.3

  3,360

  8.9

  Number of employees on sick leave for seven or more days

  974

  3.7

  429

  3.8

  1,403

  3.7

  Number of employees on sick leave as a result of injury on duty

  273

  1.0

  22

  0.2

  295

  0.8

  Police Officers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of police officers accepted into the Metropolitan Police in each year from 1997 have minor criminal records. [30452]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 January 2002]: I am informed by the Commissioner that no central record of this information is held by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

  The MPS follow the Home Office National Recruitment Standards on criminal convictions, agreed with the Police Service and issued in October 2001.

  Applicants who have been convicted or cautioned may still be eligible for appointment, depending on the nature and circumstances of their offence.
  1050W

  Number of operations involving armed response vehicles (ARVs)

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Gwent

  47

  39

  27

  17

  North Wales

  260

  298

  354

  155

  South Wales

  97

  136

  220

  298

  Total

  7,544

  7,791

  8,276

  8,179

  1These forces have changed the counting method for incidents to which ARVs are deployed.

  Police Vacancies
  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which 10 police authorities have(a) the highest and (b) the lowest number of vacancies for police officers; and how many officers were involved in each case. [36912]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many, and what proportion, of employees of the Metropolitan Police were off sick on average on each day in the last month for which figures are available; how many and what proportion of those(a) were absent on self-certification or without authorisation, (b) were on sick leave of less than a week, (c) were on sick leave of more than one week and less than one month, (d) were on sick leave of more than one month and (e) were on leave as a result of injuries sustained while on duty. [41102]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 18 March 2002]: I understand from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police that the available figures for April 2002 are as follows:

  Minor offences which would not lead to automatic rejection of an application include, for example failing to have a current television licence or MoT certificate.

  West Midlands Police
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the prospects of West Midlands police receiving regional allowance; [39491]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent in the last five years to which police forces have trained police officers and then have lost them by transfer to neighbouring police forces, with particular reference to the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement on measures to prevent this happening. [39482]
  1051W
  Mr. Denham
  Figures for the number of officers leaving police forces on transfer are collected annually by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). In 2000–01, the latest full year for which figures are available, the total number of officers leaving forces in England and Wales on transfer was 1,189 or one per cent. of the police strength.

  The figures collected by HMIC do not distinguish between officers who transfer soon after completion of initial training and those who transfer later in their career. Nor do the figures identify how many of the officers transferring have transferred between forces on previous occasions.

  In the case of West Midlands police, that between April 2000 and March 2001, 59 officers left the force on transfer. This represented 0.8 per cent. in fall of force strength at the start of the year, a little below the overall rate from England and Wales.

  The number of officers transferring between forces remains small. It is healthy for there to be an interchange of experience between police forces and I do not intend to prevent transfers.

  Of course, the number of transfers from a force may present a problem if those transferring leave predominantly from particular areas or specialisms, or if the number leaving is not offset by transfers in. We are presently conducting research into the reasons why officers resign from the police service or choose to transfer from one force to another. The findings of this research will help forces decide on which measures to implement in order to encourage officers to stay in the service, or in a particular force.

  It is for the Home Secretary to determine police pay and allowances. In doing so, he is required to take into account any recommendation by the Police Negotiating Board (PNB). It would, therefore, be for PNB to consider in the first instance the case for a regional allowance for officers in the West Midlands. In 2001, the PNB failed to reach agreement on a Staff Side claim for a regional allowance for all police forces. The matter was then referred to the Police Arbitration Tribunal (PAT). The PAT rejected the Staff Side claim and decided that there was no evidence of a significant nationwide recruitment problem for the police service.

  Strength as at 31 March

  Force

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Avon and Somerset

  2,989

  2,976

  2,999

  2,934

  Bedfordshire

  1,094

  1,079

  1,041

  1,028

  Cambridgeshire

  1,302

  1,291

  1,274

  1,237

  Cheshire

  2,046

  2,042

  2,071

  2,011

  City of London

  859

  825

  778

  732

  Cleveland

  1,459

  1,483

  1,416

  1,404

  Cumbria

  1,144

  1,164

  1,126

  1,084

  Derbyshire

  1,791

  1,772

  1,759

  1,777

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,865

  2,962

  2,887

  2,841

  Dorset

  1,284

  1,310

  1,279

  1,306

  Durham

  1,461

  1,515

  1,568

  1,558

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,005

  1,002

  1,026

  1,040

  Essex

  2,961

  2,928

  2,891

  2,806

  Gloucestershire

  1,133

  1,104

  1,104

  1,114

  Greater Manchester

  6,922

  6,949

  6,810

  6,795

  Gwent

  1,243

  1,233

  1,247

  1,264

  Hampshire

  3,452

  3,490

  3,473

  3,419

  Hertfordshire

  1,759

  1,740

  1,724

  1,767

  Humberside

  2,045

  2,021

  1,974

  1,932

  1052W

  Strength as at 31 March

  Force

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Kent

  3,260

  3,251

  3,201

  3,204

  Lancashire

  3,247

  3,257

  3,245

  3,179

  Leicestershire

  1,949

  1,983

  1,993

  1,993

  Lincolnshire

  1,196

  1,191

  1,140

  1,115

  Merseyside

  4,230

  4,216

  4,211

  4,085

  Metropolitan police

  26,677

  26,094

  26,073

  25,485

  Norfolk

  1,432

  1,430

  1,381

  1,381

  North Wales

  1,369

  1,396

  1,391

  1,403

  North Yorkshire

  1,338

  1,367

  1,337

  1,283

  Northamptonshire

  1,177

  1,169

  1,137

  1,117

  Northumbria

  3,677

  3,769

  3,840

  3,788

  Nottinghamshire

  2,323

  2,323

  2,225

  2,204

  South Wales

  2,976

  2,986

  2,981

  2,926

  South Yorkshire

  3,159

  3,182

  3,168

  3,163

  Staffordshire

  2,211

  2,292

  2,238

  2,170

  Suffolk

  1,180

  1,186

  1,190

  1,146

  Surrey

  1,620

  1,608

  1,662

  1,785

  Sussex

  3,085

  3,038

  2,847

  2,822

  Thames Valley

  3,695

  3,776

  3,748

  3,740

  Warwickshire

  926

  924

  908

  900

  West Mercia

  2,040

  2,010

  2,025

  1,887

  West Midlands

  7,113

  7,156

  7,321

  7,195

  West Yorkshire

  5,209

  5,155

  4,982

  4,822

  Wiltshire

  1,154

  1,156

  1,151

  1,118

  Total

  125,051

  124,756

  123,841

  121,956

  Transfers

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  6

  5

  16

  25

  Bedfordshire

  7

  1

  5

  21

  Cambridgeshire

  9

  3

  6

  12

  Cheshire

  8

  5

  4

  6

  City of London

  19

  13

  13

  18

  Cleveland

  6

  6

  1

  4

  Cumbria

  3

  4

  6

  10

  Derbyshire

  4

  0

  6

  5

  Devon and Cornwall

  6

  8

  8

  7

  Dorset

  2

  0

  3

  9

  Durham

  8

  3

  3

  5

  Dyfed-Powys

  10

  2

  5

  9

  Essex

  10

  6

  10

  25

  Gloucestershire

  3

  1

  3

  6

  Greater Manchester

  26

  13

  15

  28

  Gwent

  6

  3

  3

  5

  Hampshire

  13

  12

  20

  24

  Hertfordshire

  16

  23

  23

  43

  Humberside

  8

  5

  5

  18

  Kent

  17

  11

  12

  26

  Lancashire

  4

  10

  7

  7

  Leicestershire

  9

  6

  13

  27

  Lincolnshire

  7

  1

  5

  6

  Merseyside

  17

  16

  10

  14

  Metropolitan police

  240

  234

  244

  382

  Norfolk

  5

  5

  2

  6

  North Wales

  0

  5

  5

  2

  North Yorkshire

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Northamptonshire

  14

  3

  2

  10

  Northumbria

  13

  7

  9

  5

  Nottinghamshire

  11

  13

  10

  6

  South Wales

  1

  6

  11

  3

  South Yorkshire

  12

  10

  8

  4

  Staffordshire

  13

  5

  2

  9

  Suffolk

  1

  5

  5

  11

  Surrey

  32

  11

  18

  171

  Sussex

  14

  13

  21

  31

  Thames Valley

  28

  10

  26

  80

  Warwickshire

  6

  7

  2

  8

  West Mercia

  6

  5

  6

  6

  West Midlands

  43

  47

  42

  59

  West Yorkshire

  14

  11

  15

  19

  Wiltshire

  9

  1

  7

  12

  Total

  691

  560

  642

  1,189

  1053W

  Percentage of loss

  Force

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Avon and Somerset

  0.2

  0.2

  0.5

  0.9

  Bedfordshire

  0.6

  0.1

  0.5

  2.0

  Cambridgeshire

  0.7

  0.2

  0.5

  1.0

  Cheshire

  0.4

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  City of London

  2.2

  1.6

  1.7

  2.5

  Cleveland

  0.4

  0.4

  0.1

  0.3

  Cumbria

  0.3

  0.3

  0.5

  0.9

  Derbyshire

  0.2

  0.0

  0.3

  0.3

  Devon and Cornwall

  0.2

  0.3

  0.3

  0.2

  Dorset

  0.2

  0.0

  0.2

  0.7

  Durham

  0.5

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  Dyfed-Powys

  1.0

  0.2

  0.5

  0.9

  Essex

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.9

  Gloucestershire

  0.3

  0.1

  0.3

  0.5

  Greater Manchester

  0.4

  0.2

  0.2

  0.4

  Gwent

  0.5

  0.2

  0.2

  0.4

  Hampshire

  0.4

  0.3

  0.6

  0.7

  Hertfordshire

  0.9

  1.3

  1.3

  2.4

  Humberside

  0.4

  0.2

  0.3

  0.9

  Kent

  0.5

  0.3

  0.4

  0.8

  Lancashire

  0.1

  0.3

  0.2

  0.2

  Leicestershire

  0.5

  0.3

  0.7

  1.4

  Lincolnshire

  0.6

  0.1

  0.4

  0.5

  Merseyside

  0.4

  0.4

  0.2

  0.3

  Metropolitan police

  0.9

  0.9

  0.9

  1.5

  Norfolk

  0.3

  0.3

  0.1

  0.4

  North Wales

  0.0

  0.4

  0.4

  0.1

  North Yorkshire

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  Northamptonshire

  1.2

  0.3

  0.2

  0.9

  Northumbria

  0.4

  0.2

  0.2

  0.1

  Nottinghamshire

  0.5

  0.6

  0.4

  0.3

  South Wales

  0.0

  0.2

  0.4

  0.1

  South Yorkshire

  0.4

  0.3

  0.3

  0.1

  Staffordshire

  0.6

  0.2

  0.1

  0.4

  Suffolk

  0.1

  0.4

  0.4

  1.0

  Surrey

  2.0

  0.7

  1.1

  9.6

  Sussex

  0.5

  0.4

  0.7

  1.1

  Thames Valley

  0.8

  0.3

  0.7

  2.1

  Warwickshire

  0.6

  0.8

  0.2

  0.9

  West Mercia

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.3

  West Midlands

  0.6

  0.7

  0.6

  0.8

  West Yorkshire

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.4

  Wiltshire

  0.8

  0.1

  0.6

  1.1

  Total

  0.6

  0.4

  0.5

  1.0

  Police Sick Leave
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days of sick leave were taken by the(a) police force, (b) fire service and (c) prison service in the last year for which records are available; and what the cost was. [56065]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The number of days taken as sick leave in 2000–01 and the estimated costs are set out in the table:

  Number of days sick leave taken

  Estimated cost £ million

  Police officers

  1,516,147

  1280

  Police support staff

  746,928

  2106

  Total

  2,263,075

  386

  Fire service3

  4407,369

  5—

  Prison service

  614,150

  668

  1The average daily cost of a police officer is £185.

  2The average daily cost of a member of support staff is £142.

  3Responsibility for the fire service rests with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  4This is based on 45 out of the 50 brigades providing full information.

  5Not available.

  6The prison service figure is calculating using a daily £costing of 110 for all staff.

  Investigatory Branch CIB3
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the progress of the investigatory branch CIB3 in investigating alleged misdemeanours. [69332]

  Mr. Denham
  I received representations on alleged malpractice in corruption investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Metropolitan Police Service's Directorate of Professional Standards (formerly CIB3) from my noble Friend (Lord Graham) of Edmonton, five hon. Members and a solicitor at a meeting on 20 March 2002. I received a dossier of written material from my noble Friend Lord Graham on 30 April. I have also received nine other pieces of correspondence on related issues.

  We have received no other representations this year.

  Deaths in Custody
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he is taking to reduce the number of deaths in police custody; [70830]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the causes of the change in the annual number of deaths in police custody since 1992. [70952]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of people dying in police stations has fallen from 16 to five in the period 1998–99 to 2000–01. Provisional figures for 2001–02 show that the decline is continuing.

  The definitions of deaths in police custody or otherwise with the police were revised in 1996 to make them clearer, and to distinguish between deaths of those in police detention and other deaths involving the police. This resulted in a broader range of deaths being reported, for example people who died while attempting to evade arrest in vehicles. This has resulted in an increase in the published figures.

  The increased figure for 1995–96 reflected the change to collecting the figures on a financial year basis rather than on a calendar year basis and were collected over a 15 month period (1 January 1995 to 31 March 1996).

  Much has been done in recent years by the police, the Home Office and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to identify the main factors responsible for deaths in custody and to consider how the position can be improved. Police forces in England and Wales are taking a range of actions to reduce such deaths. These include safer custody facilities, improved training, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring and an emphasis on better care, assessment and monitoring of detainees.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about establishment, recruitment and retention in the special constabulary. [65610]

  Mr. Denham
  Special constables are a key element of our police reform agenda. We are working on a package of measures designed to help improve the way they are recruited, managed and deployed.
  1055W
  We are particularly keen to improve liaison with employers. Later this year, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Home Secretary will publish a joint discussion paper on fiscal and other changes we can make to promote community service, including service as a special constable. A new headline role for specials has been published, focusing on intelligence-led patrolling and crime reduction initiatives. A new foundation training package for specials was issued in June and revised conditions of service regulations and new conduct regulations are being prepared.

  Central to this process will be Home Office/the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) good practice guidance covering all aspects of the recruitment, management and deployment of specials, which will be issued by the end of the year. We have also set aside £300,000 to help "specials champions" forces drive forward initiatives to improve the recruitment and retention of specials. I have asked deputy chief constable Peter Fahy of Surrey police to help with this.

  Bilateral Ministerial Meetings
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 June 2000; when and where each meeting took place; which Ministers were involved in each meeting; which Irish Government departments were involved in each meeting; and which Ministers and officials from the Irish Government attended each meeting. [63089]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Peter Hain) on 20 June 2002,Official Report, column 533W.

  Ring-fenced Funds
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds allocated by(a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies are ring-fenced for specific purposes; and if he will list the allocations of funds involved. [22952]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 18 December 2001]: regret the delay in responding to this question. Ring-fenced expenditure for the Home Office and Prison Service Agency for financial year 2001–02 is detailed in the table:

  £000

  2001–02

  Home Office

  Crime Fighting Fund

  159,000

  Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF)

  207,900

  Invest to Save

  30,897

  Drugs

  88,218

  Non CMF DNA

  46,000

  Crime Research Programme

  110,900

  Confiscated Assets Fund

  6,000

  Criminal Justice System

  100,000

  Active Communities Project

  10,900

  Central Service Modernisation

  2,025

  Youth Justice Board Operating Costs

  10,386

  Youth Justice Board bail support

  10,000

  1056W

  £000

  2001–02

  Police Loan Charges grants

  14,200

  Probation Loan Charges grants

  2,597

  Superannuation of seconded police

  1,081

  Total

  800,104

  Prison Service Agency

  Capital Modernisation Fund

  35,470

  Invest to Save

  1,340

  Invest to Modernise

  2,740

  Drugs programmes

  51,950

  Total

  91,500

  Conviction Rate
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes resulted in a conviction as a proportion of total recorded crime in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [55855]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is contained in the table.

  Number of convictions for notifiable offences as a percentage of recorded crime, 1998–99 to 2000–01

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Recorded crime

  5,109,116

  5,301,171

  5,170,196

  Convictions for notifiable offences

  755,705

  756,629

  705,450

  Convictions as a percentage of recorded crime

  14.8

  14.3

  13.6

  Notes:

  1. A crime may involve more than one offender.

  2. Each notifiable offence for which an individual was convicted is counted.

  3. Some convictions will relate to crimes recorded in earlier years.

  Sources:

  Recorded Crime Statistical Bulletin, Home Office, 12/01

  Home Office Court Proceedings Database

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether businesses that have lost money as a direct result of the failure of the Criminal Records Bureau to meet its published service standards will be entitled to compensation. [70238]

  Hilary Benn
  Part V of the Police Act 1997 imposes no time frame for the issue of disclosures and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has no liability in contract or tort for taking time to process applications. The CRB has sought advice about the circumstances in which it is suitable to consider paying, or declining to pay, WW compensation.

  Air Weapons
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for(a) carrying a loaded air weapon in a public place, (b) a person under 14 having an air weapon, (c) a person under 17 having an air weapon in a public place and (d) the sale of air weapons to minors in the last five years. [67831]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The information requested is contained in the table.

  Statistics for 2001 will be available in the autumn.
  1057W

  Persons found guilty at all courts for various offences under the Firearms Act 1968, England and Wales 1996 to 20001,2

  Offence description

  Statute

  Year

  Found guilty

  Carrying a loaded air weapon in a public place, etc.

  Firearms Act 1968, Sec 19

  1996

  202

  1997

  220

  1998

  195

  1999

  176

  2000

  170

  Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefor

  Firearms Act 1968, Sec 22 (4)

  1996

  12

  1997

  8

  1998

  6

  1999

  12

  2000

  16

  Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public place

  Firearms Act 1968, Sec 22 (5)

  1996

  43

  1997

  51

  1998

  47

  1999

  54

  2000

  52

  Selling or letting on hire an air weapon or ammunition to a person under 17

  Firearms Act 1968, Sec 24 (1)

  1996

  2

  1997

  1

  1998

  3

  1999

  1

  2000

  —

  1These data are on the principal offence basis.

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

  Ministerial Training
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much has been spent by his Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years; [52734]

  (2) how much has been spent by his Department on voice coaching for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years; [52755]

  (3) how much has been spent by his Department on training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts for Ministers and officials in each of the last five years. [52715]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 26 April 2002]: There are no central data available on how much has been spent by the Home Department on training in leadership skills for Ministers in the last five years.

  In the financial year 2001–02, the Cabinet Office provided funds for leadership development for officials as part of the invest to modernise programme. Records available show that £583,967 was spent by the Home Department on training in leadership skills for officials from 1 December 2001 to 31 March 2002 under the excellent leaders scheme. All expenditure under the excellent leaders scheme came from a ring-fenced allocation from the Cabinet Office and not from general Home Office funds.

  The aim of the excellent leaders scheme was to grow leadership skills in the senior civil service by developing their competencies. In the period December 2001 to March 2002, 84 senior members of staff received executive coaching sessions; 13 specifically tailored
  1058W
  Directorate leadership conferences were held for senior Home Office staff, and 40 members of staff attended publicly available leadership programmes and training events.

  £316,000 was spent on executive coaching sessions, £197,000 on tailored leadership conferences and £70,967 on leadership training.

  Ministers in the Home Department are able to take advantage of the programmes for Ministers organised by the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS in the Cabinet Office. This programme has not delivered training on voice coaching or training by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Neither have officials received such training in the last five years.

  Prostitution
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been sent to prison in the United Kingdom for living on the earnings of, or for controlling, a prostitute in each of the last five years. [70283]

  Hilary Benn
  The information requested, relating to(a) males and (b) females sentenced to immediate custody for living on the earnings of, or controlling a prostitute in England and Wales from 1996 to 2000 are shown in the table.

  Statistics for 2001 will be available in the autumn.

  Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly respectively.
  1059W

  Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody for prostitution related offences in England and Wales 1996 to 200012

  Total sentenced to immediate custody

  Offence description

  Statute

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Male

  Living on earnings of prostitution or exercising control over prostitute

  Sexual Offences Act 1956 Sees 30 and 31

  26

  23

  23

  16

  12

  Man or woman living wholly or in part on the earnings of male prostitution

  Sexual Offences Act 1967 Sec 5(1)

  3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  29

  24

  23

  16

  12

  Female

  Living on earnings of prostitution or exercising control over prostitute

  Sexual Offences Act 1956 Sees 30 and 31

  2

  1

  1

  3

  —

  Man or woman living wholly or in part on the earnings of male prostitution

  Sexual Offences Act 1967 Sec 5(1)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  2

  1

  1

  3

  —

  1These data are on the principal offence basis.

  2Staffordshire Police Force were only able to supply a sample of data for magistrates' courts proceedings covering one full week in each quarter for 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust at a detailed level and so are excluded from this analysis.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) boys and (b) girls aged under 15 years have been cautioned by police officers in the Metropolitan Police Authority for being involved in prostitution in the last 12 months. [70271]

  Mr. Denham
  No instances of males or females aged under 15 cautioned in 2000 for prostitution in the Metropolitan Police Force Area were reported to the Home Office.

  Statistics for 2001 will be available in the autumn.

  Justice and Home Affairs Agenda
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to take forward the Justice and Home Affairs Agenda of the EU. [64838]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I intend to work closely with the incoming Danish Presidency with a view to taking forward the justice and home affairs work programme. Consequently, I met with Lene Espersen, the Danish Minister of Justice, on 19 June to discuss the priorities for the next six months.

  My key priority will be to push forward implementation of the conclusions agreed at the Seville European Council on 21–22 June on combating illegal immigration and creating a common asylum policy. Those conclusions were prompted by United Kingdom concerns at the lack of progress on asylum and immigration measures and incorporate specific ideas proposed by the United Kingdom for the purpose of advancing that work. In particular, the conclusions set deadlines for agreeing the instruments which will form the basis of the European Union's common asylum system, and I attach importance to supporting the Danish Presidency in securing agreement to the Dublin II Regulation (on responsibility for processing an asylum claim) by the end of this year.

  I also intend to focus greater attention at European Union level on action against drug trafficking as part of the mid-term review of the European Union's Action Plan against Drugs 2000–04. Improved cross-border police co-operation, including the effective use of Europol, is also a priority, as is progress in implementing the programme of measures on mutual recognition of court
  1060W
  decisions and judgments. In particular, I would like to see completion of the negotiations on the mutual recognition of financial penalties. which was a joint initiative tabled by the United Kingdom, Belgium and Sweden.

  Racism
  Clive Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent advice he has given to local authorities about tackling racism and promoting community cohesion. [69955]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Government is committed to making race equality and community cohesion central to its aims.

  We are committed to outlaw discrimination in employment by December 2003 as required by the European Employment Directives.

  The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 came into force on 2 April. It places a general duty on specified public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination—and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.

  Public bodies were required to have in place by 31 May this year, realistic and timely plans to show how they intend to comply with the general duty.

  The Government is working right across Departments on a number of measures to promote community cohesion. Our aim is to build communities where:
  there is a common vision and a sense of belonging for all people—there is an appreciation of people's different backgrounds and circumstances
  where those from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities; and
  strong and positive relationships are being developed between people from different backgrounds in the work place, in schools and within neighbourhoods.

  The Government published draft Guidance on Community Cohesion in May this year, in conjunction with the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Local Government Association. The draft provides advice to local authorities on ways to integrate community cohesion
  1061W
  within their day to day operations. It focuses upon 16 themes covering housing, leisure, education, media, and training and employment schemes. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Clive Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding has been provided to each authority for tackling racism and promoting community cohesion in the last 12 months. [69956]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Government believe that effectively addressing community cohesion issues forms a crucial part of the work of local government.

  In working to achieve this aim, the Government are investing resources in local authorities through the following ways:
  community facilitation work—these projects will help build capacity at a grass roots level and to bring local people together. This is important in order to encourage dialogue and tackle local grievances or misunderstandings that threaten good community and race relations;
  a summer activity programme—in response to last summer's disturbances; we made £7 million available to fund summer activities with over 200,000 beneficiaries. We have released further funding for a similar and extended programme for this year, including additional activities in those areas with high levels of street crime;
  a community support team programme—this is providing support to areas such as Burnley, Bradford and Oldham to help build the capacity of these areas in promoting community cohesion.

  In addition, the Community Cohesion Unit set up by the Home Office this year, which works to the Ministerial Group chaired by me, is working closely with local authorities.

  Additionally, and in recognition of the need to genuinely build cohesion into the agenda of local government, the Government recently announced that community cohesion will form one of the key themes of the Government's beacon council scheme.

  Draft guidance for local authorities has also been produced in conjunction with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Local Government Association. This sets out practical ways in which local authorities can integrate community cohesion into day-to-day operations. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Police Force (Diabetes)
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what reason the police force is not permitted to recruit diabetics; and what guidance has been issued on the transfer of a diagnosed diabetic from one constabulary to another; [41093]

  (2) if he will respond to the letter of the hon. Member for Leominster dated 17 December 2001, on behalf of Mrs. T. A. Smith, a constituent, concerning a transfer to the West Mercia Constabulary. [411971

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 7 March 20021]The Home Office issues no guidance to police forces on the subject of medical standards for officers transferring from one force to another.

  Home Office guidance for forces on the recruitment of diabetics is currently under review by independent medical experts as part of the Home Office's National Recruitment Standards project. This work aims to ensure
  1062W
  that occupational medical standards for police recruitment are evidence-based, job-related and not unfairly discriminatory. The new standards are expected to be applied consistently by the 43 forces of England and Wales.

  The medical review will also take into account the implications of the proposed extension of the employment-related provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to the police.

  Recommendations on proposed new medical standards should be available for consultation shortly.

  In the meantime, there are current Home Office medical guidelines on the recruitment of new entrants to the police service. These were formulated after consultations between occupational physicians and force medical advisers, and agreed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Working Group on Organisational Health, Safety and Welfare.

  The Working Group further confirmed that the standards should not only reflect "fitness to serve" at the time of assessment, but should also predict, as far as possible, that the individual is likely to remain fit for the full duties of a police constable for the foreseeable future. This is in order to minimise premature retirement on health grounds.

  The guidelines on diabetes state that candidates with diabetes mellitus should be rejected.

  I responded to the hon. Member's letter of 17 December to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary (Mr. Blunkett) on 6 March 2002.

  Working Holidaymaker Scheme
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons have been for individuals in the working holidaymaker scheme remaining in the UK after the two-year period had lapsed. [70797]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]Working holidaymakers can stay in the United Kingdom beyond their initial two-year leave of entry if they obtain leave to remain in another category, for example, as a student.

  Working holidaymakers are not normally permitted to remain in the United Kingdom for the purposes of employment, although some are permitted to switch into work permit employment on a case-by-case discretionary basis. A short extension of stay may be granted on an exceptional basis to a working holidaymaker employed as a supply teacher, until the end of the school term. Those working holidaymakers who have not been specifically permitted to stay longer should leave the United Kingdom at the end of the two-year period.

  The Working Holidaymaker Scheme
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people participating in the working holidaymaker scheme are based in(a) Scotland. (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [70795]
  1063W
  Beverley Hughes
  (Holding answer 19 July 2002]: The information is not collected. Under the scheme young Commonwealth citizens come to the United Kingdom (UK) for an extended two-year holiday, during which they can take incidental employment to fund their stay here. They are free to move around the UK as they wish. Around 40,000 come to the UK each year on the scheme but, given its nature, it is not feasible or necessary to collect information on where participants base themselves at any one particular time during their stay.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people participating in the working holidaymaker scheme in each of the last five years have continued to stay in the UK after the two year period has been completed. [70796]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]This information is not available. Unless working holidaymakers have been granted an extension of stay. they should leave the country at the end of their two-year working holiday.

  Housing
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an assessment of the availability of empty housing stock owned by(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations, (c) public sector bodies and (d) the private sector in areas of industrial decline and its suitability to accommodate asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [68805]

  Beverley Hughes
  The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for administering the support available to asylum seekers including the provision of accommodation. Research to identify cluster areas suitable for the dispersal of asylum seekers was conducted centrally by NASS in consultation with regional consortia. NASS is satisfied that it has a sufficient supply of accommodation for single adults but is currently negotiating for further accommodation for families.

  Careless Driving
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers convicted of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs(a) served the whole of their sentence and (b) had their sentence reduced, in each of the past 10 years. [70972]

  Bob Ainsworth
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  EU Committees (Scottish Executive Representation)
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Programme of Exchanges, Training and Co-operation between Law Enforcement Authorities (OISIN) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [70925]

  (2) when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Joint Action Establishing a Programme of Exchanges, Training and Co-operation for Persons Responsible for
  1064W
  Action to Combat Organised Crime (Falcone) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [70923]

  (3) when the EU Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for combating trade in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children (STOP) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [70922]

  (4) when the EU Committee for the implementation of the incentive, exchange, training and co-operation programme for the prevention of crime (Hippokrates) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [70924]

  (5) when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Programme of Training, Exchanges and Co-operation in the Field of Asylum Immigration and crossing of External Borders (Odysseus) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [70929]

  (6) when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Community Action Programme on Preventive Measures to Fight Violence Against Children, Young Persons and Women (Daphne) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [71836]

  (7) when the EU Committee on the Introduction of a Uniform Format for Visas is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [71827]

  Beverley Hughes
  The committees which assist the European Commission in managing the Oisin II, Falcone, Hippocrates and Grotius funding programmes will meet on 23 July to discuss the bids which have been received for the year 2002 and agree the allocation of funds to successful projects. The STOP Committee will meet on 24 July for the same purpose. The Daphne Committee will next meet on 11 September 2002. The Odysseus funding programme has expired.

  The committees consist of a representative of each member state who may be accompanied by additional experts at the expense of the individual member state. The United Kingdom (UK) is represented on each committee by a Home Office official and an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the European Union (EU) in Brussels. A representative from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise also attends the OISIN Committee as appropriate.

  In accordance with the Concordat on co-ordination of European Union policy issues, officials from the Home Office are in contact with Scottish Executive officials about the development and implementation of relevant funding programmes. Attendance by Scottish Executive officials at meetings of the committees would be agreed bilaterally, but has not so far taken place. Immigration and asylum matters are reserved subjects and

  1065W
  consequently officials from the Scottish Executive were not members of, and did not attend, the Odysseus Committee.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by(a) his Department and (b) bodies for which it is responsible on external public relations consultants in each of the last four years. [27397]

  Beverley Hughes
  In November 1999, the Treasury published a statement of Best Practice on the use of consultants within Government. This is accessible on the archive section of Office of Government Commerce's (OGC's) website (www.ogc.gov.uk). It represents a set of principles that should apply to many areas of consultancy. But it is not binding on Departments and has no status in law.

  Decisions on the use of consultants is left to individual business units, but in making positive decisions units will take into account value for money considerations and whether the particular skills exist internally.

  The increase in expenditure on Public Relations Consultants can be attributed to the Criminal Records Bureau and United Kingdom Passport Agency undertaking a greater degree of Public Relations work in areas such as market research and media. We do not have historical information to provide any other valid comparisons for the increase.

  The available information held by the Home Department on cost for the use of external Public Relations Consultants by (a) Home Department and (b) other bodies over the last four years is as follows:

  (a) Home Office

  £

  1998

  Nil

  1999

  Nil

  2000

  32,164

  2001

  33,881

  (b) Home Office

  £

  1998

  Nil

  1999

  81,299

  2000

  140,150

  2001

  319,000

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter dated 26 April from the hon. Member for Yeovil on the subject of private home security companies. [59719]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 12 June 2002]I replied to the hon. Member on 22 July 2002.

  Refurbishment Projects
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the refurbishment projects that
  1066W
  (a) are in progress and (b) will start within the next six months; and what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure certified timber. [59759]

  Beverley Hughes
  The information on existing and forthcoming refurbishment projects with a value over £500,000 in the Home Office including its executive agencies (but excluding sponsored non-departmental public bodies) is as follows:

  Projects currently in progress

  Establishment

  Project

  Main Home Office estate

  Croydon file store

  Refurbishment

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Whitgift Centre, Croydon

  Partial refitting

  Riverside Exchange, Sheffield

  Partial refitting

  Prison Service

  Ashwell

  Replace wooden buildings—Phase 3

  Aylesbury

  Wing refurbishment

  Birmingham

  Health care modifications

  Birmingham

  Redevelopment

  Brinsford

  New education building

  Brixton

  Refurbish Health Care/National roofing programme

  Camp Hill

  Wing refurbishment

  Cardiff

  Wing refurbishment/Additional cells

  Dorchester

  Replace kitchen

  Dover

  Re-role

  Durham

  Wing refurbishment

  Eastwood Park

  Safer locals programme

  Everthorpe

  Over roofing

  Feltham

  Safer locals programme

  Feltham

  Conversion of buildings

  Frankland

  DSPD Unit

  Gartree

  Wing refurbishment

  Gloucester

  Replace kitchen/National roofing programme

  Hull

  Redevelopment

  Huntercombe

  New education building/Extend workshop

  Kirkham

  Replace accommodation units

  Lancaster Farms

  New workshop complex

  Leeds

  New gatehouse

  Leeds

  Safer locals programme

  Lincoln

  Wing refurbishment

  Lindholme

  Leger club refurbishment

  Long Lartin

  Wing refurbishment

  Maidstone

  Wing refurbishment

  New Hall

  New gate complex

  Portland

  New care and custody unit

  Risley

  New houseblock

  Stoke Health

  New education building

  The Weare

  Refit/Re-mooring

  Wakefield

  Wing refurbishment

  Wandsworth

  Refurbish workshop

  Wandsworth

  New kitchen

  Winchester

  Safer locals programme

  Projects due to commence within the next six months

  Establishment

  Project

  Main Home Office estate

  Horseferry House, London

  Refitting of 6th and 7th floors to house more staff

  Ashley House, London

  Refitting to house more staff

  Allington Towers, London

  Refitting to provide temporary accommodation

  Metro Point, Canterbury House and St. Anne's, Croydon

  Fit out works

  IND, Whitgift Centre. Croydon

  Major refurbishment

  Prison Service

  Ashwell

  Replace wooden buildings—Phase 4

  Askham Grange

  Mother and baby unit

  Birmingham

  Redevelopment

  Birmingham

  Safer locals programme

  1067W

  Projects due to commence within the next six months

  Establishment

  Project

  Branston

  New stores

  Brockhill

  New kitchen

  Buckley Hall

  New kitchen

  Camp Hill

  Roof repairs to workshops

  Chelmsford

  Health care centre

  Drake Hall

  New kitchen

  Eastwood Park

  Mother and baby unit

  Eastwood Park

  Safer locals programme

  Everthorpe

  Upgrade main gate

  Feltham

  Safer locals programme—relocate health care

  Highpoint North

  Wing refurbishment

  Hindley

  Separation: New education and workshop

  Kirklevington

  New kitchen

  Leeds

  Safer locals programme

  Pentonville

  Health care centre

  Portland

  Wing refurbishment

  Preston

  Wing refurbishment

  Stafford

  Create pedestrian entrances

  Swansea

  Separation of pedestrian entrance

  Thorn Cross

  Renew roof coverings

  Wandsworth

  Safer locals programme—Phase 1

  Wandsworth

  Safer locals programme—Phase 2

  Weal stun

  Replace accommodation blocks

  Winchester

  Safer locals programme

  Winchester

  New visits

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  Peterborough Passport Office

  Counter refurbishment

  National Probation Directorate

  In addition to the projects listed in the tables, 155 refurbishment project on the National Probation Directorate estate are either under way or are planned to begin within the next nine months. The average cost will be approximately £100,000. Full details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Pending the issue of central technical guidance the Home Office did not require contracts to specify certified timber although its use was encouraged. Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issued a model timber procurement clause in May which has been widely disseminated across the Department and all contracts for future major capital build schemes which involve the use of timber will require contractors to demonstrate that such timber will be provided from properly certified sources. This includes the new Home Office headquarters in Marsham Street.

  Information Campaigns
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on Information literature, advertising and campaign material in financial year 2001–02; if he will list the campaigns that spent over £250,000; and if he will make a statement. [70212]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 22 July 2002]In 2001–02, the Home Office spent £22.4 million (exc. VAT) on information literature, advertising and campaign material. The campaigns that spent over £250,000 include: vehicle crime reduction, police recruitment, electoral issues, drugs misuse and child protection on the internet

  Personality Disorder Assessments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the target to complete 180 dangerous and severe personality disorder assessments by 2001–02 was not met. [68782]
  1068W
  Hilary Benn
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]The development of an assessment process for those who are dangerous as a result of a severe personality disorder is innovative and groundbreaking work.

  We are currently piloting assessments at Whitemoor prison and Rampton hospital and using their experience, along with the latest research evidence, to develop a framework for assessment in which clinicians, tribunals and the courts can have confidence. This is fundamental to ensuring that people are referred appropriately to services and that any new legislative powers are applied properly.

  The target to complete 180 assessments was agreed early in the life of the pilots, following which a number of refinements were made, the most significant being to extend the assessment process from 12 to 16 weeks. In addition the Whitemoor pilot has had significant difficulties in recruiting suitably qualified clinical staff and had to be temporarily suspended to allow for some refurbishment work in preparation for the treatment unit there. While these factors have inevitably had an effect on throughput, the 94 assessments completed during the period have proved invaluable in informing the development of a high quality assessment process, and provide a sound basis for further work.

  PSA Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost to public funds is of the failure to achieve the public service agreement target to increase the number and proportions of recorded crimes for which an offender is brought to justice. [68778]

  Hilary Benn
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]As the public service agreement target relates to the number of offences which are brought to justice in 2003–04, it will not be possible to say until after the end of 2003–04 whether or not the target has been met.

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the proportion of young people under 25(a) misusing illegal drugs and (b) with access to illegal drugs in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [69105]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]Results from the 1998 and 2000 British Crime Surveys estimate that 29 per cent. of adults aged between 16 and 24 reported to have used an illegal drug in the previous year.

  Results from the 2001 survey of drug use, smoking and drinking among school children aged 11 to 15 years in England (published in a statistical press notice by Department of Health on 15 March 2002) show that 42 per cent. have been offered at least one or more drugs and that 20 per cent. reported the use of an illegal drug in the previous year.

  A revised method of measuring the prevalence of drug use was introduced in 2001. The format of the questions was changed as was the wording of the questions, after research showed that pupils found the previous survey difficult to answer. It is likely that the increase in levels of reported drug use is due to this change in question
  1069W
  format rather than a real change in behaviour. Because of this revised methodology the 2001 estimates on drug use are not strictly comparable with results from previous sweeps.

  The estimates from previous years for those who reported ever having been offered at least one or more drug are 34 per cent. in 1998, 35 per cent. in 1999, and 35 per cent in 2000.

  The estimates from previous years for those reporting use of an illegal drug in the previous year are 11 per cent. in 1998, 12 per cent. in 1999 and 14 per cent. in 2000.

  Information regarding younger children is not available centrally.

  Recovered Assets Fund
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payments have been made for projects under the Recovered Assets Fund, broken down by region. [69337]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Confiscated Assets Fund (CAF) was the forerunner of the Recovered Assets Fund (RAF) and provided funding for anti-drug projects. In 1999–2000 it approved national projects totalling £764,300. In 2000–2001 its national projects totalled £6,841,000 plus one in Wales for £262,000. Finally, in 2001–2002 it approved national project funding of £5,624,143 plus £2,500 in the south west, £879,600 in the midlands and £625,500 in London and the south east.

  I expect to announce shortly a first tranche of projects that are to receive funding under the Recovered Assets Fund, which has replaced the CAF and has a broader scope. These are in addition to RAF grants worth £250,000 for two asset recovery related projects which are already under way.

  Mr. B. K. Pathan
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter sent by the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 22 April, concerning Mr. B. K. Pathan of Leicester, reference P302501; and if he will make a statement. [69247]

  Beverley Hughes
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 23 July 2002.

  Firearms
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collated on the types of firearms used for criminal purposes since 1997. [47446]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Criminals in the United Kingdom use a range of different firearms obtained from a variety of different sources. The information collected centrally at present relates only to broad categories of weapons and is given in the table.

  As part of our efforts to crack down on misuse, we are currently funding a new National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database which is expected to be operational in 2003. As well as helping to track the provenance of guns which have been recovered and to identify any
  1070W
  which have been previously used, it will also help to provide a much more detailed assessment of the types of weapons used.

  Recorded crimes in which firearms were reported to have been used by principal weapon: England and Wales

  Number of offences

  Principal weapon

  1997

  1998–991

  1999–20001

  2000–011

  Long-barrelled shotgun

  313

  322

  353

  302

  Sawn-off shotgun

  267

  320

  340

  305

  Handgun

  2,648

  2,687

  3,685

  4,019

  Rifle

  51

  43

  67

  36

  Imitation firearm

  511

  566

  823

  773

  Unidentified firearm

  713

  665

  762

  953

  Other firearm

  401

  606

  813

  974

  Air weapon

  7,506

  8,665

  10,103

  10,227

  Total

  12,410

  13,874

  16,946

  17,589

  1Year ending March.

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Hendrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Departments will take the lead in the event of different kinds of emergency taking place in the UK. [729651]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Most emergencies are handled at a local level by the emergency services and by the appropriate local authority or authorities with no direct involvement by central Government.

  Where central Government do become involved because the incident is of such a scale or complexity to require central co-ordination or support, it is essential that we are clear in advance which Department will be in the lead.

  The Civil Contingencies Committee has had an up-to-date list of pre-nominated leads produced in order to reflect the devolution settlement; the changes to the machinery of Government made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister since the general election; and incidents which were not covered in the earlier 'Dealing with Disaster' guidance document.

  I am placing in the Library a paper explaining the respective roles of lead Government Departments and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat and a table summarising which Departments will have the lead for different categories of emergency.

  The table shows the position that holds within the devolved Administrations and arrangements are being made to place the material in the Libraries of the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Arrangements are also being made for this material to be made available to the local authority and emergency services associations and to be placed on the internet at www.ukresilience.info that will be updated whenever necessary and should be consulted for the latest information on pre-designated lead Departments.

  Prisons
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of staff absence through(a) short-term and (b) long-term sickness is in each prison, broken down by category, in the last 12 months for which information is available. [62378]
  1071W
  Hilary Benn
  Information relating to the financial year 2001–02 is contained in the table. Information about

  Absences of one to seven days

  Absences of over 27 days

  Category/Establishment

  Working days lost

  Rate per person

  Working days lost

  Rate per person

  High Security

  Belmarsh

  2,771

  3.12

  12,841

  14.48

  Durham

  1.065

  1.46

  7,509

  10.29

  Frankland

  976

  1.26

  7,304

  9.42

  Full Sutton

  1,455

  1.88

  6,859

  8.86

  Long Lartin

  1,176

  1.76

  5,430

  8.12

  Wakefield

  1,084

  1.73

  5,862

  9.34

  Whitemoor

  1,661

  2.20

  11,572

  15.32

  Woodhill

  1,531

  2.37

  8,797

  13.60

  High Security total

  11,719

  2.00

  66,175

  11.28

  Category B

  Albany

  366

  1.29

  2,431

  8.60

  Blundeston

  534

  1.93

  1,536

  5.55

  Dartmoor

  736

  1.95

  3,520

  9.33

  Garth

  569

  1.36

  4,597

  10.95

  Gartree

  385

  1.43

  1,930

  7.16

  Grendon

  589

  1.85

  3,888

  12.19

  Kingston

  284

  2.08

  1,794

  13.17

  Maidstone

  694

  2.01

  4,046

  11.75

  Parkhurst

  780

  2.21

  4,367

  12.36

  Swaleside

  737

  1.79

  4,151

  10.11

  Category B total

  5,674

  1.78

  32,259

  10.11

  Category C

  Acklington

  625

  1.62

  3,333

  8.64

  Ashwell

  420

  1.83

  2,321

  10.10

  Blantyre House

  153

  2.20

  472

  6.80

  Buckley Hall

  391

  2.00

  1,882

  9.62

  Camp Hill

  469

  1.73

  2,549

  9.40

  Channings Wood

  536

  1.70

  3,421

  10.85

  Coldingley

  362

  1.80

  1,517

  7.55

  Erlestoke

  295

  1.50

  1,769

  8.97

  Everthorpe

  334

  1.40

  2,396

  10.01

  Featherstone

  529

  1.68

  3,105

  9.86

  Haverigg

  510

  1.70

  2,968

  9.90

  Highpoint

  774

  1.89

  2,072

  5.06

  Kirklevington

  143

  1.52

  441

  4.70

  Lancaster

  326

  2.02

  1,429

  8.86

  Lindholme

  658

  1.64

  2,583

  6.43

  Littlehey

  616

  2.12

  3,587

  12.33

  Moorland

  744

  1.56

  4,724

  9.89

  Ranby

  599

  1.52

  4,284

  10.91

  Risley

  667

  1.34

  6,124

  12.32

  Shepton Mallet

  256

  1.88

  684

  5.03

  Stafford

  619

  1.93

  3,968

  12.35

  Stocken

  385

  1.40

  1,396

  5.08

  The Mount

  557

  1.78

  1,926

  6.17

  The Verne

  569

  2.02

  1,614

  5.73

  Usk/Prescoed

  246

  1.28

  1,009

  5.23

  Wayland

  484

  1.67

  1,740

  6.02

  Wealstun

  430

  1.41

  2,349

  7.68

  Weare

  406

  1.93

  1,577

  7.48

  Wellingborough

  415

  1.50

  2,348

  8.50

  Whatton

  174

  1.23

  1,013

  7.17

  Wymott

  789

  1.91

  4,611

  11.17

  Category C total

  14,480

  1.68

  75,214

  8.75

  Male local

  Bedford

  551

  2.28

  3,491

  14.47

  Birmingham

  1,069

  2.23

  6,165

  12.86

  Blakenhurst

  846

  4.47

  1,479

  7.81

  Bristol

  1,269

  2.39

  6,379

  12.00

  Brixton

  1,451

  3.07

  9,167

  19.42

  Bullingdon

  1,136

  2.76

  3,633

  8.83

  Canterbury

  403

  2.09

  2,205

  11.42

  1072W
  privately managed prisons is not available as it is commercial in confidence.
  1073W

  Absences of one to seven days

  Absences of over 27 days

  Category/Establishment

  Working days lost

  Rate per person

  Working days lost

  Rate per person

  Cardiff

  594

  1.50

  3,376

  8.55

  Chelmsford

  871

  2.59

  2,691

  7.99

  Dorchester

  362

  2.20

  924

  5.61

  Elmley

  1,186

  2.68

  2,808

  6.35

  Exeter

  686

  2.20

  3,627

  11.65

  Gloucester

  402

  1.81

  2,519

  11.34

  Haslar

  178

  2.10

  966

  11.39

  Highdown

  1,476

  2.77

  5,824

  10.93

  Holme House

  735

  1.51

  3,210

  6.60

  Hull

  492

  1.18

  2,421

  5.80

  Leeds

  1,169

  1.69

  8,722

  12.63

  Leicester

  436

  1.79

  2,298

  9.43

  Lewes

  705

  2.41

  3,492

  11.95

  Lincoln

  788

  2.23

  3,061

  8.66

  Liverpool

  995

  1.26

  9,598

  12.18

  Manchester

  1,233

  1.63

  10,445

  13.78

  Norwich

  917

  2.15

  3,994

  9.35

  Nottingham

  515

  1.56

  2,249

  6.80

  Pentonville

  1,526

  2.66

  5,956

  10.37

  Preston

  622

  1.60

  3,725

  9.59

  Shrewsbury

  326

  1.60

  2,491

  12.21

  Swansea

  370

  1.57

  1,974

  8.39

  Wandsworth

  1,596

  2.37

  8,159

  12.14

  Winchester

  1,011

  2.79

  2,945

  8.12

  Wormwood Scrubs

  1,751

  3.15

  7,729

  13.88

  Male local total

  27,667

  2.16

  137,721

  10.77

  Male open

  Ford

  422

  2.45

  1,619

  9.39

  Hewell Grange

  131

  1.57

  398

  4.77

  Kirkham

  397

  1.66

  2,450

  10.22

  Latchmere House

  197

  2.51

  425

  5.40

  Leyhill

  282

  1.51

  1,725

  9.22

  North Sea Camp

  224

  2.11

  831

  7.84

  Standford Hill

  393

  1.92

  1,796

  8.77

  Sudbury

  235

  1.26

  1,685

  9.06

  Male open total

  2,281

  1.81

  10,930

  8.68

  Detention Centre

  Dover

  356

  1.72

  2,515

  12.18

  Detention centre total

  356

  1.72

  2,515

  12.18

  Male closed YOI

  Aylesbury

  776

  2.36

  5,177

  15.78

  Brinsford

  637

  1.65

  2,702

  6.99

  Castington

  572

  1.64

  4,695

  13.45

  Deerbolt

  412

  1.47

  1,965

  7.00

  Feltham

  1,901

  2.95

  6,672

  10.36

  Glen Parva

  1.035

  2.08

  3,075

  6.17

  Guys Marsh

  395

  1.57

  2,887

  11.45

  Hindley

  665

  1.67

  6,330

  15.89

  Hollesley Bay

  627

  1.93

  3,025

  9.30

  Huntercombe

  575

  2.25

  3,374

  13.22

  Lancaster Farms

  740

  2.09

  3,381

  9.57

  Northallerton

  255

  1.72

  1,675

  11.29

  Onley

  1,043

  2.59

  6,290

  15.65

  Portland

  556

  1.70

  3,152

  9.65

  Reading

  425

  2.19

  2,097

  10.81

  Rochester

  535

  1.78

  2,772

  9.24

  Stoke Heath

  858

  2.11

  5,652

  13.92

  Swinfen Hall

  346

  1.48

  1,099

  4.72

  Werrington

  331

  2.08

  1,862

  11.69

  Wetherby

  520

  2.03

  3,096

  12.06

  Male closed YOI total

  13,203

  2.03

  70,980

  10.92

  Male open YOI

  Hatfield

  111

  1.31

  370

  4.37

  Thorn Cross

  387

  1.76

  1,799

  8.17

  Male open YOI total

  498

  1.63

  2,169

  7.11

  1074W 1075W

  Absences of one to seven days

  Absences of over 27 days

  Category/Establishment

  Working days lost

  Rate per person

  Working days lost

  Rate per person

  Female closed

  Bullwood Hall

  339

  2.18

  1,597

  10.28

  Cookham Wood

  232

  2.43

  1,144

  11.98

  Downview

  341

  1.84

  2,454

  13.24

  Foston Hall

  377

  2.06

  775

  4.24

  Morton Hall

  244

  1.70

  1,101

  7.67

  Send

  414

  3.15

  811

  6.17

  Styal

  517

  1.58

  3,633

  11.10

  Female closed total

  2,464

  2.02

  11,514

  9.43

  Female local

  Brockhill

  364

  2.21

  2,661

  16.20

  Eastwood Park

  537

  2.41

  4,129

  18.53

  Highpoint North

  238

  2.31

  986

  9.58

  Holloway

  1,314

  2.69

  8,344

  17.05

  Low Newton

  321

  1.40

  1,706

  7.46

  New Hall

  584

  1.98

  2,909

  9.87

  Female local total

  3,357

  2.23

  20,735

  13.80

  Female open

  Askham Grange

  126

  1.62

  650

  8.34

  Drake Hall

  261

  1.53

  2,454

  14.40

  East Sutton Park

  98

  1.58

  770

  12.40

  Female open total

  486

  1.56

  3,874

  12.48

  Total

  82,184

  1.97

  434,087

  10.40

  Vulnerable Prisoner Units
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female prison inmates are held in vulnerable prisoner units in prisons in England and Wales. [70280]

  Hilary Benn
  On 31 May 2002 there were 3,911 male prisoners held in vulnerable prisoner units. There are no vulnerable prisoner units in the female estate. The female estate does not have any dedicated units specifically for vulnerable prisoners as they are managed within the general female population. There are some beds reserved for women who are vulnerable from the nature of their offence but these are only in very small numbers and not in designated units.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated timetable will be for implementing the enhanced wages scheme for prisoners outlined in the Social Exclusion Unit's latest report; and if he will make a statement. [67837]

  Hilary Benn
  An action plan setting out the Government's response to the report will be published later this year.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the final Key Performance Indicator targets for the Prison Service for 2002–03. [72976]

  Hilary Benn
  The Prison Service Business Plan for 2002–03, published in February 2002, included Key Performance Indicator (KPI) measures for the year but at that stage not all the associated targets had been finalised.
  1076W
  The full set of measures and targets for 2002–03 are listed as follows:
  To ensure no escapes of Category A prisoners;
  To ensure that the number of escapes from prisons and from escorts undertaken by Prison Service staff, expressed as a proportion of the average prison population, is lower than 0.05 per cent.;
  To ensure that the number of escapes from contracted out escorts is no more than one per 20,000 prisoners handled;
  To ensure that the number of positive adjudications of assault on prisoners, staff and others, expressed as a proportion of the average prison population is lower than 9 per cent.;
  To ensure that the number of prisoners held two to a cell designated for one, expressed as a proportion of the average prison population does not exceed 18 per cent.;
  To ensure that the number of minority ethnic staff in the prison service, expressed as a proportion of the total work force is at least 4.5 per cent. by April 2003;
  To ensure that average staff sickness does not exceed nine working days per person by April 2003;
  To ensure that the average cost per uncrowded prison place does not exceed £38,743;
  To ensure that the average cost per prisoner does not exceed £36,539;
  To ensure 7,100 accredited offending behaviour programme completions in 2002–03, including 950 sex offender treatment programmes;
  To ensure that prisoners spend on average at least 24 hours per week in purposeful activity;
  To ensure the rate of positive results from random mandatory drug tests is lower than 10 per cent. by April 2003;
  To achieve a 5 per cent. reduction in the number of self inflicted deaths expressed as a rate per 100.000 of average population compared with 2001–02;
  Prisoners to achieve 45,000 key skills awards and 28,800 in basic skills including 10,800 at level 2, 12.000 at level 1 and 6,000 at entry level;

  1077W
  To ensure 28,200 prisoners have a job, training or education place after release by April 2003; and
  To develop and pilot a joint indicator with Department of Health to reduce waiting times for mental health transfers and to implement the KPI from April 2003.

  Prisoners (Feltham)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours per day the(a) 16 to 18-year-old and (b) over 18-year-old prisoners at Feltham receive (i) compulsory education, (ii) extra-curricular education, (iii) sport and (iv) general exercise; and if he will make a statement. [167311]

  Hilary Benn
  Education is only compulsory for those under school leaving age; they receive 15 hours of education per week at Feltham in five, three-hour sessions. Anyone over this age cannot be ordered to undertake education, as it is not classified as work.

  On extra-curricular education, there are currently no evening classes at Feltham. It is hoped that the prison's local recruitment campaign will deliver sufficient staff to make this possible.

  With regard to participation in sporting activities, juveniles (under 18s) are currently receiving an average of 4.9 hours of physical education (PE) a week. Young offenders are currently receiving an average of 5.4 hours per week. However, attendance at PE is voluntary.

  For general exercise, all prisoners receive a daily minimum of 30 minutes of time in the open air. Those in segregation receive one hour a day, weather permitting.

  London Probation Service
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) full-time, (b) part-time, (c) agency and (d) temporary staff work for the London Probation Service. [69430]

  Hilary Benn
  The latest figures from the London Probation Area show that they currently employ 2,836 staff in total; 2,137 of which are full time employees, 530 are part time, 89 are agency staff and 80 are on temporary contracts.

  Forensic Science Service
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the Forensic Science Service. [72977]

  Mr. Denham
  A review of the Forensic Science Service will commence on 2 September and is expected to be completed by spring 2003. The review team, independently lead by Robert McFarland, a former chief executive of the BOC Group, has been appointed and preliminary work is already under way. A steering group, chaired by one of my officials, will oversee the review and recommendations will be made to me in due course. I will report back to the House on its findings.

  The review process will provide extensive opportunities for consultation work with internal and external stakeholders and will follow the procedures recommended in the guidance for the review of executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies published by the Cabinet Office.

  Auld Review
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government expect to publish a detailed response to Sir Robin Auld's, Review of the Criminal Courts of England and Wales, and John Halliday's, Making Punishments Work—A Review of the Sentencing Framework for England and Wales. [72981]

  Hilary Benn
  'Justice for All' presented to Parliament on 17 July set out our policy on reform of the criminal justice system. We made clear that we are indebted to Sir Robin auld and John Halliday for their extensive and thorough review of the criminal courts and sentencing policy. Today we publish a detailed response to all their recommendations and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his Department's total expenditure by month in each financial year since 1997–98. [32794]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Boateng) on 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 692W.

  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much his Department underspent its expenditure limits in the financial year 2000–01. [40831]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 7 March 2002]The Home Office full, financial year outturns for the years 1998–99 to 2000–01 are shown in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (Cm 5401) published by the Treasury in May 2002.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total under-spend in his Department was on(a) capital and (b) non-capital expenditure in each financial year since May 1997.[34026]

  Mr. Blunkett
  [holding answer 7 February 2002]The Home Office full, financial outturns for the years 1998–99 to 2000–01 are shown in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (Cm 5401) published by the Treasury in May 2002.

  The full, financial outturn for the 1997–98 financial year was shown in the previous Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (Cm 5101).

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of publishing his Department's annual report for each of the past five years. [70479]

  Beverley Hughes
  The information is as follows:

  £

  Home Office annual report

  Design

  Print

  Total cost

  1999

  28,120.37

  15,200.00

  43,320.37

  2000

  20,639.46

  14,681.00

  35,320.46

  2001

  57,695.66

  22,842.00

  80,537.66

  2002

  30,411.35

  17,967.98

  48,379.33

  1079W
  The costs for 1998 are not readily available. To obtain the 1998 figures would amount to disproportionate costs.

  We believe the benefit to Parliament and the public of publishing a detailed account of our work is considerable, facilitating more open government.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Transsexuals
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she will make a statement about the ECHR judgments in the cases of Goodwin v. UK and I v. UK; and when she expects British transsexuals will be able (a) to change their NI numbers and (b) to marry. [71488]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government reconvened recently the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People, to re-examine the implications of granting full legal status to transsexual people in their acquired gender, and to make recommendations to Ministers before the end of this year. It has now been tasked additionally with considering urgently the implications of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of Christine Goodwin v. The United Kingdom and I v. The United Kingdom.

  The Government are obliged, under international law, to implement the judgments and will decide as soon as possible how to do so. The devolved Administrations are also considering their approach to these issues where responsibilities are devolved.

  The matters under consideration include policy on marriage and national insurance arrangements. Transsexual people may already obtain new national insurance cards in their new names.

  Following the ruling, statutes must be interpreted in the light of the ECtHR findings and, where a statute allows, discretion must be exercised differently in any case where the traditional interpretation or exercise of discretion would result in a violation of a transsexual person's Convention rights.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) whether the Government accepts the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Goodwin and I; what action is being taken to bring UK law into compliance with the ruling; and if she will make a statement; [71604]

  (2) what the terms of reference are of the reconvened Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual Rights. [71605]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government will decide their response to the Court's judgments as soon as possible. We had already reconvened the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People because the issues faced by the transsexual community affect the policy of a large number of Government Departments and the devolved Administrations.
  1080W
  The group met on 9 July. Its agreed terms of reference are:
  "In the light of the report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People and more recent relevant developments, to re-examine the implications of granting full legal status to transsexual people in their acquired gender; and to make recommendations".

  These terms of reference remain valid subsequent to the ruling of the ECtHR, delivered on 11 July: but the Working Group has been tasked to consider urgently the implications of the judgments in the cases of Christine Goodwin v. The United Kingdom and I v. The United Kingdom. The Government are obliged, under international law, to implement the judgments and will decide as soon as possible how to do so. The devolved Administrations are also considering their approach to these issues where responsibilities are devolved. Recommendations on a course of action will be put to Ministers in october for collective decisions to be reached during the autumn.

  Following the ruling, statutes must be interpreted in the light of the ECtHR findings and, where a statute allows, discretion must be exercised differently in any case where the traditional interpretation or exercise of discretion would result in a violation of a transsexual person's Convention rights.

  Compensation
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action she has taken to ensure that QinetiQ pays appropriate compensation to genealogical societies, for their administrative costs relating to vouchers for the 1901 Census website. [71268]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  All vouchers which have not been used will receive a full refund on request, including the purchase cost, postage and packaging. All vouchers which have been partially used, will have a full six months of active life starting from the date when the online service resumes. Payment of compensation for any additional administrative costs would be dealt with by the contractor, QinetiQ Ltd.

  Election Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the total Government expenditure was on(a) local elections in each year since 1997, (b) the 1997 general election and (c) the 2001 general election. [71230]

  Yvette Cooper
  To date, central Government expenditure for the conduct of the parliamentary general elections in 1997 and 2001 is £46.2 million and £44.3 million, respectively.

  Central Government makes no direct contribution to the cost of conducting local government elections, the funding of which is the responsibility of local authorities themselves.

  Information on the cost of local elections in England and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively. This is a devolved matter in Wales and Scotland.

  Law Commission
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the next quinquennial review of the Law Commission is to take place. [72978]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The next QQR of the Law Commission is to begin today. The approach to the review will take into account the wider process of law reform and the relationship between the Law Commission and other agencies involved in that process, particularly Government Departments. It is expected that a final report to the Lord Chancellor, outlining key findings and recommendations, will be produced by the end of the year.

  John Halliday CB has been appointed as Head of Review. Mr. Halliday has been selected for this role because of the extent of his knowledge of the operation of Government, Parliament and the civil service. In particular, he has experience of working with the Law Commission and of leading the fundamental review of the framework for sentencing criminal offenders in England and Wales. This resulted in the Halliday report, 2001.

  Copies of the Terms of Reference for the review have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Public Guardianship Office
  Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Public Guardianship Office's annual report and accounts for 2001–02 will be laid before Parliament. [72886]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have today laid before the House the Public Guardianship Office's annual report and accounts for 2001–02, which gives full details of the Agency's performance and expenditure for that year.

  Departmental Functions
  David Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the recent changes in the functions of her Department. [72984]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  For the assistance of hon. Members, I have today placed in the Library of each House a list which sets out briefly the current functions of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Thames Valley Magistrates Court Service
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) staff and (b) legal advisers have left the Thames Valley magistrates court service since 1 January 2001; how many trials have been cancelled since 1 January 2001 in the Thames Valley magistrates court area, how many vacancies there are in the Thames Valley magistrates court service; and if she will list them and the salaries offered. [72597]

  Yvette Cooper
  I have been advised by Thames Valley Magistrates Courts Committee (MCC) that 52 staff members have left service since January 2001, of which 11 were legal advisers. There are currently 27.4 vacancies within the area, 7.4 of which are for legal advisers. Salaries for legal advisers are advertised at £25,518 to £32,001 (depending upon experience); deputy justices'1082W
  clerks are advertised at £39,072 to £43,293; and admin/payments staff vacancies are advertised at £10,974 to £14,433.

  I am advised by Thames Valley MCC that no trials have been cancelled since 1 January 2001.

  Mentally Incapacitated People
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will publish the evidence presented to the consultation exercise on 'Making Decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty in Deciding for Themselves'. [70173]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Consultation on 'Making decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves' is being conducted fully in accordance with the Cabinet Office's code of practice on written consultations. The code recommends that responses should be analysed carefully and that the results of the analysis should be made widely available. Responses are currently being analysed and, once completed, the results of that analysis, including an account of the views expressed, will be made public.

HEALTH

  Medicines Commission
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive the annual report of the Medicines Commission for 2001; and if this will be published. [72975]

  Ms Blears
  We have received the report, and copies have been laid before both Houses of Parliament today in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) of the Medicines Act 1968.

  Bound volumes have been placed in the Library containing the 2001 reports of the Medicines Commission, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homoeopathic Products, the British Pharmacopoeia Commission, the Independent Review Panel on Advertising, the Independent Panel for Borderline Products and the Veterinary Products Committee.

  We are glad to acknowledge the valuable work done by the distinguished members of the Medicines Act advisory bodies and thank them for the time and effort dedicated in the public interest to this important work.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the 2001–02 annual report and accounts for the Meat Hygiene Service will be laid before Parliament. [73106]

  Ms Blears
  The 2001–02 annual report and accounts for the Meat Hygiene Service were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library, but formal printing and publication will not occur for another 6–8 weeks, pending preparation of a version in Welsh as required by the Welsh Language Act.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the annual report and accounts of the Medicines Control Agency. [73107]

  Ms Blears
  We have received the report, and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of sections 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  NHS Pensions Agency
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the key targets for 2002–03 for the NHS Pensions Agency; and if he will make a statement about the future of the Agency. [72783]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have agreed the Agency's key targets for 2002–03, and have placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. A review of the Agency will be completed by the end of this year. This will address the performance of the Agency and will examine the options ('prior options') for the future of the Agency.

  Syd Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the annual report and accounts of the NHS Pensions Agency. [69536]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have approved the annual report and accounts which have today been laid before the House of Commons in accordance with the requirements of section 7 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000.

  Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Child Care
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce child care centres in every community in the United Kingdom. [68254]

  Estelle Morris
  I have been asked to reply.

  Following emerging recommendations of the interdepartmental review of child care, recently carried out and due to report in the autumn, the Chancellor announced on 15 July that funding would be provided for children's centres to be set up in the most disadvantaged areas across England. The Government's long-term aim is to have such a centre in every disadvantaged ward in England. Building, where possible, on existing child care and Sure Start facilities, these centres will sit at the heart of the community offering integrated services and support to children, parents and child care providers. By March 2006, an additional 300,000 children and their parents will have access to health, education and other services through children's centres.

  Vaccines
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether pneumococcal vaccine will be added to the flu campaign for the elderly. [56920]

  Ms Blears
  The potential cost-effectiveness of introducing universal vaccination with pneumococcal polysaccharide for everyone over 65 years and efficacy of the vaccine in this age group is under investigation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Community action programme for the prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [57474]

  Ms Blears
  The European Union Committee for the implementation of the Community action programme for the prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases was mandated under Article 5 of Decision 647/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (amended under Article 4 of Decision 521/2001/EC).

  The committee assisted the Commission in taking forward the programme by providing opinions on proposed measures by the Commission. It is due to terminate with the introduction of the new EU action programme on public health.

  The committee met once in the last year, in January 2002. The United Kingdom is normally represented by an official from this Department.

  Costs of the committee to public funds are minimal. Meetings last one day, and the Commission pay the travel costs of nominated representatives. UK Departments are required to pay subsistence and UK costs.

  The financial framework for implementation of the Community action programme for the prevention of AIDs and certain other communicable diseases, from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002, is euro 10.07 million.

  The Commission has now decided which projects it will fund. This list will be published on the Department's website.

  Together with members states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

  As an obligation to the Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 28 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final).

  As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/index_en.html.

  PPP
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) progress has been made, (b) targets have been set and (c) success has been measured, in the public-private initiative in the NHS. [66897]
  1085W
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 10 July 2002]The Government set out their policies about the role of the private sector in the national health service in detail in the response to the House of Commons Health Committee's first report on the role of the private sector in the NHS, published on 10 July 2002 (Cm 5567).

  The NHS plan in 2000 set two main targets for investment in new NHS buildings, involving PFI:

  Target 1over 100 new hospital schemes in total between 2000 and 2010 (both public and privately financed);

  Target 2over half of the major 38 schemes given the go ahead at the time (July 2000) will be open by 2003ȓ04 and the remainder will be under construction;
  progress against Target 1: 64 major and 33 medium-sized PFI schemes have been given the go ahead. A further four major and six medium-sized schemes are being built under the public procurement route, making a total of 107 new hospital schemes;
  progress against Target 2: 23 of the major PFI schemes are scheduled to become operational before the end of 2004. Three of the publicly procured schemes are scheduled to be operational by 2004;
  success against Targets 1 and 2: 12 major PFI schemes and eight medium-sized schemes are already built and operational, as are two of the publicly procured schemes;
  a further 12 major and 10 medium-sized schemes have signed final contracts and are under construction.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to require the release of detailed information, withheld from the public on the grounds of commercial confidentiality when private finance initiative contracts are awarded in the NHS, after a period of three years to permit assessment of their value for money; [66435]

  (2) if he will provide information on PFI schemes, withheld on the grounds of commercial confidentiality, to bona fide research bodies, to make objective assessments of their value for money. [67075]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Audit Office has indefinite access to all information in the business cases and private finance initiative contracts to allow independent, objective assessments of value for money.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what method the Government use to measure the value of risk in assessing value for money for NHS private finance initiative projects in the NHS. [65532]

  Mr. Hutton
  Her Majesty's Treasury and the Department's guidance requires that a register of all risks is compiled which will provide a means for monitoring the evaluation and allocation of risk throughout the procurement exercise and whole life of private finance initiative project.

  The methodology for assessing the values of risk includes standard techniques such as weighting and scoring analysis, single point and multi-point probability analysis. In addition, sensitivity analysis should always be undertaken on the risks which have been assessed as having relatively large values and those which are subject to the greatest uncertainty (e.g. due to lack of historical
  1086W
  information). National health service trusts are required to use as much empirical information as possible in all their risk calculations.

  Diagnostic and Treatment Centres
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if pre-existing plans for new hospitals, which already include the elements of diagnostic and treatment centres, will be fast-tracked when submitted for capital funding from the diagnostic and treatment centre funding programme; [66825]

  (2) what funds his Department plans to make available for the establishing of diagnostic and treatment centres by primary care trusts in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004; [66828]

  (3) what the typical allocation of funds will be to a primary care trust to establish a diagnostic and treatment centre; and on what basis this will be calculated; [66829]

  (4) when he expects to announce the first tranche of diagnostic and treatment centres to be established by primary care trusts; [66830]

  (5) what his policy is on the establishment of diagnostic and treatment centres by primary care trusts. [66827]

  Mr. Hutton
  We committed ourselves in the NHS Plan to having eight diagnostic and treatment centres up and running by 2004 with a further 12 in development.

  On 21 February 2002, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health, announced the first wave of eight diagnostic and treatment centres. One of these is The Chase Hospital, Bordon, part of the North Hampshire Primary Care Trust. The Department has allocated £700,000 to North Hampshire Primary Care Trust to support this development.

  We are now looking to expand and bring forward the diagnostic and treatment centre programme further in order to grow capacity and reduce waiting times. We have asked the NHS to put forward proposals. In certain cases this may result in the acceleration of all or part of existing proposals for hospital development. The proposals may also include additional diagnostic and treatment centres established by primary care trusts.

  Capital funding will be available to support the development of some of these diagnostic and treatment centres. Some proposals will involve working with, and/or funding from the private sector.

  Smallpox Vaccine
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the smallpox contract awarded to Powderject is estimated to represent profit for Powderject. [67547]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has made no such estimate. Before letting the contract to Powderject, the prices offered by other companies for similar products were compared, and comparisons were made with the price being paid by the United States Government for its smallpox vaccine. On the basis of consideration of all the price information available relating to similar products, the vaccine was deemed to represent value for money.
  1087W
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he has chosen to purchase a smallpox vaccine which is of a different strain from that ordered by the US Administration. [67544]

  Mr. Hutton
  The choice of smallpox vaccine strain took into account expert advice under the auspices of a specially convened sub-group of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

  The advice of the JCVI sub-group was that there was no difference between the two strains on scientific grounds. Vaccines based on both strains were considered to have been effective in the past. However, the JCVI sub-group concluded that there was a greater body of evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of the Lister strain rather than for the New York City Board of Health strain, and that the smallpox vaccine has been challenged in the field more often by the more severe form of smallpox (variola major) with the strain chosen by the United Kingdom Government. The JCVI sub-group also recommended that using a different strain of vaccine from that used in the United States offered the greatest safeguard if difficulties arose with the production of either strain, ensuring that the alternative strain could act as a fallback.

  NHS Hospital Trusts
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospital trusts have been merged in the last five years. [67185]

  Mr. Hutton
  A list of national health service trusts which have been involved in major reconfigurations over the last five years has been placed in the Library. Most of these have merged by dissolution and establishment of new trusts, but there are also absorption mergers and parts of NHS trusts involved in the formation of new NHS trusts and primary care trusts.

  Health Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outcome was of the Health Council held on 26 June; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [67732]

  Mr. Hutton
  I represented the UK at the Health Council in Luxembourg on 26 June 2002.

  The Council debated the Commission's package of proposals for review of pharmaceutical legislation, covering the authorisation of medicinal products through a centralised authorisation procedure and the constitution of the management board of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA). No conclusions were reached.

  During discussions of the framework convention on tobacco control, the Commission along with the incoming Danish presidency, urged member states to be flexible to allow the adoption of a strong European Union position for the next round of negotiations in Geneva in October. Some member states called for high level political input to seek to avoid adoption of a position that simply represented the lowest common denominator. The United Kingdom remains a supporter of a strong and effective convention.
  1088W
  Council conclusions on patient mobility were adopted; with the Commission expected to bring forward proposals during the Danish presidency.

  The rest of the agenda covered the presentation of new dossiers or updates on the progress of current legislation. The Commission presented a draft directive on the safety of tissues and cells, to complement the current one on blood safety, as well as one on traditional medicines. There were also two recommendations: one on smoking prevention and tobacco control and another on the reduction of risks associated with drug dependence.

  Details of these and other agenda items are set out in the table which will be placed in the Library. No votes were taken on any issue before the Council.

  Renal Dialysis
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the training of new doctors and nurses in order to staff the opening of new renal stations; and when he expects to provide additional dialysis in east Lancashire. [69163]

  Jacqui Smith
  The NHS plan commits the national health service to 7,500 more consultants and 20,000 extra nurses by 2004. As part of this expansion programme, the north-west deanery are planning a 15 per cent. increase during this year in the number of specialist registrar posts dedicated to the specialty of nephrology. This will support the renal development programme established for Lancashire and south Cumbria.

  Nurses required to support the new renal stations at Chorley have been recruited through a process of internal recruitment within the United Kingdom together with an overseas recruitment campaign. The same approach will be adopted for the future planned developments at Blackpool and Burnley.

  The Burnley Unit is a private finance initiative scheme which is expected to be commissioned during 2005, and in conjunction with the developments at Chorley and Blackpool, will significantly enhance the 'take-up' rates for each Lancashire from the current level of 73 per million to the planned 'take-up' rate of 90 per million by 2005.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the opening of new renal stations in Lancashire will have on the number of patients at Royal Preston hospital; and if he will make a statement. [69217]

  Jacqui Smith
  The new renal facility at Chorley and South Ribble district general hospital is due to become operational in August 2002, and is expected to provide for 48 additional patients dialysing three times per week. Initially, patients currently being treated in Manchester hospitals will be given the choice of relocating to the new facility at Chorley. The facilities at Chorley are expected to achieve capacity by 31 March 2004.

  Once the new unit becomes operational, the Royal Preston hospital can then ensure that more clinically appropriate patients are managed at what is the main Lancashire renal centre, while the service also increases its 'take-on' rate for new patients.

  Social Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the net expenditure of each social services authority in England was in each year since 1990–91 at 2000–01 prices excluding expenditure on places in the private and voluntary homes sector; and what the percentage increase was in each year since 1990–91; [69716]

  (2) what the gross expenditure is of each social services authority in England in each year since 1990–91 at 2000–01 prices; [69713]

  (3) what the net expenditure was of each social services authority in England in each year since 1990–91 at 2000–01 prices; [69718]

  (4) what the net expenditure was of each social services authority in England in each year since 1990–91 at 2000–01 prices on purchasing places in the private and voluntary homes sector. [69717]

  Jacqui Smith
  Tables have been placed in the Library which provide the information requested except for net expenditure on places in the private and voluntary homes sector by local authorities for the years 1990–91 to 1993–94 (inclusive) and 2000–01 which is not available centrally.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the meaning of accredited training in relation to Minimum Standard 9.7 for homes for older people and Minimum Standard 20.10 for homes for younger adults. [70314]

  Jacqui Smith
  The administration of medication within care homes is a major responsibility and should not be undertaken lightly, since inappropriate administration could result in harm or, in some instances, the death of a service user. In this respect care home providers, therefore, must ensure that any staff who are charged with the responsibility to administer medication must fully understand the seriousness of this task, are trained in safe practices, and also have some awareness of the side effects of drugs on service users. The Commission is currently considering what forms of accredited training would be acceptable, but in the first instance, would suggest that training supplied by local pharmacists and community nurses would be acceptable.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will issue guidance to determine what constitutes regular contact with service users in respect of Care Home Regulations; [70318]

  (2) if he will list the occupational groups the members of which will be considered as persons having regular contact with service users in connection with the Care Home Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [70319]

  Jacqui Smith
  The National Care Standards Commission takes 'regular contact with residents' to mean where a member of staff employed by the care home routinely interacts with residents on a one-to-one basis as part of their employment. This interaction may be restricted to talking to residents, but generally the commission will take it to mean where an individual is 1090W
  providing specific forms of care to a resident, such as personal care, nursing care, counselling and general support.

  The staff having regular contact with residents will also vary from home to home. A range of internal and external people are likely to have regular contact with residents. This could include care staff, ancillary workers, volunteers and management staff, social workers and specialist health care professionals.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reasons the Care Home Regulations make no reference to a requirement for a business and financial plan as specified in the National Minimum Standard for homes for older people 34.5; [70317]

  (2) what must be contained in a business and financial plan as specified in National Minimum Standard for older people 34.5. [70316]

  Jacqui Smith
  The care homes regulations and the national standards are related but they are not the same. There are, therefore, differences in the language and level of detail they contain. The regulations set out in general terms mandatory requirements with which care homes must comply. The national standards are an assessment tool which the commission must take into account when it makes a decision about whether a care home conforms to the regulations. However, the commission may also take into account any other factors it considers reasonable or relevant to do so. The regulations do not, therefore, specifically refer to business and financial plans.

  The regulations and standards do not specify what must be contained in a care home's business and financial plans. In deciding whether a care home's business and financial plans conform to the requirements, the commission will need to satisfy itself that they contain sufficient information to ensure that service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home.

  Queen Alexandra Hospital (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what companies and organisations have expressed an interest in being involved in the private finance initiative for the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth; when he expects to make a decision on which of these will be involved; and if he will make a statement; [71000]

  (2) what the reasons are for the cost of the private finance initiative of Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, being raised; and if he will make a statement. [70998]

  Mr. Hutton
  The bidding process is still under way, but I am advised by Portsmouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust that three organisations were chosen to go through to the next stage. These were: The Hospital Company, Key Health Services and Summit Healthcare I cannot, at this time, confirm when the bidding process will be completed.

  The time scale for a final decision is a matter for the trust itself. The final business case has not yet been submitted because the bidding process is not complete. The cost for the private finance initiative, specified at the outline business case stage, was an estimate and would be

  1091W
  expected to increase over the period required to complete the project, partly as a result of inflation and other outside cost pressures.

  Doctors (Suspensions)
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2002.Official Report, column 1209W, on doctors (suspensions), for what reasons absence or special leave or gardening leave are not included in official statistics; and what guidance Is issued to NHS trusts on (a) staff suspensions and (b) placing staff on special or gardening leave. [70724]

  Mr. Hutton
  The process of formal monitoring of suspensions lasting over six months began in March 1995, six months after the issue of HSG(94)49, the current guidance on suspension of hospital and community medical and dental staff.

  As a result of an undertaking to the Public Accounts Committee in April 1995, the Department monitors formal suspensions lasting over six months on a quarterly basis. This has enabled the financial implications of those suspensions to be monitored and helped to ensure that Individual cases are being actively managed.

  Information on special leave is collected on an ad hoc basis when concerns are raised. No official guidance has been issued on the use of special or gardening leave. In December 2001, the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all national health service trusts requesting information regarding the use of this type of leave. This information is currently being analysed.

  Correspondence
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department intends to answer the letter of the hon. Member for North Norfolk of 1 March, in relation to Kelling Park Nursing Home. [71537]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent on 16 July 2002.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 20 March 2002 from the hon. Member for Totnes regarding Mrs. B. A. Bence of Kingsbridge, Devon, a constituent. [59795]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 10 June 2002]A reply was sent on 3 July 2002.

  Hearing Aids
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage cost is to the NHS of(a) a digital hearing aid and (b) an analogue aid; and what the differential was 12 months ago. [71758]

  Jacqui Smith
  Under the national health service contract, digital hearing aids had been available at a cost of between £140 and £205 each, for moderately powered aids. The contracts and prices have been renegotiated by a team set-up by Ministers and led by James Strachan, Chief Executive of Royal National Institute for the Deaf, which includes representatives from the Department and the Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA), and allows moderate powered digital aids to be purchased at £65 to £75 each plus value added tax (VAT).
  1092W
  The cost of a moderately powered NHS analogue aid ranges from £59 to £126 each plus VAT.

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the shortfall of social workers in(a) Portsmouth, (b) Hampshire and (c) the South East; and if he will make a statement. [72025]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on vacancy rates for social workers is not available centrally.

  Bed Blocking
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's strategy to tackle bed blocking. [71769]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government set a target in October 2001 to reduce the number of acute hospital beds blocked at any one time by 1,000, by 31 March 2002. In March 2001 there were 5,938 beds blocked by the over-75s, and at the end of March this year 4,691 were blocked.

  The Government will shortly be consulting on its plans, first announced in, "Delivering the NHS Plan", to introduce a system of charges for delays where people are ready for discharge and are awaiting social services input.

  Later in the year, the Government will be responding in full to the House of Commons Health Select Committee's forthcoming report on delayed discharges.

  Audit Commission Reports
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to implement the recommendations of the Audit Commission's reports, "Fully Equipped" and "Fully Equipped Two"; and if he will make a statement. [71799]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government are progressing their programme to improve equipment services for older and disabled people, and in doing so, are taking fully into account the recommendations made by the Audit Commission in its two reports on the subject.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement recommendations from the Audit Commission's report, "Fully Equipped Two". [72464]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government are progressing their programme to improve equipment services for older and disabled people and, in doing so, are taking fully into account the recommendations made by the Audit Commission in its two reports on the subject, "Fully Equipped", published in March 2000, and "Fully Equipped Two".

  Nurses
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS nurses have left the NHS to take nursing posts in north America in the last year. [72478]
  1093W
  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected by the Department.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the shortfall of(a) nurses, (b) general practitioners, (c) cancer specialists and (d) consultants in (i) St. Helens and Knowsley Health Authority, (ii) Merseyside, (iii) the North West and (iv) England. [71279]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government's plans for increasing the size of the national health service work force were set out in the NHS Plan and our manifesto before the last election. Both targets for increasing nurse numbers have been met ahead of schedule. Our latest projection for 2008 is 35,000 more nurses than there were in 2001. This has not been broken down by strategic health authority (StHA).

  The NHS Plan set a target of 2,000 more general practitioners (GPs) and 7,500 consultants in England by 2004, over the 1999 baseline. To date, there has been an increase of 483 GPs and 3,130 consultants. The target has been broken down by StHA level. Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority have an envelope of 141 more GPs and 377 more consultants by 2004.

  The number of cancer specialists employed in the NHS is growing. As at March 2002, there were 3,857 cancer specialists in England. This represents an increase of 17 per cent. since 1999. We are on track to hit the target set out in the Cancer Plan of nearly 1,000 extra cancer consultants by 2006, this target has not been broken down by StHA.

  Length of delayed discharge—patients of all ages—quarter 4 2001–02 National and regional summary

  Area

  Total delayed less than 8 days

  Total delayed 8–14 days

  Total delayed 14–28 days

  Total delayed more than 28 days

  Percentage delays less than 8 days (ail ages)

  Percentage delays 8–14 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 14–28 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays more than 28 days (all ages)

  Percentage HAs included in analysis

  England

  1,323

  1,067

  1,130

  1,968

  24.1

  19.4

  20.6

  35.9

  95.8

  Northern and Yorkshire

  125

  72

  92

  126

  30.1

  17.3

  22.2

  30.4

  92.3

  Trent

  113

  49

  71

  61

  38.4

  16.7

  24.1

  20.7

  100.0

  West Midlands

  247

  153

  124

  185

  34.8

  21.6

  17.5

  26.1

  100.0

  North West

  119

  115

  93

  143

  25.3

  24.5

  19.8

  30.4

  93.8

  Eastern

  —

  120

  118

  205

  —

  27.3

  26.8

  46.6

  85.7

  London

  104

  163

  190

  404

  12.1

  18.9

  22.0

  46.9

  92.9

  South East

  299

  254

  278

  611

  20.7

  17.6

  19.3

  42.4

  100.0

  South West

  316

  141

  164

  233

  37.0

  16.5

  19.2

  27.3

  100.0

  Health authority summary

  Health authority

  Total delayed less than 8 days

  Total delayed 8–14 days

  Total delayed 14–28 days

  Total delayed more than 28 days

  Percentage delays less than 8 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 8–14 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 14–28 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays more than 28 days (all ages)

  HA included

  Bradford

  9

  0

  2

  0

  81.8

  0.0

  18.2

  0.0

  Yes

  County Durham and Darlington

  12

  6

  5

  7

  40.0

  20.0

  16.7

  23.3

  Yes

  East Riding and Hull

  7

  2

  6

  6

  33.3

  9.5

  28.6

  28.6

  Yes

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  7

  6

  14

  15

  16.7

  14.3

  33.3

  35.7

  Yes

  Leeds

  10

  5

  16

  32

  15.9

  7.9

  25.4

  50.8

  Yes

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  23

  4

  8

  11

  50.0

  8.7

  17.4

  23.9

  Yes

  North Cumbria

  4

  10

  11

  44

  5.8

  14.5

  15.9

  63.8

  Yes

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  Sunderland

  15

  9

  3

  4

  48.4

  29.0

  9.7

  12.9

  Yes

  Tees

  31

  21

  15

  6

  42.5

  28.8

  20.5

  8.2

  Yes

  Social Workers
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the shortfall of social workers in(a) St. Helens, (b) Merseyside, (c) the North West and (d) England. [71281]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on vacancy rates for social workers is not available centrally.

  Public Consultation
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since June 2001, stating in each case the(a) number of respondents and (b) percentage of those specifically consulted who responded. [60145]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 10 June 2002]Since June 2001, the Department has undertaken 87 public consultations. A list of these will be placed in the Library.

  The Department does not collect the number of respondents nor the percentage of those specifically consulted who responded either centrally or at all and it would be disproportionately expensive to assemble the information.

  Hospital Discharges
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002,Official Report, column 168W, on hospital discharges, for what reason statistics for the Eastern Region on discharges that were delayed for less than eight days are not available. [64852]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 July 2002]The statistics were not available because of inconsistencies in the data provided by some health authorities in eastern region. By checking with hospitals in the former eastern region, I have been able to estimate the number of discharges delayed for less than eight days in that region. I have placed some corrected figures in the Library.
  1095W

  Health authority summary

  Health authority

  Total delayed less than 8 days

  Total delayed 8–14 days

  Total delayed 14–28 days

  Total delayed more than 28 days

  Percentage delays less than 8 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 8–14 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 14–28 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays more than 28 days (all ages)

  HA included

  Wakefield

  0

  5

  10

  0

  0.0

  33.3

  66.7

  0.0

  Yes

  North Yorkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  No

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  7

  4

  2

  1

  50.0

  28.6

  14.3

  7.1

  Yes

  Barnsley

  4

  0

  0

  0

  100.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Yes

  North Derbyshire

  14

  2

  0

  0

  87.5

  12.5

  0.0

  0.0

  Yes

  Southern Derbyshire

  9

  8

  4

  1

  40.9

  36.4

  18.2

  4.5

  Yes

  Doncaster

  4

  1

  8

  6

  21.1

  5.3

  42.1

  31.6

  Yes

  Leicestershire

  18

  8

  8

  8

  42.9

  19.0

  19.0

  19.0

  Yes

  Lincolnshire

  6

  7

  6

  3

  27.3

  31.8

  27.3

  13.6

  Yes

  North Nottinghamshire

  12

  7

  11

  10

  30.0

  17.5

  27.5

  25.0

  Yes

  Nottingham

  13

  9

  13

  4

  33.3

  23.1

  33.3

  10.3

  Yes

  Rotherham

  8

  5

  2

  5

  40.0

  25.0

  10.0

  25.0

  Yes

  Sheffield

  23

  1

  13

  10

  48.9

  2.1

  27.7

  21.3

  Yes

  South Humber

  2

  1

  6

  14

  8.7

  4.3

  26.1

  60.9

  Yes

  Birmingham

  65

  51

  35

  90

  27.0

  21.2

  14.5

  37.3

  Yes

  Coventry

  21

  9

  8

  16

  38.9

  16.7

  14.8

  29.6

  Yes

  Dudley

  8

  8

  6

  2

  33.3

  33.3

  25.0

  8.3

  Yes

  Herefordshire

  11

  2

  2

  5

  55.0

  10.0

  10.0

  25.0

  Yes

  Sandwell

  3

  1

  6

  17

  11.1

  3.7

  22.2

  63.0

  Yes

  Shropshire

  3

  3

  1

  2

  33.3

  33.3

  11.1

  22.2

  Yes

  Solihull

  33

  1

  2

  0

  91.7

  2.8

  5.6

  0.0

  Yes

  North Staffordshire

  16

  5

  3

  1

  64.0

  20.0

  12.0

  4.0

  Yes

  South Staffordshire

  19

  15

  19

  15

  27.9

  22.1

  27.9

  22.1

  Yes

  Walsall

  6

  6

  4

  7

  26.1

  26.1

  17.4

  30.4

  Yes

  Warwickshire

  34

  38

  19

  11

  33.3

  37.3

  18.6

  10.8

  Yes

  Wolverhampton

  8

  6

  3

  5

  36.4

  27.3

  13.6

  22.7

  Yes

  Worcestershire

  20

  8

  16

  14

  34.5

  13.8

  27.6

  24.1

  Yes

  South Lancashire

  12

  1

  0

  0

  92.3

  7.7

  0.0

  0.0

  Yes

  Liverpool

  3

  7

  5

  17

  9.4

  21.9

  15.6

  53.1

  Yes

  Manchester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  No

  Morecambe Bay

  4

  10

  13

  38

  6.2

  15.4

  20.0

  58.5

  Yes

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  8

  7

  11

  19

  17.8

  15.6

  24.4

  42.2

  Yes

  Salford and Trafford

  3

  10

  7

  5

  12.0

  40.0

  28.0

  20.0

  Yes

  Sefton

  4

  7

  10

  7

  14.3

  25.0

  35.7

  25.0

  Yes

  Stockport

  0

  3

  1

  2

  0.0

  50.0

  16.7

  33.3

  Yes

  West Pennine

  14

  0

  6

  9

  48.3

  0.0

  20.7

  31.0

  Yes

  Bury and Rochdale

  4

  2

  2

  3

  36.4

  18.2

  18.2

  27.3

  Yes

  North Cheshire

  —

  10

  10

  8

  —

  41.7

  41.7

  33.3

  Yes

  South Cheshire

  5

  5

  6

  9

  20.0

  20.0

  24.0

  36.0

  Yes

  East Lancashire

  5

  6

  2

  0

  38.5

  46.2

  15.4

  0.0

  Yes

  North West Lancashire

  39

  5

  3

  0

  83.0

  10.6

  6.4

  0.0

  Yes

  Wigan and Bolton

  18

  19

  11

  7

  32.7

  34.5

  20.0

  12.7

  Yes

  Wirral

  0

  23

  6

  19

  0.0

  47.9

  12.5

  39.6

  Yes

  Bedfordshire

  3

  6

  4

  11

  12.5

  25.0

  16.7

  45.8

  Yes

  North Essex

  —

  6

  18

  41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  No

  South Essex

  0

  16

  17

  66

  0.0

  16.2

  17.2

  66.7

  Yes

  Suffolk

  —

  63

  64

  96

  —

  33.5

  34.0

  51.1

  Yes

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  14

  15

  21

  0.0

  28.0

  30.0

  42.0

  Yes

  Norfolk

  12

  14

  7

  6

  30.8

  35.9

  17.9

  15.4

  Yes

  Hertfordshire

  17

  7

  11

  5

  42.5

  17.5

  27.5

  12.5

  Yes

  Hillingdon

  0

  17

  25

  16

  0.0

  29.3

  43.1

  27.6

  Yes

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  4

  9

  5

  13

  12.9

  29.0

  16.1

  41.9

  Yes

  Redbridge and Walfham Forest

  13

  10

  13

  20

  23.2

  17.9

  23.2

  35.7

  Yes

  Croydon

  10

  5

  1

  6

  45.5

  22.7

  4.5

  27.3

  Yes

  Kingston and Richmond

  7

  10

  6

  49

  9.7

  13.9

  8.3

  68.1

  Yes

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewishan

  3

  18

  22

  35

  3.8

  23.1

  28.2

  44.9

  Yes

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  0

  18

  30

  40

  0.0

  20.5

  34.1

  45.5

  Yes

  Barking and Havering

  41

  10

  22

  65

  29.7

  7.2

  15.9

  47.1

  Yes

  Brent and Harrow

  6

  3

  2

  5

  37.5

  18.8

  12.5

  31.3

  Yes

  Camden and Islington

  16

  13

  17

  30

  21.1

  17.1

  22.4

  39.5

  Yes

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslo

  4

  11

  17

  49

  4.9

  13.6

  21.0

  60.5

  Yes

  East London and the City

  —

  22

  13

  58

  —

  25.9

  15.2

  68.2

  Yes

  Barnet, Enfield and Haringey

  0

  17

  17

  18

  0.0

  32.7

  32.1

  34.6

  Yes

  Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich

  —

  20

  8

  26

  —

  —

  —

  —

  No

  Berkshire

  29

  19

  35

  72

  18.7

  12.3

  22.6

  46.5

  Yes

  Buckinghamshire

  25

  14

  7

  25

  35.2

  19.7

  9.9

  35.2

  Yes

  East Kent

  7

  9

  13

  23

  13.5

  17.3

  25.0

  44.2

  Yes

  West Kent

  4

  27

  16

  41

  4.5

  30.7

  18.2

  46.6

  Yes

  East Surrey

  8

  10

  12

  16

  17.4

  21.7

  26.1

  34.8

  Yes

  West Surrey

  21

  20

  34

  85

  13.1

  12.5

  21.3

  53.1

  Yes

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  26

  46

  38

  62

  15.1

  26.7

  22.1

  36.0

  Yes

  West Sussex

  50

  13

  30

  14

  46.7

  12.1

  28.0

  13.1

  Yes

  Northamptonshire

  28

  9

  24

  37

  28.6

  9.2

  24.5

  37.8

  Yes

  Oxfordshire

  9

  16

  12

  15

  17.3

  30.8

  23.1

  28.8

  Yes

  North and Mid Hampshire

  18

  18

  23

  98

  11.5

  11.5

  14.6

  62.4

  Yes

  Southampton and SW Hampshire

  36

  29

  23

  99

  19.3

  15.5

  12.1

  52.9

  Yes

  Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  38

  24

  11

  24

  39.2

  24.7

  11.1

  24.7

  Yes

  Somerset

  13

  9

  7

  5

  38.2

  26.5

  20.1

  14.7

  Yes

  South and West Devon

  44

  6

  8

  0

  75.9

  10.3

  13.1

  0.0

  Yes

  Wiltshire

  12

  16

  9

  26

  19.0

  25.4

  14.1

  41.3

  Yes

  1096W 1097W

  Health authority summary

  Health authority

  Total delayed less than 8 days

  Total delayed 8–14 days

  Total delayed 14–28 days

  Total delayed more than 28 days

  Percentage delays less than 8 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 8–14 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays 14–28 days (all ages)

  Percentage delays more than 28 days (all ages)

  HA included

  Avon

  107

  46

  83

  107

  31.2

  13.4

  24.2

  31.2

  Yes

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  37

  17

  12

  31

  38.1

  17.5

  12.4

  32.0

  Yes

  Dorset

  55

  13

  11

  8

  63.2

  14.9

  12.6

  9.2

  Yes

  North and East Devon

  48

  21

  17

  21

  44.9

  19.6

  15.9

  19.6

  Yes

  Gloucestershire

  0

  13

  17

  35

  0.0

  20.0

  26.2

  53.8

  Yes

  NHS Maternity Units
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list NHS maternity units in descending order of the percentage level achieved against the standards expected of such a unit. [67457]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 5 July 2002]There is no data available centrally on percentage levels against standards for maternity units.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason general practitioners practising within the area covered by the North Surrey PCT have been refused permission by the PCT to refer expectant mothers to the maternity units of their choice. [67468]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 5 July 2002]North Surrey Primary Care Trust has not stopped general practitioners referring expectant mothers to the maternity unit of their choice.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff vacancies there are in the mental health sector of the NHS, broken down by region. [67972]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 8 July 2002]I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) today.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many remanded prisoners were transferred under the provisions of section 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last six years, including the most recent year for which figures are available. [70239]

  Hilary Benn
  I have been asked to reply.

  Section 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983 empowers the Home Secretary to transfer people from prison to hospital who require urgent treatment in a psychiatric hospital. The section covers those remanded by the courts to custody; those convicted but awaiting sentence; those detained under the Immigration Act 1971; and civil prisoners.

  Figures for remand prisoners only are not available. The figures are for all four categories.

  Number

  1995

  473

  1996

  481

  1997

  495

  1998

  482

  1999

  464

  2000

  393

  1098W
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the money to improve wards and conditions for psychiatric patients announced on 6 April 2001 was spent. [68148]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]£3,890,200 was spent in the financial year 2001–02.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the monitoring of children for the first signs of the onset of mental illness. [67947]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 8 July 2002]I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 24 April 2002,Official Report, column 351W, regarding current mental health promotion and early intervention services for children and adolescents. Additionally, under the NHS Plan, 50 early intervention services will be established over the next three years to reduce treatment delay in psychosis. All young people who experience a first episode of psychosis such as schizophrenia will receive the early and intensive support they need. This is expected to benefit 7,500 young people in the 14–35 age range each year. The early detection of the onset of mental illness is also an issue we expect to consider in the child and adolescent mental health services strand of the children's national service framework on which work is currently progressing.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies exist in(a) clinical psychology and (b) psychiatry in each health authority. [58841]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of vacancies and the vacancy rates for clinical psychology and consultants in psychiatry and psychotherapy have been placed in the Library.

  Hotspot Councils
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2002,Official Report, column 176W, on care funding, what his definition is of hotspot councils; and what the names are of the hotspot councils as referred to in Annexe B. [68748]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18 March 2002,Official Report, column 176W, and the information

  1099W
  provided in Annexe B. 'Hotspot' councils were those 55 Food Safety selected to receive additional funding. The 55 councils are as follows:

  Barking and Dagenham

  Barnet

  Bath and North East Somerset

  Birmingham

  Bracknell Forest

  Brighton and Hove Bristol

  Bromley

  Buckinghamshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Cumbria

  Dudley

  East Sussex

  Enfield

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hackney

  Halton

  Hampshire

  Haringey

  Havering

  Hertfordshire

  Hillingdon

  Isle of Wight

  Kent

  Knowsley

  Leeds

  Medway Towns

  Milton Keynes

  North Somerset

  Northamptonshire

  Peterborough

  Portsmouth

  Reading

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  Sheffield

  Slough

  South Gloucestershire

  Southampton

  Southend-on-Sea

  St. Helens

  Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  Surrey

  Sutton

  Swindon

  Thurrock

  Waltham Forest

  Warwickshire

  West Berkshire

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  Wokingham

  York.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the level of public confidence in the Government's arrangements for food safety measured by public opinion surveys in each year since 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [69086]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 11 July 2002]The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has had responsibility for food safety since its establishment in April 2000. Levels of public confidence have been measured quantitatively rather than estimated as part of the annual "Consumer Attitudes to Food Standards", published in January 2001 and February 2002. In the most recent survey, 71 per cent, of consumers are aware of the FSA and, among them, levels of trust are high approximately 80 per cent. When asked how confident they were about the role played by the FSA in protecting health with regard to food safety, only 13 per cent, of consumers stated that they were not confident. Both surveys were widely reported by national media and are freely available on the Agency's website. The next annual survey will be published in early 2003. There were no similar surveys or estimates of public confidence by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, now the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, before 2000.

  Cancer
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Government funding was allocated to(a) treatment for and (b) research in (i) prostate, (ii) breast, (iii) lung and (iv) colon cancer in each of the last 10 years. [69292]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 12 July 2002]The Department does not collect figures on the cost of national health service services in a way that enables an accurate figure to be calculated for the cost of treatment or research for individual cancers.

  Residential Child Care
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake research into the reasons underlying the increase in the number of children being looked after in residential placements in the south west since 1997. [70356]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 16 July 2002]The most recently published figures for children looked after by local authorities at 31 March 2001 show that, over the past three years, while the overall number of children looked after by local authorities in the south west region has risen slightly, the relative proportion of children in residential placements has declined from 9 per cent, to 8 per cent. There is no evidence that south western local authorities have increased their use of placements in residential care.

  Doctors (Recruitment)
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox), of 2 July 2002,Official Report, column 298W, on doctors (recruitment), how many health care professionals from developing countries have been

  1101W
  provided with formal training and education in the UK since 1997; and of these, how many returned to their home countries after completing their studies. [71046]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]The information requested is not collected centrally.

  NHS Leadership Centre
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 1317W, on the NHS Leadership Centre, how many people are employed by the NHS Leadership Centre. [71038]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]The leadership centre is part of the National Health Service Modernisation Agency. As at 1 July 2002, there are a total of 48 staff who work for the leadership centre. 26 of those staff are on secondment or fixed term contracts from the NHS.

  Overseas Recruitment
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has recently met the Secretary of State for International Development concerning the recruitment of nurses and doctors from developing countries. [71041]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 18 July 2002]No. Officials from the two Departments are due to meet at the end of July to discuss the recruitment of health care professionals.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to the NHS is of compliance with new junior doctors' hours regulations. [71563]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]The junior doctors' hours regulations are those incorporated into the new contract for junior doctors which requires Pre-Registration House Officers to be contracted for no more than 56 hours from August 2001, with senior house officers and specialist registrars following suit in August 2003.

  The estimated cost of implementing the new contract from January 2001 to December 2003 is in the region of £210 million on a total junior doctors' pay bill of some £1.3 billion per annum. However, detailed information on doctors' pay is not held centrally. The driving principle underlying the new contract was to create financial disincentives through the pay bill if trusts continued to employ doctors in non-compliant posts. The effect of these cost pressures on trusts has been to bring overall non-compliance down from 44 per cent. in March 2001 to 32 per cent. in March 2002, with consequent potential long-term reductions in the junior doctor pay bill.

  Acute Services
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make a decision on the re-organisation of acute services in East Kent. [71189]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 19 July 2002]I refer the hon. Member to the information I gave him in my response of 16 July 2002,Official Report, column 219.

  NEPAD
  NEPAD
  Diplomatic Missions: Minor Traffic Violation Fines
  Diplomatic Missions: Minor Traffic Violation Fines
  Diplomatic Missions NNDR
  Diplomatic Missions NNDR
  Public Guardianship Office: Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02
  Public Guardianship Office: Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02
  Criminal Justice: Government Response to Auld and Halliday Reports
  Criminal Justice: Government Response to Auld and Halliday Reports
  Lord Chancellor's Department
  Lord Chancellor's Department
  Law Commission: Quinquennial Review
  Law Commission: Quinquennial Review
  Retrials in Serious Criminal Cases
  Retrials in Serious Criminal Cases
  Highland Midges
  Highland Midges
  Treasury Silver
  Treasury Silver
  Life Peers
  Life Peers
  Criminal Cases in Consequence of 1994 Bomb Explosions at Embassy of Israel and Balfour House
  Criminal Cases in Consequence of 1994 Bomb Explosions at Embassy of Israel and Balfour House
  Local Government
  Local Government
  Parish Councils: Code of Conduct
  Parish Councils: Code of Conduct
  Accommodation for the Homeless: London
  Accommodation for the Homeless: London
  Gypsy Accommodation
  Gypsy Accommodation
  Science, Engineering and Technology
  Science, Engineering and Technology
  Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder
  Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Audit Committee Annual Report 2001–02
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Audit Committee Annual Report 2001–02
  Prison Service: Key Performance Indicator Measures
  Prison Service: Key Performance Indicator Measures
  Forensic Science Service
  Forensic Science Service
  Police Use of Firearms
  Police Use of Firearms
  England Rural Development Programme
  England Rural Development Programme
  Defra and Forestry Commission: Spending Plans
  Defra and Forestry Commission: Spending Plans
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency Targets
  Veterinary Laboratories Agency Targets
  Environment Agency Management Statement
  Environment Agency Management Statement
  Animal Health and Welfare Expenditure
  Animal Health and Welfare Expenditure
  Adoption
  Adoption
  Prostate Cancer and AIDS: Government Expenditure
  Prostate Cancer and AIDS: Government Expenditure
  HIV
  HIV
  Contraceptive Advice for Young People
  Contraceptive Advice for Young People
  NHS Bodies: Contracts with non-UK Organisations
  NHS Bodies: Contracts with non-UK Organisations
  Mental Health Bill: Categories of Mental Disorder
  Mental Health Bill: Categories of Mental Disorder
  Disability Equipment
  Disability Equipment
  Meat Hygiene Service Annual Report and Accounts
  Meat Hygiene Service Annual Report and Accounts
  Medicines Control Agency Annual Report and Accounts
  Medicines Control Agency Annual Report and Accounts
  Medicines Commission Annual Report and Accounts
  Medicines Commission Annual Report and Accounts
  NHS Pensions Agency
  NHS Pensions Agency
  Religious Organisations Broadcasting Licences
  Religious Organisations Broadcasting Licences
  Centre for Management and Policy Studies Annual Report and Accounts
  Centre for Management and Policy Studies Annual Report and Accounts
  IT Procurement: Open Source Software
  IT Procurement: Open Source Software
  Executive Agencies
  Executive Agencies
  Civil Service Pension Arrangements
  Civil Service Pension Arrangements
  Government Car and Despatch Agency Annual Report and Accounts
  Government Car and Despatch Agency Annual Report and Accounts
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission