Written Answers of 25 June 2002

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Public Libraries
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from local authorities regarding Public Library Standard 18. [62679]

  Dr. Howells
  Councillor Bob Littlewood, the London borough of Redbridge's Cabinet Minister for Culture and Leisure wrote to my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Blackstone on 16 April 2002. His letter referred specifically to Public Library Standard 3(i) and 18. Other authorities have written either about the standards in general or about other of the standards individually.

  PLS 18, in common with the other standards, helps to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.

  I am monitoring the application of the public library standards through the annual library planning process. Analysis of the 2001 plans shows that nearly all authorities are using the introduction of the standards to plan for improvements in the quality of their library services but that, in many cases, authorities recognise that this will require them to direct more of their budgets into their library services than hitherto. It is for library authorities to ensure that they make the right allocation of resources to ensure the provision of a comprehensive and efficient service within the meaning of the Act.

  Camelot
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Comptroller and Auditor General has been given access to all the papers the relevant Government Departments hold on whether Camelot and its associated companies are run by suitable people. [63642]

  Mr. Caborn
  The National Lottery Commission has given the Comptroller and Auditor General access to all the papers held by the commission which he wished to examine as part of his inquiry into its award of the second National Lottery licence, except those which it would not be lawful for the commission to disclose. A number of Orders opening gateways allowing access to these papers have already been made; action to open the remaining gateways, which relate to the Criminal Justice Act 1987 and the Companies Act 1985 and 1989, is in hand by the Departments responsible for those Acts and should be completed shortly.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was of publishing her 742W
  Department's annual report for each of the past three years; and if she will provide a breakdown of the costs incurred. [63348]

  Dr. Howells
  The cost of publishing the Department's annual report for each of the past three years was as follows:

  Annual report costs 2000–02

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Design, typesetting, pdfs

  40,212

  45,144

  56,105

  Print (buy back of copies from The Stationery Office)

  18,310

  24,648

  125.000

  Proofreading

  648

  533

  570

  Total

  59,170

  70,325

  81,675

  1 Estimated print costs.

  Note:

  The costs for 2002 include the development of a new design template which the Department plans to follow for the next two to three years

  ITV Digital
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress of discussions on the situation at ITV Digital. [63672]

  Dr. Howells
  ITV Digital is in administration and progress with the administration is a matter for the administrators. ITV Digital surrendered the licences granted to it under the Broadcasting Act 1996 on 30 April 2002. These licences were re-advertised by the Independent Television Commission. I understand that the ITC has received six applications and aims to award the licences by 4 July. Decisions on the licence awards are a matter for the ITC.

  Regional Broadcasting
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions she has had with the ITC over the Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions; [63603]

  (2) what safeguards to preserve the current level of regional programmes are to be introduced in the Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions; [63604]

  (3) what assessment has been made of the impact of the Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions on independent television companies. [63605]

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the ITC on the change in hours for regional broadcasting which they are proposing for the Meridian area; and if she will make a statement. [63865]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department was kept informed of progress as the ITC negotiated the Charter for Broadcasting in the Nations and Regions with the ITV companies. The Charter seeks to enhance investment in regional programme production, introduce a more effective regional schedule and strengthen regional accountability. The draft Communications Bill introduces requirements for Ofcom to set Channel 3 services targets to secure quality and levels of investment in programmes produced in the regions for the regions.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she proposes to adopt the new model of television licence fee evasion referred to in the National Audit Office report, "Collecting the Television Licence Fee"; and what estimate she has made of the level of television licence fee evasion for(a) the last month for which figures are available and (b) the last five years. [64586]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department is adopting the new model with effect from today. This will enable the BBC to use these new, improved figures in its annual report and accounts, as recommended by the NAO report.

  The new model uses improved data to estimate the number of licensable premises. Consequently the level of estimates of evasion for previous years has been revised upward. The figures from the new model show, as did those from the old model, that evasion has declined steadily in recent years. The new model estimates evasion at 7.8 per cent. at the end of May 2002, compared with 8.6 per cent. at May 2001 and 11.4 per cent. at May 1997.

DEFENCE

  Trident
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what discussions he has participated concerning a successor warhead for Trident; when his last discussion of this subject was; and if he will list the other participants in that discussion. [63452]

  Dr. Moonie
  None. We currently have no plans for a replacement for Trident, and no decision on any possible successor system is yet needed. In line with the policy set out in the Strategic Defence Review, we intend to maintain a minimum capability to design and produce a successor to Trident should this prove necessary.

  Gulf War Veterans (Scotland)
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Gulf war veterans live in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [58564]

  Dr. Moonie
  Of the 53,462 United Kingdom service personnel who were deployed to the Gulf during the 1990–91 conflict, the Ministry of Defence has records of the post codes for 45,302 who are still alive, of which 3,817 are in Scotland. The post codes were gathered between 1996 and 2001 for the purposes of a series of epidemiological studies and may now be out of date.

  QinetiQ
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to ensure that employees of Serco Operations will be offered broadly comparable final salary pension schemes in that company's final salary pension scheme when their jobs are transferred to QinetiQ; and if he will make a statement. [63168]

  Dr. Moonie
  Future pension arrangements for employees of Serco Operations who are due to transfer to QinetiQ were agreed on 18 June 2002 between QinetiQ,744W
  Serco and the trade unions. All of those who were members of Serco's final salary pension scheme will be offered membership of the QinetiQ final salary pension scheme when they transfer.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) budget and (b) timescale is for the programme to improve single living accommodation for armed forces personnel. [63163]

  Dr. Moonie
  The budget for improvements to single living accommodation is £2 billion.

  Project SLAM in conjunction with parallel projects is aiming to deliver 70,000 new or upgraded bed spaces within a 10-year period commencing in 2003.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to improve the single living accommodation at RAF Stafford. [63165]

  Dr. Moonie
  The need to upgrade single living accommodation (SLA) at RAF Stafford was considered when compiling the RAF SLA modernisation programme, (Project SLAM). However, as RAF Stafford was assessed to have sufficient SLA at grade 2 condition or above to meet its long term requirements, it was not included in the programme. Along with other stations with grade 2 accommodation, RAF Stafford will be considered for upgrade once the worst RAF SLA has been upgraded.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the criteria are for prioritising the projects for the improvement of single living accommodation for armed forces personnel. [63164]

  Dr. Moonie
  Prioritisation is on a "worst first" basis at locations where there is a long term operational need for single living accommodation (SLA).

  The worst SLA is defined as grade 3 and below, as assessed against the Ministry of Defence's four tier system laid out in Joint Service Publication 315.

  Atomic Weapons Establishments
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if in future he will place in the Library copies of submissions made to local planning authorities concerning the atomic weapons establishments as they occur, and inform the House as they are deposited. [63451]

  Dr. Moonie
  No. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence complies with Department of the Environment Circular 18/84 (Town and Country Planning Act 1984) in a similar manner to all Government Departments, non-Department authorities and other Crown bodies regarding submitting and advertising of Notices of Proposed Development (NOPD). The local planning authority treats the NOPD in the same way as they do a planning application submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. NOPDs are advertised in the local press by the planning authority in the same manner as a planning application. Standard orange Notices from the planning authority are displayed at the gates of AWE Aldermaston and at the entrance to The Mearings at AWE Burghfield for the statutory 21 days.
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  The public are at liberty to view and purchase copies of all Notices and the outcome of same from the local planning authority.

  Suicide (Service Personnel)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many suicides by service personnel on duty have been investigated by civil authorities, broken down by each of the armed forces, since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [63678]

  (2) how many suicides by service personnel on duty have been committed by those having served less than two years, broken down by each of the armed forces, since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [63680]

  (3) how many suicides by service personnel on duty have resulted in officers' ammunition rounds being found to be missing, broken down by each of the armed forces, since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [63685]

  (4) how many service personnel deaths while on duty have been of officers under 25 years of age, broken down by each of the armed forces, since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [63679]

  (5) how many suicides by service personnel on duty have been recorded in each of the armed forces since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [63677]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Shoeburyness
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many controlled explosions were carried out at the Shoeburyness ranges in each of the last 20 years; [63784]

  (2) how many shells were fired at the ranges in Shoeburyness in each of the last 20 years; and how many of these were subsequently recovered: [63787]

  (3) how many complaints were made about noise caused by explosions at the Shoeburyness ranges in each of the last 20 years. [63785]

  Dr. Moonie
  A search of the archives is being undertaken to ascertain what records we have for the period requested. I will write to the hon. Member when this search has been completed and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implication of the changes in ownership of QinetiQ for range activities at Shoeburyness; and if he will make a statement. [63783]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Shoeburyness Range site, which is currently managed by QinetiQ, remains in Ministry of Defence ownership. In common with all MOD's contractors, it is QinetiQ's responsibility to ensure that its activities comply with the law in meeting its contractual obligations to the MOD. MOD has retained those legal and regulatory controls necessary to meet its responsibilities as the site's owners.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in identifying the factors that have caused ill health in Gulf War veterans; and if he will make a statement. [63551]

  Dr. Moonie
  As a group, Gulf veterans report significantly more ill-health than other comparable groups. A number of possible factors for this have been suggested but peer-reviewed scientific research, confirmed and validated by other researchers, has no identified the cause. Further important research is underway, and the Government is committed to carrying out some such further research. I hope to announce some new areas of research shortly. I would encourage members of the scientific community who have other new ideas to submit proposals for further work to the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC will assess the proposals and recommend to the Ministry of Defence those which it considers to be soundly based and of sufficient scientific merit to justify being taken forward.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set up a Royal Commission to investigate the causes of Gulf war illnesses; and if he will make a statement. [63773]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence accepts that some veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf conflict have become ill and that many believe this ill health is unusual and related to their Gulf experience. There is evidence that Gulf veterans report more ill-health than other comparable groups. The Government attach great importance to investigating the causes of this and believe that the best way of doing so is through scientific and medical research. A number of important research projects are currently under way and I hope to announce further work shortly. The Government do not believe that a Royal Commission to investigate the causes of Gulf veterans' illnesses would be helpful at this time.

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Defence Diversification Agency and proposals to establish defence diversification councils. [63809]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Diversification Agency now has 15 offices throughout the United Kingdom, and is continuing to work closely with regional development agencies and the UK business community as a whole to enable the exploitation of defence-funded science and technology.

  Work is on-going to establish a Defence Diversification Council and I hope to make an announcement in the near future.

  Lance Corporal Robert Lyttle
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the trial of Lance Corporal Robert Lyttle of the RIR; and what the outcome was of disciplinary measures taken against this soldier. [63953]
  747W
  Dr. Moonie
  Lance Corporal Robert Lyttle of the Royal Irish Regiment was tried at Edinburgh High Court on 21 April 2002; he was found guilty of indecent assault and was subsequently sentenced to three years imprisonment.

  Howe Barracks
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusions have been reached following the investigation of the circumstances leading to a child being taken to hospital having taken an ecstasy tablet alleged to have been supplied by an individual based at the Howe Barracks in Kent. [63849]

  Mr. Ingram
  During investigation by the civil police, six members of the Royal Irish Regiment were questioned in respect of allegations of supplying an ecstasy tablet to a child. One Ranger was subsequently charged with supplying ecstasy; the case is now with the Crown Prosecution Service. One Ranger was cautioned for possession of ecstasy and one received a reprimand for possession.

  Defence Estate
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what works are in hand to improve the fabric of the defence estate in each establishment in Wiltshire. [63828]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Married Quarters
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the quality of married quarters for service families in Wiltshire. [63827]

  Dr. Moonie
  Service families accommodation in mainland United Kingdom is managed and maintained by the Defence Housing Executive. Of the 2,205 properties in Wiltshire, 134 are at standard 1 for condition, 1,512 at standard 2, 539 at standard 3 and 20 at standard 4. Standard 1 for condition is achieved when a property meets a series of criteria which have been agreed with the services and families' representatives. They included modern bathroom and kitchen facilities, double glazing, energy efficiency and security measures.

  Training
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent in the last 12 months on training by the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Marines, (c) Army and (d) RAF in the United Kingdom; and what proportion of these totals was spent in Scotland. [63929]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 3 April 2002,Official Report, column 1019W.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63126]
  748W
  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 November 2001,Official Report, column 25W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Pendle relating to the cost of the funeral of the Queen Mother. [64323]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have written to the hon. Member today.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Reproductive Health Programmes
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2002,Official Report. column 884W, on reproductive health programmes, what the aims are of the HIV/AIDS and reproductive health programme in Zambia; how much funding has been provided to it by her Department per annum since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [62586]

  Clare Short
  The aim of DFID's "Family Planning and HIV/AIDS" project in Zambia is'To increase the use of modern methods of family planning and use of condoms for HIV/STI prevention.'

  The project is a successor project to the "Family Planning Logistics" project which also directly addressed HIV/AIDS and reproductive health issues. It was approved in September 2000. Funding of £2.9 million has been provided as follows:

  Year

  Amount £000

  2000

  116

  2001

  1,439

  2002

  1,345

  Total

  2,900

  DFID is currently developing a targeted £20 million multisectoral HIV/AIDS programme in Zambia while continuing to address the impact of HIV/AIDS through all sectors of its wider country programme.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2002,Official Report, column 884W, on reproductive health programmes, what the aims are of the Regional HIV/AIDS Programme of the Southern African Development Co-ordinating Committee; how much funding has been provided to it by her Department per annum since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [62585]

  Clare Short
  The aim of this programme is to support the Southern African Development Community's (SADC) HIV/AIDS strategy with a focus on interventions in Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland.

  The main outputs will be:
  Strengthening of SADC's Health Sector Coordination Unit (and its successor following SADC restructuring);
  Improved inter-country coordination and strengthening of National AIDS Control Programmes;

  749W
  Increased promotion of, and access to, low cost condoms via social marketing;
  Support to people living with HIV/AIDS groups for increased advocacy and service capability;
  More effective management of sexually transmitted infections, particularly in private sector employing migrant labour;
  Increased ability in Government Departments and NGOs for behaviour change communication interventions.

  The programme became operational in May 1999. Expenditure to date totals £750,668.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2002,Official Report, column 884W, on reproductive health programmes, what the aims are of the sexual and maternal health programme in Malawi; how much funding has been provided to it by her Department per annum since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [62584]

  Clare Short
  Since 1997, my Department has committed a total of £23.5 million for sexual, reproductive and maternal health programmes in Malawi. The main purpose is to increase access to, and utilisation of, reproductive, maternal (ante-natal, delivery and post-partum care) and sexual health services and adoption of safer sex practices especially among the poor, young people and marginalised groups. A further benefit is the positive effect such help can have in countering the incidence of HIV/AIDS.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2002,Official Report, column 884W, on reproductive health programmes, what the aims are of the sexual and reproductive health programme in Zimbabwe; how much funding has been provided to it by her Department per annum since 1997; if funding continues; and if she will make a statement. [62583]

  Clare Short
  Zimbabwe has one of the world's worst HIV/AIDS epidemics. Adult HIV prevalence is 34 per cent.. and it is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 people die of AIDS each week.

  DFID's Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme is a £20 million programme approved in 2000 to run over five years. It aims to prevent and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS for poor Zimbabweans. The programme works through civil society and parastatal organisations and activities focus on promoting behaviour change, condom supply and sexual health services for high-risk groups, and capacity building for community home-based care. The programme has spent £5.267 million in the last two years and continues.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what decisions have been made by her Department in the last year under authority from the royal prerogative. [63133]

  Clare Short
  The Department does not keep records of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised.

  Nepal
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department 750W
  has given the Nepalese Government to assist it in rebuilding facilities destroyed due to terrorist attacks by Maoist groups. [63477]

  Clare Short
  My Department has not provided assistance to the Nepalese Government to rebuild facilities destroyed by Maoists. My Department has, however, developed a programme of short-term support for people in conflict affected areas, and is working to reorientate the entire DFID programme towards conflict resolution.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated cost is of damage to UK-funded projects in Nepal due to terrorist attacks by Maoist groups. [63476]

  Clare Short
  Maoist insurgents in Nepal have not so far targeted UK development staff or project activities and, despite the worsening security situation throughout the country, UK funded-development assistance is continuing, albeit more slowly.

  Development Projects (Environmental Impact)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what standards her Department uses to assess the environmental impact of proposed development projects; and whether the environmental standards applied to development projects are less stringent than those applied in the United Kingdom. [63515]

  Clare Short
  DFID are rarely involved in funding major infrastructure projects of the sort that would require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the UK. DFID procedures require environmental screening on all projects above £1 million, or below this threshold if significant environmental impacts are anticipated. The screening is supported by DFID's environmental guide, which provides guidance, such as screening checklists that highlight potential beneficial and adverse impacts. If initial screening indicates that an activity could have significant impacts on the environment, then further investigation must be undertaken, which may include further environmental analysis; a full EIA; or an environmental audit. The objective of DFID's appraisal system is not only to assess potential positive or negative impacts, but also to seek opportunities to improve policy formulation and decision-making, e.g. we are currently undertaking an appraisal of strategic choices regarding Russia's accession to the WTO.

  The DFID environmental appraisal process applies to expenditure on policies, programmes and projects. The EC EIA directive, transposed into UK legislation, currently applies to projects (e.g. building new roads, building power stations, etc.), but the EU directive on programmes and plans (2001/42/EC) is in the process of becoming UK law. DFID procedures also allow for intermediate level of investigation—environmental analysis—where a full EIA is not required. In the UK EIA legislation there is no such intermediate form of analysis.

  Safe Drinking Water
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the aid distributed by her Department in the past five years has funded the provision of safe drinking water in developing countries. [63513]
  751W
  Clare Short
  DFID place as much emphasis on access to appropriate sanitation as they do on access to safe water. Much of the work supported by DFID is for both water supply and sanitation, for example, support to the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council and the Water and Sanitation Program. Therefore, it is not possible to clearly apportion financial expenditure to water supply solely.

  The proportion of bilateral aid commitments whose principle aim was to target safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in developing countries was 6 per cent. on average over the last five years. This represents a commitment of 3 per cent. total aid commitments on average.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Sewage Disposal Companies
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers exist for local authorities to take legal action against sewage disposal companies on grounds of public nuisance. [57142]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 May 2002]: Local authorities have no statutory nuisance powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with nuisance from sewage treatment works. However, it is possible for local authorities or the public to take common law action. My Department is currently exploring the available legislation and existing controls as a possible means to address the problem of nuisance from sewage treatment works in the future.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on the management of the research programme for management and storage of radioactive waste and management of the community plan of action in the field of radioactive waste 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. [55687]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Advisory Committee on Programme Management for the Management and Storage of Radioactive Waste was established under European Council Resolution 77/C 192/01 of 18 July 1977. The committee advises the European Commission on the Community Plan of Action in the field of radioactive waste which was last renewed by Council Resolution 92/C 158/02 of 15 June 1992. This plan expired at the end of 1999. However, as an interim arrangement the committee continue to advise the Commission on the aspects of the plan.

  The committee has met once in the past 12 months. Its annual cost to public funds is negligible. The UK is represented by officials from my Department and the Scottish Executive.
  752W
  The committee is currently advising the Commission on preparation of the fifth report regarding the situation and prospects of radioactive waste management in member states of the European Commission. Previous reports are publicly available from the Commission of the European Communities.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Waste Management 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. [61707]

  Mr. Meacher
  The committee's mandate is to assist the European Commission to adapt aspects of wastes directives. It tends to be strategic/thematic in nature.

  The committee generally meets twice per year and last met on 21 March 2002. The UK's representation is determined by the agenda for each meeting but the basic representation is usually two officials. The cost to public funds comprise travel and subsistence costs incurred in attending a one day meeting in Brussels (approximately £650 per meeting) and staff costs (around £700 per meeting). The Commission reimburses the travelling costs for one official's attendance at each meeting.

  The meeting on 21 March focused on the development of thematic strategies on resources and on recycling and the planned EC Communication on Waste Prevention Targets.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the protection of the environment is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; when it is next due to meet; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [62920]

  Mr. Meacher
  The question does not specify which Directive is being referred to. Many Directives have as their objective the protection of the environment, and many of them have committees for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress.

  Water Quality
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Harrow, West, on 16 May 2002,Official Report, column 830W on the Water Framework Directive, what measures the Government are (a) taking and (b) intending to implement prior to 2012 to prevent deterioration of water quality in the United Kingdom. [60669]

  Mr. Meacher
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Measures taken to prevent deterioration of water quality in England are already in place, such as discharge consent conditions in relation to quality standards for water, the management of water quantity (through abstraction licensing) and measures to protect groundwater under the Groundwater

  753W
  Regulations. These measures help meet obligations from existing Community water quality legislation and domestic river quality objectives.

  (b) Under the Water Framework Directive, article 4. in making operational the programmes of measures in the river basin plans, member states have to implement the necessary measures to prevent deterioration in the status of water bodies. All measures must be operational by 2012 at the latest.

  It is too soon to say what additional water quality protective measures might need to be implemented prior to 2012. To the extent that new regulatory powers are needed, they will be included in proposed regulations on which we plan to consult next year.

  Implementation of the Directive in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and with respect to the devolved functions in Wales, are matters for the Scottish Executive, the Northern Ireland Executive and the National Assembly for Wales.

  Rio Earth Summit
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken by the Government since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to(a) set goals on environmental protection and (b) improve eco-efficiency and resource productivity relating to land use issues; and what these (i) goals and (ii) improvements have been. [44344]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have put in place a range of planning guidance to promote a sustainable pattern of physical development and land and property use. Sound planning policies and an effective and efficient planning system are central to the Government's policies to improve eco-efficiency and resource productivity. Our policies concentrate the majority of new development within existing urban areas and in doing so help to reduce the need to travel and safeguard the countryside from unnecessary development. We have a target to provide 60 per cent. of additional dwellings on previously developed land by 2008 which, as a result of our policy changes. has been met.

  Planning policy is also supported by a number of fiscal measures aimed at improving environmental outcomes; by encouraging better use of existing property to reduce new build, through a 150 per cent. tax credit for cleaning up contaminated land, and through taxes introduced on landfill in 1996, and on the quarrying of aggregates in 2002. Legislation to apply modern standards of conditions to old mineral workings was extended in 1995 to apply to all such sites, and tougher environmental tests before opencast coal sites can be opened or enlarged were introduced in 1999. Action, both statutory and voluntary, has commenced to limit or remove the more damaging existing planning permissions which threaten the integrity of the sites proposed or designated under the EU' s Natura 2000 network. This includes a major voluntary purchase by English Nature of the most important and vulnerable lowland peat bogs in England.

  The Department and its agencies have a variety of mechanisms to protect and enhance the rural environment. These include nearly £1 billion for agri-environment schemes under the England Rural Development Programme, and further support by English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Environment Agency. DEFRA also provides 75 per cent. of funding for national
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  parks for the same purpose. These mechanisms are making a significant contribution to a number of the Government's PSA targets, including those to reverse the decline in farmland birds by 2020, and bring 95 per cent. of all nationally important wildlife sites into favourable condition by 2010. They also contribute to meeting the targets for maintaining/restoring priority habitats and species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan which was drawn up to meet commitments flowing from the Rio Earth Summit.

  Waste Refrigeration Equipment
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the length of time needed to clear the backlog of refrigerators and freezers stored by local authorities. [62666]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 June 2002]: Information given by companies investing, or intending to invest, in treatment plant suggest that sufficient plant should be in place by the end of the year to ensure that the backlog of fridges does not increase further and that the backlog of appliances will be dealt with during 2003.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed), of 15 January 2002,Official Report, column 270W, on waste refrigeration equipment, when the new recycling plants will come online; and what their capacity will be. [62668]

  Mr. Meacher
  New recycling plant are already coming online in the UK. Two mobile plant with annual capacities of 150,000 each are operating in Lewes and Northampton, the former since April and the latter since May. Three static plant, with annual capacities of 300,000 each, are due to be operating by the end of July. Further plant will be installed by the end of the year.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to provide funding to local authorities to assist with the disposal of refrigerators, beyond the £6 million allocated for the last financial year. [62975]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 June 2002]: I will make an announcement shortly setting out my proposals for additional funding for waste disposal authorities.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many refrigerators and freezers are being stored by local authorities pending disposal or recycling. [62667]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 18 June 2002]: Current estimates are that there are more than 900,000 units awaiting treatment.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her estimate of the extra costs to local authorities in 2002–03 as a result of the EU Directive on the recycling of refrigerators and freezers. [63077]

  Mr. Meacher
  Although the initial annual cost is likely to be around £40 million this will decrease as plant are commissioned, competition becomes established and more fridges that do not need treatment enter the waste stream.

  EU Management Committees
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the decision establishing a common procedure for the exchange of information on the quality of surface fresh water in the Community is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members; and if she will make a statement. [63931]

  Mr. Meacher
  The role of the committee, which is set out in Article 8 of the decision (Council Decision 77/795/EEC, OJ L 334, 24.12.1977, p29), is to give its opinion on any measures proposed by the Commission which are necessary to adapt the decision's provisions to technical or scientific progress. The committee has not met for more than five years and there are no meetings scheduled. Therefore the most recent meeting predated the establishment of the Scottish Executive in 1999, and potential UK representation has not been addressed. In the event of any meeting being scheduled, officials in this Department would, as a matter of course, liaise with their counterparts in the Scottish Executive.

  Radioactive Material
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what safeguards are in place to prevent the theft of radioactive material from(a) hospitals, (b) universities and (c) other establishments licensed to hold such material. [62543]

  Mr. Meacher
  Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 any person who keeps or uses radioactive material must have a certificate of registration from the Environment Agency. The certificates impose responsibilities in respect of security and general management. The Agency carries out a regular programme of inspections to ensure that the conditions of the certificate are being complied with. The Agency would not hesitate to take enforcement action if conditions were not being complied with.

  The Agency has recently carried out a programme of inspections at sites holding higher activity sources. At most sites security arrangements were found to be satisfactory. In a small number of cases the need for improvements was identified. The Agency will ensure that these improvements are implemented.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent action she has taken to measure trends in air quality in St. Albans, with special reference to nitrogen oxide levels near motorway junctions; and if she will make a statement. [61787]

  Mr. Meacher
  There are currently three non-automatic nitrogen dioxide monitoring stations in St. Albans, which are part of the UK nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube monitoring network. The sites are in roadside and urban background locations. The trends at these sites are shown in the table, in addition to a fourth site which closed at the end of 2000. Concentrations at all sites have increased since monitoring began in 1993, although levels are close to or well below the annual mean standard for nitrogen 756W
  dioxide of g/m3. St. Albans district council also operate other diffusion tube sites which are not part of the UK network, one of which is near the motorway.

  Annual mean nitrogen dioxide (g/m3) at four sites in St. Albans, 1993–2001. Measurements using diffusion tubes

  Annual mean NO2 (g/m3)

  Roadside

  Intermediate

  Background

  St. Albans Background

  1993

  25.7

  18.5

  15.4

  14.7

  1994

  33.5

  24.3

  22.3

  16.4

  1995

  42.7

  39.9

  34.4

  27.0

  1996

  56.1

  42.1

  42.2

  33.4

  1997

  42.4

  32.8

  29.5

  25,3

  1998

  36.8

  30.8

  22.3

  23.8

  1999

  44.3

  35.1

  29.3

  27.0

  2000

  42.8

  34.9

  27.9

  23.5

  2001

  41.8

  NM1

  28.6

  24.3

  1 Monitoring site closed at the end of 2000.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out her Department's advice on the appeal processes involved in the registration of GM seeds. [62992]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 June 2002]: A sequence of mechanisms applies, which enable appeals to be made at various stages in the development of a GM variety prior to the marketing of seeds of that variety.

  1. Before a GM crop variety can be considered for seed registration it must have been assessed at European level for safety to human health and the environment and be approved for placing on the market under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms. This directive has now been replaced by the new Directive 2001/18/EC, which has to be implemented by member states by October 2002. Under part C of the new directive, the European Commission and all member states discuss applications for consents to market GMOs (including GM seeds) in the EU and may ask for further information, make comments on, or present reasoned objections to the proposed release. The Commission is required to consult the public while the application is being considered, and these views are copied to all member states. The Commission and member states then make a collective decision on the application, and a marketing consent is either granted or refused. The new directive (like its predecessor) does not have any specific provisions for appeal against the decision to grant or refuse consent. However, it does ensure that if new information comes to light regarding the risks posed by the GMO to human health or the environment, the consent can be altered or revoked as appropriate.

  2. The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 provide a three-stage appeal process. On payment of the appropriate fee, persons affected by a proposed relevant decision (which includes proposals to add any varieties, GM or conventional, to the UK National List) may make written representations to the national authorities and/or oral representations to a person appointed by them. The national authorities are required to consider such written and/or oral representations before taking a relevant decision and must give notice of their decision and the reasons for it as well as information about how that decision may be appealed to the Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal.

  3. The Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations 1998 set out similar arrangements in respect of plant breeders' rights.

  Environmental Liability
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's position on the proposed EU directive on environmental liability. [57621]

  Mr. Meacher
  The purpose of the proposed Directive is to establish a framework for the prevention and remediation of environmental damage in accordance with the principle that the polluter pays. This represents an important and significant development in EC environmental law. The Government have therefore conducted a public consultation on the proposals, and the UK position on the detail of the proposal will be finalised in the light of the comments received.

  In broad terms however, the Government support a regime which is equitable, proportionate, clear, insurable, easy to implement, does not damage business competitiveness, and delivers clear environmental benefits.

  The partial regulatory impact assessment submitted to Parliament (COM (02) 17), indicates that much of the environmental damage covered by the directive is already the subject of existing domestic regimes, but the proposals go further in some respects. The directive would set higher standards of remediation and introduce the concepts of equivalent compensation and interim losses. Further benefits would arise from introducing a regime across the European Community which would harmonise the rules and standards for environmental liability across member states. Provided that the right balance between costs and benefits is achieved, this proposal could therefore play a useful part in safeguarding the environment.

  Noise Forum
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the United Kingdom Noise Forum's inaugural conference on 20 May. [62573]

  Mr. Meacher
  I was very pleased to attend the conference and have received some encouraging feedback from those who attended. My officials are currently preparing a conference report which will be published and sent to all those who attended the conference. I shall also make copies available to both the House Libraries and in addition it will be placed on the DEFRA website at http://defraweb/environment/noise/index.htm. It is my intention, once I have received the report, to consider its recommendations and decide how Government can take these forward with a view to taking action on the various problems noise causes to society.

  Waste Paper Exporters
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the operation of the PERN system. [63781]

  Mr. Meacher
  The current system of PRNs and PERNs has worked moderately well, allowing the UK to increase recovery from 30 per cent. to 48 per cent. over four years. However, if there are specific problems I am open to discussion about how these can best be resolved.
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  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the criteria used for granting packaging export recovery notes to waste paper exporters. [63774]

  Mr. Meacher
  PERNs are issued by exporters accredited by the Environment Agency to businesses or schemes obligated under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended).

  I understand that, in order to be accredited, exporters must undergo scrutiny by the agency on the basis of the same criteria used to scrutinize reprocessors wishing to be accredited to issue PRNs.

  Duck Producers
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many inspections have been carried out on the premises of duck producers in the last five years. [63170]

  Mr. Morley
  The State Veterinary Service carried out 50 welfare inspections of duck producers during 2000 and 32 welfare inspections in 2001. Separate figures for duck welfare inspections are not available for earlier years.

  Japanese Knotweed
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research the Government are conducting into tackling Japanese knotweed, with particular reference to natural biological methods of control. [57931]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department is not currently undertaking any research specifically into biological control of Japanese knotweed.

  However, through the joint DEFRA/Environment Agency flood management research programme, the Government are supporting a programme of work relating to management and control of aquatic and riparian plants, including Japanese knotweed, by the Centre for Aquatic Plant Management. Also, English Nature, the Government's scientific adviser on wildlife and conservation in England, has commissioned a study on management of problem non-native species, which includes consideration of Japanese knotweed.

  National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce how the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund will be distributed. [64784]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am pleased to announce today the arrangements for the distribution of the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund. Local authorities in every region of England (apart from London which is being handled separately) will receive a total of £42 million in 2002–03 from the fund to kick start new projects. The money will go to schemes that improve recycling, complement municipal waste management strategies and contribute to a better quality of life for residents.
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  From over 190 applications to the fund for 2002–03, 112 schemes were approved by DEFRA with the assistance of an expert panel. Details of the successful schemes will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses shortly when the local authorities have been informed. We are now inviting applications for grants from the fund for 2003–04 when £76.3 million will be available; almost double the amount for 2002–03.

  The national fund prioritises five key areas:

  improving partnership initiatives between authorities;

  contributing to high performance, innovation and best practice;

  establishing a challenge fund for general projects;

  developing community initiatives;

  turning around low recycling performance.

  Overall, England recycled just 10 per cent. of its household rubbish in 1999–2000—one of the lowest rates in Europe and we are taking action to improve this. We have set a target of 25 per cent. recycling by 2005–06 and have allocated £19.9 million from the fund for helping turn around low performance and £12.5 million for partnership working. The assistance given by this fund will help some of the lowest performers in their efforts to reach a minimum recycling rate of 10 per cent. in 2003–04.

  Neighbourhood renewal is also a key area of Government policy and over half of the 88 NRU local authorities in England are low recycling performers. 21 NRU local authorities were approved for direct grant in 2002–03, amounting to a total of some £14 million.

  We will be publishing revised guidance for the submission of bids to the fund for 2003–04 very shortly on DEFRA' s website.

  Albatrosses/Petrels
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has implemented since June regarding the conservation of(a) albatrosses and (b) petrels. [61168]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 13 June 2002]: The main threat to albatrosses and petrels arises from long-line fishing for tuna and toothfish in the southern oceans, in which I understand that no metropolitan UK vessels are involved. Last June the UK signed the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), made under the Convention on Migratory Species. ACAP will require its parties to co-operate in the development and implementation of an action plan for the conservation of these species, encompassing both the control of fishing activities, including measures to mitigate the impact of long-line fishing, and the protection of breeding sites, some of which are in the UK's overseas territories. The RSPB has recently undertaken research into these and other bird species on Gough Island, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  The Government are currently in discussion with the authorities of the range state overseas territories to ascertain whether they need new legislation in order to implement the requirements of ACAP. We are also considering the position in respect of the metropolitan UK, and will explore with our partners in the European Union the prospects for wider European participation.
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  I hope the UK will be in a position to ratify ACAP, possible initially on behalf of some of the overseas territories, later this year.

  Food and Agriculture Organisation Discussion Paper
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent FAO discussion paper on Good Agricultural Practice, with specific reference to the section on animal welfare; and if she will make a statement. [63330]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply.

  FAO's discussion paper on Good Agricultural Practice was circulated for comment to the "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Major Stakeholder Groups" defined in chapter 14 of Agenda 21. The UK Government have not been consulted and we have as yet made no assessment of the paper.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what is the maximum safe concentration of ethinyloestradiol in foods for human consumption. [60833]

  Ms Blears
  I have been asked to reply.

  Ethinyloestradiol is a human drug that is available only on prescription. It is not authorised for use in animals and its presence in any concentration in food is unacceptable.

  It has not been possible to identify a dietary concentration of ethinyloestradiol that is universally accepted as being safe for everyone, as a level of exposure that is without hormonal effects has not been found. In addition, ethinyloestradiol is a human carcinogen, but a threshold dose below which there is no increased risk of cancer for anyone has not been established.

TREASURY

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the royal prerogative. [63139]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 23 October 2001,Official Report, column 207W.

  VAT (Face Value Vouchers)
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the consultation on the VAT treatment of face value vouchers announced in the 2002 Budget. [64686]

  John Healey
  Customs have today issued a consultation document entitled "Modernising the VAT Treatment of Face Value Vouchers". Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. Responses to the consultation are invited by 1 October 2002.

  Queen Mother (Memorial Coin)
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans Her Majesty's Government have to issue a coin in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. [61140]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that a crown piece should be issued to celebrate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Collector versions of the coin will be ready by early summer and the coin will also be available, later in the year, at its face value of £5 from most post offices.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2002 to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison),Official Report, column 851W, on fraud and error, if he will place a copy of the report on the benchmarking exercise on working families tax credit fraud in the Library. [56462]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue are continuing to analyse the data from their compliance benchmarking exercise. We shall be considering the results, and questions of publication, when we have received their report.

  Remarriage Statistics
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the married population was represented by those previously divorced in each year since 1997. [60839]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Turner, dated 25 June 2002:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the proportion of the married population represented by those previously divorced in each year since 1997. (60839)

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces estimates by current marital status annually, but these are not additionally available by the previous marital status. Hence estimates of the married population are not available separately for those who had married for the first time, those who remarried after being divorced, and those who remarried after being widowed.

  However, ONS has made some special estimates of the proportion of the married population who had remarried after a previous divorce, using the General Household Survey (GHS). Using the 1998 GHS for England and Wales, it is estimated that 15 per cent of married men had remarried after a previous divorce, and the corresponding figure for women was 14 per cent. The proportions for 2000 were the same as those for 1998. (There was no GHS in 1997 or 1999).

  Of the 2000 population of men who had re-married after divorce, 7 per cent had divorced between 1997 and 1999, inclusive. The corresponding proportion for women who had remarried after divorce was 6 per cent. Small sample numbers do not allow reliable estimates for individual years of divorce to be made.

  MPs (Personal Data)
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information is held by his Department on each hon. Member in relation to(a) personal relationships, both
  762W
  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. [61819]

  Ruth Kelly
  Information that may be held by the Treasury, Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise is limited to what is available from published reference sources, information which the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise hold in connection with the tax affairs of individuals and companies and information that HM Customs and Excise may also hold in connection with other matters such as customs investigations. Aside from information from published sources, the Departments are debarred from releasing such information to third parties either by statute or as a result of their duty of confidence to the individuals concerned.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will set out the timescale for changing the landfill tax rules to make contaminated soil disposed of to landfill liable to the full rate of landfill tax; [63489]

  (2) what the Government's policy is on changing the landfill tax rules to make contaminated soil disposed of to landfill liable to the full rate of landfill tax. [63490]

  John Healey
  The Government are satisfied that the exemption from landfill tax for waste arising from the clear up of contaminated land is continuing to play an important role in encouraging the redevelopment of brownfield sites, and have no plans to withdraw it. HM Customs and Excise will, however, review the exemption in 2004, in the light of developments in waste management techniques.

  Iraq
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assets belonging to Saddam Hussein have been seized and are held by the UK Government; and if he will make a statement. [63552]

  Ruth Kelly
  The most recent (first quarter 2002) statistical returns to the Bank of England indicate that UK banks' liabilities to Iraq amount to $634 million. These funds are frozen under the terms of Article 3 of The Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2000. There are restrictions in the Order on the disclosure of details relating to individual accounts. The Government is committed to maintaining UN controls on its international obligations against the Government of Saddam Hussein until Iraq complies with UN Security Council resolutions.

  Black Economy
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy to include the black economy activity in EU countries when assessing convergence; and what his assessment is of the effect of so doing in respect of each EU economy. [63864]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government has said that it will complete an assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 10 May 2002,Official Report,

  763W
  column 396W, on tax credits, whether the figure for the number of recipients of child tax credit in paragraph 3.2 of "The Child and Working Tax Credits: The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefit System", represents the number of families expected to (a) claim and (b) be eligible for CTC. [64210]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the publication, "The Child and Working Tax Credits: The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefit System", families receiving the child tax credit are defined as those expected to both claim and be eligible for the credit.

  Endowment Mortgages
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to compel the publication of the commissions earned by sellers of endowment policies. [64314]

  Ruth Kelly
  Independent financial advisers who advise on the sale of endowment policies are required to disclose the cash value of commissions they would earn on those sales before a policy is effected.

  Equivalent disclosure, of the costs of the sale, is required where a tied salesman makes a sale.

  Landlords
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning anomalies and disincentives in the tax system facing individual and corporate landlords. [63910]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government have received a number of representations from a variety of organisations regarding taxation.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the accuracy of UK economic growth figures prepared by the Office for National Statistics. [61975]

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

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 25 June 2002:

  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on the accuracy of the UK economic growth figures proposed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). I am replying in his absence. (61975)

  ONS consistently applies well documented and internationally validated methods, and works with an extensive range of data sources founded on sound statistical practice. The National Accounts framework enables a high degree of validation through well structured balancing and alternate estimates of conceptually equivalent measures.

  Customs and Excise
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mobile detection teams are employed by Customs and Excise in Scotland; how many staff are employed in each team; what the shift-work pattern is of 764W
  each team; what the budgetary provision is for each team; and what the budgetary provision was for each team in each year since 1997. [63710]

  John Healey
  For operational reasons it is not Customs policy to disclose specific information on the number of staff in teams, their work patterns or their specific budgetary provision.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expenditure by the Customs and Excise on advertising was in each fiscal year since 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [63632]

  John Healey
  HM Customs and Excise did not run any advertising campaigns between April 1997 and March 1999.

  Between April 1999 and March 2000, £83,000 was spent on a campaign to raise awareness of the Custom's confidential hotline and to encourage people to phone with information to help Customs.

  £1.6 million was spent on an advertising campaign between April 2000 and March 2001 to support the Tackling Tobacco strategy. This was the first burst of a three year campaign and aimed to raise awareness of the links to organised crime and of the penalties for those who are caught smuggling or dealing in illicit tobacco. Among all our audiences there was a steady increase in awareness of Government action and the penalties. Research has shown 41 per cent. awareness of the advertising among the general public. Within trade groups, awareness increased significantly among HGV drivers (at 83 per cent.) and retailers (81 per cent.).

  Between April 2001 and March 2002, £830,000 was spent on campaigns including burst two of the Tackling Tobacco smuggling campaign (spend £560,000) and an information campaign for the Joint Fashion Industry Teams (spend £29,000). This was a regional campaign in London and Leicester to raise awareness of the information line for the fashion industry to help them understand the rules on VAT, benefits, taxes and employment to help them to operate in the formal economy.

  All expenditure quoted excludes VAT. Figures include advertising and related campaign costs, such as production and research.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of dogs used by Customs and Excise in(a) Manchester and (b) Hull are (i) drugs detector dogs and (ii) cash detector dogs; [63705]

  (2) how many cash detector dogs are used by Customs and Excise at the Rosyth ferry port; [63703]

  (3) how many dog handlers were employed by Customs and Excise in (a) 1997–98. (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 in (i) Glasgow, (ii) Aberdeen, (iii) Hull and (iv) Manchester; [63704]

  (4) what use is being made of the dog husbandry facility at Glasgow Airport. [63706]

  John Healey
  There are currently 11 dogs operational in Manchester and Hull and five vacancies. When filled, these will bring the total to 16 operational dogs, comprising nine drugs dogs, four currency dogs, and three multi-skilled drugs/tobacco dogs, each with one handler.
  765W
  The consolidation of detector dog resources in large units based in Manchester and Hull has enabled Customs to provide the full range of dog skills (drugs, tobacco and cash) in support of frontier activity across northern England and Scotland. The deployment of the detector dogs is flexible, intelligence led and focused on the delivery of operational impact.

  The Rosyth/Zeebrugge ferry service started on 17 May 2002. Customs staff will be deployed regularly at Rosyth on a risk free basis, both from flexible multi-functional teams currently located in Scotland and, as required, from UK national strike force teams, including detector dogs from the Manchester and Hull units.

  The consolidation of dog resources to Manchester and Hull followed reviews on the usage and outputs of detector dogs, including those based at the former Aberdeen and Glasgow units. The number of dog handler posts in Manchester has remained at eight from 1997 to date. From 1997 to 2001, four posts were based at Hull, increasing to eight posts this year.

  Aberdeen dog unit had three posts in 1997–98 and 1998–99, and the dog unit closed in the summer of 1999. Glasgow dog unit had four posts in 1997–98 and 1998–99 and five posts in 1999–2000. This reduced to four posts in 2000–01 and the unit closed in summer 2001. When the dog unit at Glasgow Airport was closed in the summer of 2001, the facility was dismantled and the land returned to the British Airports Authority.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets and performance indicators are included in his public service agreements with the Department of Education and Skills; which are in respect of the performances of named local education authorities; and what steps he takes to(a) monitor the achievement of those targets and (b) audit the quality of information obtained to the Department from less local education authorities as to their performance against those targets. [62214]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department does not include indicators in its public service agreement targets specific to named local education authorities. However, all LEAs and schools are required to set annual targets for the performance of their pupils in the Key Stage 2 and 3 national curriculum tests and GCSE examinations.

  LEAs are required to set out targets in their Education Development Plans (EDPs). The Department and Ofsted work together to assess the quality of EDPs and DIES education advisers provide guidance to assist LEAs in preparing and developing plans, which are submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. DfES both supports and challenges LEAs through monitoring and evaluating the implementation of EDPs. LEAs are visited by education advisers at least once a term; in addition EDPs are reviewed annually, and all LEAs are required to submit annually an update on targets for the coming school year for each school and the LEA as a whole, covering the targets listed in the EDP, and an evaluation report showing outcomes against targets at school and LEA level.

TRANSPORT

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on how many occasions the National Air Traffic Control Service's computer has malfunctioned; [63123]

  (2) what recent delays have been caused by the failures of the National Air-Traffic Control Service's central computer; [63125]

  (3) what steps are being taken to improve performance of the National Air Traffic Control Service's central computer; [63122]

  (4) what has been the average duration of blackout during failures of the National Air Traffic Control Service's central computer. [63124]

  Mr. Spellar
  While these are essentially operating matters for NATS my understanding is as follows.

  NATS computer systems have failed on three occasions in recent months—at West Drayton on 27 March with aggregate total delays to all affected aircraft of 88,000 minutes; West Drayton again on 10 April with delays of 34,000 minutes; and at Swanwick on 17 May with delays of 82,000 minutes. NATS first action is to take immediate steps to reduce traffic volumes to levels that can be safely handled by the contingency arrangements in place. While this impacts on airline punctuality, the first priority must be to ensure safe operation.

  There was no interruption to radar services, and at no time did controllers lose contact with pilots. Actions in regard to software and equipment have been taken to prevent any recurrence of these problems.

  Aircraft Seating
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the anthropometric study to update minimum aircraft seating standards commissioned by the Joint Aviation Authority. [63756]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) are still considering the recommendations contained in the anthropometric report. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has urged the JAA to reach an early decision on a common European standard for seat spacing.

  Mr. Martyn Rogers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Maritime Coastal Agency has to award Mr. Martyn Rogers of Brixham, Devon, an ex-gratia payment following the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report of December 2001. [63902]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The detailed claim submitted by Mr. Rogers' accountants on 13 February 2002 is being carefully considered by the Treasury Solicitor's Department on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Treasury solicitor is waiting for a response from Mr. Rogers' accountants to their request of 26 April for clarification of a number of elements of the claim.

  Multi-modal Studies
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which multi-modal studies(a) have reported, (b) are in progress and (c) are planned; and what the

  Multi-modal study and location

  Reported

  Access to Hastings

  Reported December 2000

  Cambridge to Huntingdon (A14)

  Reported August 2001

  South East Manchester (Stockport, Manchester Airport Link West, Poynton)

  Reported September 2001

  West Midlands Area (M5/M6 and M42 between M40 and M6)

  Reported October 2001

  West Midlands to North West (M6)

  Reported May 2002

  London to South West and South Wales (A303, M4)

  Reported May 2002

  A1 (North of Newcastle) Tranche 2

  Reported May 2002

  North/South Movements in the East Midlands (M1 Junctions 21 to 30)

  Reported May 2002

  (b) The multi-modal studies that are currently in progress and their expected reporting dates are as follows:

  Multi-modal study

  Expected report date

  A453 (M1 Junction 24 to Nottingham)

  June 2002

  Hull (East/West) Corridor (A63 and A1033 to Port of Hull)

  July 2002

  Tyneside Area (A1/A19)

  August 2002

  London to Ipswich (A12)

  August 2002

  South and West Yorkshire Motorway Box (M1 J30 to A1 West Yorkshire/M18/M62 and A1(M)

  August 2002

  South Coast (Southampton to Folkestone Coastal Corridor)—(M27, A27 and A259)

  August 2002

  ORBIT—Transport Solutions Around London (M25)

  October 2002

  Thames Valley (London to Reading—M4)

  November/December 2002

  M60 Junction 12–18 (West to North Manchester)

  December 2002

  London to South Midlands (A1, M1, M11, A5 and A421)

  December 2002

  Norwich to Peterborough (A47)

  February 2003

  West Midlands to East Midlands (A42/M42 to M6 Corridor and M69 and A38)

  April 2003

  (c) The final two multi-modal studies that are planned but have yet to commence are as follows.

  These studies are expected to report in 2004.

  Multi-modal study and location

  A52 (Clifton Bridge to Bingham, Nottinghamshire).

  A34 (North from Southampton).

  Railtrack
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2002,Official Report, column 1137W, if he will list the major stations owned by Railtrack plc. [64369]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I understand that Railtrack plc owns some 2,500 stations across the national network, the great majority of which are leased to train operating companies for them to manage. However, Railtrack plc manages directly 14 of the largest stations, known collectively as "major stations". These are as follows:

  London Bridge

  London Charing Cross

  London Euston

  London King's Cross

  London Liverpool Street

  London Paddington

  London Victoria

  London Waterloo

  Birmingham New Street

  Gatwick Airport

  Leeds City

  768W
  expected completion date or final report date is in each case. [63833]

  Mr. Spellar
  (a) The multi-modal studies that have reported and a final report published are as follows:

  Manchester Piccadilly

  Edinburgh Waverley

  Glasgow Central.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total cost of Railtrack administration. [63762]

  Mr. Spellar
  As the exact extent of the period of administration is, at this stage, unknown it is not possible to estimate the total cost of administration.

  However the fees of the Administrator and his advisers are currently averaging £3.25 million per month.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the direct grants paid to Railtrack were, and when they were paid by the SRA, resulting from the increase in access charges granted to Railtrack as part of the last periodic review carried out by the ORR; and if he will make a statement. [62297]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 June 2002]: Direct grants from the SRA to Railtrack are a substitute income stream to track access charges from passenger train operators. In the absence of grant, access charges would need to be higher.

  Appendix D of the Regulator's October 2000 Periodic Review sets out the profile of grant payments to Railtrack. Further grants agreed as part of the April 2001 agreement between Government and Railtrack are profiled in the appendices to the Regulator's letter to Railtrack of 9 April 2001.
  769W
  Grant payments have so far been made of £337 million on 1 October 2001, £162 million on 16 November 2001 and £493 million on 1 April 2002.

  Central Railways
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the SRA will complete the next stage of its work on Central Railways. [63768]

  Mr. Spellar
  The SRA is expected to provide a report to Ministers by September 2002.

  Rail Freight
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) statutory rules, (b) guidelines and (c) regulations control access to network information provided to companies who wish to put forward proposals for the development of new freight connections. [62285]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 17 June 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport on 20 June 2002, Official Report, column 510W.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the outcome of the review of the PUG2 upgrade of the west coast main line. [63161]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority hopes to publish its west coast main line strategy in the next month or so. This will set out the authority proposed approach to the future development of the line, and to making the most effective use of the capacity which the upgrade will provide.

  Secure Stations Scheme
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the stations which have accreditation under the secure stations scheme; and if he will make a statement. [64096]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have placed in the Libraries of the House a list that records the name of each of the 143 stations accredited under the secure stations scheme as of 21 June 2002.

  The percentage of stations accredited under the scheme is small in relation to the number of stations eligible to he accredited under the scheme. However. the accredited stations account for approximately one third of the total annual passenger throughput of overground rail journeys.

  Railway Byelaws
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what(a) discussions he has had and (b) representations he has received from the railway industry on the railway byelaws since June 2001; and if he will make a statement; [64139]

  (2) what assessment of the railway byelaws has been made by his Department; what plans there are to update these byelaws; and if he will make a statement. [64140]
  770W
  Mr. Jamieson
  After several years of assessment and development of the byelaws made by the British Railways Board, the national railway operators made new byelaws using a common framework set. The Secretary of State confirmed these byelaws on 19 December 2000 and they came into operation on 18 February 2001. There are no plans to update them.

  Union Railways (North) Limited, Union Railways (South) Limited and Hull Trains Limited have written to the Department about their proposals for making byelaws based on the framework set. GNER, Arriva Trains Merseyside and Thameslink have also made inquiries regarding the interpretation and application of their current byelaws.

  Railway Vandalism
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislation exists relating to vandalism on the railways; what plans he has to update this legislation; and if he will make a statement. [64142]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The legislation used by the British Transport police in relation to acts of vandalism is:

  England and Wales

  Criminal Damage Act 1971

  Railway Byelaws

  Scotland

  Malicious Damage (Common Law)

  Railway Byelaws

  Criminal Law (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 1995.

  Under the Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997, Railtrack, as the infrastructure controller, is required to prevent unauthorised access to the track, so far as is reasonably practicable and to the extent necessary for safety.

  There are no plans to update this legislation in relation to vandalism on the railways.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance has been given by his Department to(a) the British Transport police, (b) the Health and Safety Executive and (c) the railway industry regarding vandalism on the railways; what plans he has to update the guidance; and if he will make a statement. [64143]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department has not issued any guidance on vandalism on the railways as this is an operational matter for the industry. However, the Minister for Transport, John Spellar, spoke at the Trespass and Vandalism on the Railways Conference in October 2001 where he encouraged the leading players in the industry to implement a more coherent national strategy to deliver a sustained, visible and effective campaign to tackle the problem. The Government are pleased to note that all sections of the rail industry recently came together in the National Route Crime Group to examine and promote ways of tackling trespass and vandalism on the railways.

  East London Line
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make resources available to enable rail freight to be diverted away from train paths required for the East London Line extensions. [64287]
  771W
  Mr. Jamieson
  As outlined in its Strategic Plan, the SRA is currently advancing feasibility work on an upgrade of the Gospel Oak—Barking line and take future growth in freight path demand away from the Dalston—Highbury and Islington section of the East London Line extension. However, it is not expected that existing freight paths using the Dalston—Highbury and Islington section will be diverted away from the route. The freight operators hold access rights with the rail regulator for this section, and the ability to run electric traction and gauge-sensitive traffic on the route means these paths are unlikely to be released.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in funding the East London Line extensions. [64285]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The advance works which London Underground are currently undertaking on the northern extension have been funded by the Strategic Rail Authority. The Authority, together with Transport for London and London Underground, is now engaged on a review of the scope of the project as a whole, and in doing so is looking for a robust revised business case, procurement options and the interdependencies on other projects. The revised business case should be submitted to Government in the autumn.

  Light Transport Schemes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) support and (b) guidance has been given by his Department to (i) local authorities, (ii) industry and (iii) others regarding the development of (A) light rail schemes, (B) tram schemes and (C) guided busways; and if he will make a statement. [64102]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The initiative in bringing forward proposals for major local transport schemes, including light rail, tram and guided bus schemes, in England outside London, rests with the local transport authority concerned. Officials in my Department and the Government offices are ready to provide information, support and guidance as required and often meet the promoters of individual schemes. In addition, from time to time they arrange forums and workshops for local authorities and their advisers on particular transport modes: workshops have already been held this year on both light rail and guided bus. Officials also regularly provide background information and support to individuals studying and researching this area.

  Relevant general guidance, covering all transport modes, which is freely available to all interested parties includes (a) the Department's guidance to local authorities on the preparation of Local Transport Plans (LTPs) (issued in March 2000) and LTP Annual Progress Reports (APRs) (latest edition issued in March 2002) and (b) the Department's guidance on the appraisal of major local transport schemes (most recently updated in May 2002).

  Network Rail
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment(a) has been made and (b) is planned by (i) his Department, (ii) the SRA, (iii) the rail regulator and (iv) other organisations for which he is responsible; of the accountability of Network Rail; and if he will make a statement. [64136]
  772W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Network Rail will be accountable to its members and to the Rail Regulator. Its board and management will be incentivised to meet demanding performance targets, defined by the Rail Regulator and aligned to the SRA' s strategic plan. It would also have obligations under its network licence and to its funders and customers.

  Bus Services
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what support his Department(a) has given and (b) plans to give to improve co-ordination of bus services. [64138]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department supports the encouragement of safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport services. My officials are engaged in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Office of Fair Trading, to work together towards achieving these goals.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations have been received by his Department on fuel duty rebates for bus services; what plans he has to reform fuel duty rebates; and if he will make a statement. [64101]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department receives from time to time representations from local authorities, bus companies and other organisations on the existing fuel duty rebate scheme and possible changes to it. We are currently taking forward the review of bus subsidies, including fuel duty rebate, announced in the April Budget. This will build on the on-going study by the Commission for Integrated Transport on value for money from bus subsidies.

  Bus Regulation
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from(a) industry and (b) passenger groups regarding the regulation of buses; and what changes he (i) has made and (ii) plans to make to regulation within the industry. [64137]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The bus industry is broadly content with the existing regulatory framework and advocates stability. As for passenger groups, the National Federation of Bus Users has made representations on the improvement of service provision and reliability, particularly through bus priorities, but has not specified regulation of the industry as a major concern.

  We are always looking at ways of improving the details of regulation. On 1 March we extended the notice period for introducing or changing a local bus service registration to 56 days, and abolished the rule which allowed local service operators to alter timetables by up to 5 minutes from the registered time without changing the registration. We will soon be consulting on proposals to facilitate the registration of flexibly routed local bus services.

  Quiet Lanes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities included proposals for quiet lanes in their annual progress reports 2001 finance forms; and how many quiet lanes were proposed in each case. [63507]
  773W
  Mr. Spellar
  The table shows the information provided within the local transport plan annual progress reports submitted in August 2001 of those English authorities outside London which included proposals for the designation of roads as quiet lanes.

  Authority

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Bath and north-east Somerset

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Blackburn

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Cheshire

  2

  3

  3

  6

  4

  Cumbria

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Darlington

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Derbyshire

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Devon

  1

  5

  6

  7

  7

  Dorset

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  East Riding

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Halton

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Isle of Wight

  1

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Kent

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Lancashire

  0

  6

  0

  0

  0

  Medway

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Milton Keynes

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Oxfordshire

  0

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Poole

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Rutland

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  South Tyneside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  4

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Solihull

  0

  0

  2

  3

  4

  Somerset

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  10

  20

  20

  20

  Surrey

  2

  6

  6

  6

  2

  Telford and Wrekin

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Thurrock

  0

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Wiltshire

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  York

  0

  2

  4

  6

  8

  Source:

  LTP Annual Progress Reports 2001

  School Run
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been conducted(a) by and (b) for his Department on the impact of the school run on (i) congestion, (ii) traffic growth, (iii) pollution, (iv) children's health and (v) road casualties; and if he will make a statement. [64100]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department has commissioned an extensive programme of research, following advice from the School Travel Advisory Group. The results of completed projects can be found on the Department's school travel website at www.local-transport.dft.gov.uk/schooltravel/.

  Road Signage
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) guidance and (b) legislation exists with relation to road signage on (i) motorways, (ii) trunk roads, (iii) local authority roads and (iv) unadopted roads; what changes have (1) recently been made and (2) are planned in each case; and if he will make a statement. [64134]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The principal legislation specifying the design and use of traffic signs (as traffic signs are defined in section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) to be placed on any road (as road is defined in section 142 of the 1984 Act), is the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 1994, SI 994/1519, as 774W
  amended by SI 1995/2769 and SI 1995/3107. We consulted last year on draft revised and updated TSRGD and expect to publish the TSRGD 2002 later this year.

  Guidance on the design and use of traffic signs is contained in the Traffic Signs Manual. Chapter 7, published in 1997, gives guidance on the design of sign faces. Revised Chapters 4 (design and use of warning signs) and 5 (road markings) will be published with the revised TSRGD. We have also consulted on proposals for publishing updated and revised guidance on the provision of directional signs to tourist destinations in England. Other relevant guidance is published in Local Transport Notes, including LTN 1/94 on the design and use of direction signs, Circulars (Roads), and Advisory Leaflets. Copies of the current Traffic Signs bibliography has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Road Surfaces
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities included proposals for noise reducing road surfaces in their annual progress reports 2001 finance forms; and what the total km of quiet road surfacing proposed was in each case. [63499]

  Mr. Spellar
  The table shows the information provided within the local transport plan annual progress reports submitted in August 2001 by those English authorities outside London which included road maintenance proposals which use new noise-reducing surfaces.

  Kilometres

  Authority

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Barnsley

  4

  4

  3

  4

  4

  Blackburn

  4.2

  5.8

  6.8

  6.8

  6.8

  Bolton

  5

  3

  1

  2

  2

  Bradford

  19

  22

  17

  17

  17

  Buckinghamshire

  17

  14

  13

  13

  13

  Calderdale

  10

  17

  13

  14

  15

  Cambridgeshire

  168

  140

  140

  140

  140

  Cheshire

  2

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Cornwall

  60

  65

  70

  75

  80

  Darlington

  3

  5

  3

  4

  4

  Derby

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Devon

  46

  77

  44

  45

  53

  Dorset

  11

  7

  6

  7

  10

  Durham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  East Sussex

  0

  0.5

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  4

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Herefordshire

  12

  12

  12

  12

  12

  Knowsley

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  25

  27

  27

  27

  27

  Leeds

  10

  14

  12

  12

  14

  Leicestershire

  22

  31

  18

  18

  18

  Lincolnshire

  32

  34

  36

  38

  40

  Medway

  4

  4

  5

  3

  3

  North Somerset

  15

  15

  15

  15

  15

  North Tyneside

  0

  0

  0

  0.5

  0.5

  Northamptonshire

  5

  4

  5

  4

  4

  Northumberland

  9

  6

  7

  5

  8

  Peterborough

  8

  8

  8

  8

  8

  Reading

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  Rutland

  3

  4

  6

  6

  6

  Sefton

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Solihull

  2

  3

  2

  2

  2

  Somerset

  50

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Stockton on Tees

  13

  13

  13

  13

  13

  Suffolk

  90

  90

  90

  90

  90

  Sunderland

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Surrey

  44

  18

  19

  4

  0

  Telford and Wrekin

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Thurrock

  11.7

  4.2

  3.7

  3.7

  3.7

  West Sussex

  65

  85

  67

  67

  67

  Wakefield

  0

  2

  2

  2

  2

  775W

  Kilometres

  Authority

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Warwickshire

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wigan

  2

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Wokingham

  3

  1

  3

  3

  2

  Worcestershire

  15

  15

  11

  11

  11

  Source:

  LTP annual progress reports 2001

  Road Tolls
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the potential impact of road tolls on(a) motorways and (b) trunk roads on the level of road usage on other roads; [59328]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the amounts that could be raised by the introduction of road tolls on motorways. [59327]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Various assessments of the impact of road user charging have been made in the background analysis document of the 10-year plan for transport and "Modernising the Taxation of the Haulage Industry Progress Report One", published by HM Treasury, HM Customs and Excise and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  A number of multi-modal studies have also examined the impact of applying road user charges within their study areas. These papers are the work of study consultants. The Government have made no estimates of the revenues that might be generated.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63138]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the Royal Prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

  Joint Working
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the protocol on joint working between his Department and(a) the Department for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs and (b) the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. [63505]

  Mr. Darling
  My Department works closely with all Government Departments including DEFRA and ODPM.

  Refurbishment
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the refurbishment projects that(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. [59775]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.
  776W
  There are two major refurbishment projects currently under way or to commence during the next six months in the Department of Transport. These are:
  Federated House, Dorking (Highways Agency): the use of timber from certified sustainable sources is included in the specification.
  Eland House, London (DTLR(C)): the use of timber from certified sustainable sources will be included in the specification.

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [61017]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Following the split of the Department between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Transport, the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) for the Department for Transport has yet to be settled.

  Promotion Panel
  Andrew Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officers promoted from Band 6 to Band 5 at the HSE NW regional office, Manchester from January 1998 to December 2001, were successful at promotion panels in open competition; how many unsuccessful candidates were subsequently promoted; and if such promotions are in line with HSE policy and procedures. [62720]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The number of Band 6 officers promoted to B5 at the HSE NW regional office between January 1998 and December 2001 was six.

  The information regarding the number of unsuccessful candidates who were subsequently promoted is not readily available.

  Regional Spending
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's(a) capital and (b) revenue spending for each English region in each year since 1992 was. [62811]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on the capital and revenue spending for each English region since 1992 for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, and its predecessors is not available. Details of identifiable public expenditure outturn by region and function are published in the annual Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (Cms 2821, 3201, 3601, 3901, 4201, 4601, 5101 and 5401).

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  New Partnership for Africa's Development
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the development of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. [62121]

  Mr. MacShane
  The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NePAD) is a long term agenda for Africa,
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  designed by African leaders for the attainment of sustainable development. Our work on the G8 Africa Plan shows our strong support for NePAD and we will seek to build stronger partnerships with those countries which put the NePAD principles into practice.

  Russia
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on bilateral relations with Russia. [62123]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Bilateral relations are excellent, with an intensive programme of high-level visits. The Prime Minister is in regular contact with President Putin: they will next meet at the G8 summit on 25–26 June. We actively support Putin's programme of reforms, and we have a productive dialogue on the full range of issues.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Russia about combating terrorism. [62125]

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are taking place with Russia on combating international terrorism. [62132]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last discussed counter-terrorism with the Russians during the G8 Foreign Ministers' Summit in Canada on 12–13 June.

  Middle East
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Israeli representatives concerning the situation in Israel and Palestine. [62124]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 12 June my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed with Prime Minister Sharon how to resolve the conflict in the Middle East, and generate confidence in a genuine political process. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on 28 April. I had a discussion with the Israeli Ambassador on 18 June, at which I expressed concern about the situation in the region, and explored ways to restart a political process.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with European Union Foreign Ministers to co-ordinate their response to the situation in the middle east. [62139]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is in almost constant contact with his European Union colleagues Most recently, he attended the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 17 June, during which European Union Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in the middle east.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Bryant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent security developments in Pakistan. [62126]
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  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We remain seriously concerned about the security situation in Pakistan and are appalled by the many incidents of terrorist violence against Pakistani and foreign nationals. The vicious attack on worshippers in an Islamabad church in March and the two recent bombings in Karachi were particularly horrifying. As soon as the news of the latest bombing reached us, I immediately issued a statement expressing our sympathies to the friends and relatives of those killed.

  We will continue to urge the Pakistani authorities to sustain their efforts to root out the terrorists and bring them to justice. The threat of war between India and Pakistan has further undermined the security environment in the region. We are encouraged by the recent steps taken by the Pakistani and Indian Governments to defuse tensions and will continue to urge them to move away from confrontation and towards dialogue.

  World Trade
  Rosemary McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the effect of US steel tariffs on world trade. [62127]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Ms Munn).

  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on post-Doha world trade liberalisation. [62135]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Phil Hope).

  Zimbabwe
  Angela Watkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had concerning Zimbabwe at the recent European Council meeting in Seville. [62128]

  Mr. MacShane
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had no formal discussions with EU partners on Zimbabwe at Seville.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Zimbabwe. [62134]

  Mr. MacShane
  What is happening in Zimbabwe is a man-made tragedy. Zimbabwe's only way back from disaster is through the restoration of the rule of law, an end to political violence, a return to democratic legitimacy, and the adoption of credible economic policies.

  Our policy towards Zimbabwe is to sustain an international consensus by working with European, Commonwealth, US, African and other international and democratic friends to help restore democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Zimbabwean Government on the future of land owned by British expatriates; and if he will make a statement. [62110]
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  Mr. MacShane
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Tony Cunningham).

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what penalties can be imposed on an EU member state which does not enforce the travel ban imposed on members of the Zimbabwean Government. [62166]

  Mr. MacShane
  [holding answer 17 June 2002]: The travel ban is imposed by a Common Position (2002/145/CFSP of 18 February 2002). Under Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union, all member states are obliged to implement Common Positions. All member states have fully implemented and enforced the travel ban so far and we expect them to continue doing so. There are no penalties under the Treaty applicable in these cases.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which EU body oversees the implementation by member states of the travel ban restrictions imposed on the various members of the Zimbabwean Government. [62167]

  Mr. MacShane
  [holding answer 17 June 2002]: The European Union travel ban is imposed by a Common Position (2002/145/CFSP of 18 February 2002). Under Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union, all member states are obliged to implement Common Positions. The responsibility for implementing Common Positions lies with member states.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Francois
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the status is of the discussions with the Spanish Government on the future of Gibraltar. [62129]

  Peter Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave earlier in the House today to the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle).

  Malawi
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit Malawi to discuss bilateral relations. [62130]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Secretary of State has no plans to visit Malawi.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on plans for monitoring the forthcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir. [62131]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We welcome the Indian Government's commitment to hold free and fair elections later this year in Jammu and Kashmir. We also welcome the measures announced recently by the Chief Election Commissioner aimed at delivering that commitment, including the presence of Indian and international monitors.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the UK Government will play in easing tensions between India and Pakistan [62133]
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  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK Government's role in reducing tension in Kashmir. [62141]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have been working actively with our partners in the international community to encourage both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions, and to help create the conditions for them to negotiate a long-term solution to their differences.

  As part of the co-ordinated international diplomatic effort, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Pakistan and India on 28 and 29 May. He is in regular contact with both sides, and with our key international partners. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has also spoken at length to both sides, and to world leaders, including Presidents Bush and Putin, about the situation.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the present situation in Kashmir. [62138]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier in the House today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff).

  EU Overseas Aid
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with his EU counterparts regarding the distribution of the EU overseas aid package. [62137]

  Peter Hain
  The General Affairs Council held its annual "orientation" debate on the EU's external action, including the EC external budget, on 18 February. There was a brief follow-up discussion at the May 13 GAC meeting. The negotiations on the EC budget for 2003 are under way at official level in Brussels.

  European Commission
  Mr. Djanogly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the European Commission's role in foreign policy development. [62140]

  Peter Hain
  The Commission bears responsibility for implementing a range of European foreign policy tools. These include external trade questions (including sanctions), European external assistance and some external aspects of Justice and Home Affairs. The European Commission is not, however, responsible for the European Union's common foreign and security policy, which is intergovernmental (Title V of the treaty on European Union), though the Commission is fully associated with the Union's foreign and security policy.

  Geneva Convention
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Fourth Geneva convention. [62142]

  Mr. MacShane
  Together with their 1977 additional protocols, the four Geneva conventions of 1949 remain the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. The Fourth Geneva convention is the most lengthy, affording
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  protection to civilian populations, which the experiences of the second world war showed to be singularly deficient in the international legal instruments adopted hitherto. The Government consider that the conventions have collectively stood the test of time and that, where properly applied, the Fourth convention and additional protocols offer a high degree of protection and serve to reduce the degree of suffering to which civilians may be exposed by conflict.

  East Timor
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what continuing support the Government will offer to East Timor. [62143]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner).

  Performance Targets
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the performance targets that his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if he will specify for each target(a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it. [60470]

  Mr. MacShane
  In addition to the performance targets listed in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004, the FCO's service delivery agreement, agreed under the 2000 Spending Review, contains a number of targets for the period 2001 to 2004. Progress against the FCO's SDA targets is monitored by the FCO, using a combination of internally-generated management information, and through a series of scorecard measures agreed with HM Treasury. The FCO's current PSA, SDA, and information on scorecards can be consulted on the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk). The following public bodes sponsored by the FCO have performance targets:

  BBC World Service (including BBC Monitoring) (public corporation)
  Targets for the BBC World Service are included in the FCO's PSA, scorecards to the FCO's PSA, and in the BBC World Service's annual report on output and performance measures. Targets are set by the FCO in consultation with the World Service. Progress is monitored by the FCO.
  Targets for BBC Monitoring are set out in scorecards to the FCO's SDA. Additional key performance indicators/targets are set out in BBC Monitoring's corporate plan. These key performance indicators and targets are set by the FCO and other stakeholders in BBC Monitoring (Ministry of Defence, Cabinet Office and BBC World Service) in consultation with BBC Monitoring, and achievement is monitored by the stakeholders.

  Britain-Russia Centre (executive non-departmental public body)
  Performance targets for the Britain-Russia Centre are set out in its corporate plan. The plan is approved by the FCO and the FCO monitors progress against it.

  British Association for Central and Eastern Europe (executive non-departmental public body)
  Performance targets for the British Association for Central and Eastern Europe are set out in its corporate plan. The targets are set by the association, agreed with the FCO3 and monitored jointly by the association and by the FCO.
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  British Council (executive non-departmental public body)
  The British Council's annual corporate plan summarises the British Council's key operational and financial targets for the year. Progress against its targets is monitored by the British Council and the FCO.

  The Great Britain-China Centre (executive non-departmental public body)
  The Great Britain-China Centre has annual objectives which are included in its corporate plan. These objectives are set and progress against them monitored by the Great Britain-China Centre board in conjunction with the FCO.

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (advisory non-departmental public body)
  The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission's corporate plan contains annual performance targets. The plan is approved, and progress against its targets monitored, by the FCO.

  Westminster Foundation for Democracy (executive non-departmental public body)
  The Westminster Foundation for Democracy's performance targets are set through a consultative process between the FCO and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy's executive and board. Progress against targets is formally monitored quarterly by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy's board, which is attended by the FCO.

  Wilton Park (executive agency)
  A target for percentage of respondents who rate Wilton Park's conference programme highly is set out in a scorecard to the FCO's PSA. A number of additional targets for Wilton Park are incorporated into Wilton Park's corporate plan and information on its performance against them is in its annual report. These additional targets are set by the FCO-led Wilton Park departmental board in consultation with Wilton Park, and achievement is monitored by the departmental board annually.

  Wilton Park Academic Council (advisory non-departmental public body)
  The Wilton Park Academic Council's work is monitored by the FCO, which acts as Secretariat to it.

  Arms Trade
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what end-use monitoring his Department carries out on the re-export of small arms, manufactured under British licence production agreements, by(a) MKEK (Turkey), (b) Pakistan Ordnance Factories and (c) Brugger and Thomet (Switzerland). [61983]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have no specific end-use monitoring arrangements on the re-export of small arms manufactured overseas under commercial licence from defence manufacturers located in the UK.

  The Government focus their efforts on assessment of potential end-use at the export licensing stage, including where needed through checks made by our posts overseas. Carrying out effective risk assessment on end-users before making the export licensing decision is the surest way of preventing arms from falling into the wrong hands. The Government remain committed to carrying out end-use monitoring in those circumstances where this will genuinely add value to our efforts to minimise the risk of misuse and diversion and where such monitoring is practicable. Our overseas posts have standing instructions to report on allegations of misuse of any UK-origin defence equipment and to take this into account during the export licensing process.
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  Licensed production of arms overseas typically depends on the supply to the overseas producer of controlled component parts and technology by the company licensing the manufacture of its products. Any controlled equipment or technology exported from the UK to a production facility licensed under a commercial arrangement between a British company and an overseas company would be assessed on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. Our criteria clearly set out our commitment to take account of the risk that exports might be diverted to an undesirable end-user or re-exported under undesirable conditions. The criteria were set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Peter Hain) to hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffatt) on 26 October 2000, Official Report, columns 199–203W.

  Any exports of controlled equipment or technology that take place under commercial licensed production agreements entered into by UK-owned defence manufacturers located overseas would be subject to the export control rules of the country in which those defence manufacturers are located.

  India/Pakistan
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what services are available at the British high commissions in India and Pakistan for British citizens who do not wish to leave their respective countries. [61194]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 13 June 2002]: We have been advising Britons to leave Pakistan since 31 May. We continue to do everything we can to help any British national who chooses to remain in India or Pakistan despite our advice. Our posts in India continue to provide the full range of consular services. While Chennai and Kolkata continue to offer a full visa service, a reduction in staff means that our visa services are more limited in Delhi and Mumbai.

  In Pakistan we have recently closed our mission in Lahore but our posts in Islamabad and Karachi are still offering the full range of consular services. Reduced staff levels there mean, however, that services may take longer to provide. Furthermore, Karachi is no longer able to offer a visa service and Islamabad is only able to offer a much reduced visa service.

  We have advised British nationals who choose to remain in either country to stay in touch with our high commissions, and to monitor the media (including our website—www.fco.gov.uk). We stay in touch with British nationals who have registered with us through a network of wardens (such networks are maintained by FCO diplomatic posts in many countries overseas; wardens are volunteers who help to disseminate information to the resident British community) in both India and Pakistan, and we are encouraging any British national who remains in either country, and who has not registered with the high commission, to do so.

  Peru
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Peru. [62783]
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  Mr. MacShane
  We enjoy good relations. I visited Peru for the inauguration of President Toledo last July. The Prime Minister met President Toledo at the EU-Latin American and Caribbean summit on 17 May. HRH the Duke of York paid an official visit to Peru in March. DFID's development co-operation programme stands at approximately £4.5 million per annum and we have committed a further £4 million, over five years, to President Toledo's anti-poverty economic recovery programme "A Trahajar". We are also supporting the rebuilding of democracy and support for human rights in Peru, as well as indigenous rights, police and military reform and drugs co-operation. The UK is one of Peru's main trading partners in the EU, and one of the largest foreign investors in Peru.

  Timber
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new steps the Government will take to verify the implementation of the bilateral agreement between the United Kingdom and Indonesia regarding the trade in illegal timber products. [63058]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Work towards implementation of this memorandum of understanding is ongoing both in the UK and in Indonesia. We are currently negotiating an action plan to implement the MOU with the Government of Indonesia in consultation with civil society and the private sector in both countries. The action plan will include means for monitoring progress and should be finalised by September this year.

  Israel/Palestine
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the area by(a) acreage and (b) location on the (i) Israeli and (ii) Palestinian side of the planned and actual fence and trench which goes beyond their borders as defined by the (A) 1947 and (B) 1967 UN Resolutions. [63355]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The fence and trench are at an early stage of construction. We do not have definitive figures on the areas of Israeli and Palestinian territory affected by the proposed or actual construction. We will continue to monitor the facts on the ground.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a map of the fence and trench(a) planned and (b) under construction between Israel and the Palestinian west bank. [63356]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Her Majesty's Government have no plans to publish maps of Israeli Government proposals for a fence and trench. This is a matter for the Israeli Government.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations(a) have been made and (b) he plans to make to (i) the Israeli Government and (ii) Arab nations concerning the plans by Israel to build a fence and trench dividing Israel and the Palestinian west bank; and if he will make a statement. [63354]
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  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli Government that only a political process leading to a comprehensive settlement will produce lasting peace. Physical barriers alone will not give the Israeli people the long-term security they deserve. Our efforts with Arab and other Governments will continue to focus on breaking the cycle of violence by restarting the political process. I raised this issue with the Israeli ambassador last week.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his Department's policy to support the construction of a fence and trench dividing Israel and the Palestinian west bank; and if he will make a statement. [63358]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is not. We do not believe that the construction of a fence and trench dividing Israel and the west bank will provide lasting security for Israel, which can only be achieved through negotiation of a permanent settlement by Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's estimate is of the number of Israeli civilians killed by Palestinian suicide bombers who were understood to have entered Israel from(a) the Palestinian west bank and (b) Gaza. [63360]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  According to Israeli Defence Forces figures, 215 Israeli civilians have been killed by suicide bombings since the beginning of the current intifada. The Israeli Defence Forces claim that no suicide attack inside the Green Line has come from Gaza, and that all have originated in the west bank.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the(a) length, (b) structure, (c) size and (d) defensive effectiveness of the fence and trench being constructed between Israel and the Palestinian west bank. [63357]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  At present, the fence and trench are at an early stage of construction. We continue to monitor the facts on the ground as they develop.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the United States concerning the construction of a fence and trench dividing Israel and the Palestinian west bank; and if he will make a statement. [63359]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have not yet discussed Israel's construction of a security fence with the Government of the United States.

  British Council Library (Paris)
  Richard Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the British Council Library in Paris; and if he will make a statement. [63333]

  Mr. MacShane
  The lending section of the Council's library in Paris will close at the end of June. The lending collection will be donated to public institutions, such as the French National Library and the specialist English studies libraries, and so will remain accessible to the 786W
  public in Paris. Investment of £445,000 will enable part of the centre to re-open in the autumn with an Open Learning area with 30 dedicated computers and a video conferencing facility. A free access information service will also provide 40 UK periodicals and newspapers, reference books on education and the learning of English in the UK, and guidance on cultural, educational and scientific services from Britain.

  Nepal
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Nepalese Government regarding the escalation of terrorist attacks by Maoist groups. [63480]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are very concerned about the situation in Nepal. This brutal insurgency by the Maoists is undermining Nepal's young democracy and fragile economy. Maoist terrorists are conducting a savage campaign of intimidation in Nepal to further their own political aims.

  The UK has long been a friend of Nepal and we are committed to continuing our developmental, political and military assistance to them. This message was reiterated to the Nepalese Prime Minister during his visit last month to the UK by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for International Development and my predecessor, the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw). We reassured the Nepalese Prime Minister of our full support, but also made clear the need for effective action by the Nepalese Government on reform and development.

  We have just hosted an international conference in London with representatives from the Nepalese Government and from other countries who share our concerns, to discuss how the international community can best co-ordinate its efforts in supporting the people of Nepal. We will continue to develop an integrated approach to security, reform and development within Nepal.

  The UK has put together a comprehensive package of developmental and military assistance totalling more than £30 million for this financial year. This money will cover projects aimed at short-term development and to reinforce Nepal's development, military and police capacity.

  Unlawful Killings (UK Nationals)
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals were unlawfully killed in(a) Egypt, (b) Jordan, (c) Lebanon, (d) Syria, (e) Turkey, (f) Iraq, (g) Iran, (h) Israel, (i) Algeria, (j) Morocco, (k) Libya, (l) Tunisia, (m) Pakistan, (n) Nigeria, (o) Sudan, (p) Ethiopia, (q) Saudi Arabia, (r) Oman, (s) Yemen, (t) Kuwait and (u) UAE in the period from 1 May 2000 to 1 May 2002. [63542]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 21 June 2002]: Our consular records show that the number of UK nationals reported as unlawfully killed in the following countries during the period 1 May 2000 to 1 May 2002 were:

  (a) Egypt: 0

  (b) Jordan: 0

  (c) Lebanon: 0

  (d) Syria: 0

  (e) Turkey: 2

  (f) Iraq: 0

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  (g) Iran: 0

  (h) Israel: 2

  (i) Algeria: 0

  (j) Morocco: 2

  (k) Libya: 0

  (l) Tunisia: 2

  (m) Pakistan: 6

  (n) Nigeria: 3

  (o) Sudan: 0

  (p) Ethiopia: 0

  (q) Saudi Arabia: 7

  (r) Oman: 0

  (s) Yemen: 0

  (t) Kuwait: 0

  (u) UAE: 0

  Sudan
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are assigned to the unit headed by Mr. Alan Goulty as Special Representative to Sudan; and what the budget of his office is for the current financial year. [63853]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Special Representative for Sudan is supported by a joint FCO/DFID Sudan Unit which has a permanent staff of four officials who can call on advisers across Whitehall as necessary. The staff and running costs of the unit for the current financial year come to approximately £450,000. In addition to this sum, the Sudan Unit and other DFID officials have call on another £7.75 million for humanitarian aid and peace-building activities.

  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government have had with the Government of Sudan since 1 January. [63820]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Government has continuous contact with the Government of Sudan through our diplomatic missions in London and Khartoum. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development visited Sudan in January. The UK Special Representative and other officials have had a series of discussions with members of the Sudanese Government since January, mainly on issues related to peace.

  G8 Foreign Ministers' Summit
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on matters discussed, matters of agreement and disagreement, and decisions taken at the meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Whistler, Canada; and if he will place in the Library copies of all documentation circulated at the meeting, excluding security sensitive information. [63852]

  Peter Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary represented the UK at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Group of eight in Whistler, Canada on 12–13 June.

  Issues discussed at the meeting included counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, South Asia, the middle east, non-proliferation, the Balkans, Cyprus and the Korean Peninsula. No formal decisions were taken on these or other issues, though a G8 statement on Afghanistan and a progress report on G8 activity against terrorism were
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  agreed and issued at the meeting. Copies of those documents and of the Canadian chairman's summary of discussion have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Visas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many appeals were lodged against visa refusals in(a) Mumbai, (b) New Delhi and (c) Islamabad in 2001; and when he will re-open the entry clearance operation in (i) Mumbai, (ii) New Delhi and (iii) Islamabad. [64231]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of appeals received in 2001 by Mumbai, New Delhi and Islamabad are shown below:

  Mumbai: 733

  Islamabad: 4,941

  New Delhi: 1,396.

  Entry clearance operations in Mumbai, New Delhi and Islamabad are not closed.

  We are currently operating a restricted visa service in New Delhi and Mumbai. Since 4 June, New Delhi and Mumbai have only accepted settlement applications, urgent medical and compassionate cases and drop box applications for limited categories of travellers including previous visitors and returning residents.

  Since 6 June Islamabad has been offering a very limited service, accepting applications through Fedex from returning residents and urgent medical and compassionate cases, including settlement and family visit applications in these categories.

  We are keeping service and staffing levels under constant review. Our aim is a phased resumption of normal service at the security situation permits and staffing levels build up.

  From 24 June New Delhi and Mumbai will be extending the service offered to accept applications in a broad category of 'straightforward' traveller.

  Also from 24 June the visa service in Islamabad will be extended to include applications from:

  a business visitor with a letter of invitation from a company in the UK who has travelled to the UK within the last three years and has evidence of this travel;

  holder of a valid UK Work Permit;

  a member of an airline crew on a route which passes through the UK;

  a seaman with a previous visa for the same purpose. Applications must be accompanied by the seaman's book and a letter from a recognised shipping company

  the spouse or child (under 18) of one of the above categories, and accompanying the main applicant to the UK.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will supply answers to the chronology points discussed during the meeting with the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam and his constituent, the Reverend Jason Clark. [64365]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The chronology queries, to which the hon. Member refers, are Mr. Clark's contradictions of the Embassy and FCO's records.
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  It was agreed during the hon. Member's meeting with my noble Friend Baroness Amos on 20 February, that the chronology issue would be reviewed once our mutual concerns about Mr. Clark's health (and corresponding clemency plea to the Abu Dhabi authorities) had been addressed. I understand that this was agreed with Michael Clark himself in a meeting with embassy staff on 20 January 2002. As soon as these concerns are resolved, we will address the issues surrounding the discrepancies in our respective chronology of events in this case.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63130]

  Mr. MacShane
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 6 December 2001,Official Report, column 467W, and to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 967W, to which I have nothing further to add.

  Subcontinent (Land Mines)
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Governments of India and Pakistan concerning the deployment of land mines on their shared border. [62103]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We deplore the use of antipersonnel landmines. Although no recent representations have been made since 1998, when the United Kingdom became a State Party to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use. Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, we have lobbied all states non-party, whether users of anti-personnel landmines or not, to ratify the convention.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of unrest in Gujarat on relations between India and Pakistan. [62119]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We assess there to be no direct link between the recent unrest in Gujarat and relations between India and Pakistan.

  £ million

  Assessment of strategic options, acquisitions and alliances for the mails business

  1.75

  Assessment of strategic options for the Post Office Network (including Universal Bank and Your Guide)

  0.99

  Advice on implementation of the Postal Services Act

  0.22

  Other (including project co-ordination, expenses and unallocated costs)

  0.10

  1 These figures should be seen as indicative as there was some cross over between projects.

  Consignia
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her oral statement of 13 June 2002,Official Report, column 1022, on Consignia, whether the provisions of the sixth VAT directive exempting public postal services from VAT apply to

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  KPNQwest
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received concerning the financial situation at KPNQwest and the possible shutdown of its Ebone network; what effect she estimates this may have on internet users; and if she will make a statement. [64321]

  Mr. Timms
  I have not received any representations regarding the possible shutdown of KPNQwest's network, although officials in the Department and at Oftel are watching developments closely.

  Some UK ISPs and websites may use KPNQwest for their connection to the internet. Loss of KPNQwest would not necessarily mean complete loss of internet access as major ISPs are likely to have more than one supplier of internet connectivity. It is possible however that access to some websites would be slowed down until traffic were fully rerouted via other networks.

  There is a competitive market for internet connectivity, meaning that ISPs and websites should be able readily to obtain internet connectivity from other suppliers, if they have not already done so, since they were advised by KPNQwest to make contingency arrangements on 30 May.

  Post Office
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent, broken down(a) by consulting firm and (b) by project, on A6, Post Office consultancy and other expenditure related to the Post Office, as stated in Annex b in the Trade and Industry Government Expenditure plans for 2000–01; and if she will make a statement. [63545]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 21 June 2002]: Payments to individual consultants are commercially confidential. The firms that advised Government were:

  Deloitte and Touche (Financial Advice)

  Herbert Smith (Legal Advice)

  OC&C (Strategy Consultants)

  RKR (Strategy Consultants)

  Lazard (Investment Bank).

  An independent legal adviser also provided a limited amount of legal advice.

  The amount paid for advice per project is as follows1

  all licensed postal operators; and if she will make a statement. [63504]

  John Healey
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UK VAT exemption for public postal services applies only to the Post Office company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, such as Consignia plc, providing the public postal service.

  Sub-post Offices
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices in Scotland have changed proprietor in each of the last five years. [62417]

  Mr. Timms
  This is a matter which falls within the day-to-day responsibility of Consignia and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decisions have been made by her Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63137]

  Ms Hewitt
  Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the Royal Prerogative are exercised, nor could it be practicable to do so.

  Trade Subsidies
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support schemes are available from the European Union for small and medium-sized enterprises in Britain; how much funding is available; and what proportion of this funding has been taken up by small firms in the last three years. [60499]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The primary source of European Union support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom is the European Structural Funds. For the funding period 2000–06 the UK has been allocated approximately £10 billion from these funds.

  The priorities for this funding were the subject of negotiation with the Commission which resulted in a number of agreed programming documents being approved during 2000 and 2001. Expenditure under the programmes can be undertaken until 2008.

  Since each document was drawn up and negotiated on the basis of the needs of the area concerned, the way in which support for SMEs is addressed varies between programmes. Although each programme includes a number of activities which involve either direct or indirect support to SMEs, the funding under the programmes is not disaggregated in a way that enables the amounts available or spent only for the benefit of SMEs to be easily identified, and it would involve disproportionate cost to provide this information.

  Radioactive Materials
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are in place to protect radioactive materials already in the United Kingdom that could be used to build a dirty bomb. [62709]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 19 June 2002]: Nuclear materials on licensed civil nuclear sites and in transport are subject to rigorous regulatory requirements set, and monitored by, the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS). Nuclear power generators comply with the Nuclear Generating Station (Security) Regulations 1996, made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Other sites comply with Directions made under the Atomic Energy Act 1954 and the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. All civil nuclear material in the UK is subject to Euratom
  792W
  safeguards and to the terms of the UK/Euratom/IAEA Safeguards Agreement. Radioactive material, in accordance with the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, requires a certificate of registration from the Environment Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The certificates impose responsibilities in respect of security and general management. In addition, the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 require employers to have in place appropriate accounting procedures. The regulatory bodies carry out regular programmes of inspections to ensure compliance and would not hesitate to take enforcement action were there a failure to comply with regulatory requirements.

  Small Rural Businesses
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent steps her Department has taken to support small rural business. [63528]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The DTI and the Small Business Service (SBS) are supporting rural business in a number of ways.

  The Development Fund for Rural Renewal, part of the Phoenix Fund, is supporting 20 projects with grants totalling £3 million. These projects aim to help rural business communities that have been affected by foot and mouth.

  The Business Link network provides services to all small businesses including small rural business and some have specific programmes targeted on this sector. The SBS is pulling together examples of good practice in helping small rural businesses to assist Business Link operators in this work.

  The Business Link website, www.businesslink.org, is being enhanced to include specific advice on rural issues and signposting the others who are also able to assist rural businesses.

  There are many other activities taking place at local and regional level, many in co-operation with regional development agencies.

  SBS has recently published research on 'Encouraging and Supporting Enterprise in Rural Areas" and will be looking to use the results of this research in discussion with others active in supporting rural businesses.

  Coal Industry
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much coal has been imported into(a) Scotland and (b) Wales in each year since 1997. [60281]

  Mr. Wilson
  Separate import figures for Scotland and Wales are not available. Total imports of coal into the UK since 1997, in millions of tonnes, were as follows:

  Tonnes (million)

  1997

  19.7

  1998

  21.2

  1999

  20.3

  2000

  23.4

  2001

  135.5

  1 Provisional

  793W
  Sources:

  Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2001 (The Stationery Office)

  Energy Trends, March 2002 (DTI publication)

  Textile Industry
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the contribution to the UK economy of the textile industry. [63671]

  Mr. Timms
  The UK textiles industry accounted for 0.4 per cent. of UK GDP in 2000. In 2001, UK employment in the sector was 107,000 and UK exports were valued at £3.6 billion.

  My Department recognises the UK textile industry as an important contributor to the UK economy and through its active support of the industry-led Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, will continue to work with this key manufacturing sector to ensure it continues to improve and develop in the global economy.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average number of working hours per week for UK workers was in the last year for which figures are available; and what plans she has to move this closer to the EU average. [63956]

  Alan Johnson
  The average number of working hours per week for all UK workers (including part-time workers) was 37.7 in 2000, which is comparable to the EU average of 37.8.

  BNFL
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether British Nuclear Fuels consulted her Department in advance of appointing Dr. Jim Currie to the BNFL Board. [63845]

  Mr. Wilson
  Yes.

  Solar Energy
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with BP on the building and operation of a solar photovoltaic cells plant in Wales. [63851]

  Mr. Wilson
  My predecessor and I have had meetings with a number of PV cell manufacturers, including BP Solar, to discuss the possibility of establishing manufacturing plants in the UK.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives she plans to take to increase expenditure on solar energy technology, with specific reference to(a) photovoltaics, (b) solar water heating and (c) solar interseasonal heat storage technologies respectively. [63855]

  Mr. Wilson

  (a) On 26 March I launched the £20 million First Phase of the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme (MDP), which should result in 3,000 domestic roofs and 140 larger non-residential buildings receiving PV systems over the next three years. In addition, the Domestic and Large Scale Field Trails are already underway with a combined budget of around £l0 million. They should result in at least 500 domestic roofs
  794W
  and 15 large public buildings receiving PV installations. Subsequent phases of the MDP are dependent on the success of the First Phase and on sufficient funds being available.

  (b) Solar Water Heating is a proven and reliable technology with an established but small market in the UK. We are considering support for it, along with other small-scale renewable technologies, under the £10 million Community and Household Scheme, which is currently being designed. An announcement will be made in the autumn and grants are likely to be available by the end of this year.

  (c) Little work has been done in the UK on interseasonal storage. While heat may be 'free' and the technology itself quite simple, the cost of the necessary equipment and infrastructure is the barrier to wider exploitation. We will, however, be keeping a watching brief on seasonal heat storage developments.

  Renewables Advisory Board
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who the members of the Renewables Advisory Board are; and what their qualifications are to sit on the board. [63856]

  Mr. Wilson
  Provisional members attended the first interim meeting of the Renewables Advisory Board on 21 May 2002. We shall publicise shortly the details of the formal selection process, including the skills required, and will invite applications for the appointment of members to the full Board.

  Nuclear Waste (Russia)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with Russian representatives on security of nuclear waste. [62136]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Department is responsible for the management of the interdepartmental programme for addressing the nuclear legacy in the Former Soviet Union (FSU), and Ministers and officials, plus those in other Government Departments are in regular discussion with their counterparts on a range of nuclear issues, not just the security of nuclear waste. The £84 million programme to tackle nuclear problems in the Former Soviet Union was announced to Parliament in July 2000 to cover the period 2001 to 2004, and future funding levels will depend on the outcome of the current Spending Review. The programme has, as one of its priorities, nuclear safety and security issues in Russia. An important element of the UK programme is assisting Russia in tackling the nuclear waste problems associated with the 100+ decommissioned nuclear submarines in NW Russia; particularly the safe disposal and secure storage of spent nuclear fuel from such vessels. Current discussions with Russia centre on concluding a legal framework agreement covering liability, tax and access issues etc.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to prosecute construction companies who operate in the black economy. [63050]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The actions which the revenue Departments will take against those who operate in the informal economy and commit tax offences are laid down in the published

  795W
  prosecution policies of the responsible Departments. They will also work with colleagues in other Departments when other offences, such as benefit fraud, exist too.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount of national insurance contributions lost owing to false self-employment claims on CIS4 tax certificates was in each year for the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [63097]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available.

  Endangered Species (Derived Products)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new steps her Department has taken to regulate British companies trading in products derived from endangered and threatened species. [63059]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  British companies are subject to the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which is implemented in the EU by Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1808/02.

  Table 1: Northern Ireland prosecutions for offences related to extortion: 1994–99

  Offence

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Blackmail

  22

  38

  25

  14

  32

  5

  Bribery

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Kidnapping

  19

  26

  35

  17

  15

  13

  Soliciting financial support for proscribed organisation

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Soliciting or inviting support for proscribed organisation

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Intimidation—residence/occupation

  56

  9

  25

  43

  22

  21

  Intimidation—person leave employment

  0

  2

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Intimidation—to do/refrain from doing any act

  12

  9

  9

  7

  7

  7

  Threats to harm

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Total

  109

  86

  95

  82

  77

  48

  Table 2: Northern Ireland convictions for offences related to extortion: 1994–99

  Offence

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Blackmail

  9

  28

  13

  14

  26

  4

  Bribery

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Kidnapping

  8

  20

  14

  12

  12

  10

  Soliciting financial support for proscribed organisation

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Soliciting or inviting support for proscribed organisation

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Intimidation—residence/occupation

  18

  5

  17

  24

  13

  9

  Intimidation—person leave employment

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Intimidation—to do/refrain from doing any act

  8

  6

  5

  4

  3

  5

  Threats to harm

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Total

  43

  62

  50

  54

  55

  30

SCOTLAND

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what decisions have been made by her Department in the last year under authority from the royal prerogative. [63136]
  796W
  Under these Regulations all commercial trade in endangered species is prohibited and permits may only be granted for trade in threatened species where it is clear that trade will not be detrimental and that the specimens were lawfully acquired. No new steps to regulate British companies have been taken, although the Regulations governing the enforcement of CITES are under review. One of the issues being considered is whether offences relating to internal trade should be made arrestable and the existing penalties increased. We intend to go out to public consultation on these proposals later in the year.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Extortion
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for extortion have been pursued in Northern Ireland in each year since 1994; and how many convictions have resulted. [63430]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no one offence for extortion. The following tables provide the most relevant offences and convictions related to extortion during the period 1994 to 1999. Figures from 1999 to date are not yet available.

  Mrs. Liddell
  Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised, nor would it be practicable to do so.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what property her Department(a) leases and (b) owns in (i) Edinburgh and (ii) London. [63121]
  797W
  Mrs. Liddell
  My Department leases its office accommodation in Edinburgh and London.

  Public Expenditure
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) of 14 May 2002,Official Report, column 573W, on public expenditure, what assumptions were used to allocate the cited increases to Scottish health spending due to the 2002 budget, relating to (a) the percentage of the population used for the application of the Barnett formula, (b) the comparability factor used, (c) the total additions to English health spending and (d) other factors included in the calculation. [63769]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The rules for calculating the Barnett consequentials for increases in English expenditure are as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The latest available population figures were used.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Joyce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many young people have(a) participated in and (b) found jobs as a result of the New Deal in each constituency in Scotland; [61301]

  (2) how many young people have received full-time education, training or work experience with the voluntary sector or the Environment Taskforce as a result of the New Deal in each constituency in Scotland. [61302]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  I have been asked to reply.

  Constituency results for the New Deal for Young People are contained in the Constituency Tables, which are available in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Cross-border Information Sharing
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 15 May 2002, Ref 55286, on cross-border information sharing on child sex offenders and child abusers, for what reason confidentiality will be maintained for the protocols being developed. [59230]

  Jane Kennedy
  Confidentiality is maintained because sex offenders and child abusers are often skilled at evading detection. Combating them is the priority and it is considered that to make public procedures, protocols and arrangements would have a detrimental effect on the ability to monitor and manage risk.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if(a) his Department and (b) its agencies have a policy of not considering applications for employment by persons over a particular age. [59455]

  Jane Kennedy
  There are no formal age restrictions for recruitment to the Northern Ireland Office. An upper age limit is not set but advertisements for posts in the Northern Ireland Office state that the normal retirement age. under existing pension arrangements, is 60.

  Entertainment Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended. [61656]

  Jane Kennedy
  The cost overall of the Northern Ireland Office's 2001 Christmas party was £682.50. The breakdown of this cost is as follows:

  £

  Catering

  352.50

  Band/disco

  260.00

  Bus hire

  70.00

  Tickets were sold to staff at a cost of £8.00. Approximately 120 tickets were purchased. The sale of the tickets covered the overall cost of £682.50 and the surplus was donated to charity.

  Terrorists
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will make a statement on his proposals to deal with the issue of on-the-run terrorists. [64216]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government have committed themselves to taking steps to resolve this issue, which we believe is an important part of drawing a line under the past. We are still considering how best to discharge that commitment. Once that process is complete we will make an announcement.

  Police Numbers
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers there were in Northern Ireland on(a) 9 September 1999 and (b) 31 May 2002. [64089]

  Jane Kennedy
  The number of police officers in Northern Ireland on 9 September 1999 and 31 May 2002 were as follows:

  Regular

  Full-time Reserve

  Part-time Reserve

  9 September 1999

  8,522

  2,767

  1,188

  31 May 2002

  6,947

  2,070

  994

PRIME MINISTER

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments have a Sikh adviser to advise on matters relating to the Sikh community; and how they are selected. [63611]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 21 June 2002]: As part of the Government's commitment to diversity, a number of Departments employ diversity and equality advisers. These liaise with various communities on policy, operational and employment matters. Some of these, for example in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Defence, focus specifically on issues relevant to the Sikh community. Comprehensive information on the numbers and specific remits of individual advisers is not held centrally.
  799W
  Selection for all permanent civil service posts is based upon merit.

  Channel Islands
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from elected representatives from the state of Jersey in respect of radioactive risks posed to the Channel Islands. [63854]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received one representation on this issue, which has been passed to the Lord Chancellor for reply in view of the Lord Chancellor's responsibility for relations with the Crown Dependencies.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with Prime Minister Aznar on 18 June. [64232]

  The Prime Minister
  I met the Prime Minister of Spain in London on 18 June as part of the regular EU presidency tour of capital cities before a European Council. It was a very positive discussion covering the main agenda items for the Seville European Council on 21 and 22 June, including: a set of proposals and timetable for asylum and immigration; Council reform matters; the importance of keeping to the proposed enlargement timetable; national government involvement in the Convention on the Future of Europe and how to maintain the Spanish presidency's good progress on European defence issues.

  Special Advisers
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 27 February 2002,Official Report, column 1268W, on special advisers, whether the briefing material contains information relating to (a) the previous Conservative Government and (b) alternative policies held by opposition parties. [64233]

  The Prime Minister
  All briefing material is provided in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code, and the Special Adviser Code of Conduct.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions in the last 12 months when he has used powers granted by the Royal Prerogative. [63135]
  800W
  The Prime Minister
  Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the Royal Prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

  Kananaskis Summit
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Watford of 19 June 2002,Official Report, column 268, what proposals he will be putting to the forthcoming G8 summit at Kananaskis that would increase access for exports from sub-Saharan Africa to OECD countries; and how much these measures would generate in terms of increased exports from sub-Saharan Africa in each year. [64367]

  The Prime Minister
  The G8 summit is taking place in Kananaskis tomorrow and Thursday. The UK has put forward proposals for Africa on trade as part of a larger package of commitments on conflict, education, health, development assistance and debt. G8 members are committed to the objective of duty-free and quota-free access for all products originating from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the World Trade Organisation Doha Ministerial in November 2001. The UK sees it as imperative to move forward on integrating LDCs into the multilateral trading system and ensure they can harness the benefits of trade for poverty reduction. The forthcoming G8 summit in Kananaskis offers the opportunity to take forward these issues. The European Commission has estimated that developing country gains from a 50 per cent. cut in tariffs by both developed and developing countries would be in the order of $150 billion, around three times current aid flows.

  Transatlantic Air Services
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 June 2002,Official Report, column 860, how many meetings have taken place between the UK and US Governments since 1 February to discuss liberalisation of transatlantic air services; when the meetings took place; when the next meeting is scheduled; who was present at the meeting; and what the outcome was of the discussion. [64322]

  The Prime Minister
  Further to the answer I gave at Prime Minister's questions I would like to outline the nature of the contacts made regarding this issue. It is right that we are keen to liberalise the US-UK air services agreement, but only on the basis that the terms are right and fair. Contact has continued to take place at official level. Ministerial discussions were conducted last year, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport discussed it with the American Administration in January. I have asked the Secretary of State for Transport to review all the options and consider the best way forward to restart the discussions formally.

WALES

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [61004]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer he received from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 June 2002,Official Report, column 130W.

  Public Service Agreement Targets
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the(a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced. [61045]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department does not have a Public Service Agreement.

  Broadband
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for the roll out of broadband services; and if he will make a statement. [61798]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government have set a target for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. We have not set any specific targets relating to broadband in Wales as these are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Grants
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which organisations and outside bodies which were in receipt of grant in 1997–98 are no longer; what the annual saving is(a) individually and (b) in aggregate; which organisations and outside bodies which were not in receipt of grant in 1997–98 now are; and what the annual cost is (i) individually and (ii) in aggregate. [62043]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department came into existence in 1999 and makes no grant payments (other than to the National Assembly for Wales). It is a matter for the Assembly whether to continue or discontinue grants made by the former Welsh Office prior to 1 July 1999.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63140]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 23 October 2001,Official Report, column 182W.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Change of Category of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations; [63263]
  802W
  (2) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the BSE Monitoring (Wales) Regulations; [63279]

  (3) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Code of Conduct (Qualifying Local government Employees) (Wales) Order; [63295]

  (4) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Children (Leaving Care) (Wales) Regulations; [63311]

  (5) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63216]

  (6) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Beet Seeds (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63232]

  (7) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) and (General Ophthalmic Services) (Amendment) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations; [63241]

  (8) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 9) Order; [63249]

  (9) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Foundation Body) (Wales) Regulations; [63255]

  (10) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 9) Regulations; [63271]

  (11) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Decisions Documents and Meetings) (Wales) Regulations; [63287]

  (12) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 8) Order; [63303]

  (13) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Undersized Whiting (Revocation) (Wales) Order; [63319]

  (14) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations; [63259]

  (15) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Welsh Language Schemes (Public Bodies) Order; [63267]

  (16) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Prescribed Waste (Wales) (Revocation) Regulations; [63283]

  (17) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Conduct of Members (Principles) (Wales) Order; [63299]

  (18) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Relocation Grants (Forms of Application) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63315]
  803W
  (19) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) (Wales) Scheme; [63220]

  (20) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63228]

  (21) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Special Waste (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63235]

  (22) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Agricultural Holdings (Units of Production) (Wales) (No. 3) Order; [63245]

  (23) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Feeding Stuffs and the Feeding Stuffs (Enforcement) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63238]

  (24) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the General Teaching Council for Wales (Additional Functions) (Amendment) Order; [63275]

  (25) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Local Commissioner in Wales (Standards Investigations) Order; [63291]

  (26) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Meat (Enhanced Enforcement Powers) (Wales) Regulations; [63307]

  (27) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations; [63296]

  (28) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No 9) (Amendment) Regulations; [63265]

  (29) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations; [63281]

  (30) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Code of Conduct (Non-Qualifying Local government Employees) (Wales) Order; [63297]

  (31) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Amendment) (Wales) Order; [63313]

  (32) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Parent Governor Representatives and Church Representatives (Wales) Regulations; [63218]

  (33) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Abolition of the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Regulations; [63226]
  804W
  (34) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations; [63234]

  (35) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 9) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations; [63243]

  (36) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63251]

  (37) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Amendment) (No 2) (Wales); [63257]

  (38) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Plant Health (Amendment) (Wales) Order; [63273]

  (39) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Adjudications by Case Tribunals and Interim Case Tribunals (Wales) Regulations; [63289]

  (40) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Central Rating List (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations; [63305]

  (41) what discussions he has had with the Footand-Mouth Disease (Ascertainment of Value) (Wales) (No. 5) Order; [63253]

  (42) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Assisted Places) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63261]

  (43) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Teacher Training Incentive (Further Education) (Wales) Regulations; [63269]

  (44) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (Wales) Regulations; [63285]

  (45) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (School Government) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations; [63301]

  (46) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Housing Grants (Additional Purposes) (Wales) Regulations; [63317]

  (47) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Mandatory Travel Concessions (Reimbursement Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations; [63222]

  (48) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63230]

  (49) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 10) (Fees) Regulations; [63237]
  805W
  (50) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Agricultural Holding (Units of Production) (Wales) Order; [63247]

  (51) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grant (Wales) Regulations; [63277]

  (52) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Standards Committees (Wales) Regulations; [63293]

  (53) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Common Agricultural Policy (Wine) (Wales) Regulations; [63309]

  (54) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (Wales) Order; [63264]

  (55) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63280]

  (56) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Carers (Services) and Direct Payments (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63312]

  (57) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Approved Investments) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63217]

  (58) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 12) Regulations; [63225]

  (59) what discussions he has had with the First

  Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 11) Regulations; [63233]

  (60) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the National Health Service (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) (Amendment) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations; [63242]

  (61) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Children's Commissioner for Wales Regulations; [63250]

  (62) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Assisted Places) (Incidental Expenses) (Amendment) (Wales) Order; [63256]

  (63) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Inspection of Education and Training (Wales) Regulations; [63272]

  (64) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Conduct of Members (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order; [63288]
  806W
  (65) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 8) Regulations; [63304]

  (66) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Street Work (Inspection Fees) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63260]

  (67) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Agricultural Subsidies (Appeals) (Wales) Regulations; [63268]

  (68) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Proposals for Alternative Arrangements (Wales) Regulations; [63284]

  (69) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Commission for Local Administration in Wales and Local Commissioner in Wales (Functions and Expenses) Regulations; [63300]

  (70) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Housing Renewal Grants (Prescribed Form and Particulars) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63316]

  (71) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Schools and Further and Higher Education) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63221]

  (72) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Seed Potatoes (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63229]

  (73) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Potatoes Originating in Germany Notification (Wales) Order; [63236]

  (74) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Agricultural Holdings (Units of Production) (Wales) (No. 2) Order; [63246]

  (75) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Processed Animal Protein (Wales) Regulations; [63252]

  (76) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the General Teaching Council for Wales (Functions) (Amendment) Regulations; [63276]

  (77) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Alternative Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations; [63292]

  (78) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Contaminated Land (Wales) Regulations; [63308]

  (79) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Marking of Meat, Meat Products, Minced Meat and Meat Preparations) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations; [63266]
  807W
  (80) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost effectiveness of the Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63282]

  (81) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Proposals for Executive Arrangements (Wales) Order; [63298]

  (82) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Housing Renewal Grants (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63314]

  (83) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (Consequential Amendments) (Schools) (Wales) Regulations; [63219]

  (84) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63227]

  (85) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Plant Health (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 2) Order; [63215]

  (86) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 11) Order; [63244]

  (87) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 10) Regulations; [63239]

  (88) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Air Quality Limit Values (Wales) Regulations; [63258]

  (89) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (School Day and School Year (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63274]

  (90) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Discharge of Functions) (Wales) Regulations; [63290]

  (91) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Gelatine (Intra-Community Trade) (Wales) Regulations; [63306]

  (92) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 10) Order; [63248]

  (93) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63254]

  (94) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Sweeteners in Food (Amendments) (Wales) Regulations; [63262]

  (95) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Seeds (Fees) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63270]
  808W
  (96) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Authorities Executive Arrangements (Functions and Responsibilities) (Wales) Regulations; [63286]

  (97) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Feeding Stuffs (Sampling and Analysis) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63302]

  (98) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Publication of Draft Proposals and Orders (Further Education Corporations) (Wales) Regulations; [63318]

  (99) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (Wales) Regulations; [63223]

  (100) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Cereal Seeds (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63231]

  (101) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Children's (Protection from Offenders) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63240]

  (102) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Prohibition of Vaccination) (Wales) Regulations; [63278]

  (103) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Local Government Investigations (Functions of Monitoring Officers and Standards Committees) (Wales) Regulations; [63294]

  (104) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Disabled Children (Direct Payments) (Wales) Regulations; [63310]

  (105) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Countryside Access (Draft Maps) (Wales) Regulations; [63561]

  (106) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (External Qualifications) (Description of Tests) (Wales) Regulations; [63569]

  (107) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the BSE Monitoring (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63553]

  (108) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Housing Renewal Grants (Prescribed Forms and Particulars) (Amendment No. 2) (Wales) Regulations; [63557]

  (109) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations; [63565]

  (110) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Farm Enterprise Grant and Farm Improvement Grant (Wales) Regulations; [63573]
  809W
  (111) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Environmental Protection (Restriction on Use of Lead Shot) (Wales) Regulations; [63559]

  (112) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63563]

  (113)what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) (Charges) (Amendment) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations; [63571]

  (114) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot and Mouth Disease (Amendment) (Wales) (No. 13) Order; [63555]

  (115) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Colours in Food (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations; [63567]

  (116) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Amendment) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations; [63562]

  (117) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot and Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 13) Regulations; [63570]

  (118) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Import and Export Restrictions (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Wales) (No. 14) Regulations; [63554]

  (119) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Housing Renewal Grants (Amendment No. 2) (Wales) Regulations; [63558]

  (120) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Non-domestic Rating Contributions (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations; [63566]

  (121) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Travel Concessions (Extension of Entitlement) (Wales) Order; [63574]

  (122) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Relocation Grants (Forms of Application) (Amendment No. 2) (Wales) Regulations; [63556]

  (123) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Countryside Access (Local Access Forums) (Wales) Regulations; [63560]

  (124) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Preserved Rights (Transfer of Responsibilities to Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations; [63564]

  (125) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (Levies) Regulations; [63572]
  810W
  (126) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Education (Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales) (Conferment of Function) Order; [63568]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 June 2002,Official Report, column 316.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the occasions in the last 12 months when he has used powers granted by the Royal Prerogative. [63127]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the Royal Prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

  Elected Mayors
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy on elected mayors. [64227]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our policy on directly-elected mayors is set out in the 2001 Local Government White Paper—Strong Local Leadership, Quality Public Services. Where local people think that a directly-elected mayor is right for their area, we think they should have the opportunity to vote for one. Councils have conducted extensive consultations with local people, who can also require a mayoral referendum by organising a petition signed by 5 per cent. of local electors or more.

  The Secretary of State has the power in certain circumstances to direct a council to hold a referendum, including where it appears that the council has failed to have due regard to the outcome of local consultations. I told the House on 7 March 2002, Official Report, column 553W, that the Secretary of State did not intend to make any such directions until after we had completed a review of the regulations governing mayoral referendums, following the report "Reinvigorating Democracy? Mayoral Referendums in 2001" which the Electoral Commission published on 1 February 2002.

  Since that time we have been putting in place proposals for a comprehensive performance management regime for councils, including independent assessment of their corporate performance. We are giving greater freedoms and flexibilities to all councils, with greater freedoms for high performing authorities.

  Within this framework, we believe it will be right for each council to make and justify to local people its own judgments on the outcome of any consultation about proposals for a new constitution. Accordingly, in cases where, in our view, having regard to the outcome of the consultation, the judgment a council has reached does not appear to be justified, our approach will be not to intervene to direct a referendum.

  We had informed Birmingham, Bradford and Thurrock councils that the Secretary of State was minded to require them to hold a referendum, on the grounds that the councils failed to have due regard to the outcome of local

  811W
  consultations. These councils judged that the results of their consultation on new executive arrangements did not warrant giving local people the opportunity of a referendum. We took, and continue to take, the view that the consultation results would have justified a referendum.

  However, on the basis of the approach I am announcing today, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister does not propose to use his powers in these cases. We believe it is right that we make this clear to the councils today in order to remove uncertainty for them.

  Flooding
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his Department's role in preparing for floods; and how it is co-ordinated with DEFRA's responsibility for flood management. [63708]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department's principal role in preparing for floods is through the co-ordination activities of the Severe Weather Sub-Group of the Central Local Partnership, which is chaired by Ministers from this Department. There is also regular contact between both Ministers and officials from this Department and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  In addition, the former Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions published in February 2002 guidance to owners of homes and small businesses and people undertaking building work as well as planning authorities on "Preparing for floods". This complements the advice given on the consideration of flooding in the planning system (Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 "Development and flood risk"), published by the then DTLR in July 2001 and on measures of flood protection ("Damage limitation") and recovery from flooding ("After a flood") published by the Environment Agency in September 2001.

  Mobile Home Parks
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will bring forward legislation to protect the rights of park home residents. [63836]

  Mr. McNulty
  We are currently considering the options for changes to the law that would implement the undertakings given by the Government in its response to the Park Homes Working Party report.

  Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the(a) date, (h) location and (c) purpose was of visits by Ministers in his Department to Wales since 1997; and when he next intends to visit Wales. [62081]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed on 29 May 2002.

  Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. This Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Information in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  812W
  All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Computers
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many computers were replaced in his Department in each of the past three years; how the replaced units were disposed of and by which companies; and at what Cost. [60746]

  Mr. Leslie
  The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Planning
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy regarding planning gain. [64224]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Government published a consultation paper "Reforming Planning Obligations: delivering a fundamental change" in December 2001. This was a strategic level consultation and proposed the introduction of a tariff-based approach to planning obligations. We received over 500 responses, the majority of which welcomed our proposals. Ministers are considering policy options and there will be a policy statement in due course.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to publish a policy paper on planning reform. [62790]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We intend to continue driving forward the reform of the planning system. following the wide-ranging review set out in the Green Paper "Planning—Delivering a Fundamental Change".

  The Deputy Prime Minister will issue a policy statement prior to the parliamentary summer recess setting out how we intend to take forward the reform agenda when it is ready.

  Housing (North-West)
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has to amend regional planning guidance in the north-west to allow local authorities to encourage the allocation of land zoned for industrial use to be used for housing. [63149]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west were published on 20 May 2002. Policy UR5. This calls on local authorities to review existing commitments in development plans so that a realistic balance can be found between catering for strategic investments, providing for local indigenous economic growth and in meeting the broader social requirements of urban renaissance. Land that is no longer needed for business purposes could be put to alternate uses such as housing, with possibly a mix of uses considered.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government's new target is for the number of houses to be built in the north-west by 2021; and by how much this has changed from previous targets. [63152]
  813W
  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State published proposed changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west on 20 May 2002. These changes reduced the annual rate of housing provision form that in draft RPG by 15 per cent. The annualised average rate of housing provision for the region is 12,790 dwellings. The annualised figures apply to the period up to 2006 reflecting the 'plan, monitor and manage' approach set out in PPG3 which moves away from the previous 'predict and provide' approach. The proposed changes give weight to avoiding any premature release of greenfield land which would undermine attempts to promote the use of recycled land and the redevelopment of existing unfit and unpopular housing. Tackling low demand and abandonment lies at the heart of the revised strategy. The Secretary of State, in the consultation, on the proposed changes has requested views on whether the changes are sufficient to prevent the unnecessary release of greenfield land or whether there should be further changes to reflect the recommendations made by the Transport, Local Government and Regions Committee in its report on empty homes that no new planning permissions should be granted for greenfield sites.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the cost of the planned reduction of new houses in the north-west region will be distributed among local authorities in the north-west; and if brownfield sites will be treated more favourably than greenfield sites. [63383]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west were published on 20 May 2002. The distribution of housing provision in the region is dealt with in Policy UR7. The broad split, set out as annual average rates of provision net of clearance, is as follows:Manchester/Salford/Liverpool: 2,990
  Rest of Greater Manchester, Merseyside plus the Unitary Authorities of Halton and Warrington: 4,310
  Cheshire (exc. Halton and Warrington), Cumbria and Lancashire: 5,490.

  A more detailed breakdown is available in Table 5.1 of the proposed changes to Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west.

  The Government are committed to maximising the re-use of previously developed land and the conversion of existing buildings to promote regeneration and minimise the amount of greenfield land being taken for development. Policy UR4 of the proposed draft Regional Planning Guidance regional brownfield target of at least 70 per cent. has been set. This varies from 90 per cent. in Liverpool/Manchester/Salford to 50 per cent. in Cumbria. Further investment will be needed to meet these challenging targets and the Northwest Development Agency's strategies will need to be integrated with those of local planning and housing authorities to regenerate urban areas with mixed and balanced communities.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reason his Department cut the number of houses to be built in the north-west region to 12,790; what effect he estimates their decision will have on the area; what account was taken of the north-west regional development agency's aim of encouraging more employment in the north-west in making this change; and if he will review his decision after the first year of operation. [63151]
  814W
  Mr. McNulty
  The Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west were published on 20 May 2002. A key part of the strategy is to achieve the renaissance of urban areas by encouraging balanced economic growth and regeneration in a sustainable way. The proposed reduction in the annual rate of housing provision, coupled with an increase in the proportion of housing provided on previously used land from 65 per cent. to 70 per cent. are aimed at delivering this, while avoiding the premature release of greenfield land and promoting the use of recycled land, including the redevelopment of existing areas of unfit and unpopular housing; while supporting the Northwest Development Agency's aim of encouraging more employment in the NW region.

  The plan monitor, manage approach will enable the annual rates of housing provision to be kept under continuous review, with an expectation that regional planning guidance will be reviewed and rolled forward at least every five years or more frequently if monitoring reveals clear signs of either under or over provision.

  Homelessness
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on homelessness among young people in the South West. [63826]

  Mr. McNulty
  Between 1 January and 31 March 2002, there were 2,790 households in the South West region accepted by local authorities under statutory homelessness provisions, of which 153 were in the priority need category "vulnerable young person".

  The Homelessness Act 2002 will place a statutory requirement on local housing authorities to adopt a strategy for preventing homelessness in their district and ensuring that sufficient accommodation, and any necessary support, is available for people who are, or may become homeless. On 14 March 2002, authorities were invited to submit proposals to the Homelessness Directorate in my Department for funding for local homelessness strategies. 21 authorities in the South West region have submitted bids which are being considered currently.

  An Order has been laid for approval by Parliament to extend the groups of people who have a priority need for accommodation under the homelessness legislation. This will ensure that vulnerable homeless people leaving institutions, young people including those leaving care, and people fleeing domestic, racial and other forms of violence get the help they need.

  In addition to the funding available for homelessness strategies, £8 million per annum has been provided to local authorities (through the local government finance settlement, with effect from 2001–02) to implement the Homelessness Act. A further £10 million will be allocated in 2002–03 to enable authorities to deliver the Priority Need Order.

  Housing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the provision of schemes for guaranteeing(a) deposits and (b) rent for tenants in private rented accommodation. [63912]
  815W
  Mr. McNulty
  Rent Deposit Guarantee Schemes, which combine Deposit schemes and Rent in Advance/ Guarantee Schemes, can be effective in helping homeless households access the private rented sector. The Government fully recognise the valuable and vital service which Rent Deposit Guarantee Schemes can play in tackling homelessness. This is recognised in our recent report, "More than a roof'. It is for this reason that we currently fund a number of rent deposit schemes aroundthe country, and we would expect local authorities

  Revenue grants provided directly by ODPM1

  £000

  1997–982

  1998–992

  1999–20002

  2000–012

  2001–023

  2002–033

  Revenue support grant

  961

  708

  432

  98

  300

  0

  Redistributed non-domestic rates

  3,254

  3,328

  3,606

  4.006

  3,962

  4,466

  Specific and special grants outside AEF

  Single regeneration budget (SRB)

  20

  20

  18

  17

  0

  0

  Housing acts urban developments grants to debt changes

  0

  0

  16

  0

  16

  16

  House renovation grants capital financing specified capital grants (SCG)

  0

  0

  0

  0

  168

  0

  Total revenue grants

  4,235

  4,056

  4,072

  4,121

  4,446

  4,482

  1 Revenue figures are from ODPM. OPDM previously within DETR/DTLR

  2Outturn figures

  3Budget figures

  Housing grants provided directly by ODPM1,4

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Housing revenue account subsidy2

  2,205

  1,915

  1,724

  4,006

  2,717

  2,608

  Disabled facilities grant

  90

  90

  157

  162

  168

  180

  Private sector renewal grant3

  78

  60

  87

  0

  0

  0

  Starter homes initiative

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  450

  Homelessness

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  0

  Total

  2,373

  2,065

  1,968

  1,661

  2,894

  3,238

  1 The table excludes credit approvals (including those arising from the capital receipts initiative and The cash incentive scheme) as these represent permission to borrow. The financing of debt interest arising from this borrowing is already included in revenue support grant and HRA subsidy.

  2 Increases in 2001–02 and 2002–03 due to introduction of major repairs allowance.

  3 Up until 1 April 2000, Government met 60 per cent. of private sector renewal up to annual allocation limit. Since 1 April 2000. provision made within single capital pot.

  4 Figures relating to expenditure by Housing Corporation unavailable.

  Local Government (Internet Access)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) district, (b) borough, (c) city, (d) county, (e) town and (f) parish councils do not have access to the internet and world wide web. [63927]

  Mr. Raynsford
  All district, borough, city and county councils have access to the internet and the world wide web. We do not collect information on internet access relating to town and parish councils.

  Supporting People Programme
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to ensure that the(a) level and (b) distribution of the Supporting People special grant will ensure that London local authorities receive sufficient resources to meet their identified needs. [63959]

  Mr. McNulty
  Baseline allocations for 2003–04 will be based on current spend in 2002–03, plus an allowance for inflation. ODPM is providing guidance to assist local
  816W
  to continue to include such schemes within their homelessness strategies.

  Fareham
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what moneys have been provided(a) directly and (b) via agencies for which the Department has responsibility to the Fareham district since 1997. [63618]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The available information for Fareham district council is as follows.

  authorities in identifying current spend. Allocations for 2004–05 should be derived from the final report of the Supporting People Allocation Formula project, which is due by March 2003. The report will summarise the main features of the funding model, how it has been derived, target allocations and pace of change issues.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his assessment of the progress of London local authorities with the Supporting People programme in readiness for the launch of that programme. [63958]

  Mr. McNulty
  Progress of all authorities is monitored regularly by the Implementation team of the Supporting People Programme. Nationally there has been significant progress made, particularly in London, over the last year. A significant number of tasks remain to be delivered by April 2003, however, and close monitoring and support will continue.

  ILD 2000
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to continue to provide transitional protection to local authorities in England affected by the introduction of the ILD 2000; and if he will continue to provide such relief until findings of the review of the method of determining that index are implemented. [63960]

  Mr. McNulty
  No decisions on the future on transitional protection have been made as yet. We will consider the implications of the work to explore developing and updating the Indices of Deprivation 2000 on transitional protection during the course of that project.

  Concessionary Zones
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding was(a) provided for concessionary zones in the control total for Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services SSA and (b) received for concessionary zones for the EPCS SSA by each local authority in 2001–02. [63962]

  Mr. Raynsford
  An additional £54 million was provided for concessionary fares in 2001–02, including £8 million already announced in the Spending Review 2000. This funding was distributed using the District Services formula within EPCS. Funding for separate services within the block is not identified.

  Leicester Mayor
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on proposals for an elected mayor for Leicester. [64225]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. Whitehead) on 1 November 2001,Official Report, column 795W. Further to that answer, having carefully considered the circumstances of Leicester, we decided that it would not be appropriate to direct a mayoral referendum and we understand the Council have now begun operating their new constitution, involving a leader and Cabinet.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the commercial value of the site of the Millennium Dome if it were vacant. [63834]

  Mr. McNulty
  Independent advice from Jones Lang Lasalle satisfied us that demolishing the Dome would produce a lower return for the Government than retaining it and developing the site through the agreement with Meridian Delta Limited. Precise valuations are commercially confidential.

  Draft Local Government Bill
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultation was undertaken on making the Draft Local Government Bill a web-based publication only. [63926]
  818W
  Mr. Raynsford
  No specific consultation took place. The decision to make this document a largely web-based publication is consistent with our e-government objectives. However, paper copies remain available on request for those that want them.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish a consultation document on his proposals for a new system for the distribution of funding to local authorities. [62344]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As I announced to Parliament on 11 June, we intend to publish a consultation document containing our proposals for a new system for the distribution of general revenue funding to local authorities by mid-July.

  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many reports have been made to his Department through the Government office of the north-east by the North East Assembly accounting for expenditure of money provided under the Strengthening Regional Accountability Initiative; and if he will publish them. [62549]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government office has arrangements in place which require the North East Assembly to submit quarterly reports accounting for expenditure of money provided under the regional chambers fund. The quarterly reports are followed by a meeting between the North East Assembly and the Government office for the north-east, to discuss the reports in more detail.

  The North East Assembly has submitted one report, accounting for expenditure for the final quarter of 2001–02. This report was assessed and approved in line with guidance issued by the then Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  The report has not been published. The North East Assembly is a voluntary body and it is for them to decide whether to make their accounts available to the public.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Departmental Staff (Scotland)
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of(a) civil service, (b) executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public body jobs under the remit of her Department are located in Scotland; and how many of each have been relocated to Scotland since May 1997. [56316]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  There are approximately 590 jobs under the remit of my Department located in Scotland. They are all at the Student Loans Company, a non-departmental public body (NDPB) based in Glasgow since it was set up in 1990. This represents approximately 8 per cent. of NDPB jobs under the remit of my Department.

  Graduates
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the lowest decile average annual earnings are of an employed graduate in each 10-year cohort over 25 years. [52917]

  Margaret Hodge
  The following table shows gross weekly earnings at the lowest earnings decile of individuals, in each age group, who hold a first degree or higher qualification and are in full-time employment. The figures are estimated from the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

  Estimated gross weekly earnings at the lowest earnings decile, within each age group, for individuals who hold a first degree or higher qualification and are in full-time employment

  Age group

  Gross weekly earnings at lowest earnings decile £

  25–34

  270

  35–44

  340

  45–54

  310

  55–641

  320

  All aged 25–641

  300

  1 Includes women aged 60–64 who are in employment.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey, spring 2001. GB figures.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the upper decile average annual earnings are of an employed non-graduate in each 10-year age cohort over 25 years. [52918]

  Percentile gross weekly earnings (not seasonally adjusted) by level of highest qualification, 2001—England, full-time employees aged 16 to 59–64

  All full-time employees

  Level 5 (higher degree or equivalent)

  Level 4 (first degree or equivalent)

  Level 3 (2+ A—levels or equivalent

  Trade apprenticeships

  Level 2 (5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C or equivalent)

  Below level 2 (GCSE below grade C or equivalent

  Other qualification

  No qualification

  Min (first percentile)

  96

  208

  157

  99

  112

  80

  73

  90

  53

  10th percentile

  190

  326

  259

  191

  218

  162

  173

  176

  150

  20th percentile

  231

  404

  323

  231

  253

  205

  202

  216

  180

  30th percentile

  273

  469

  379

  263

  286

  231

  231

  248

  202

  40th percentile

  309

  518

  423

  300

  311

  269

  262

  278

  228

  Median

  350

  572

  480

  341

  345

  299

  293

  313

  250

  60th percentile

  404

  621

  531

  384

  396

  337

  329

  349

  283

  70th percentile

  470

  691

  600

  433

  448

  384

  369

  399

  308

  80th percentile

  558

  854

  702

  507

  507

  448

  428

  473

  350

  90th percentile

  715

  1.110

  900

  643

  613

  577

  525

  614

  450

  Max (last percentile)

  1,493

  1,910

  1,856

  1,299

  957

  1,167

  980

  1,069

  802

  Notes:

  1. Earnings data are based on information from about two fifths of all respondents.

  2. Respondents whose hourly pay is £100 or more are excluded from the sample.

  3. Gross weekly and hourly earnings data are known to be underestimated in the LFS, principally because of proxy responses.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey (LFS), autumn (September 2001 to November 2001)

  European Agency Workers Directive
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the effect of the European Agency Workers Directive on schools. [59364]

  Mr. Miliband
  An initial regulatory impact assessment of the proposed directive on agency workers prepared by
  820W
  Margaret Hodge
  The following table shows gross weekly earnings at the highest earnings decile of individuals in each age group, for:

  (a) all non-graduates qualified up to Level 3 or below; and

  (b) non-graduates whose highest qualification is at Level 3.

  The figures are for individuals who are in full-time employment, and are estimated from the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

  Estimated gross weekly earnings at the highest earnings decile of full-time employees in each age band, for (a) non-graduates and (b) those who hold a Level 3 qualification

  £

  Age group

  All non-graduates

  Non-graduates who hold a Level 3 qualification

  25–34

  570

  640

  35–44

  670

  810

  45–54

  620

  730

  55–641

  570

  730

  All aged 25–641

  620

  730

  1 Includes women aged 60–64 who are in employment

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey, spring 2001. GB figures.

  Average Weekly Earnings
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average weekly earnings were in the last year for which figures are available, of each decile of those whose highest educational qualification is(a) a higher degree, (b) a first degree, (c) A Level or equivalent, (d) GCSE/0 Level or equivalent, (e) GCSE below grade C and (f) no qualification. [59115]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 10 June 2002]: The information requested is contained in the table.

  my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and industry has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

  The Commission's proposal would, as it stands, require that agency workers in schools did not receive less favourable basic working and employment conditions than comparable permanent workers. The proposal contains limited derogations from this requirement, which may be applicable in some cases. The proposal is subject

  821W
  to the co-decision procedure and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry remains in dialogue with other member countries and the Commission.

  Refurbishment
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the refurbishment projects that(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. [59767]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  My Department has no refurbishment projects in progress and no future plans that will call for the use of timber.

  Further Education
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the(a) capital costs and (b) additional revenue cost involved in the creation of new dedicated 16 to 19 provision in (i) Hackney, (ii) Islington and (iii) Lambeth. [60042]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 11 June 2002]: The information requested is estimated as follows:

  £

  Project

  Capital funding committed by LSC

  Revenue funding committed by LSC

  Hackney

  7,720,000

  3,203,750

  Islington

  5,590,000

  100,000

  Lambeth

  0

  30,491

  These figures relate to the Learning and Skills Council commitment at the time of reply to the new provision proposed after area inspections in the three boroughs.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many representations she has received in each month since August 2001 about(a) non-payments or delayed payments to ILA providers, and (b) imminent bankruptcy, liquidation or administration of ILA providers. [60230]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 10 June 2002]: The information requested, covering the period 1 August 2001 to 31 May 2002, is set out in the table. The table shows contact with providers by telephone, and through letter and email. Several of the telephone contacts may relate to one provider. While all correspondence is logged not all telephone calls have been recorded. This was particularly the case just prior to the closure and in the immediate aftermath when the level of incoming calls to the Department was very high. In addition, covering the same period, some 70,000 calls have been logged by the ILA centre in Darlington. These calls are not categorised and therefore are not included.
  822W

  Telephone representations

  Written representations

  Month

  Payment query

  Potential receivership

  Payment query

  Potential receivership

  2001

  August

  —

  —

  3

  —

  September

  —

  —

  —

  —

  October

  14

  —

  1

  6

  November

  33

  —

  9

  3

  December

  42

  1

  29

  4

  2002

  January

  29

  1

  16

  —

  February

  16

  1

  12

  1

  March

  40

  8

  15

  1

  April

  45

  8

  15

  1

  May

  19

  5

  23

  2

  Higher Education Students
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answers of 18 March 2002,Official Report, columns 113–14W, on higher education, if she will provide a further breakdown of the participation in higher education for each year group of those aged between 18 and 30, showing the percentage attending (a) full-time and (b) part-time and (i) degree and (ii) sub-degree courses of higher education. [60453]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 10 June 2002]: The individual year of age entry rates for 2000–01 broken down by mode of study are shown in the table.

  Percentage

  Age1

  Full-time entry rate2

  Part-time entry rate2

  Overall initial entry rate2

  183

  19.9

  0.5

  20.5

  19

  9.5

  0.5

  10.0

  20

  2.2

  0.5

  2.7

  21

  1.1

  0.4

  1.5

  22

  0.7

  0.4

  1.1

  23

  0.5

  0.4

  0.9

  24

  0.4

  0.4

  0.7

  25

  0.3

  0.3

  0.7

  26

  0.3

  0.4

  0.6

  27

  0.3

  0.4

  0.6

  28

  0.2

  0.3

  0.6

  29

  0.2

  0.3

  0.6

  30

  0.2

  0.3

  0.5

  Total4

  36.0

  5.0

  41.0

  1 Age as at 31 August 2000.

  2 HE entrants in 2000–01 as a percentage of separate age population; excludes entrants with previous HE experience and excludes courses of less than one year duration. The overall IER is the sum of the unrounded full-time and part-time initial entry rates, calculated using student records collected by HESA and LSC, and ONS population estimates. Note: as a result of the 2001 Census, the ONS are intending to release revised population estimates by early 2003. This could result in some changes to the figures shown in this table.

  3 Includes a small number of entrants aged 17.

  4 The individual rates are rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent. and so do not sum exactly to the totals which are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Breakdowns of the initial entry rate by level of undergraduate course are not available. For the purposes of the IER calculation no distinction is made between initial entrants to first degree or other undergraduate courses of at least one year duration.

  Performance Targets
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the performance
  823W
  targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it. [60468]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department has a wide range of targets to deliver its agenda. High level targets are set out in "Delivering Results, A Strategy to 2006", available via the DfES website, www.dfes.gov.uk. These are cascaded through non-departmental public bodies, local education authorities and schools and reflected in their plans. Progress against targets is monitored by the Department, the Office for Standards in Education, the Adult Learning Inspectorate, and by non-departmental public bodies and local partners involved in the delivery of the education, training and skills agenda. The Department publishes information on performance against key targets in its departmental report, which is available from the House of Commons Library, and via the Department's website, www.dfes.gov.uk.

  Computers
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are(a) in place and (b) under discussion in her Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE Directive. [60739]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy at the Department for Trade and Industry, on 12 June 2002,Official Report, column 1266W.

  Entertainment Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended. [61652]

  Estelle Morris
  My Department held no centrally organised Christmas parties for staff in 2001. Some individual divisions or teams will have organised their own events, but these would have been funded by contributions from the staff themselves.

  Members of Parliament (Personal Data)
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what 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,

  Minister

  Date

  Location

  Purpose

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  27 April 2000

  Llandudno

  National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers conference

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Learning and Technology

  7 March 2001

  Cardiff

  Part of a series of events for young people to discuss citizenship issues

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  23 March 2001

  Abergavenny and Newport

  School visit, and to address the Secondary Heads Association conference

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Young People and Learning

  15 October 2001

  Ewloe

  Association of Youth and Community Workers conference

  Secretary of State for Education and Skills

  27 March 2002

  Cardiff

  Association of Teachers and Lecturers conference

  824W
  (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002. [61834]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Ministers and officials in the Department for Education and Skills 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.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the levels of tuition fees are for overseas students attending universities in England and Wales in each year since 1996; and what concessions applied to students from(a) low income and (b) heavily indebted poor countries. [62027]

  Margaret Hodge
  The requested information is not held centrally. Universities are responsible for setting their own level of tuition fees for overseas students. Overseas fees are generally around £6,000 to £8,000 per year for an undergraduate course but can range from £4,000 to £17,000 per year depending on the institution, the level and the type of course. The UK Government and other UK organisations provide a number of scholarships and awards to help international students study in the UK. For example, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is providing up to 1,000 extra postgraduate and research places through the Chevening scholarship scheme. Universities also have flexibility in dealing with individual students' circumstances and waive or reduce fees where they consider appropriate: a number of universities are currently waiving overseas fees for students from Zimbabwe.

  Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [62070]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  (holding answer 17 June 2002]: From the information available to me, which does not date hack to 1997, the following visits to Wales have been undertaken by Ministers in this Department and its predecessor the Department for Education and Employment. In all cases travel for these visits was undertaken fully in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
  825W
  No further visits are planned at present.

  Sixth-form Provision
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what impact this year's funding proposals will have on the budgets of(a) community colleges, (b) sixth-form colleges and (c) sixth-form schools. [62253]

  Margaret Hodge
  Total funding for further education in 2002–03 allocated to the Learning and Skills Council is £4.25 billion. This is a £313 million, or 5 per cent., increase over expenditure in 2001–02. The allocations by the Department cover FE sector colleges and do not differentiate between sixth-form colleges and general FE colleges.

  The LSC has a budget of £1.35 billion for the funding of LEAs for post-16 education in schools in 2002–03. Comparable figures for LEA spending in 2001–02 are not available. Every school has a Real Terms Guarantee figure based on spending in the baseline year, 2000–01. The overall budget for every school with a sixth form must contain an element which is at least equal to that amount. The 2002–03 LSC funding allocation for two thirds of school sixth forms is higher under the LSC formula than under the Real Terms Guarantee.

  Community Colleges
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action the Government are taking to improve the level of retention of academic staff in community colleges. [62254]

  Margaret Hodge
  Over £310 million is available to the further education sector over the period 2001–04 for the teaching pay initiative, specifically to recruit, retain and reward high quality teachers and lecturers. This is separate to any general pay increase a teacher or lecturer may receive. We have also introduced training bursaries, and from this autumn we will be introducing golden hellos and (subject to the approval of Parliament) the repayment of teacher loans. All are recruitment and retention initiatives which offer significant financial rewards both to students training to be teachers and lecturers, as well as to those taking up teaching posts in FE shortage subject areas.

  Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the universities, founded before 1992, that will receive a developmental visit from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. [62457]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 18 June 2002]: The relevant institutions are: the universities of Oxford, Durham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Nottingham, Reading, Southampton, Hull, Exeter, Leicester, Keele, Sussex, York, East Anglia, Essex, Kent at Canterbury, Lancaster, Warwick, Aston, Bath, Bradford, Brunel, City, Loughborough, Salford, Surrey.

  This represents all pre-1992 universities other than Bristol and Cambridge. These two universities will be subject to full institutional review in 2002–03.
  826W
  Under the new quality assurance arrangements to be introduced by the QAA later in 2002, all institutions will be subject to full institutional review. If they are not scheduled for institutional review in 2002–03, they must undergo at least one development visit from the QAA.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the role and responsibilities of Learning and Skills councils in regard to funding private training providers which provide courses accredited by official examination boards. [62678]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is able to fund training providers who were not previously eligible for Further Education Funding Council funding and who offer courses accredited by examination boards. It has produced a manual 'Initial Assessment of New Provision' which gives guidance on how it will assess and approve any new providers.

  Once a provider has been judged to be a suitable supplier of post-16 learning provision, it is eligible for LSC funds. However private training providers do not have an automatic right to direct funding by the LSC. Local LSCs, as part of their planning work, will carry out a strategic assessment of the adequacy and quality of local provision to determine areas that need to be strengthened or where there are gaps in provision. It is a matter for the local councils to arrange for the delivery of such provision from appropriate existing or new providers.

  Local councils also monitor the results of inspections of private training providers. It is crucial that the highest standards are achieved and maintained and, where this is not so, the councils will take tough action to improve or replace the provision.

  Performance Tables
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to develop value-added methodologies; and when she expects to publish value-added information in school performance tables. [62778]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The methodology to be used for the value added measures was discussed in the consultation document, Publication of School and College Performance Tables in 2002, issued in March, copies of which have been placed in the Library. Final decisions based on that consultation will be announced in July.

  This year, we intend to publish value added measures in the secondary school performance tables of progress made from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 and from Key Stage 3 to GCSE/GNVQ for all secondary schools. We are also conducting a pilot programme for measures of progress made from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 for primary schools, with full publication planned for 2003. We aim to pilot a measure of value added between Key Stage 2 and GCSE/GNVQ in 2003, and between GCSE/GNVQ and A/AS-level in 2004, prior to full publication the following year.

  Infant Classes
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average teacher to pupil ratio was in each year since 1997 in infant classes. [62854]
  827W
  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: The information requested is not available centrally.

  Information for primary schools is shown in the table:

  Pupil teacher ratio in primary schools1 1997–20022 Position in January each yea

  Pupil: teacher ratio

  1997

  23.4

  1998

  23.7

  1999

  23.5

  2000

  23.3

  2001

  22.9

  20022

  22.5

  1 The pupil:teacher ratio within schools is the ratio of the full-time equivalent number of pupils (counting each part-time pupil as 0.5) to the full-time equivalent number of teachers.

  2 Provisional.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children have been statemented in Buckinghamshire and (b) the Chesham and Amersham constituency in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [62856]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: The information requested is shown in the table:

  Pupils with a statement of special educational needs in Buckinghamshire local education authority and Chesham and Amersham constituency1 1993–20022 Position in January each year

  Buckinghamshire3

  Buckinghamshire4

  Milton Keynes4

  Chesham and Amersham constituency

  1993

  3,287

  5—

  5—

  5—

  1994

  3,506

  5—

  5—

  5—

  1995

  3,234

  5—

  5—

  5—

  1996

  3,615

  5—

  5—

  5—

  1997

  3,737

  5—

  5—

  549

  1998

  5—

  2,409

  1,369

  559

  1999

  5—

  2,347

  1,402

  549

  2000

  5—

  2,340

  1,332

  592

  2001

  5—

  2,338

  1,198

  590

  2002

  5—

  2,235

  979

  6—

  1 Includes maintained primary and secondary schools and maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  2 Provisiona

  3 Before local government re-organisation.

  4 After local government re-organisation.

  5 Not applicable.

  6 Not available.

  Source:

  Annual Schools' Census.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the contracts awarded by her Department since January 2000 for(a) the Fast Track Teaching Programme, (b) the Teachers' International Professional Development Scheme and (c) leasing laptop computers to teachers, stating in each case (i) the name of the successful contractor and (ii) whether the contracts were subject to open tender. [62957]

  Mr. Miliband
  Contracts have been let for:the development and delivery of the Fast Track Teaching Programme to Interactive Skills, for the assessment and selection of applicants and the staging of three professional development
  828W
  events; and to the Centre for British Teaching, for the provision of on-going professional development and job-finding services. Contracts were subject to open tender;
  the delivery of the Teachers' International Professional Development (TIPD) programme to the bodies listed below. The first three of these contracts were awarded to the organisations which had completed the relevant pilot work. The other four were subject to competitive tender to a number of selected providers:

  1. British Council for the provision of short-term visits and exchanges

  2. Technology Colleges Trust for the provision of short-term visits

  3. League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers for the provision of short-term visits

  4. British Council for the provision of visits on the school determined element

  5. National Foundation for Education Research for the evaluation of the TIPD programme

  6. Technology Colleges Trust for the provision of short-term visits

  7. League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers for the provision of short-term visits;

  the purchase of laptops under the Laptops for Teachers scheme to the suppliers listed below. Contracts were subject to open tender:

  Acer UK Ltd.

  Apple

  Canon UK Ltd.

  Compaq Computer Ltd.

  Compusys

  Computacenter

  DELL Computer Corporation Ltd.

  Egton Consulting and Technical

  Ergo Computing UK Ltd.

  European Electronique

  Hi-Grade Computers plc

  IBM UK Ltd.

  Links Education Limited

  Merseygrid

  NEC Computers International

  Novatech Direct Ltd.

  PC World Business

  Ramseys

  RM plc

  Teksys Ltd.

  Tulip Computers

  Viglen Ltd.

  Watford Electronics

  XMA Ltd.

  Unpaid Advisers
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 23 May,Official Report, column 468W. on unpaid advisers, if she will list the steps that were taken to ensure no conflicts of interest arose as a result of this appointment. [62970]

  Estelle Morris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 19 June, 2002,official Report, column 332W.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of pupils living in(a) a residential care home and (b) with foster parents took (i) authorised and (ii) unauthorised absence in the last five years for which figures are available broken down by (A) Government Office region and (B) local education authority. [63115]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 19 June 2002]: This level of detail is not available. Information on the number of pupils missing due to authorised and unauthorised absence is collected at school level and information on individual pupils cannot be identified from this data.

  Appointments
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who is responsible for appointing(a) the chair and (b) the board of trustees of the (i) British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, (ii) National College of School Leadership, (iii) Teacher Training Agency, (iv) Technology College Trust and (v) Centre for Information on Language Teaching. [63117]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 19 June 2002]: The information requested is listed below:

  (i)(ii) and (iii) my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills is responsible for the appointments of the chairs and board members of the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA), National College of School Leadership (NCSL) and the Teacher Training Agency (TTA). Appointments to all three bodies are made in accordance with the guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).

  (iv) The chair of the Technology Colleges Trust (TCT) is appointed by the Trust's Council of Management (Council). Members of the TCT's Council are appointed in accordance with the Trust's Articles of Association.

  (v) The chair and governors of the Centre for information on Language Teaching (CILT) are appointed by the governors. The governors consult and involve a range of other bodies that have an interest in the work of the CILT, to assist in selecting suitable persons to appoint.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what decisions have been made by her Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63128]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle on 25 October 2001, Official Report, column 328W.

  ME
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what educational assistance is given to pupils with myalgic encephalomyelitis who miss schooling through illness. [63144]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  In November last year, the Department for Education and Skills jointly with the Department of Health published statutory guidance "Access to education for children and young people with Medical needs". The guidance sets out minimum standards 830W
  of education for all children who are unable to attend school due to their medical needs, including those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

  Local Education Authorities' responsibilities towards pupils who are unable to attend school because of their medical needs should ensure that pupils are not at home without education for more than 15 working days and that children educated at home receive a minimum of five hours home tuition a week. The nature of the provision must be responsive to the demands of what can be a changing medical condition.

  The Chief Medical Officer's report on Children and Young People with ME was published by the Department of Health in January this year, taking into account the recommendations of an independent working group. The report proposes ways in which clinicians and the National Health Service might improve the health and social care of those affected by CFS/ME. It also includes references to education provision.

  Funded Initiatives
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the funded initiatives which have been introduced by her Department since 1997, stating(a) the level of funding in each year for each initiative and (b) whether those resources were provided direct to (i) schools, (ii) local education authorities and (iii) other bodies outside her direct control. [63939]

  Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: Details of spending by my Department including new initiatives funded from 1997–98 and plans up to 2003–04 are presented in Table 4.2 of the departmental annual report issued 12 June 2002 (CM 5402, pages 35–36).

  Schools funding is paid to local education authorities who are required to devolve the majority of funding to head teachers. Other funding is paid via other bodies including the Learning and Skills Council, the Higher Education Funding Council, Connexions partnerships, the Student Loans Company and the Sure Start programme.

  Training Organisations
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many national training organisations have been wound up; how many have been replaced by skills sector councils; and how many will not be replaced. [63969]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We have not wound up any national training organisations although we removed their formal recognition from 31 March 2002. National training organisations are independent bodies and are free to carry on as entities in their own right. The continued funding, operation and staffing of former national training organisations are decisions for the board of each organisation.

  We are, however, establishing a smaller, stronger network of sector skills councils in sectors where employers can demonstrate their proposals meet stringent sector skills councils' standards. Former national training organisations may make proposals for a sector skills council licence although it has never been the intention to replace national training organisations with sector skills councils on a head to head basis.
  831W
  We are working with five trailblazer sector skills councils and have recommended that a further four sectors move quickly to a development phase.

  Teachers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many trainee teachers have benefited from golden hellos in each year since 1998, broken down by Government office region. [64109]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department has received claims from local education authorities for reimbursement of golden hello payments made post-training to teachers in the local Government office regions as follows:

  2000–011

  2001–021

  East Midlands

  86

  51

  East of England

  122

  88

  London

  112

  73

  North East

  29

  16

  North West

  167

  129

  South East

  168

  61

  South West

  122

  64

  West Midlands

  136

  47

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  131

  40

  1 Financial year

  The decline in the number of golden hellos paid in 2001–02 is caused by teachers deferring to take their payment until after completion of induction under the new arrangements operating from September 2000. The number of payments is expected to rise significantly in 2002–03.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers working in schools in the Greater London area are between(a) 50 and 55 and (b) 55 years and over. [63588]

  Mr. Miliband
  The numbers of teachers in regular full or part-time service in the maintained schools sector in London Government office region at 31 March 2000 (the latest date for which provisional data are available) who were(a) aged 50 and 54 inclusive and (b) aged 55 or over were as follows:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  50 to 54

  6,800

  1,400

  8,200

  55 and over

  3,300

  1,200

  4,500

  Some 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of part-timers are not recorded on the Teacher's Pension Scheme, from which the data are obtained.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the change in standard spending assessment for education has been for(a) Wiltshire and (b) England in each year since 1987. [63831]
  832W
  Mr. Miliband
  The current funding system was introduced in 1990–91 and the following table provides the information requested since then.

  Increased percentage (in cash terms)

  Wiltshire

  England

  1990–91

  —

  —

  1991–92

  16.4

  16.2

  1992–93

  6.5

  7.1

  1993–94

  —

  —

  1994–95

  2.3

  1.8

  1995–96

  1.6

  1.2

  1996–97

  4.8

  4.3

  1997–98

  —

  —

  1998–99

  5.2

  5.5

  1999–2000

  6.8

  5.7

  2000–01

  5.9

  5.4

  2001–02

  5.1

  4.8

  2002–03

  6.5

  6.0

  Notes:

  Figures for 1993–94 and 1997–98 are not shown because they do not reflect like for like comparisons:

  1. From 1993–94 further education was no longer included in the SSA.

  2. Following local government reorganisation, Swindon became an LEA in its own right in 1997–98 and was no longer included in Wiltshire's SSA.

  3. In 1997–98 £527 million was taken out of the education SSA to fund the nursery voucher scheme.

  4. The percentage increases expressed in the chart above are adjusted to reflect changes in LEA functions from 1998–99 onwards.

  5. 2002–03 figures include the Learning and Skills Council allocation for post-16 education.

  Education Policy
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what extra funding has been allocated within the SSA to carry out education policy initiatives during this financial year, broken down by local authority. [63601]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Education Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) is unhypothecated. It is therefore up to local education authorities to decide how much funding they should allocate for education policy initiatives: there is no specific allocation within Education SSA for 2002–03 at local level.

  Special Grants
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what extra funding to schools in England she has provided in the form of special grants outside the SSA from 1999 to the present; how much has been provided; and for what purposes. [63602]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table shows the Department's special grants paid under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 from 1999–2000 to 2002–03. The table does not include specific grants provided by the Department such as the Standards Fund.
  833W

  £000

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  School Standards Grant

  —

  293,219

  631,307

  645,027

  School Budget Support Grant

  —

  50,000

  —

  —

  Education Budget Support Grant

  —

  —

  52,394

  —

  Teachers Pay Grants

  —

  276,573

  479,275

  120,835

  GM Transitional Grants

  7,376

  21,010

  10,335

  33

  Post-Sixteen Budget Support Grant

  —

  —

  —

  20,100

  Notes:

  1 2002–03 figures are provisional estimates/payments made to date and, as such, are likely to change.

  2. Figures are in cash terms.

  Regulation
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the work of the Better Regulation Task Force in reducing unnecessary regulations for which her Department is responsible. [63158]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  We have taken forward the recommendations in the Better Regulation Task Force's report "Red Tape Affecting Head Teachers" in April 2000. For those recommendations relating to deregulation, we have taken appropriate measures in the current Education Bill, in particular for deregulation of school governance arrangements, and the streamlining of some governance functions.

CABINET OFFICE

  Public Appointments (Sikhs)
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many public appointments are held by Sikhs. [63610]

  Mr. Alexander
  My Department does not collect data on the number of Sikhs appointed to public appointments. It collects diversity data for public appointments on the following criteria: Bangladeshi; Black-African; Black-Caribbean; Black-any other; Indian; Pakistani; Chinese; mixed ethnic background; any other Asian; White; or any other ethnic background.

  My Department publishes summary ethnic data covering all Government Departments in the Public Bodies' yearbook; the latest edition is 'Public Bodies 2001'.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Scottish Devolution
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many times his office has made representations to the Scottish Executive since May 1999 broken down by(a) Department approached, (b) subject and (c) date; [59528]

  (2) what plans he has to transfer the administration of reserved powers and functions of the Department for Work and Pensions, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies within its remit from his Department to the Scotland Office; [59529]
  834W
  (3) how many representations the Scottish Executive has made to his Department since May 1999 broken down by (a) Scottish Executive Department, (b) subject and (c) date. [59530]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24 May 2002,Official Report, column 600W.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what effect problems with NIRS2 have had on their ability to produce research and statistics on pensions [61381]

  Mr. McCartney
  Data from NIRS fed into two regular pensions related national statistics publications issued by the Department. The publications were "Contributions and Qualifying Years for Retirement Pension" and "Second Tier Pension Provision". The most recent published data relates to the financial year 1995–96. NIRS2 is now able to produce the data required for the Department's statistical publications and departmental analysts are currently working on processing and investigating NIRS2 data covering the financial years up to 2000–01. It is intended that publication will resume later this year.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63141]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pendle by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Mr. Darling) on 24 October 2001,Official Report, column 243W.

  Benefit Fraud (Sefton)
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Sefton council. [64865]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's (BFI) report on Sefton council was published today and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The BFI reports that the council has actively demonstrated a strong commitment towards raising standards within its benefits service and has many areas of good practice. The report also shows that Sefton has some scope for making improvements.
  835W
  The report notes that a single housing benefit and council tax benefit claim form had been introduced and that this was broadly in line with BFI's national model.

  Inspectors found that 94 per cent. of the claims examined had been assessed accurately and that the supporting evidence had been considered. A weakness was identified in the evidence gathered about earnings and capital.

  There were some delays in processing renewal claims and inadequate checks on claims that were not renewed. BFI also found that the council did not have a benefit overpayment policy and lacked the necessary management controls to be assured that overpayments were dealt with correctly.

  The council has taken positive steps to counter benefit fraud. The performance of the counter fraud team was found to be effective, systematically achieving successful prosecutions although the council had not offered administrative penalties or issued a caution since introducing its prosecution policy. Investigation work might also be targeted more effectively to increase the number of benefit frauds detected.

  Following a best value review by the council of its benefits services, elected Members had approved new investment to increase the number of staff allocated to benefits and improvement to IT.

  Sefton administered some £73 million in housing benefits in 2000–01.

  The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit, as well as counter fraud activities.

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

  A BFI best value inspection report on the benefits service is also published today and has been placed in the Library. It examines the service from a customer service and value for money point of view. For best value, inspectors found that Sefton council provided a fair or one star benefits service, which would probably improve to be equal to that of high-performing authorities.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the royal prerogative. [63048]

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

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Charities
  Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is on the voluntary registration of charities. [64866]

  Beverley Hughes
  The current regulations which made registration voluntary for charities connected with a number of religious bodies expire on 1 October 2002. My noble Friend Lord Filkin is today laying a new statutory instrument to extend those regulations until 1 October 2007. The Performance and Innovation Unit, as part of their review of the legal framework for charities, are considering the matter of exception and their report will be published in due course. The extension of the regulations will allow time for the implementation of any changes which the report may recommend.

  Child Asylum Seekers
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of places required for children in accommodation centres(a) during the pilots, (b) in five years and (c) in 10 years. [51744]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 23 April 2002]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) gave my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Woodward) on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 551W.

  Ministerial Private Offices
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the running costs were of(a) his Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff and (b) his Department in each year from May 1997 to the nearest date for which the information is available. [40986]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Running costs for the Home Secretary's office, his Ministers' offices, the Private Office Management Support Unit and Parliamentary Secretariat for each year from 1997 were as follows:

  Year

  Pay costs

  Other running costs

  1997–98

  1,551,644

  572,622

  1998–99

  1,566,018

  1,202,633

  1999–2000

  1,619,459

  791,588

  2000–01

  1,223,794

  841,809

  2001–021

  1,643,622

  943,022

  1 Figures are provisional as at year end

  Running cost information for the Department for the period from May 1997 is published in the appropriation and resource accounts which are already in the public domain. Figures for 2001–02 will be published in due course.

  European Arrest Warrant
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the United Kingdom definition is for the purposes of the proposed European arrest warrant of(a) swindling, (b) racism and (c) xenophobia. [63340]
  837W
  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The list in Article 2.2 of the Framework Decision on the European Arrest Warrant contains broad headings, designed to ensure that all serious offences are caught. It is for the requesting state to decide whether the conduct in question falls within one of the headings.

  In the United Kingdom (UK), depending on circumstances, if issued by a judicial authority in the UK, "swindling" would include offences under the Theft Acts of 1968 and 1978.

  The UK has a number of offences which could fall into the category of "racism" and "xenophobia". These include racial discrimination, incitement to racial hatred, possession and distribution of racially inflammatory material and publication of material intended to stir up racial hatred.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which offences in France for which British citizens could be extradited under the European arrest warrant are unknown to British law. [63366]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government are not responsible for the law of another European Union member state. It will be for the requesting state to establish that the offence in respect of which extradition is sought is one covered by the Framework Decision on the European arrest warrant.

  The Government believe those who break the law of France while in that country should be returned to stand trial there, irrespective of whether the conduct is an offence under United Kingdom law. In the same way, we would expect France to return someone who had broken the law here even if the conduct was not contrary to French law.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether(a) non-British residents of, (b) British overseas territories citizens resident in and (c) UK citizens resident in (i) Gibraltar, (ii) Jersey, (iii) Guernsey, (iv) Alderney, (v) the Isle of Man, (vi) British sovereign bases in Cyprus and (vii) other British overseas and dependent territories will be subject to the proposed European arrest warrant. [63331]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The European arrest warrant system will operate in Gibraltar, as stated in Article 33 of the Council Framework Decision on the European arrest warrant and surrender procedures between member states. The Framework Decision does not apply to the jurisdictions of British overseas territories or the crown dependencies. The nationality of any resident has no bearing on the applicability of the proposals.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards he proposes to prevent the extradition of UK citizens under the European arrest warrant for offences which are unknown to English or Scots law. [63365]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government believe that those who break the law of another European Union (EU) member state while in that country should be returned to stand trial there, irrespective of whether the conduct is an offence under United Kingdom law, in the same way that we would expect our EU partners to return someone who had broken the law here even if the conduct was not illegal in the person's country of nationality.
  838W
  However, the legislation to give effect to the European arrest warrant will provide that no one can be extradited from the United Kingdom for conduct which takes place in this country and which is not contrary to United Kingdom law.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards he proposes to prevent the extradition of UK citizens under the European arrest warrant without there being a proper case to answer. [63367]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Currently extradition between Council of Europe countries, which includes all European Union member states, is governed by the European Convention on Extradition (ECE).

  Under the terms of Article 12 of the ECE, extradition requests have to be accompanied by an arrest warrant (or certificate of conviction, in conviction cases), a statement of the offences for which extradition is requested and a copy of the relevant enactments.

  Requests do not have to be accompanied by material establishing that there is a case against the person whose extradition is sought. That will not be changed by the introduction of the European arrest warrant.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which jurisdiction it is proposed will determine, under the European arrest warrant, whether the property in the UK of British residents may be seized as evidence. [63339]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  As is currently the case with extradition requests, in European arrest warrant cases decisions on seizure of property in the United Kingdom (UK) for use as evidence will be taken by the British police in accordance with UK law.

  Work Permits
  Tony Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were awarded to persons from(a) India, (b) South Africa, (c) Bangladesh and (d) Jamaica recruited to UK police forces in the last five years. [62633]

  Beverley Hughes
  The number of work permits issued to United Kingdom police forces are listed in the table.

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  India

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  South Africa

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Bangladesh

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Jamaica

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  None of these were for non-European economic area nationals to be employed as a police officer. The occupations in question were an intelligence analyst and two analyst programmers.

  Computers
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are(a) in place and (b) under discussion in his Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE Directive. [60755]
  839W
  Beverley Hughes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Energy and Construction (Mr. Wilson) on 12 June 2002,Official Report, column 1266W.

  Asylum Accommodation Centres
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the interim report by Mr. Stephen Moore into the Yarl's Wood disturbances; and if he will make a statement. [60288]

  Beverley Hughes
  The final report of Mr. Moore's inquiry will be published as soon as practicable after the completion of the investigation into the events at Yarl's Wood removal centre. The timing for this will be dependent upon the progress of the separate inquiries being conducted by Bedfordshire police, Bedfordshire fire and rescue service, Bedfordshire county council and Group 4.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature of the educational facilities and curriculum he plans for asylum accommodation centres. [59275]

  Beverley Hughes
  Children in accommodation centres will receive an education which will mirror that provided in schools, suitably tailored to their needs, and which will prepare them for entry to school if necessary.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he has made with his Department's budget for the construction and running of asylum accommodation centres in each of the next three financial years. [59076]

  Beverley Hughes
  Spending plans and priorities for all Home Office areas, including accommodation centres for asylum seekers, are under discussion with Treasury as part of Spending Review 2002 which covers the period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2002,Official Report, column 842W, on alcohol, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter to chief police officers and chief executives of local authorities regarding the measures relating to alcohol consumption in public places contained in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. [62195]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  A copy of the letter of 24 August 2001 to all chief executives of local authorities and chief officers of police has now been placed in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to him dated 22 April 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss H. Abdi. [61762]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 25 June 2002.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to him dated 28 March 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. A Abu-Jazad. [61682]
  840W
  Mr. Blunkett
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 21 June 2002.

  Drugs
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent discussions he has had with medical professionals about the possible dangers of taking cannabis; what their advice on the matter was; and if he will make a statement; [61945]

  (2) what recent discussions he has had with chief police officers about the level of drug-motivated crime being committed; and if he will make a statement; [61947]

  (3) what recent discussions he has had with the Crown Prosecution Service about the prosecuting of people found in possession of cannabis; what form the discussions took; and if he will make a statement: [61943]

  (4) what recent discussions he has had with chief police officers about the arresting of people found in possession of cannabis; what form those discussions took; and if he will make a statement; [61944]

  (5) if he will estimate how much crime is committed, motivated by (a) cannabis and (b) other illegal drugs; and if he will make a statement. [61946]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The problem of drug misuse and the amount of crime associated with it, such as crime committed to help fund a drug habit or organised crime involving the supply of illicit drugs motivated by financial gain, are central to the Government's drugs and crime reduction strategies. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and other Home Office Ministers have regular and frequent discussions with chief police officers on these and related matters.

  Additionally, representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers and officials from the Crown Prosecution Service are regularly involved in discussions with Home Office officials on these and related issues, such as arrest referral and offences of cannabis possession.

  Regarding levels of crime motivated by cannabis, Home Office Research Study 205 "Drugs and Crime: The results of the second developmental stage of the NEW-ADAM programme" by Bennett, T. (2000), copies of which are in the Library, states that there is some suggestion that, for offenders in general, cannabis use is associated with a slight inflation of criminal involvement. However, for offenders who use heroin and crack/cocaine, whether or not they also use cannabis makes little difference to their considerably higher level of offending. Regarding levels of crime motivated by all illegal drugs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 22 May 2002, Official Report, column 450W.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has met Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, the Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to consider the possible dangers of taking cannabis and related issues relevant to the drug's classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The advice he received is contained in the Advisory Council's report, "The classification of

  841W
  cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971", which was published on 14 March 2002, copies of which are in the Library.

  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to strengthen sentencing measures in relation to people who deal drugs in close proximity to schools. [62904]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Severe penalties are already available to the courts for people convicted of supplying drugs. The maximum penalty for supplying class A drugs is life imprisonment, the maximum penalty for supplying class B drugs is 14 years imprisonment and the maximum penalty for supplying class C drugs is five years imprisonment.

  It is vitally important to protect young people from the harm that can be caused by drugs. Officials are currently looking into this matter, bearing in mind the discretion that the courts already have to take into account all the circumstances of the offence and the offender, including all aggravating and mitigating factors.

  There are no specific proposals at this time.

  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) arrested and (b) successfully prosecuted for drugs-related offences in (i) Telford and (ii) the United Kingdom in 2001–02. [62907]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The available information, relating to persons arrested for offences involving drugs (trafficking, supplying, possession, etc.) and those proceeded against and found guilty of such offences in England and Wales in 2000 is 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.

  Persons arrested, proceeded against and convicted of drug offences in 2000

  Telford petty sessional area

  West Mercia Police force area

  England and Wales

  Number of persons arrested

  1—

  1,451

  2107,700

  Number of persons proceeded against

  73

  716

  51,251

  Number of persons convicted

  377

  660

  44,621

  1 Not available centrally

  2 Estimated

  3 May include persons proceeded against in earlier years.

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the views of the people of Lambeth and Brixton on the experiment to treat cannabis possession as a non-arrestable offence. [63334]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has noted carefully the findings of the report carried out by the Police Foundation on the community's response to the Lambeth cannabis policing experiment. He recognises that while the report records high levels of support for the scheme, for many that support is conditional upon police officers spending more time dealing effectively with serious crime in the borough.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Solihull on 11 April concerning witnesses attending identification parades. [61816]

  Mr. Denham
  With apologies for the delay in replying to the hon. Member's question, I refer him to the answer I gave on 24 June 2002 on this issue,Official Report, column 697W.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget was for IND in 1990; and what the current budget is for IND. [62200]

  Mr. Denham
  The budget for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate IND for 2002–03 is 1,031 million. This figure is provisional and any proposed changes will be notified to Parliament though supplementary estimates. This figure is also on a resource basis and no comparable budget figures are available for 1990. However, IND expenditure for the two financial years covering 1990, on a cash basis, was as follows:

  Actual expenditure £ million

  1989–90

  78.7

  1990–91

  90.9

  A significant portion of the overall budget for 2002–03 relates to asylum support, which before 1999–2000 was assigned to the Departments of Health and Social Security not the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

  Asylum Seekers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum have been made in each year since 1994. [61331]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 13 June 2002]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Applications1,2 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, 1994–2001

  Year

  Applications received (principal applicants only)

  Applications received (including dependants)3

  1994

  32,830

  42,200

  1995

  43,965

  55,000

  1996

  29,640

  37,000

  1997

  32,500

  41,500

  1998

  46,015

  58,500

  1999

  71,160

  91,200

  20004

  80,315

  98,900

  20014

  71,700

  88,300

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest five.

  2 May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement

  3 Offices between January 1999 and March 2000.

  4 Provisional data.

  Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication will be available from 30 August 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 2001–02; and what the planned expenditure is for 2002–03. [60917]

  Beverley Hughes
  Spend on press and advertising campaigns for 2001–02 was £14.4 million exclusive of VAT.

  The campaigns covered:

  Vehicle crime reduction

  Police recruitment

  Electoral issues

  Drug misuse

  Child protection on the internet.

  Planned expenditure for 2002–03 has not yet been finalised.

  Passport/Visa Fraud
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are to make passports and visa information better protected against fraud; what assessment has been made of the viability of biometrics; and if he will make a statement. [63066]

  Beverley Hughes
  The British digital passport is one of the most secure in the world. It is machine readable and complies with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard for passports. It contains a digital photograph and a digital signature of the holder, and the personal identification page is protected by a clear plastic laminate incorporating a holographic device which further protects the portrait. The personal identification page is also protected by a series of laser perforations. The use of special paper and printing techniques provide added security. The security features in the passport document remain under continuing review in case a feature is compromised by fraudsters.

  The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) is considering the use of biometrics (fingerprints, iris, facial recognition) in passport books and cards both to further enhance security and to prevent the issue of multiple passports in the same identity. It is keeping in close touch with work being undertaken by ICAO post September 11 to develop an international standard for the use of biometrics in passports. In addition and in support of the concept of an entitlement card the UKPS has commissioned a study from the National Physical laboratory on the application of biometrics in an entitlement scheme. This study will look at iris, fingerprint and facial recognition templates and their application within large databases.

  The issue of visas at diplomatic posts overseas, is the responsibility of UKvisas, a joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Department. Visas are issued on specifically designed vignettes that contain various security features in a common European Union format. A revised European Union common format vignette is being designed and should be brought into use in April 2004. The new format will incorporate space for a digital photograph of the applicant. There are no plans
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  to use biometrics as part of the visa process but UKvisas is monitoring developments in this area including the Immigration Service trial at Heathrow.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the key targets set for his Department are for each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [56223]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: The Department's key targets are set out in its Public Service Agreements published in 2000, which are available on the Home Office's website.

  The Department is setting targets for the next three years as part of the 2002 Spending Review process. The new targets will be published in the Treasury's White Paper in the summer.

HEALTH

  Doctors (Suspensions)
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the cost to the national health service of the salaries of doctors on suspension and absent on special leave during the most recent year for which figures are available; [45728]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 12 April 2002, Official Report, column 692W, on doctors (suspensions), what the total cost was to the NHS of the suspensions; and what the costs were in (a) doctors' and dentists' salaries, (b) payments to locum replacements and (c) legal fees. [57150]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department routinely collects information quarterly in regard to the suspension of hospital medical and dental staff and reported costs incurred. This information is not broken down into salary or locum costs or legal fees. Of the 30 doctors and community dentists currently suspended for more than six months, 22 are consultants. No such information is held regarding doctors on special leave.

  NHS Finance
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is owed within the NHS; and(a) by whom and (b) to whom it is owed. [45852]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested will be placed in the Library.

  Smallpox Vaccine
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Powderject has applied for a licence for the smallpox vaccine; and if such a licence was included in the specification provided by his Department. [53951]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has bought an unlicensed smallpox vaccine. It is anticipated that the company will seek a licence at an appropriate time in the future. The company has agreed to abide by the new European Union guidelines, as set out by the European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products for the development of vaccinia based vaccines against smallpox. Currently, there are no smallpox vaccines available that are licensed.

  GP Out-of-hours Co-operatives
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP out-of-hours co-operatives there are; and how many of these are connected to the NHS intranet. [54267]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are estimated to be about 240 general practitioner (GP) out-of-hours co-operatives in England. But they are not national health service organisations and as such the Department does not therefore collect or hold comprehensive data on them. For similar reasons GP co-operatives are not connected to the NHS intranet.

  Overseas Doctors
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to make it easier for doctors from Australia and New Zealand to practise in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [57962]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health is working closely with the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice, Specialist Training Authority and medical Royal Colleges to enable suitably qualified and experienced doctors from overseas wishing to enter the UK medical practice to do so as quickly as is possible.

  In November 2001, we removed the funding bar that has prevented overseas doctors being funded for training in general practice. We expected to see even more applications this year as a result.

  Design Champions
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the appointment of design champions with NHS trusts. [59857]

  Mr. Lammy
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appointed my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (the Lord Hunt of Kingsheath) as the Ministerial Design Champion for the Department. My noble Friend wrote to all national health service trusts including primary care trusts on 16 May 2002, asking the chair to nominate a design champion accountable to the trust board. The nominated design champion will take the lead in ensuring that capital schemes reflect the principles of good design at every stage of the procurement process.

  Departmental Sponsors
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which hon. Members have been appointed as sponsors to his Department since 7 June 2001; and when each of them were appointed; [59969]

  (2) what the duties are of hon. Members appointed as sponsors to his Department; and what assistance is given by officials in his Department to them in carrying out these duties. [59982]

  Mr. Lammy
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 1105W.

  Computers
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are(a) in place and (b) under discussion in his Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE Directive. [60759]

  Mr. Lammy
  My hon. Friend is referred to the answer given by the Minister of State (Mr. Wilson) at the Department of Trade and Industry on 12 June 2002,Official Report, column 1266W.

  Performance Targets
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the performance targets that his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if he will specify for each target(a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it. [60471]

  Mr. Lammy
  The key performance targets for the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies are set by Ministers and are published as part of their business plans. Achievement against the targets is reported on by the agencies in their annual report and accounts. Copies of these documents are available from the Library.

  For each agency or non-departmental public body, monitoring of performance against the targets during the year is carried out by a senior official of the Department who is responsible for the performance management of the body concerned. For the agencies further scrutiny is carried out by the non-executive ministerial advisory boards.

  In addition the Department is committed to six standards for the delivery of public services to meet the needs of citizens. These standards are called Service First and include:

  1. Answering correspondence (includes letters, faxes and emails) within twenty working days;

  2. Seeing callers with an appointment within 10 minutes of that appointment time; and seeing callers without an appointment within 20 minutes;

  3. Answering telephone calls quickly and helpfully within 10 rings;

  4. Provide clear and straightforward information about its services and those of related providers;

  5. Have a complaints procedure; and

  6. Do everything reasonably possible to make its services available to everyone.

  These targets are monitored by corporate affairs within the Department.

  Ministerial Cars
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of ministerial cars for his Department was in each year from 1995 to 2001 and from 1 January 2002 to date. [61428]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  847W

  Ministerial car costs—by yea

  £

  Actual costs

  April 1995 to March 1996

  289,733

  April 1996 to March 1997

  297,691

  April 1997 to March 1998

  316,572

  April 1998 to March 1999

  317,209

  April 1999 to March 2000

  400,792

  April 2000 to March 2001

  372,090

  April 2001 to March 2002

  358,661

  January 2002 to date

  169,018

  of which included in 2001–02 year:

  135,989

  of which 2002 year to date:

  33,029

  Total

  2,385,776

  The increase from 1999 has been partly due to an additional ministerial post.

  Health Care Design Teams
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2002,Official Report, column 857W, on the design champion, what form Lord Hunt of Kings Heath's personal mentoring of four health care design schemes takes. [615261

  Mr. Lammy
  My noble Friend, the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath is mentoring four national health service schemes. He has already met with two trusts; visiting the site and meeting with the chief executive, chairman, project director and key members of the team including the trust design champion.

  He will support the trust in ensuring that design excellence is considered at all stages of the procurement process, and in addition will support the team, understand the scheme proposal and raise the profile of design excellence.

  Hip Replacements
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elective primary hip replacements were performed in 2000–01. [61437]

  Mr. Hutton
  There were 35,287 elective primary hip replacements carried out in the national health service in England in 2000–01.

  Note:

  OPCS (operation) codes used were W37–39 and W46–48, excluding W37.3, W38.3, W39.3, W46.3, W47.3 and W48.3. And also excluding those episodes with a primary diagnosis of S72.0–S72.2 (fractured neck of femur).

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

  Prescriptions
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he and Ministers have had with NICE regarding the prescription of(a) irinotecan and (b) oxaplatin. [61457]

  Ms Blears
  None. As part of routine business, the Department has responded to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the normal way as a consultee in the appraisal process.

  General Practitioners
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs he expected the NCAA to validate in its first year when he established it. [61439]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA) does not validate doctors. The Government expected the NCAA to develop assessment frameworks for doctors in hospital and community and primary care organisations in its first year. During this period, the NCAA also managed nearly 200 referrals from trusts and health authorities for advice and support in local handling of performance issues.

  Monitoring
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has a mechanism for monitoring(a) health authorities' and (b) primary care trusts' compliance with their statutory obligations to provide NICE recommended (i) drugs, (ii) treatments and (iii) technologies. [61077]

  Mr. Lammy
  We expect all health authorities and primary care trusts to meet their statutory obligations to provide appropriate funding for treatments recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. The new strategic health authorities will manage the performance of their constituent national health service bodies in meeting these commitments.

  Circulars
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many circular documents have been sent by his Department and by the NHS Executive to the chief executives of NHS trusts since 1 June 2001; how many pages there were in each such document; and if he will make a statement. [61495]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department has issued 43 formal referenced circulars to chief executives of national health service trusts since 1 June 2001. A list of these circulars, showing the number of pages of each one, has been placed in the Library.

  Entertainment Costs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended. [61663]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department did not hold a corporate Christmas party for staff in 2001. Christmas parties paid for by staff at no expense to the public purse have been excluded from this answer.

  Broadband
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for improving patient care; and if he will make a statement; [61801]

  (2) what targets he has set for the roll out of broadband services in (a) GP surgeries and (b) hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [61802]
  849W
  Ms Blears
  As set out in the NHS Plan, the national health service in England will have the most up-to-date information technology systems to deliver services faster and more conveniently for patients, including:

  electronic booking of appointments for patient treatment;

  access to electronic personal medical records for patients;

  electronic patient record systems in hospitals and primary and community trusts;

  electronic prescribing of medicines giving patients faster and safer prescribing as well as easier access to repeat prescriptions;

  facilities for telemedicine allowing patients to connect with staff electronically for advice.

  To deliver these services will require the provision of a robust and high capacity networking information technology (IT) infrastructure with sufficient capacity and broadband connectivity. We are taking action by introducing a new national programme and implementation plan for IT in the NHS which will significantly step up the pace of getting modern IT in place to support front line patient care and ensure that IT both drives change and gets the best from the extra resources the NHS is now getting.

  There are no specific targets for the roll out of broadband services to general practitioner (GP) surgeries and hospitals in England. However, a significant number of NHS organisations are already using broadband links to NHSnet, the NHS managed networking service.

  At least 30 per cent. of NHS trust sites currently have broadband connections where broadband is defined as transmission capacity of 256,000 bps or higher. GP practices in England are being encouraged to take up broadband services. Former health authorities were each invited to nominate two practices for centrally funded broadband connections. To date funding has been made available to 40 practices.

  Health Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on the basis of the findings of the high level performance indicators and clinical indicators, what the(a) death rate, (b) death rate for cancer, (c) rate of admissions for serious injury and (d) teenage conception rate was (i) in each former health authority or present primary care trust area in the Government office north east area and (ii) on average in England; and if differences are widening in each case. [62202]

  Mr. Lammy
  The death rate, death rate for cancer, rate of admissions for serious injury and teenage conception rates can be found in the "Compendium of Clinical and Health Indicators 2001" in the Library.

  In addition for teenage conception, new data for the year 2000 were published by the Office for National Statistics in Health Statistics Quarterly 13 (February 2002). This is also available in the Library.

  These sources contain the rates for England, Government office regions (GOR) and at former health authority level. Data are not currently available for primary care trusts.

  The data show that:
  Death rates have fallen considerably during the 1990s for both England and the north east GOR. The absolute difference between the death rates for England and for north east GOR has narrowed
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  over this period. In 1990 the average mortality rate in north east GOR was 15 per cent. higher than the average for England, in 2000 it was 13 per cent. higher.
  Death rates for cancer have fallen considerably during the 1990s for both England and the north east GOR. The absolute difference between the death rates for England and that for the north east GOR has narrowed over this period. However in relative terms there has been little change (it was 16 per cent. higher in both 1990 and 2000).
  Overall, hospital admission rates for serious injury have increased between 1995–96 and 1999–2000, although the number of years for which these data are available is not sufficient to establish a clear trend. The north east GOR has higher admission rates than the England average throughout this period and the gap has widened between England and the north east GOR both in absolute and relative terms (from 9 per cent. higher in 1995–96 to 15 per cent. higher in 1999–2000 in relative terms).
  The teenage conception rate for girls and young women under I8-years-old in the year 2000 was 6.2 per cent. lower in England and 10.0 per cent. lower for the north east GOR than in 1998. Although the rate for the north east was still higher than for England in 2000, the gap between the two areas was less both in absolute and relative terms than it was in 1998 (21 per cent. higher in 1998 and 16 per cent. higher in 2000 in relative terms).

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of(a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were. [62209]

  Mr. Lammy
  Ministers and civil servants have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development and analysis.

  As with previous Administrations it is not this Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists.

  Members of Parliament (Personal Data)
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is held by his 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. [61827]

  Mr. Lammy
  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.

  EEA Doctors
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what period of training doctors from the EEA are required to complete before being eligible for consultant positions in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [62673]

  Mr. Hutton
  Doctors with European Economic Area (EEA) free movement rights who hold qualifications listed in the European Specialist Medical Qualifications
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  Order (1995) are automatically entitled to entry to the specialist register. No further training is required. Doctors on the specialist register are entitled to apply for consultant posts in the United Kingdom, in open competition. There is no automatic entitlement to a consultant post in the national health service for UK or EEA doctors.

  Doctors from EEA states who do not hold recognised qualifications would otherwise have to obtain a certificate showing they have fully completed training in the UK.

  Nationals of EEA member states undertaking medical training in the UK, leading to the award of a certificate of completion of specialist training, are subject to the same conditions and standards as UK medical trainees.

  UK Biobank
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the ownership of patent rights following the identification of individual gene sequences from blood samples donated to the project Biobank UK. [62276]

  Ms Blears
  The UK Biobank represents a database that can be used to investigate the combined effects of genotype, lifestyle and environmental exposures on the risk of developing the common multi-factorial diseases of later life. Policies on the ownership of intellectual property arising from research using the data contained within the UK Biobank have yet to be finalised, and are the subject of on-going consultation. Current thinking is that ownership of such intellectual property will reside with the organisation that hosts the workers undertaking the research. A key issue to be resolved is whether either the funding bodies or the hub should seek to retain any control over the intellectual property and whether this would be acceptable to the organisations hosting such research. A condition of using the UK Biobank is that, after a short period of time to allow for the preparation of publications or filing of patent applications, all results generated from analysis of the samples or data held must be added to the central databases and hence be made available to other researchers.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow the disclosure of personal genetic information from Biobank UK and NHS sources to third parties. [62274]

  Ms Blears
  Only anonymised genetic information and linked clinical data from the UK Biobank will be released to third parties. An independent monitoring body, separate from the UK Biobank funders, will be established to develop the detailed policies regarding access to anonymised samples and data. These proposals are in accord with the recommendations made by the Human Genetics Commission in their report on the use of personal genetic data. All proposals to use the information contained within the UK Biobank will also have ethics committee approval and will be reviewed by the scientific management committee. Arrangements for any commercial use of the samples or data will be explained to participants when their consent is sought.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to commission an independent review of value-for-money of the genetic record project Biobank UK. [62275]
  852W
  Ms Blears
  International scientific peer review of the protocol for the UK Biobank project was used to inform the recent funding decisions of the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and the Department. It is anticipated that recruitment to the UK Biobank will not begin until at least the middle of 2003 and it will then be several years before the first outputs are obtained. The work of the UK Biobank will be subject to at least annual review by the funding partners. It is too early to consider commissioning an independent value-for-money review of this initiative.

  Myeloma
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent grants the Government have made available to treating and finding a cure for myeloma; [62687]

  (2) what recent research and studies the Government have undertaken to find the cause of multiple myeloma. [62683]

  Ms Blears
  The main Government agency for research into the causes and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service.

  The MRC is currently funding a clinical trial directly aimed at the treatment of multiple myeloma. The project is entitled `Myeloma IX Trial' and is being carried out at the university of Leeds by Dr. J. A. Child, at a total cost of £1.5 million over eight years.

  The Department is funding a project entitled targeted treatment of multiple myeloma using gene and protein expression profiling. This is being carried out at the university of Leeds by Dr. F. E. Davies at a total cost of £463,000 over five years.

  Other research projects into the causes and treatment of cancer may also be relevant to myeloma. There have been no Government grants for the treatment of myeloma, other than in national health service allocations, and these are not separately identified.

  Debt
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much debt each primary care trust had at the beginning of the 2002–03 financial year; [62844]

  (2) if he will list the amount of inherited debt for each strategic health authority. [62845]

  Mr. Hutton
  The transfer of assets and liabilities from health authorities to primary care trusts and strategic health authorities will not be known until the audited accounts are available for financial year 2002–03.

  E-medicine
  John Mann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop electronic referral and discharge letters. [62351]

  Ms Blears
  The information management and technology target sand strategy for the national health survey are set out in "Building the Information Core" published in January 2001. Copies have been placed in the Library.
  853W
  The strategy includes specific targets for booked admissions, electronic record systems and provision of pathology and discharge summaries over the NHS net. The work to achieve these targets will provide the capability for relevant information about the purpose of the referral, and the results of treatment, to be transferred using structured electronic messages from general practitioner to hospital, hospital to hospital and hospital to social care systems.

  Waiting Times
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on trends in waiting times for(a) orthopaedic out-patients appointments and (b) orthopaedic operations at the Royal United hospital, Bath in the last 12 months. [62649]

  Ms Blears
  Action to verify data supplied by the trust in relation to waiting times is still under way.

  There is so far no indication that waiting times for orthopaedic appointments or procedures have been adversely affected by the discovery of the manipulation of the in-patient treatment waiting lists at the trust.

  Neurologists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neurologists were practising in the NHS in each year since 1995; and what the projected numbers are for each year to 2005. [62544]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table. There has been a 38 per cent. increase in the number of neurologists working in the national health service between 1995 and 2001.

  Hospital medical consultants within the neurology speciality, England as at 30 September

  Number

  1995

  260

  1996

  260

  1997

  280

  1998

  300

  1999

  300

  2000

  330

  2001

  360

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest ten

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  The Department's current projections show the number of additional trained specialists who will be available to take up consultant posts in the neurology specialty, over the 2000 baseline. The figures in the following table are approximations.

  Supply projections for the neurology specialty (based on 2000 census basement) Additional numbers of trained specialists available to take up consultants posts in the specialty

  year

  Head count

  2002

  30

  2003

  70 (390)

  2004

  80 (400)

  2005

  80 (410)

  854W
  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  The baseline projections take into account outputs from training and retirements.

  Other recruitment and retention measures include international recruitment, conversion of staff in other grades and delayed retirements. The projections assume that retirement patterns return to current levels after the NHS plan period.

  Psychiatric Illness (Ethnic Minorities)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2002.Official Report, column 1045W, on Asian women, when he intends to launch the consultation on the national suicide prevention strategy; if he will list those organisations to whom it will be sent; and if he will make a statement on the findings of the national survey of ethnic minority psychiatric illness rates in the community and on the action he intends to take as a result. [63047]

  Jacqui Smith
  The national suicide prevention strategy for England was launched for public consultation on 26 April 2002. A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library.

  Copies of the document were sent to the following organisations:

  Health and local authorities

  Strategic health authorities

  National health service trusts

  Primary care trusts

  Government Departments

  Royal colleges

  Voluntary organisations

  Independent healthcare hospitals and providers

  plus a broad range of organisations and individuals with an interest in suicide prevention.

  The national survey of ethnic minority psychiatric illness rates in the community (EMPIRIC study) was a major survey of psychiatric illness rates in the community among ethnic minority adults aged 16–74 living in England. The survey was used to make comparisons with the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in the general population.

  Findings of the EMPIRIC study are informing the black and minority ethnic mental health strategy.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will implement a compulsory obligation for pharmacists to undertake and document their continuing professional development. [63111]

  Mr. Lammy
  We are working with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain to bring forward an order under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 in 2003 to modernise the professional regulation of pharmacy, which is expected to include the necessary powers to implement a compulsory obligation for pharmacists to participate in continuing professional development.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the letters of the honourable Member for West Derbyshire of 1 February, 1 March and 5 April concerning NHS Direct. [63184]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department has no record of receiving this correspondence. The Department's ministerial correspondence unit is seeking a copy of this correspondence.

  Appointments (Membership of Secret Societies)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to require applicants for posts in health authorities, hospital trusts and primary care trusts to disclose membership of secret societies; and if he will make a statement. [63329]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have recently issued a health service circular on pre and post appointment checks for all persons working in the NHS in England (HSC 2002/008). The circular instructs national health service employers to carry out a range of checks on applicants for posts in the NHS, including the taking up of references, criminal record checks where appropriate and occupational health checks. We have no plans to extend these checks.

  Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the one-off compliance costs to the NHS in real terms are of replacing the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988, with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000. [63202]

  Ms Blears
  No data have been collected on the one-off compliance cost to the national health service in real terms of replacing the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988, with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000. However, the new regulations formalised many features of good practice believed largely to be already present in the NHS.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual compliance cost was to the NHS in real terms, of the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988. [63201]

  Ms Blears
  The annual cost to the national health service in real terms of compliance with the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988 has not been estimated. The additional cost, however, compared with the overall costs of providing imaging and radiotherapy services is negligible. The regulations laid down basic measures for the radiation protection of persons undergoing medical exposures. These regulations were replaced by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many lives he estimates were saved as a result of the introduction of Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000; and if he will make a statement. [63204]
  856W
  Ms Blears
  It is not possible to estimate how many lives were saved as a result of the introduction of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000, which came fully into force 1 January 2001. These regulations implement the European Community Directive 97/43/Euratom that was introduced following reappraisal of the risks of exposure to ionising radiation. The regulations revoke and replace the Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination of Treatment 1988 (POPUMET) which implemented an earlier EC Directive. However, the new Regulations formalised many features of good practice believed largely to be already present in the national health service under POPUMET.

  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual compliance cost is to the NHS of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000. [63203]

  Ms Blears
  The annual compliance cost to the national health service of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 has not been estimated. The regulations that came fully into force on 1 January implemented European Community Directive 97/43/Euratom. The regulations replaced earlier legislation in force since 1988 that laid down basic measures for the radiation protection of persons undergoing medical exposures.

  Consultant Neurologists
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many posts for NHS consultant neurologists are unfilled; and if he will make a statement; [63468]

  (2)how many people are being trained to become consultant neurologists; and how many were being trained in May 1997; 63470]

  (3)what the approved number of posts for consultant neurologists was in the national health service in each of the last five years; [63467]

  (4)how many consultant neurologists were employed by the national health service in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [63466]

  Mr. Hutton
  As at 30 September 2001, there were 122 staff within the senior house officer training grade and 162 staff within the registrar group training grade in neurology. Census data are collected every September; the corresponding number of staff in 1997 was 141 and 159 respectively.

  The number of consultant neurologists employed in the national health service in each of the last five years is shown in the following table. There has been a 29 per cent. expansion in consultant numbers since 1997.

  Hospital medical consultants within the neurology specialty

  England as at 30 September

  Number

  1997

  280

  1998

  300

  1999

  300

  2000

  330

  2001

  360

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
  857W
  The NHS vacancy survey has been conducted in March each year since 1999. The survey collects information on the number of posts, which trusts are actively trying to fill, which have been vacant for three months or more.Neurology speciality data were not collected in the March 2001 survey. However, the data were collected in this year's survey, the results of which will be available for publication in July 2002.

  Overseas Nurses
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses from overseas were working in United Kingdom hospitals in 2001. [63474]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  In order to practice as a nurse overseas applicants must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), formerly the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting. Overseas nurses registered with the NMC do not necessarily work in the national health service. The number of entrants to the register in the last three years are in the table.

  Overseas trained nurses and midwives registering with the UKCC.

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Overseas nurses registered with the UKCC

  3,621

  5,945

  8,403

  Heart Transplants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people had heart transplants in the United Kingdom in 2001. [63473]

  Mr. Lammy
  The total numbers of heart transplants performed in the United Kingdom in 2001 are listed in the table.

  Number

  Cadaveric heart

  156

  Domino heart1

  10

  Heart/lung

  32

  Kidney/heart

  4

  Heart/liver

  1

  Liver and heart/lung

  1

  1 A "domino" transplant is when one person has both heart and lungs transplanted for lung disease and their original heart is transplanted into another person.

  Vaccines
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Lewes of 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 823W, on vaccines, what response he has received from (a) Glaxo Smith Kline and (b) the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control; and if he will place a copy of replies received in the Library. [49883]

  Ms Blears
  [Holding answer 15 April 2002]: Glaxo SmithKline has confirmed that based on still available information that it is highly probable that batches 3741 and 3732 were issued in this country. Unfortunately they
  858W
  no longer have details of the quantities of vaccine or the places where the vaccine was supplied. Since vaccines were not centrally purchased and distributed at that time, there are not central records either. Information on individuals who received these vaccines will only exist if the general practitioner at the time of the immunisation recorded the batch number, and the patients' notes are still available.

  At the time that batches 3741 and 3732 were issued, the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) only routinely assayed potency of pertussis vaccine using the Kenrick test. The mouse weight gain test, that was suggested to give high toxicity results for the two batches used in Eire, was not used in the release tests for pertussis vaccine by NIBSC at that time.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place to monitor the use of resources earmarked for cancer treatment. [50803]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 18 June 2002]: We have already asked health authorities how much of the growth money they are planning to spend on cancer. In May 2002, we will ask them to provide an outturn stating how much they have actually spent during 2001–02, to set alongside information on progress with implementing the NHS Cancer Plan.

  will continue to monitor progress, including the use of earmarked funds via primary care trusts in 2002–03.

  Overseas Recruitment
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from foreign Governments about recruitment for the NHS of(a) nurses and (b) doctors in their countries; and if he will place copies in the Library. [58034]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 21 June 2002]: In the past year we have received representations from the following countries concerning recruitment to the national health service:

  Austria

  Bulgaria

  China

  Czech Republic

  Egypt

  Georgia

  Germany

  Ghana

  Greece

  India

  Indonesia

  Iran

  Italy

  Japan

  Philippines

  Poland

  Spain

  Switzerland

  Taiwan.

  859W
  It is not our policy to publish the contents of written representations received from foreign Governments.

  Management Information
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the written answer of 15 May 2002, ref 56282, for what reason basic management information in respect of the 2001–02 outturn figures is not available; and if he will make a statement on the steps he intends to take to ensure that up-to-date management information is available to the NHS Executive and to Ministers. [58341]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 21 June 2002]: The information required by the Department is confined to that needed to manage its overall spending limits and the performance of individual bodies against their key financial duties. The audited annual accounts for 2001–02 of the national health service bodies will be published locally and will be available centrally in the autumn.

  Drug Users (Treatment and Rehabilitation)
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average waiting time is from GP referral to initial treatment for users of illegal drugs, broken down by each statutory drugs service in England; and if he will make a statement; [62407]

  (2) what the waiting time is from referral to initial consultation for users of illegal drugs, broken down by each statutory drugs service in England; and how many such services have met the Government target of a two week waiting time limit from GP referral to initial consultation. [62408]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 19 June 2002]: Estimated figures for waiting times for referral to initial consultation are listed in the following table. These figures were compiled to assist the national treatment agency in setting targets for reducing overall waiting times and are the latest currently available. Figures for 2000–01 are currently being collated and will be available shortly.

  The targets for treatment services are as follows. This information relates to the local authority area, not for each individual agency.

  weeks

  Average baseline waiting time

  Maximum acceptable lengths of wait

  Treatment modality

  1999–2000

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Inpatient detoxification

  6.1

  4

  2

  Community prescribing-specialist

  10.2

  6

  3

  Community prescribing GPs

  5

  4

  2

  Structured counselling

  4

  4

  2

  Structured day-care programme

  3.3

  4

  3

  Residential rehabilitation

  5.4

  4

  3

  The information that is available to the Government are the longest wait for different modalities of treatment in each drug action team (DAT) area. DATs reported these figures in December 2001 as part of the routine planning process for treatment at local level. The National Treatment Agency will publish more comprehensive data later this year.

  Cardiac Units
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to set up a new programme for the development of cardiac units in the UK. [63606]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 21 June 2002]: The expansion plans for cardiac units in England are part of the comprehensive programme of development in cardiac services set out in the national service framework for coronary heart disease. The expansion programme is being pursued to ensure that heart patients are treated according to need rather than location. Consequently, investment is being focused on those parts of England with historically low capacity in cardiac surgery. Capital developments are taking place in Papworth, Wolverhampton, South Tees, Bristol, Sheffield, Blackpool, Liverpool, Central Manchester, South Manchester, Leeds and Plymouth. These developments will be completed in 2006. Any further expansion in capacity will be considered in terms of its ability to deliver the standards of care set out in the national service framework. In addition, from 1 July, patients who have been waiting for more than six months for a heart operation will be offered the choice of treatment elsewhere, which will enable more patients to be treated more quickly.

  Bed-blocking
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that money provided to East Sussex county council social services to relieve bed-blocking in local hospitals has been used for that purpose; [63549]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the incidence of bed-blocking in east Sussex. [63550]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: The Government recognise that delayed transfers of care are a problem across the south east and east Sussex has been acutely affected. East Sussex county council, in consultation with Surrey and Sussex health authority and the local national health service trusts, is currently exploring all possible options for reducing these delays.

  Local authorities were required to provide a written statement of their proposed use of additional funding and the targets for reductions of delayed transfers. Progress towards targets has been monitored by the Department through the weekly reporting process and the capacity maps submitted to the Department.

  MRSA
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many lives were lost in NHS hospitals as a result of MRSA in the last year. [63812]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his previous question, on May 2002, Official Report, column 403W.

  Bilateral Ministerial Meetings
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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
  861W
  each meeting; which Irish Government Departments were involved in each meeting; and which Ministers and officials from the Irish Government attended each meeting. [63086]

  Mr. Lammy
  My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Edgbaston (Gisela Stuart), the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met the Irish Health Minister (Michael Martin) on 18 July 2000 in Dublin. She also met the chief executive of the Irish Food Standards Agency (Dr. Patrick Wall). No other meetings have taken place.

  Elderly People
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which general practitioner practices in(a) the Chesham and Amersham constituency and (b) Buckinghamshire were participants in the trial for assessing the assessment and management of elderly people. [62793]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: I have been advised that this is a local project, organised by Chilton and south Buckinghamshire primary care trust, involving general practitioner practices in the Chesham area. For that reason, no information is held centrally.

  Macular Disease
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of persons affected by wet age-related macular degeneration in one eye only who will pay privately to be treated by photodynamic therapy; [63900]

  (2) how many persons have a treatable form of wet age-related macular degeneration; [63892]

  (3) what plans he has to introduce speedy treatment of those with early wet age-related macular degeneration; [63899]

  (4) what advice he intends to issue on restricting the treatment of (a) cataracts, (b) glaucoma and (c) diabetic retinopathy to persons in whom both eyes are affected; and if he will make a statement; [63895]

  (5) what assessment he has made of draft NICE guidance that those with an eye in which the sight is worse than 6/36 should not be treated by photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement as to the number of persons who would go blind as a result of its implementation; [63896]

  Cancelled operations for non clinical reasons, NHS trusts in England, 2001–02, quarter 4

  Trust

  Number of last minute cancellations for non clinical reasons in the quarter

  Cancellations as a percentage of elective admissions

  Addenbrooke's NHS Trust

  114

  1.1

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  82

  1.0

  Airedale NHS Trust

  29

  0.6

  Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

  16

  0.2

  Barking Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust

  506

  3.8

  Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

  384

  4.9

  Barnsley District General Hospital NHS Trust

  41

  1.0

  862W
  (6) how many persons NICE recommends should be treated by photodynamic therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement; [63893]

  (7) what advice he intends to issue to ophthalmologists concerning the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration in one eye only; [63894]

  (8) what assessment he has made of the increased risk to a person with sight in one eye only of (a) injury and (b) disease leading to blindness; [63897]

  (9) what steps he intends to take to ensure early diagnosis of wet age-related macular degeneration affecting the other eye of a person in whom one eye is already affected. [63898]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answers 24 June 2002]: A study sponsored by the Macular Disease Society in 2001 estimated that there were 182,000 people with age-related macular degeneration with a best eye visual acuity below that judged appropriate for certification as blind or partially sighted. It is estimated that 10 to 15 per cent. of those will have the "wet" type of the condition, for which photodynamic therapy is intended as a treatment. However, it is not possible to say how many of those are affected in only one eye.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published their final appraisal determination (FAD) on the use of photodynamic therapy as a treatment for age-related macular degeneration on 12 June. The appraisal process has not yet been completed and NICE have not made any recommendations on photodynamic therapy. NICE are seeking the views of consultees during the appeal process and will consider carefully any points that are made.

  NICE's recommendations may change as a result of the appeal process; it would therefore be inappropriate for the Department to comment at this time. The Department will consider the implications of the final NICE guidance. The earliest guidance could be available to the NHS is at the end of July or early August, providing there are no appeals.

  The NICE guidance on photodynamic therapy will not have implications for the treatment of cataracts, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

  Cancelled Operations
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest average figures he has for the number of operations cancelled each week broken down by each NHS trust. [63878]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 24 June 2002]: Figures for cancelled operations are published on a quarterly basis. The latest available figures are shown in the table.
  863W

  Cancelled operations for non clinical reasons, NHS trusts in England, 2001–02, quarter 4

  Trust

  Number of last minute cancellations for non clinical reasons in the quarter

  Cancellations as a percentage of elective admissions

  Barts and the London NHS Trust

  211

  2.1

  Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust

  46

  0.8

  Bedford Hospital NHS Trust

  152

  3.1

  Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust

  42

  1.1

  Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS Trust

  111

  1.1

  Birmingham Women's Healthcare NHS Trust

  25

  2.5

  Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust

  154

  1.9

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust

  234

  2.4

  Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services

  4

  2.0

  Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust

  97

  1.7

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust

  84

  0.7

  Brighton Health Care NHS Trust

  86

  1.3

  Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

  174

  2.3

  Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust

  61

  1.1

  Burton Hospitals NHS Trust

  93

  1.7

  Bury Health Care NHS Trust

  16

  0.4

  Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust

  5

  0.0

  Cardiothoracic Centre Liverpool NHS Trust

  65

  2.5

  Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals

  143

  1.1

  Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust

  51

  0.9

  Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital

  63

  1.1

  Chorley and South Ribble/Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trusts

  107

  1.0

  Christie Hospital NHS Trust

  3

  0.0

  City Hospitals NHS Trust

  119

  1.7

  City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust

  78

  0.7

  Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust

  125

  2.3

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  26

  0.9

  Dewsbury Health Care NHS Trust

  152

  3.7

  Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust

  116

  0.9

  Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust

  106

  1.3

  Ealing Hospital NHS Trust

  98

  3.4

  East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

  162

  1.9

  East Cheshire NHS Trust

  77

  3.3

  East Gloucestershire NHS Trust

  144

  1.6

  East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust

  35

  0.3

  East Somerset NHS Trust

  20

  0.6

  Eastbourne Hospitals NHS Trust

  78

  1.8

  Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust

  20

  0.2

  Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust

  199

  3.1

  Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust

  58

  0.8

  Gateshead Health NHS Trust

  22

  0.5

  George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust

  25

  0.5

  Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust

  71

  1.1

  Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust

  34

  0.6

  Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust

  71

  1.6

  Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital NHS Trust

  71

  0.5

  Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

  201

  1.8

  Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust

  11

  0.3

  Hastings and Rother NHS Trust

  181

  6.1

  Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Trust

  75

  0.8

  Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust

  104

  2.9

  Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust

  130

  2.9

  Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust

  88

  2.1

  Homerton Hospital NHS Trust

  11

  0.5

  Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  301

  2.2

  Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

  52

  0.7

  Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust

  1

  0.1

  James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust

  65

  1.7

  Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust

  78

  1.3

  King's College Hospital NHS Trust

  172

  2.0

  Kings Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals NHS Trust

  80

  1.4

  Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

  54

  1.1

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  172

  0.7

  Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust

  5

  3.0

  Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust

  46

  1.2

  Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Trust

  27

  0.9

  Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust

  187

  3.3

  Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

  76

  0.9

  Mayday Health Care NHS Trust

  210

  4.8

  Medway NHS Trust

  24

  0.5

  Melton Rutland and Harborough PCT

  12

  2.3

  Mid Cheshire Hospital NHS Trust

  170

  3.3

  Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust

  62

  0.9

  Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust

  146

  2.0

  Mid Sussex NHS Trust

  59

  2.9

  Milton keynes General Hospital NHS Trust

  179

  4.7

  864W 865W

  Cancelled operations for non clinical reasons, NHS trusts in England, 2001–02, quarter 4

  Trust

  Number of last minute cancellations for non clinical reasons in the quarter

  Cancellations as a percentage of elective admissions

  Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust

  33

  0.5

  Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust

  142

  2.0

  Newbury and Community PCT

  8

  1.5

  Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust

  260

  1.1

  Newham Healthcare NHS Trust

  106

  3.5

  Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust

  76

  0.5

  North Bristol NHS Trust

  171

  1.6

  North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  128

  1.6

  North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust

  167

  1.9

  North Devon Healthcare Trust

  5

  0.1

  North Dorset PCT

  3

  0.5

  North Durham Health Care NHS Trust

  63

  1.5

  North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  44

  0.9

  North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust

  146

  2.3

  North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  26

  0.6

  North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust

  306

  2.3

  North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust

  26

  0.4

  North West Anglia Healthcare NHS Trust

  11

  1.3

  North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

  121

  1.2

  Northallerton Health Services NHS Trust

  1

  0.0

  Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

  313

  3.9

  Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust

  85

  0.7

  Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust

  40

  0.4

  Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust

  324

  3.6

  Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust

  12

  0.7

  Oldham NHS Trust

  144

  2.0

  Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

  428

  3.6

  Papworth Hospital NHS Trust

  5

  0.1

  Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust

  114

  1.9

  Pinderfields and Pontefract NHS Trust

  333

  3.5

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  209

  1.8

  Poole Hospital NHS Trust

  142

  2.1

  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  183

  1.5

  Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  196

  3.7

  Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust

  33

  1.0

  Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust

  15

  0.3

  Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust

  237

  6.0

  Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust

  18

  0.8

  Queens Medical Centre NHS Trust

  20

  0.2

  Riverside Community Health Care NHS Trust

  9

  n/a

  Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital

  13

  0.7

  Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  85

  2.0

  Rotherham General Hospitals NHS Trust

  31

  0.5

  Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust

  80

  0.9

  Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust

  76

  0.6

  Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust

  69

  1.4

  Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

  295

  2.5

  Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust

  108

  0.9

  Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

  27

  0.3

  Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals

  99

  1.0

  Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust

  60

  1.5

  Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust

  19

  0.2

  Royal National Orthopaedic NHS Trust

  40

  2.3

  Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

  18

  0.6

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust

  163

  2.4

  Royal Surrey County and St. Lukes Hospital NHS Trust

  118

  1.6

  Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

  207

  3.0

  Royal West Sussex NHS Trust

  76

  1.7

  Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

  28

  0.4

  Salford Hospitals NHS Trust

  64

  1.1

  Salisbury Health Care NHS Trust

  139

  2.3

  Sandwell Healthcare NHS Trust

  52

  0.9

  Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care

  36

  0.7

  Severn NHS Trust

  3

  0.5

  Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Trust

  7

  0.3

  Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  149

  0.7

  Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust

  209

  3.3

  Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  2

  1.5

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  3

  0.1

  South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust

  71

  0.9

  South Durham Health Care NHS Trust

  54

  0.8

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  498

  5.6

  South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  143

  1.0

  South Tyneside Health Care NHS Trust

  31

  0.8

  South Warwickshire General NHS Trust

  57

  1.1

  South West Dorset PCT

  1

  0.3

  866W 867W

  Cancelled operations for non clinical reasons, NHS trusts in England, 2001–02, quarter 4

  Trust

  Number of last minute cancellations for non clinical reasons in the quarter

  Cancellations as a percentage of elective admissions

  Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust

  116

  0.9

  Southend Health Care NHS Trust

  97

  1.1

  Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  88

  0.7

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS trust

  14

  0.3

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust

  256

  3.1

  St. Helens and Knowsley Hospital NHS Trust

  226

  2.8

  St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trust

  21

  0.3

  Stockport NHS Trust

  93

  1.3

  Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust

  24

  0.7

  Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

  63

  1.1

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  70

  1.0

  Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust

  421

  11.4

  Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust

  133

  1.5

  Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust

  37

  1.0

  United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust

  453

  3.4

  United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  159

  1.1

  University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

  56

  0.7

  University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust

  119

  1.I

  University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

  136

  1.5

  University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

  175

  0.6

  Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust

  31

  0.5

  Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery NHS Trust

  42

  3.8

  West Dorset General Hospital NHS Trust

  256

  4.4

  West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  173

  1.8

  West Middlesex University NHS Trust

  17

  0.6

  West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust

  145

  2.5

  Weston Area Health NHS Trust

  35

  1.5

  Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust

  270

  4.7

  Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

  72

  2.6

  Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust

  26

  0.6

  Wirral Hospital NHS Trust

  61

  0.8

  Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  63

  0.7

  Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust

  16

  0.2

  Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust

  77

  0.8

  York Health Services NHS Trust

  13

  0.2

  England

  19,973

  1.5

  London Medical Schools
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of redundancy committees at London medical schools. [61467]

  Margaret Hodge
  I have been asked to reply.
  868W
  The role of redundancy committees is set out in the University Commissioners' Model Statutes which arises from the Education Reform Act 1988. Academic staff in medical schools who are employees of a university will be covered by statutes adopted in line with the model.

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