Written Answers of 23 May 2002

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Asthma
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will require local education authorities to implement an asthma policy; and if she will remind them of her Department's 1996 guidelines for supporting children with medical needs in schools. [56353]

  Mr. Timms
  We encourage all local education authorities and schools in England to have policies for supporting pupils' medical conditions, including asthma. We reminded them in the spring of the importance of following our guidelines.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how standard spending assessments for education take into account the impact of large movements of pupils with differing needs across local authority boundaries. [56355]

  Mr. Timms
  The current system allocates extra funding for additional needs on the basis of where pupils are educated, rather than where they live. We are currently working on a new funding system for introduction in 2003–04. Our aim is for the new system to be fairer and clearer, and justified by the educational needs of children. We want it to be child and school based, taking into account cross-LEA boundary migration.

  National Insurance
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what impact the increased national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will have on special needs schools. [56358]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The cost to all special schools in England will be around £6 million a year from 2003–04. This cost will be considered along side other priorities and pressures in the 2002 spending review.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) of 29 April 2002,Official Report, column 571W, how much the increases in national insurance announced in the Budget will cost the average (a) primary and (b) secondary school, expressed on a cost per pupil basis. [56352]

  Mr. Timms
  On average, the changes will cost about £15 per primary school pupil and about £20 per secondary school pupil in England from 2003–04. These costs will be considered as part of this year's Spending Review alongside other priorities and pressures.

  Youth Service
  Phil Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she is taking to improve the quality of and resources for the Youth Service. [56359]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Under the Government's "Transforming Youth Work" agenda we will publish later this year our view of an adequate and sufficient' Youth Service. In the longer term this will be supported by the introduction of National Quality Standards, National Performance Measures, a Common Planning Framework, a new National Management Training Programme, and a Workforce Development Strategy. In addition we have provided £49 million to Youth Services over the next two years to support this agenda.

  Medical Students
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to provide more financial support for medical students in higher education, with particular regard to graduate entrants. [56360]

  Margaret Hodge
  There are special arrangements for both undergraduate and graduate medical students. Students on undergraduate courses pay no tuition fees in year five and later years and become eligible for means-tested NHS bursaries and reduced-rate income contingent student loans made on generous terms. Students undertaking the four year graduate entry programme have the same enhanced support in years two to four. In the other years medical students are eligible for DfES student support on the same basis as other students.

  School Discipline
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what policies are in place to tackle poor behaviour and promote discipline in schools. [56361]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We have provided extensive support to schools including funding for over 1,050 Learning Support Units for disruptive pupils, guidance on discipline and exclusion policies, and guidance on developing effective anti-bullying strategies.

  In addition, the £66 million made available through this year's Budget will fund a programme of focused support for schools in the 34 LEAs facing the toughest challenges of behaviour and criminality.

  Student Funding
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she has to increase student funding. [56362]

  Margaret Hodge
  Our review of student finance is still under way. We shall make an announcement on the outcome of the review when it is complete.

  School Funding
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of money provided to schools by her Department is allocated to specific purposes and activities. [56363]
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  Mr. Timms
  Recurrent funding for schools is channelled through local education authorities and is made up of Education Standard Spending, the Standards Fund, the Schools Standards Grant and other special grants.

  Education Standard Spending is the amount the Government consider appropriate for local authorities to spend on education from their total budgets and is not ring-fenced for specific purposes or activities. In addition, the School Standards Grant is paid to schools to be used by them as they wish to raise standards.

  LEAs and schools receive Standards Fund Grant for particular specific purposes and activities such as the literacy and numeracy strategies. Other special grants are paid to schools to support payments to teachers passing the threshold and performance pay for teachers. Schools also receive funding via education action zones for particular purposes. Taken together these account for 11.7 per cent. of recurrent education funding for LEAs and schools. Of this, around half is devolved to schools from the Standards Fund for them to spend on their own priorities within the broad objectives of the Standards Fund programme.

  Capital funding for schools is provided through a combination of credit approvals, Government grant, and through the Private Finance Initiative. Around 45 per cent. of capital funding is allocated for specific purposes or activities.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what extra funding she has made available to schools with classes of 8, 9 and 10-year-olds containing more than 30 children in the last 12 months. [56376]

  Mr. Timms
  In 2001–02 we made up to £73 million available to local education authorities to make progress on class sizes at Key Stage 2. We estimate that this has paid for around 500 additional teachers and 500 new classrooms.

  Mathematics
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the measures that she has taken to increase the number of young people taking AS and A-level mathematics. [56364]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Because post-16 education is not compulsory, the Government is not able to promote an individual subject at the expense of others. But we are keen to see that students take on a broader range of subjects, mixing science and art subjects, including mathematics. To encourage this, we have made available additional funding to schools and colleges.

  Centres of Vocational Excellence
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the new centres of vocational excellence. [56365]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  On 29 April we announced new money to fund an extra 100 centres of vocational excellence. Centres of vocational excellence will develop new, and enhance existing, excellent vocational provision which is focused on meeting the skills needs of employers, nationally, regionally and locally.
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  An additional £57 million is being invested into extending the centres of vocational excellence programme beyond our existing commitment to create centres of vocational excellence in half of all general further education colleges by 2004. The money, £40 million of which is new resource from the Capital Modernisation Fund announced in the Budget, will fund an extra 50 centres in colleges and an additional 50 centres of vocational excellence based in organisations beyond the further education sector, such as private or voluntary training providers.

  For the first time, we are inviting training providers outside the further education sector to become involved in the programme. These new centres will help us harness the valuable experience that many in the private and voluntary training sectors possess and is a direct response to the positive feedback we received for this proposal in our consultation.

  We have made excellent progress to date. The first 16 centres are up and running and beginning to deliver excellent results across a range of industries. A further 70 have just been established and the first non-college centres of vocational excellence come on stream later this month. By March 2004 there will be 250 centres of vocational excellence making a vital contribution to increasing the nation's vocational skills and productivity.

  Further Education
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the results from the inspections of further education colleges in the last 12 months. [56366]

  Margaret Hodge
  Of the 93 college inspections carried out to date under the new regime, results have been published for 44 colleges. There have been some good results, but there is still some way to go to achieve consistent quality.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations she has received about funding and other support for further education colleges. [56375]

  John Healey
  Ministers have received extensive recent representations about funding and other support for further education. In particular, the Association of Colleges, NATFHE, the NUS and others organised a lobby of Parliament on 23 April on the issues of further education funding, pay and support. We are listening carefully to the views of those in the further education sector and will take these into account in determining how best to use the 2002 spending review settlement.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on funding for further education. [56356]

  John Healey
  The Government are steadily increasing investment in further education. By next year funding for further education will have risen by 26 per cent. in real terms since 1997. The Learning and Skills Council's funding rates for programmes delivered by further education colleges are increasing by 2.5 per cent. above current rate of inflation for the 2002–03 academic year.
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  Beyond this we are looking to the current spending review to deliver the resources needed to meet the Government's ambitions for further education.

  Sector Skills Councils
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on progress in the establishment of sector skills councils. [56367]

  John Healey
  Five Trailblazer sector skills councils were announced in December 2001 covering audio visual industries, land-based industries, apparel, footwear and textiles, oil and gas extraction, chemicals manufacturing and petroleum industries and the retail sector. Four Trailblazer sector skills councils have received two-year licences, the fifth should follow shortly. The Sector Skills Development Agency is expected to call for formal expressions of interest to establish new sector skills councils in the next few weeks.

  University Entrants
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to encourage university applications from pupils from lower socio-economic groups. [56368]

  Margaret Hodge
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Tony Wright).

  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the number of university applications for the coming year. [56369]

  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the number of university applications for the next academic year. [56374]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest data published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service show that the number of applications is 1.5 per cent. higher than last year. This very welcome and indicates the strength of demand for British higher education. The 4.6 per cent. rise in applications from mature entrants is particularly welcome since we have introduced generous additional support for student parents, including a child care grant and a travel and equipment grant.

  Reception Classes
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidelines she issues on ensuring that parents do not come under inappropriate pressure to enrol their children in reception classes before they are ready. [56370]

  Mr. Timms
  The code of practice on school admissions says that admission authorities can offer places in reception classes to parents before their children are of compulsory school age (e.g. five), but also that parents accepting the offer can ask to defer their child's entry until he or she is of compulsory school age, provided the place is taken up within the same academic year.

  Teachers
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the reasons teachers leave the profession. [56371]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has commissioned Professor Alan Smithers and Dr. Pamela Robinson, from the university of Liverpool, Centre for Education and Employment Research to undertake research into this issue. The study is gathering information from a nationally representative survey of teachers leaving the profession about the factors affecting their decisions to leave teaching. The research commenced in December 2001 and we expect the report to be published in March 2003.

  Higher Education Funding Review
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects to announce the findings of the Government's review of higher education funding. [56372]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government's plans for higher education funding in England will be announced later in the year, when the present spending review is concluded.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support her Department gives to local education authorities seeking to raise standards in meeting special educational needs. [56373]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Officials in the Department's Special Educational Needs Division support local education authorities in raising standards in meeting special educational needs through offering guidance, drawing on expertise provided by educational advisers, building consultants, members of the Office for Standards in Education, officials in other Government Departments and voluntary organisations. Education standard spending assessment support for local education authorities for 2002–03 totalled £23.68 billion, an increase of nearly £1.2 billion compared with 2001–02. By 2003–04 average recurrent funding per pupil will have increased by over £760 in real terms since 1997–98. In addition £91 million was available from the Department's Standards Fund for special educational needs for 2002–03. This represents more than a fivefold increase compared with the £17 million available in 1997–98.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children per 1,000 are issued with a statement of special needs in(a) Boston and Skegness, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) England. [56146]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Pupils with statements of special educational needs1 January 2001

  Total pupils

  Pupils with statements of SEN2

  Number of pupils per 1,000 with a statement of SEN

  Boston and Skegness parliamentary constituency3

  13,005

  296

  22.8

  Lincolnshire local education authority3

  100,666

  3,218

  32.0

  England

  7,733,640

  249,300

  32.2

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

  2 Estimates have been made at national level for January 2001 because the data for SEN are known to be incomplete. Figures given for Boston and skegness parliamentary constituency and Lincolnshire LEA are as reported by schools in the Boston and Skegness parliamentary constituency and Lincolnshire LEA areas.

  3 Pupils attending schools within Boston and Skegness parliamentary constituency and Lincolnshire local education authority.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision for special educational needs statementing will be in place for children in accommodation centres(a) on arrival at the accommodation centre and (b) before entering mainstream schools. [57623]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We expect the needs of most children with special educational needs to be met by the provision in the accommodation centres in the same way as in schools. Where asked by an accommodation centre to carry out a statutory assessment of a child's needs, the local education authority will consider the request in the same way as for other children and, where appropriate, will draw up a statement of special educational needs.

  Sixth Form Colleges
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects that the funding for students at sixth form colleges will be raised to the same level as for students in school sixth forms. [56377]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Government have set no timetable for achieving equivalent funding between further education and sixth form colleges and school sixth forms. We have made it clear that bringing the level of funding for colleges towards that of school sixth forms can be done only as resources allow and it would be unwise to commit ourselves beyond the resources we secure. We are looking to the current spending review to provide the resources needed to deliver the Government's ambitious agenda for further education.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total income was from student tuition fees in(a) 1996–97 and (b) each of the subsequent five financial years. [50981]

  Margaret Hodge
  The available information is shown in the following table. Data for 2001–02 will be available in April 2003.

  Total income from student tuition fees1: UK higher education institutions

  £ million

  Financial Year

  Tuition Fee Income

  1996–97

  2,347

  1997–98

  2,469

  1998–99

  2,675

  1999–2000

  2,814

  2000–01

  2,997

  1 Covers tuition fee income from all students (home, EU and other overseas) on full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and students on non-credit-bearing courses.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of claims made by learning providers, following the closure of the Individual Learning Account scheme, have been paid; when the rest will be paid; and what factors underlie the delay in completing payments. [55981]

  John Healey
  At the end of April, 93 per cent. of claims made by registered learning providers following the closure of the Individual Learning Account programme on 23 November 2001 had been paid.

  Payments are only withheld pending follow up and investigation where serious complaints from trainees have been received by the Department or where there are serious concerns about the provider's operation of the programme.

  Alistair Burt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether she has been notified of closures of small firms providing learning or training following the closure of the Individual Learning Account Scheme; and if she will make a statement. [55982]

  John Healey
  The Department has been notified of the closure of four small firms providing learning or training following the closure of the Individual Learning Account (ILA) programme. We have no information to suggest that these were directly related to the closure of the Individual Learning Account (ILA) programme.

  Sick Leave
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many days of sick leave were taken in her Department last year; how many related to employees suffering(a) stress and (b) other mental health problems; and what the cost was to her Department. [56485]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 14 May 2002]: An average of 7.7 days sick leave were taken by employees in the former Department for Education and Employment in 2000, the latest year for which this information is available. Information is not held for the other questions and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, no compensation has been paid to employees specifically for work related stress.

  My Department is committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost due to sickness absence generally and due to work related injuries and illness arising from the Government's revitalising health and safety initiative.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the mandate of the Socrates Committee (and Erasmus and Comenius Subcommittees) 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. [56717]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The purpose of the Socrates Committee is set out in the Council Decision 253/2000/EC of 24 January 2000, which established the
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  second phase of the Socrates programme. The Socrates Committee has met formally three times over the last 12 months, with an additional informal meeting in May 2002. The sub-committees for schools and higher education have met twice each. Two officials from the UK attend the Socrates Committee meetings, and one official usually attends the sub-committee meetings. Travel expenses were met from Commission resources. The subsistence and travelling costs incurred by this Department was about £8,485.00, for the committee and sub-committee meetings over the past twelve months, of which about £4,860 was reimbursed by the Commission.

  The next Socrates Committee meeting will consider approval of the selection of projects for 2002–03, a discussion of the programme budget, the monitoring and evaluation of the programme, and EC and general educational initiatives impacting on the programme. The Schools sub-committee will consider the allocation of funds to the Comenius action for schools. The next meeting of the higher education sub-committee is expected to be in the autumn. An agenda will not be available until nearer the time, but it is likely to cover various aspects of Erasmus, the higher education part of the Socrates programme, and EC and general initiatives impacting on higher education.

  Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

  Applied Science and Technology
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the percentage increase in funding per year per student studying applied science and technology subjects was, using 1997 as a base of 100, in each year since 1997, awarded to(a) further education colleges, (b) sixth form colleges and (c) schools with a sixth form in each year since 1997. [56168]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 15 May 2002]: The specific information requested is not available. The table shows the overall unit of funding each year in general further education colleges and sixth form colleges as a percentage of the 1997–98 overall funding rate for general further education colleges. The year on year changes are the same for all subject areas. Information on a similar basis is not available for schools.

  General further education colleges

  Sixth form colleges

  1997–98

  100

  108.2

  1998–99

  101.8

  104.9

  1999–2000

  104.3

  105.4

  2000–01

  105.0

  105.4

  2001–02

  106.4

  106.4

  2002–03

  109.0

  109.0

  Law Enforcement Agencies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities designated with legislation there are within the responsibility of her Department; and what complaints procedure is available for each. [57127]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 16 May 2002]: None.

  Juvenile Sex Abusers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures her Department takes to address the needs of children and young people who sexually abuse; and if she will make a statement. [57195]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Dealing with children and young people who sexually abuse requires contributions from different agencies—covering youth justice, child welfare, education and health, including child and adolescent mental health services. The response to these children and young people should take place within the framework of guidance set out in "Working Together to Safeguard Children", issued in December 1999 by the Department of Health, the Home Office and the Department for Education and Employment.

  The Department for Education and Skills has made available to schools on request a guidance pack entitled "Bullying: don't suffer in silence" which is intended to help Headteachers in fulfilling their duty to draw up measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. The pack refers to bullying which is sexual in nature and it sets out some suggested strategies to deal with such behaviour. It also mentions that a proven sexual assault is likely to lead to the exclusion from the school of the perpetrator. However, we recognise that excluded pupils often need further help in managing their behaviour from personnel such as Education Welfare Officers or Educational Psychologists.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms are in place for information-sharing between social services and schools regarding children and young people who sexually abuse. [58039]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: The guidance "Working Together to Safeguard Children", issued jointly by the Home Office, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health in December 1999, sets out the role of statutory agencies in responding to young abusers.

  In addition to collaborative working at the individual case level, there is also ongoing contact between schools, social services and criminal justice agencies at the strategic level, through local Area Child Protection Committees.

  All schools should be aware of local child protection policies, (as required by DfEE Circular 10–95) and should designate a member of staff to be responsible for child protection issues—including children who sexually abuse other young people. In cases of suspected abuse, the designated staff member should inform social services.

  To ensure that all information sharing arrangements between schools and social services complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Circular includes a checklist provided by the then Data Protection Registrar (now the Information Commissioner).

  Deaf Young People (Education)
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of young people who are profoundly deaf went into further and higher education in each of the last three years. [56491]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 16 May 2002]: Figures for people entering further or higher education who are profoundly deaf are not available, although we can provide those recorded as having a hearing impairment.

  The number of people in England registered as deaf or hard of hearing with their local authority, at 31 March 2001, is 194,840. However the true number of people in England with mild, moderate, severe or profound deafness is likely to be much more and was estimated by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People in 1996 to be 7,243,000.

  The number of people in Further Education recorded as having a hearing impairment is not available before 2000–01. Figures for 2000–01 are as follows:

  Numbers in Further Education (FE) in England

  Numbers in England recorded as having a hearing impairment as their main disability1

  All ages

  3,537,620

  9,291

  Aged 16–18 inclusive2

  621,542

  1,217

  1 Based upon the students' own self-assessments

  2 Age as at 31 August

  Source:

  Individualised Student Records collected by the Lerning and Skills Council on 31 July 2001

  The numbers of people in English domiciles, at UK Higher Education Institutions, recorded as deaf/having a hearing impairment are as follows:

  Number starting Higher Education (HE)1

  Number starting HE recorded as "deaf/have a hearing impairment"2

  1998–99

  All ages

  555,300

  1,320

  Aged 16–18 inclusive3

  120,200

  190

  1999–2000

  All ages

  554,400

  1,340

  Aged 16–18 inclusive3

  118,200

  220

  2000–01

  All ages

  567,300

  1,530

  Aged 16–18 inclusive3

  117,300

  250

  1 A census count of England domiciled students on the first year of higher education courses in UK HE institutions, as at 1 December, rounded to nearest 100.

  2 Based upon the students' own self-assessments, rounded to nearest 10.

  3 Age as at 31 August.

  Source:

  July Student Records collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

  Work-related Illness
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many days of sick leave were taken by employees in her Department in the last year for 464W
  which records are available; what proportion of those were due to work-related illness or injury; and what the cost to the Department was. [56056]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: An average of 7.7 days sick leave were taken by employees in the former Department for Education and Employment in 2000, the latest year for which this information is available. Information is not held for sick absences due to work-related illness or injury and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  During the period April 2001 to March 2002 three cases for work related illness reached final settlement at a cost of £20,318 including solicitors' fees. During the same period the Department received £3,280 back from a previous case where a claimant lost an appeal.

  My Department is committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost due to sickness absence as published in our Service Delivery Agreement.

  Truancy
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many recorded truants have missed more than 33 per cent. school days in the past year, broken down by local education authority. [57953]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  This level of detail is not available. Information on the number of pupils missing due to unauthorised absence is collected at school level. The number of days missed by individual pupils cannot be identified from this data.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to make use of courses run by the dyslexia treatment centres; and what assessment she has made of the research carried out by DDAT on inner ear balance disorder and its relationship with dyslexia. [57564]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The dyslexia, dyspraxia and attention deficit (DDAT) treatment is one of a number of commercially available programmes of help designed to support children with specific learning difficulties. It is for parents, individual schools and local education authorities to decide whether a given technique has something to offer an individual child in the light of his or her particular needs. The Department has no plans to commission research into this particular technique but it is one of number of approaches assessed by Dr. Angela Fawcett of Sheffield university in her third review of dyslexia research. This may be consulted on the Department's special educational needs website.

  School Exclusions
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school exclusions of one term or more there have been in the past year, broken down by local education authority. [57954]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The available information covering permanent exclusions is shown in the table.

  Information on the duration of fixed period (temporary) exclusions is not collected centrally.
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  Number of permanent exclusions1 1999–2000 by local education authority area, by Government Office region in England

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population2

  England

  8,323

  0.11

  North-east

  482

  0.11

  Darlington

  27

  0.17

  Durham

  114

  0.14

  Gateshead

  14

  0.05

  Hartlepool

  15

  0.09

  Middlesbrough

  3

  0.01

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  73

  0.19

  North Tyneside

  50

  0.16

  Northumberland

  42

  0.08

  Redcar and Cleveland

  37

  0.14

  South Tyneside

  36

  0.14

  Stockton-on-Tees

  27

  0.08

  Sunderland

  44

  0.09

  North-west

  1,314

  0.12

  Blackburn with Darwen

  40

  0.16

  Blackpool

  21

  0.10

  Bolton

  50

  0.11

  Bury

  39

  0.13

  Cheshire

  119

  0.11

  Cumbria

  39

  0.05

  Halton

  35

  0.16

  Knowsley

  6

  0.02

  Lancashire

  167

  0.09

  Liverpool

  175

  0.22

  Manchester

  114

  0.17

  Oldham

  51

  0.12

  Rochdale

  43

  0.12

  Salford

  77

  0.22

  Sefton

  56

  0.12

  St. Helens

  28

  0.09

  Stockport

  51

  0.12

  Tameside

  41

  0.11

  Trafford

  30

  0.08

  Warrington

  32

  0.10

  Wigan

  53

  0.10

  Wirral

  47

  0.08

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  819

  0.10

  Barnsley

  43

  0.12

  Bradford

  116

  0.13

  Calderdale

  11

  0.03

  Doncaster

  121

  0.23

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  20

  0.04

  Kingston Upon Hull, City of

  30

  0.07

  Kirklees

  72

  0.11

  Leeds

  71

  0.06

  North-east Lincolnshire

  38

  0.13

  North Lincolnshire

  39

  0.15

  North Yorkshire

  40

  0.05

  Rotherham

  32

  0.07

  Sheffield

  111

  0.15

  Wakefield

  59

  0.11

  York

  16

  0.06

  East Midlands

  696

  0.10

  Derby

  47

  0.12

  Derbyshire

  91

  0.08

  Leicester

  107

  0.22

  Leicestershire

  80

  0.08

  Lincolnshire

  107

  0.11

  Northamptonshire

  105

  0.10

  Nottingham

  55

  0.13

  Nottinghamshire

  102

  0.08

  Rutland

  2

  0.04

  466W

  Number of permanent exclusions1 1999–2000 by local education authority area, by Government Office region in England

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population2

  West Midlands

  1,104

  0.12

  Birmingham

  274

  0.15

  Coventry

  95

  0.19

  Dudley

  39

  0.08

  Herefordshire

  27

  0.11

  Sandwell

  132

  0.25

  Shropshire

  23

  0.06

  Solihull

  37

  0.10

  Staffordshire

  99

  0.07

  Stoke-on-Trent

  60

  0.16

  Telford and Wrekin

  50

  0.19

  Walsall

  51

  0.10

  Warwickshire

  82

  0.11

  Wolverhampton

  26

  0.06

  Worcestershire

  109

  0.13

  East of England

  735

  0.09

  Bedfordshire

  56

  0.09

  Cambridgeshire

  20

  0.03

  Essex

  182

  0.09

  Hertfordshire

  175

  0.10

  Luton

  15

  0.05

  Norfolk

  84

  0.07

  Peterborough

  38

  0.13

  Southend-on-Sea

  29

  0.11

  Suffolk

  100

  0.10

  Thurrock

  36

  0.16

  London

  1,289

  0.12

  Inner London

  516

  0.14

  Camden

  22

  0.10

  City of London

  1

  0.45

  Hackney

  31

  0.12

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  21

  0.12

  Haringey

  25

  0.07

  Islington

  20

  0.08

  Kensington and Chelsea

  24

  0.23

  Lambeth

  31

  0.11

  Lewisham

  75

  0.21

  Newham

  33

  0.07

  Southwark

  69

  0.20

  Tower Hamlets

  31

  0.09

  Wandsworth

  94

  0.33

  Westminster

  39

  0.22

  Outer London

  773

  0.11

  Barking and Dagenham

  31

  0.11

  Barnet

  57

  0.12

  Bexley

  33

  0.08

  Brent

  57

  0.15

  Bromley

  28

  0.06

  Croydon

  87

  0.18

  Ealing

  27

  0.06

  Enfield

  73

  0.15

  Greenwich

  43

  0.12

  Harrow

  39

  0.13

  Havering

  34

  0.09

  Hillingdon

  47

  0.12

  Hounslow

  52

  0.14

  Kingston upon Thames

  16

  0.08

  Merton

  23

  0.10

  Redbridge

  29

  0.07

  Richmond upon Thames

  25

  0.13

  Sutton

  19

  0.07

  Waltham Forest

  53

  0.15

  467W

  Number of permanent exclusions1 1999–2000 by local education authority area, by Government Office region in England

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Percentage of the school population

  South-east

  1,251

  0.11

  Bracknell Forest

  29

  0.19

  Brighton and Hove

  45

  0.15

  Buckinghamshire

  63

  0.08

  East Sussex

  72

  0.11

  Hampshire

  181

  0.10

  Isle of Wight

  11

  0.06

  Kent

  253

  0.12

  Medway

  75

  0.17

  Milton Keynes

  35

  0.10

  Oxfordshire

  76

  0.09

  Portsmouth

  27

  0.10

  Reading

  35

  0.20

  Slough

  10

  0.05

  Southampton

  15

  0.05

  Surrey

  133

  0.10

  West Berkshire

  16

  0.07

  West Sussex

  131

  0.12

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  25

  0.13

  Wokingham

  19

  0.08

  South-west

  633

  0.09

  Bath and North-east Somerset

  26

  0.10

  Bournemouth

  7

  0.03

  Bristol, City of

  104

  0.21

  Cornwall

  58

  0.08

  Devon

  79

  0.08

  Dorset

  35

  0.06

  Gloucestershire

  91

  0.11

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0.00

  North Somerset

  41

  0.15

  Plymouth

  23

  0.06

  Poole

  5

  0.03

  Somerset

  62

  0.09

  South Gloucestershire

  23

  0.06

  Swindon

  20

  0.07

  Torbay

  18

  0.09

  Wiltshire

  41

  0.06

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

  2 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (head count) of pupils in primary, secondary and special schools, excluding dually registered pupils in special schools in January 2000.

  Source:

  Annual schools' census.

  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the numbers of pupils excluded from schools. [56347]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Only statistics on permanent exclusions from school are collected centrally. The statistical first release on exclusions published this morning shows that there were 9,210 permanent exclusions from school in England in the 2000–01 school year. Our priority now is to provide suitable full time education for permanently excluded pupils and we have a public service agreement target to ensure that all local education authorities offer this by September 2002.

  Computers
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will discuss with software companies whether they would be prepared to waive 468W
  rights and let licences be passed from one user to another when personal computers are reconditioned or similarly second-hand and the recipients are schools and educational facilities. [57691]

  John Healey
  My Department has regular meetings with major software suppliers and these discussions include issues related to the particular rights on licences. Our aim is to ensure that education institutions obtain best value for money, and usually the cost of licences for education is considerably lower than other market areas. It is important that schools are properly licensed, and most suppliers will offer substantial discounts to schools. This applies both to new, second hand or reconditioned computers.

  Unpaid Advisers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 129W, what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of unpaid advisers who have assisted the work of her Department since June 1997 but are not included in the Cabinet Office's annual report "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews 2000–01". [57033]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: The Secretary of State has appointed Sir Cyril Taylor as her unpaid adviser for the specialist schools programme, and on sponsorship for education action zones.

  I apologise to the right hon. Member. Sir Cyril Taylor's name should have been included in my reply to him of 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 129W, but was omitted in error.

  Breakfast Clubs
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what evaluation she has made of the value of breakfast clubs in enhancing the attendance and achievement of school pupils. [56354]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Evidence shows that out-of-school-hours study support, including breakfast clubs, can make a real difference to children's attitudes to school, attendance and attainment. Specific evaluation of breakfast clubs also points to benefits such as improved punctuality, concentration, social skills, and relationships with staff.

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of the establishment of the Learning and Skills Council on the funding arrangements for school sixth forms. [56357]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Learning and Skills Council began funding LEAs for their school sixth form provision in April. Funding allocations were notified to LEAs and schools in early March. All LEAs have received their first tranche payments from the LSC.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Solicitor-General if she will examine ways of achieving more effective representation by the CPS in handling breaches of antisocial behaviour orders. [56381]

  The Solicitor-General
  A breach of an antisocial behaviour order is a criminal offence and the CPS will prosecute when the police send them a file.

  Last year there were 85 prosecutions for breaches of ASBOs of which 69 resulted in a conviction.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Solicitor-General what action she has taken to introduce anti-discrimination policies within the Crown Prosecution Service. [56382]

  The Solicitor-General
  Anti-discrimination measures already implemented include:

  (1) training over 6,000 members of staff in equality and diversity, all staff have diversity objectives measured through the performance appraisal system,

  (2) the appointment of 11 regional officers,

  (3) campaigns on "dignity at work"

  (4) a raft of community engagement initiatives across the country,

  (5) all personnel procedures have been reviewed to ensure they are not discriminatory,

  (6) a new complaints procedure has been written, and there is a review of 15,000 cases to see whether there are indicators of discrimination in any part of the prosecution process.

  All these measures are already paying dividends: the CPS now has a representative workforce—11.6 per cent. of staff are from minority ethnic groups, this is higher than the percentage in the population. In London the figure is 30 per cent. This compares very well with other Government Departments.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Solicitor-General what arrangements she has made for the Crown Prosecution Service to support the Government's aim of reducing street crime. [56384]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service is committed fully to playing its part in the street crime initiative. With police it developed the Premium Service. This is designed to deliver a premium service of best practice in investigation and prosecution.

  The premium service targets particular crime areas and will ensure that offenders are investigated and prosecuted with skill and determination. Experienced lawyers and detectives will handle cases and they will work closely together. An extra £6 million is being allocated to the CPS to free up experienced lawyers to concentrate on this work.

  Key features of the Premium Service include:
  early CPS advice to get the charge right first time;
  working closely with the police throughout the preparation of the case and the court hearing;
  470W
  speeding up the criminal justice process by using measures such as Narey courts, telephone advice, urgent conferences and simple, unbureaucratic procedures;
  more careful consideration given to discontinuing prosecutions;
  extra care for victims and witnesses;
  use of videos in court to show the court the full picture of a robbery;
  opposing bail when appropriate and being robust about appealing against decisions to grant bail;
  presenting full evidence of previous convictions.

  In addition, Premium Service arrangements have been made in relation to the care of victims and witnesses.

  The Crown Prosecution Service has also been at the forefront in developing area protocols in partnership with criminal justice agencies at a local level. These protocols are designed to ensure that there is engagement all the way through the criminal justice system and with the local community.

  The CPS has engaged fully with its criminal justice partners, meeting regularly at local levels and nationally at strategic levels. It has taken national areas of concern, such as those surrounding bail, and worked towards solutions that benefit the whole of the criminal justice system.

  Both the Attorney-General and I are being briefed regularly by the CPS about progress on this initiative. The Attorney-General attends the ministerial meetings, which the Prime Minister chairs, together with the DPP and the chief executive.

  Witness Intimidation
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Solicitor-General what steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking to identify cases of witness intimidation. [56383]

  The Solicitor-General
  The police have the primary responsibility to identify that a case involves an intimidated witness.

  The Crown Prosecution Service will, as part of its case review, be alert to the possibility that the case may involve an intimidated or vulnerable witness and will take the appropriate action to protect witnesses, which could include an application for the remand of the defendant in custody or for special measures to protect an intimidated witness such as the video evidence screens or clearing the public gallery.

  Death in Custody
  Hugh Bayley
  To ask the Solicitor-General what plans she has to seek the involvement of the CPS in giving advice immediately following a death in custody. [56385]

  The Solicitor-General
  In many cases the police already seek early legal advice from the Crown Prosecution Service during the investigation of a death in custody. The practice of the CPS giving early advice in these cases is one of the issues raised for consultation by the Attorney General in his review of the role and practices of the Crown Prosecution Service in cases arising from deaths in custody.

  Crime Statistics (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on levels of(a) reported crimes and (b) successful prosecutions brought in North Yorkshire since 1996–97. [56387]

  The Solicitor-General
  The level of reported crime in North Yorkshire stood at 50,924 cases for the year 1996–97.

  The figures for 2001–02, show 59,149 cases being reported in that year.

  Over the last two years there has been a drop in the number of convictions with 10,801 in 2001–02.

PRIME MINISTER

  Euro
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Prime Minister what opinion polling has been carried out into the public's attitude to the euro since June 2001; what the cost has been of such polling; if he will publish the results; and if he will make a statement. [58611]

  The Prime Minister
  The FCO announced on 5 December 2001 the results of its opinion poll on attitudes towards the European Union and put the results in the Library of the House. The poll, carried out by ICM on behalf of the FCO, cost £28,317.50.

  Constituency Data
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Members who have requested statistical data, since 1 May 1997, on the effects of the Government's policies pertaining to their own constituency; what has been the average length of response to such parliamentary questions; what his policy is on length of response to parliamentary questions in general; what measures are taken to ensure political impartiality in such responses; and if he will make a statement. [58776]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have consistently made it clear, in response to reports of the Public Administration Select Committee, and previous questions from Members of the House, that they are committed to providing prompt and accurate answers to PQs. This remains the position.

  Details of Members who have requested information on the effect of Government policy on their respective constituencies can be obtained from the Library of the House.

  Information on the response time to this sort of question is not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  With regard to maintaining political impartiality in answers to PQs, the general principles which civil servants must follow are set out in the Civil Service Code, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Weston Park Agreement
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Northern Ireland political parties endorsed the Weston Park Agreement. [45969]

  Mr. Browne
  The Weston Park discussions did not result in immediate agreement between the Northern Ireland parties. Following intensive discussions there, the British and Irish Governments put a package of measures, covering all outstanding issues, to the parties on 1 August.

  Organised Crime Task Force
  Mr. Tom Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the work of the Organised Crime Task Force during the last 12 months. [59800]

  Jane Kennedy
  The creation of the Northern Ireland Organised Crime Task Force is the manifestation of the Government's commitment to help make Northern Ireland a stable and peaceful society. A year on from the publication of the task force's first Threat Assessment and Strategy, we have seen some truly remarkable successes against organised criminals in Northern Ireland. Concerted law enforcement activity has clearly played a vital role in disrupting and fragmenting the illegal acts of the criminals.

  I have today arranged for copies of the publication to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

  Kinetic Energy Projectiles
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been undertaken on(a) the energy attenuation features for future kinetic energy projectiles in order to reduce the severity of head injuries, (b) post-ricochet injuries and energy of baton rounds and steps that could be taken to reduce risk to non-targeted personnel from ricochets and (c) the features of a kinetic energy based system that are intrinsic to its use as a deterrent, in order to provide the analysis tools for maintaining the required performance but at a reduced risk of life-threatening injury. [17761]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply as these issues relate to recommendations following an independent medical assessment of the safety of the L21A1 baton round undertaken by the Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC) to my request.

  The assessment was completed prior to work on alternatives to the L21A1 being undertaken under the leadership of the Northern Ireland Office. This work seeks to address recommendations 69 and 70 of the Patten report. Phases 1 and 11 have been completed and publicly reported. This programme is currently assessing systems that offer potentially energy attenuating features and that will have different ricochet characteristics to L21A1. In support of this assessment the Government are undertaking a programme of trials and model development as well as recording information from L21A1 in service. These programmes therefore address energy attenuation features for kinetic energy projectiles and systems that will reduce risk from ricochet.
  473W
  In addition the Ministry of Defence has conducted a separate research programme into the characteristics of kinetic energy projectiles intrinsic to their use as a deterrent.

  Provisional IRA Ceasefire
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the present status of the provisional IRA ceasefire in relation to the theft of intelligence information from PSNI Special Branch at Castlereagh police station. [48766]

  Dr. John Reid
  In relation to the break in at Castlereagh, the criminal investigation is continuing and the Acting Chief Constable has advised me that the PSNI are actively pursuing lines of inquiry. It would be wrong for me to make any comment which anticipated the outcome of the investigation.

  In relation to the status of the IRA's ceasefire, I do not believe that it is under threat.

DEFENCE

  Armed Forces Personnel (Deaths on Military Premises)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members or employees of Her Majesty's armed forces have died by self-inflicted injuries in and around military premises in each of the past eight years, indicating(a) the date of death of each person, (b) their gender, age and ethnic origin, (c) the military premises on which the fatal incident occurred and (d) the location, date and verdict of the inquest. [56697]

  Mr. Ingram
  Between 1 January 1993 and 14 May 2002 there have been 156 suicides among serving members of the regular armed forces. To ensure that service personnel confidentiality is not compromised, it has been necessary to group the data by year, location and age group in the following tables. Of the 156 suicides only three were female. In respect of breakdown by ethnic origin, information is only available from May 1996–64 suicides were recorded as "White" and 10 were recorded as "Unspecified".

  It is not possible to provide information on self inflicted deaths as the definitions used for these deaths are currently under review. They are being checked for consistency against those used in the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

  Information on suicides can however be provided for this period, as these are well defined.

  Suicides in serving regular armed forces personnel by geographic location: 1 January 1993 to 14 May 2002

  Location

  Year of death

  Great Britain (4)

  Northern Ireland

  Germany (BAOR)

  Other

  Grand Total

  1 January

  1993

  20

  2

  5

  1

  28

  1994

  19

  3

  6

  2

  30

  1995

  9

  7

  4

  0

  20

  1996

  16

  3

  2

  3

  24

  1997

  19

  0

  2

  0

  21

  1998

  9

  0

  2

  0

  11

  474W

  Suicides in serving regular armed forces personnel by geographic location: 1 January 1993 to 14 May 2002

  Location

  Year of death

  Great Britain

  Northern Ireland

  Germany (BAOR)

  Other

  Grand Total

  1999

  9

  0

  0

  0

  9

  2000

  8

  0

  1

  1

  10

  2001

  2

  0

  1

  0

  3

  Grand total

  111

  15

  23

  7

  156

  Suicides in serving regular armed forces personnel by age group: 1 January 1993 to 14 May 2002

  Age group

  Year of death

  Under 30

  30–39

  40 and over

  Grand total

  1 January

  1993

  18

  8

  2

  28

  1994

  24

  5

  1

  30

  1995

  13

  6

  1

  20

  1996

  15

  8

  1

  24

  1997

  11

  8

  2

  21

  1998

  6

  3

  2

  11

  1999

  4

  4

  1

  9

  2000

  4

  5

  1

  10

  2001

  2

  1

  0

  3

  Grand total

  97

  48

  11

  156

  Notes:

  1. There were no reported suicides for 2002 as at the 14 May 2002.

  2. Figures for suicides are subject to revision as further coroner's verdicts are reported to DASA.

  3. Census Survey categories, based on the 1991 Census Survey categories. Records of ethnic category for service personnel was not recorded prior to May 1996.

  4. Great Britain included UK Waters and North Atlantic.

  Armed Forces
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many violent incidents involving(a) injury and (b) death of Her Majesty's forces personnel stationed or present at the Deepcut barracks have been (i) reported in the past eight years to the army medical services and (ii) sent on for treatment at a local hospital; and if he will make a statement. [56698]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been four deaths at Deepcut resulting from gunshot wounds over the last eight years. It is not possible to provide details of the number of injuries as, due to differing reporting criteria for sickness and injuries in the past, these data are unreliable. This shortcoming is being addressed.

  Since 1 January 1995, 28 personnel from 25 Training Support Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, Deepcut, have appeared before court-martial as a result of violent incidents. In addition, a further 41 soldiers have been dealt with summarily as a result of their involvement in such incidents since October 2000, the date from which central recording of summary dealing statistics began. It is not readily possible, however, to determine whether these incidents resulted in injury and/or death and, consequently, whether the Army medical services or local hospitals were involved in providing any treatment.

  QinetiQ
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the privatisation of QinetiQ. [57336]
  475W
  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 March 2002,Official Report, column 314W, about the route and timing for the sale of QinetiQ. The selection process for a strategic partner for QinetiQ is now well under way with initial bids from interested parties due by 20 May. The timetable is on track to identify the preferred bidder by summer 2002 and complete the process later this year.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the information memorandum sent to potential bidders for QinetiQ; and if he will make a statement. [57796]

  Mr. Ingram
  The QinetiQ information memorandum contains details about QinetiQ's business, including future commercial plans, and is therefore commercial-in-confidence. It was prepared solely for the use of bidders to aid them in the preparation of their indicative bids for a share of the business. In accordance with normal practice, these parties were required to sign confidentiality agreements before the information memorandum was sent to them. Publishing the document more widely would not be in the interests of a successful QinetiQ transaction and would risk damaging value for the taxpayer. I am, therefore, withholding the information requested under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  RAF Bases
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the outcome of the study into the future of RAF Lyneham, Brize Norton and St. Mawgan. [57241]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The exact timing of the announcement of the outcome of the Strategic Review of RAF Lyneham, RAF Brize Norton and RAF St. Mawgan is not yet known but expected to be later this year.

  Service Personnel
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people there were in the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force in (i) 1980, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990, (iv) 1995 and (v) 2000. [58572]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the UK Defence Statistics 2001, table 2.8, which lists these figures. A copy of this annual publication is held in the Library of the House.

  UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made regarding the ratification of the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and what plans the Government have for the deployment of under-18s after its ratification. [58022]

  Mr. Ingram
  Officials in both the Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office are working actively towards ratification of the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and we expect to be in a position to ratify soon. This work includes finalising guidelines for the armed forces which are designed to 476W
  ensure adherence to the protocol's requirement that all feasible measures be taken to avoid direct involvement in hostilities by those under 18 years of age while reflecting the practical position set out in the United Kingdom's declaration on signing, thus maintaining operational effectiveness. As part of the ratification process, an Explanatory Memorandum will be laid before Parliament to explain the significance of the optional protocol and will cover the steps being taken to enable ratification.

  Air Services (RAF)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy to consult local interests before agreeing to the operation of scheduled services by commercial airlines from RAF Leuchars; [57729]

  (2) what proposals have been made and by which airline companies for the operation of scheduled service from RAF Leuchars; [57728]

  (3) what his policy is towards the use of front line RAF stations by commercial airlines operating scheduled services; and if he will make a statement; [57727]

  (4) on how many occasions Ministers or members of his Department have met representatives of commercial airline companies to discuss the operation of scheduled services from RAF Leuchars; [57726]

  (5) if he will make it his policy to take amenity considerations into account when responding to proposals for the operation of scheduled air services from RAF stations. [57725]

  Mr. Ingram
  As part of the Government's Wider Markets Initiative, RAF Strike Command is considering the feasibility for the exploitation of irreducible spare capacity on its airfields, which may include use by scheduled service operators. The primacy of military operations will not be diluted as a result of commercial activity. No formal proposals have been put forward by airline companies for the operation of scheduled services from RAF Leuchars. No Ministry of Defence Minister or official has met representatives of commercial airline companies to discuss the operation of scheduled services from RAF Leuchars, however, consultants advising the RAF have sought the views of the airline operator community. It is Ministry of Defence policy to consult fully and openly with representatives from relevant local and regional councils when examining the feasibility of any regular commercial airline activity at RAF bases.

  Meteorological Office
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Meteorological Office for financial year 2002–03. [59660]

  Mr. Ingram
  The chief executive of the Met Office is responsible for providing meteorological and related environmental services, including climate change prediction, to a wide range of customers, including the armed forces, Government, civil aviation, shipping, emergency services, media, commerce, industry and general public. The Met Office also undertakes research to meteorology and climate. This year, the Met Office will be set the following challenging targets.
  477W
  Key Target 1

  To achieve a value for the Numerical Weather Prediction Index of at least 109.5 on 31 March 2003, from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 2000.

  Key Target 2

  To achieve a value for the Service Quality Index of at least 115.4 on 31 March 2003, from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 1997, in line with customer requirements.

  Key Target 3

  A three-year target to achieve a value for the Efficiency Index of at least 111.6 by 31 March 2003 was announced last year, but has been passed ahead of schedule. A revised target is therefore set which is: To achieve a value for the Efficiency Index of at least 120.5 on 31 March 2003, from a baseline of 100.0 on 31 March 2000.

  Key Target 4

  To ensure a positive Return On Capital Employed in 2002–03, while returning an operating profit of at least £13.3 million before strategic investments.

  Key Target 5

  To achieve strategic investment in 2002–03 or £19.4 million ±£1.5 million.

  Key Target 6

  To achieve a total contribution from commercial activities in 2002–03 of at least £3.8 million.

  Key Target 7

  To achieve a value for the Staff Skills Index of at least 107.5 by 31 March 2004, from a baseline of 100.0 as at 31 March 2001.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date Eurofighter is expected to enter service with the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement. [59801]

  Dr. Moonie
  As I made clear on 26 February 2002,Official Report, column 1139W, to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) the June 2002 In-Service-Date for Eurofighter was becoming increasingly challenging to achieve. Although good progress has been made by industry, with the first three instrumented production aircraft achieving successful first flights in early April, delays in bringing the detailed design to full maturity in some areas prevented the flight test programme from starting on time. Following a thorough review of the programme involving the partner nations, the NATO agency responsible for undertaking the procurement, and industry, we have jointly concluded that acceptance of the first aircraft into service should be delayed, to take place by the end of this year, and we shall plan on that basis. We shall now be working hard with industry to recover lost time and achieve the planned Operational Employment Date in the second half of the decade, thus avoiding any gap in front-line capability or extra costs to the Ministry of Defence. The delays are disappointing but reflect the complexity of the project and the major advance in technology it represents. Initial flights of the instrumented production aircraft have been impressive and the Government remain fully committed to this contribution to the United Kingdom's military capability.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the legal costs to his Department of opposing claims by ex-service men for pensions claimed as a result of ill health stemming from their service on Christmas Island or other nuclear test sites in each of the last five years. [57214]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Veterans Agency does not employ legal services in the consideration of claims for war disablement pension, or in the appeals process.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to his Department of claims by ex-service men for pensions claimed as a result of ill health stemming from their service on Christmas Island and other nuclear test sites in each of the last five years. [57212]

  Mr. Ingram
  The exact information requested is not available. The estimated annual cost to the Veterans Agency of pensions awarded to ex-service men who served in the south Pacific and at other nuclear test sites amounts to £300,000.

  Parliamentary Advisers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) names and (b) responsibilities are of parliamentary advisers appointed to serve his Department. [56984]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: Ministers in this Department have made no such appointments.

  European Security and Defence Policy
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the dispute between Greece and Turkey concerning the relations between ESDP and NATO has been resolved; and if he will make a statement. [57635]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  Contacts continue between the EU and NATO, and between their members, to finalise the arrangements linking the two organisations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Committee for the application of the regulation authorising voluntary participation by undertakings in the industrial sector in eco-Community the co-management and audit scheme (EMAS) 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. [56725]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  Regulation (EEC) No. 1836/93, allowing voluntary participation by companies in the industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), was revised by Regulation (EC) No. 761/2001, with the

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  effect that participation in EMAS is now open to organisations in all economic sectors. The aim of the scheme is to promote the continual improvement of environmental performance in organisations through them establishing an environmental management system and publishing an environmental report, both of which have to be independently verified. Registered organisations are entitled to use the EMAS logo to advertise their participation in the scheme. A committee composed of representatives of member states and chaired by the commission has been established to assist the commission in the implementation and operation of the scheme.

  The Committee has met three times in the last 12 months. The UK is formally represented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The cost of attending the committee over the last 12 months was approximately £4,000. The main issues currently under consideration by the committee are the relationship of EMAS with the implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation; the development of marketing and promotional initiatives to increase participation in the scheme; the use of EMAS in other Community policies and instruments; and the potential for wider use of the EMAS logo in applications like product information.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will answer the letters dated 14 November 2001 from the hon. Member for Canterbury regarding Pipeflex Limited-funding. [57784]

  Mr. Wilson
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 23 May 2002.

  Export Credits
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what her policy is towards the offer of export credits for the support of offset in defence deals arrangements; [57519]

  (2) what her policy is towards the offer of credits and the apportionment of liabilities to support projects and exports which form part of multi-national defence export offset deals in which other European Union export credit agencies are involved. [57520]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answers 21 May 2002]: Offset related to UK defence exports would normally take the form of investments in, or arranging exports from, the buyer's country.

  ECGD support would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and is most likely to take the form of political risk insurance to UK companies seeking to make overseas investments in connection with offset arrangements. Limited support might also be available for goods exported from a buyer's country, but the rules are complex and it is not possible to generalise.

  Post Offices
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to improve the management of the post office network. [59804]
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  Ms Hewitt
  A new chairman will be recruited to lead the board of Post Office Ltd. (the Consignia subsidiary which operates the network) and to work with the recently appointed chief executive, David Mills, in the development and implementation of a new vision and strategy for the business.

  Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to consult on draft regulations in respect of new maternity, paternity and adoption rights. [59803]

  Alan Johnson
  My Department is today publishing a consultation document on these new rights, highlighting a limited number of outstanding issues on which we are seeking comments. We are also making draft regulations available on the internet. The consultation document and regulations are available at www.dti.gov.uk/er/review/htm, and comments are sought by 19 July 2002. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of regional development agency boards are made up by(a) business representatives, (b) councillors, (c) trade union members, (d) voluntary organisation representatives and (e) others. [58387]

  Alan Johnson
  The regional development agency (RDA) boards currently have the following backgrounds:(a) business 49 per cent., (b) local authority 26 per cent.,(c) trade unions 7 per cent., (d) voluntary/community sectors 6 per cent. and (e) others 12 per cent. There are two vacant posts. These figures have been derived based on the primary experience of each board member. Many board members have expertise in more than one area of relevance to the work of the RDAs. These figures do not include London Development Agency (LDA) board members, as the LDA is the responsibility of the Greater London Authority.

  Redundant Oil Installations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are in place to ensure that redundant oil installations from the North sea are properly disposed of onshore. [58346]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Oslo and Paris convention of 1992 (OSPAR) provides for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic. Under the convention the UK has adopted OSPAR Decision 98/3 which provides a regime for the decommissioning of oil and gas installations and effectively prohibits sea disposal. There is a presumption that installations on the UK continental shelf will be brought back to shore for reuse, recycling or final disposal on land. However, the OSPAR Decision recognises that there may be difficulty in removing the "footings" of large steel jackets weighing more than 10,000 tonnes and in removing concrete installations. As a result derogations may be granted in these cases if the internationally agreed assessment and consultation process shows that leaving such installations wholly or partly in place is justifiable. If a derogation is granted, the permit will specify who will be liable for the
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  remains and require suitable monitoring and management measures to prevent or mitigate any adverse consequences to both the environment and other users of the sea.

  In the UK, to ensure the orderly decommissioning of all installations, including those subject to derogation from the OSPAR decision, the decommissioning of each installation is addressed within a decommissioning programme. The programme assesses the potential decommissioning solutions and determines the most appropriate disposal option by balancing safety, the environment, impact on other users of the sea, technical feasibility and economics. The programme must be approved by the Secretary of State under the Petroleum Act 1998.

  Coal Industry Pensions
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost is of the Government's guarantees associated with the report of the asset liability study carried out by the Mineworkers Pension Scheme and the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme as a percentage of the surpluses over the next 30 years for each scheme. [57824]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: The findings of the asset liability studies commissioned by the trustees of the two former British Coal pension schemes remain confidential to the trustees and the Government.

  On 17 January the Government and the scheme' trustees made a joint statement agreeing a review of the arrangements for the Government's guarantee of basic retirement benefits for the members of the schemes. It was agreed that the review should explore how changes in circumstances since 1994, when British Coal was privatised, might best be reflected in revisions to the guarantee arrangements which would benefit members. In doing so, the trustees and the Government recognised that any revisions will need to be based on an equitable sharing of risk and reward between the schemes and the Exchequer, and will need to be sufficiently robust to operate satisfactorily in a wide range of conditions.

  BCCI SA
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total retained interest earned on the moneys held by the ISA since 5 July 2001 is. [55009]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Figures for part months could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the total fees levied by the ISA were in the English liquidation of BCCI SA from 5 July 1991 to date; [55007]

  (2) what moneys are held on deposit with the ISA in relation to BCCI SA; [55011]

  (3) what (a) the total amount of interest paid to the liquidation estate by the ISA on moneys held and (b) the various rates of interest paid during the liquidation of BCCI SA were. [55008]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  These are matters for the liquidators.

  Telecommunications Report
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has yet received a report by the Director General of Telecommunications for 2000, as required under section 55 of the Telecommunications Act 1984. [59805]

  Ms Hewitt
  Yes. The eighteenth report by the Director General of Telecommunications is being published today. It covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2001. This includes initiatives to develop the structures for the new communications regulator Ofcom and other initiatives to promote the interests of consumers and a competitive telecoms market. Copies of the report have been laid before the House of Parliament.

  Press Releases
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many press releases were issued by her Department in each month between May and December 1997. [59492]

  Ms Hewitt
  The number of DTI press releases issued each month were:

  DTI press releases May to December 1997

  Month

  Number

  May

  35

  June

  63

  July

  75

  August

  38

  September

  53

  October

  66

  November

  78

  December

  72

  These monthly statistics include number of statutory announcements (merger clearances, power station consents and company winding up petitions) that the Department is required to issue when individual decisions are made.

  Cefn Croes Windfarm
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will take her decision on the application to build a windfarm at Cefn Croes, Ceredigion. [59159]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have today decided to grant consent under section 36 and section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Renewable Development Company's applications to build a 58.5 MW windfarm and associated overhead electric line at Cefn Croes, Ceredigion.

  My decisions were only taken after extensive and thorough consideration of the representations received both for and against consent being granted.

  The Secretary of State has not used her discretionary power to call a public inquiry because all parties have already taken the opportunity to inform her of their concerns. I am confident that Ministers have all the necessary information on which to take the decisions on the applications.
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  The decisions also took into account the fact that the local planning authority, Ceredigion county council did not object to the applications subject to conditions being attached to the planning permissions and the company entering into an obligation to pay the costs of a land management scheme and decommissioning.

  Copies of the press notice and decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Edmonton Power Station
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce her decision on London Waste Ltd.'s application to extend the Edmonton energy-from-waste power station. [59158]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have today decided that consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to London Waste Ltd.'s application cannot be given. The extension would have an annual throughput of waste of around 285,000 tonnes over and above the existing station's capacity of 550,000 tonnes per annum.

  In deciding not to grant consent I have taken into account the hierarchy for the treatment of waste set out in the Government's Waste Strategy 2000. Our policy is that waste should be minimised and recycling and composting undertaken before energy from waste is considered. I have considered all the information placed before me, both for and against the extension, and have concluded that the existing station is large enough to deal with the North London Waste Authority's (NLWA) residual waste after recycling. To grant consent for the extension would result in a station with an overall capacity capable of handling all of NLWA's municipal waste and could mean that the NLWA had little incentive to do more recycling over and above the minimum required by statute. Also should the NLWA meet or better its recycling targets then this would lead to a shortfall in the waste stream for the extended station and could lead to waste being imported from other areas which would be contrary to the Proximity Principal whereby waste should be treated as near to its origin as possible.

  I have also considered the measures the applicant has undertaken to incorporate at the Edmonton site to encourage recycling, composting and using heat for local district heating schemes. While these measures are to be welcomed I am aware that previous ones of a similar type in the site have been closed or not utilised. I am of the opinion they are not sufficient to justify granting consent to the extension. Indeed should such measures prove successful then there would appear to me to be less justification for the need for the extension.

  In refusing consent I should make it clear that the Government are not against energy-from-waste stations where they are clearly required and properly sized. The requirement of our policy is that statutory recycling targets must be met and that no incineration proposal shall be permitted which will pre-empt recycling or reduce the option for recycling for the future.

  Copies of the Press Notice and decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Carlton House Terrace
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what organisations are located in Carlton House Terrace and have the rent paid by the Government. [55987]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are no organisations in Carlton House Terrace that have rent paid by the Government.

  Websites
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the budget is for the website www.ukonline.gov.uk in respect of(a) site development and maintenance, (b) marketing, (c) other and (d) in total for the financial year (i) 2002–03 and (ii) 2003–04; [51518]

  (2) how much has been spent on the website www.ukonline.gov.uk for (a) design and build prior to launch, (b) development and maintenance since launch, (c) marketing, (d) other and (e) the project in total in each of the financial years and accumulatively to date since the inception of the project. [51515]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  ukonline.gov.uk supports the Government's aim to enable the citizen to interact electronically with government by 2005. ukonline.gov.uk will be a key driver in transforming the way in which public services are organised and delivered, and in leading the way to better integration of government services and in putting all relevant government information and services online.

  The system was originally launched as a pilot in February 2001 and re-launched in January 2002. The redesign followed extensive research and reflected best practice both within government and the private sector. The views of users were also an important consideration within the development process.

  The figures below reflect the amount spent in the financial year ending 31 March 1902. Since ukonline.gov.uk relaunched in January 2002, these figures are representative of both pre and post launch.

  (a) and (b) (combined for reasons above) £3,195,619

  (c) £633,711 has been spent on marketing since the launch of ukonline in February 2001

  (d) Usability/accessibility audit £2,320

  (e) Year ending 31 March 2001—£8,055,781

  Year ending 31 March 2002—£8,894,981

  The budget for site development and maintenance for 2002–3 is £8,358,000. the figure for 2003–04 is not available as Cabinet Office is still finalising its budget.

  In the period since the site was re-launched usage has increased by 200 per cent. The site has also been subjected to external benchmarking and was recently assessed by the Bertelsmann Foundation as the best government website in Europe.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Rio Earth Summit (Implementation)
  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 energy issues; and what these (i) goals and (ii) improvements have been. [44341]

  Mr. Meacher
  The UK is one of the few OECD countries to have met, and gone beyond, the target agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 to return its emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2000. It is estimated that UK emissions were more than 13 per cent. below 1990 levels in 2000.

  The UK published its climate change programme in November 2000. This sets out how the UK will deliver its Kyoto target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–12, and move towards its domestic goal to cut CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.

  The programme contains a substantial, integrated package of policies and measures. It will improve business use of energy, stimulate new, more efficient sources of power generation, including renewables, cut emissions from the transport sector, promote better energy efficiency in the residential sector, and ensure that the public sector takes a leading role.

  Following publication of the PIU Energy Review 14 February 2002, the Government plan to publish a White Paper later this year which, with full consultation, will consider the future of Government policy on sustainable energy.

  The Government have introduced a wide range of measures, including market incentives, financial assistance, legal obligations, and guidance and information, to promote energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy. These include:
  the energy efficiency commitment (EEC) on domestic energy supplies, from 2002 to 2005;
  the climate change levy and climate change agreements;
  the UK emissions trading scheme;
  revised building regulations which require high energy efficiency standards;
  the market transformation programme;
  a wide range of measures to support combined heat and power (CHP);
  substantial Government funding of the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust to promote and support energy efficiency in the domestic, public, industry and business sectors.

  Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many projects British oil and gas companies have initiated under the Kyoto Clean Development Mechanism; what the location and nature of each project is; and what involvement the Government have had in this process. [51956]
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  Mr. Meacher
  At present there are no CDM projects as the detailed procedures to validate and register CDM projects are still under discussion by the CDM executive board, the body established at international level to operationalise the CDM.

  In the interim, the Government have established the Climate Change Projects Office (CCPO) to advise UK business of the opportunities arising from CDM and joint implementation (JI) projects. I understand from that office that many companies, including oil and gas companies, are currently exploring the possibility of undertaking pilot projects worldwide in anticipation of finalised rules and procedures.

  Country Land and Business Association
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she(a) last met and (b) will next meet representatives of the Country Land and Business Association to discuss issues relating to the future viability of agriculture and the rural economy. [54494]

  Alun Michael
  Representatives of the Countryside Landowners and Business Association are included in a variety of meetings to help DEFRA promote the future of agriculture and the rural economy. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, last met representatives of the CLA formally when she attended a reception which they hosted for Young Farmers at the Royal Cornwall Show on 15 September last year. She also attended a summer reception hosted by Anthony Bosanquet, President of the CLA on 3 July.

  All DEFRA Ministers meet CLA representatives in a variety of settings, I do on both a formal and informal basis, often several times in a week. For instance the President of the CLA is a member of the Rural Affairs Forum which meets regularly, and which I chair. He and his predecessor were members of the Rural Task Force and he has taken a leading role in the "Your Countryside, You're Welcome" campaign to boost tourism in the rural economy. On 15 May I spoke at a reception hosted jointly by the CLA, the Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the East of England Development Agency. I am meeting the President for a wide ranging discussion today (21 May).

  My officials are also in frequent contact with the CLA to discuss matters relating to agriculture and the rural economy.

  Waste Composting
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate she has made of the proportion of household waste which(a) could potentially be composted and (b) is composted; and if she will make a statement; [54601]

  (2) what percentage of municipal waste was composted in the years (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001; and if he will make a statement; [54583]

  (3) what assessment her Department has made of the scope for increasing composting capacity in the UK as a means of meeting EU Landfill Directive targets; and if she will make a statement. [54600]
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  Mr. Meacher
  The Landfill Directive, requires significant reductions in the amount of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 75 per cent. of that produced in 1995 by 2006, 50 per cent. by 2009 and 35 per cent. by 2016 (although countries such as the UK may use, if they wish, a derogation of up to four years for meeting each of these targets). To help achieve this, "Waste Strategy 2000" set targets for recycling and composting of household waste. In 2001 the Government set statutory performance standards for each local authority in England, which require them to double the overall recycling and composting rate by 2003–04 and treble it by 2005–06 over 1998–99 levels.

  The Government strongly support composting as a way of disposing of biodegradable waste, and believes it has an important role to play. We are actively encouraging the composting of green waste at home, at municipal civic amenity sites and when separately collected by local authorities.

  Potentially, all biodegradable waste can be composted, although some may be unsuitable for animal health reasons or because non-compostable wastes are present in the mix. Also, some wastes suitable for the composting process are better reused, recycled or recovered in other ways. "Waste Strategy 2000" (Part 2) indicates that 21 per cent. of household waste may be putrescible, while some 62 per cent. in total may be biodegradable. These proportions may vary seasonally (depending on green waste for example) and according to the amount of waste separated for recycling and home composting.

  Figures from the DEFRA Municipal Waste Management Survey show there have been substantial increases in the amount of household waste collected for composting by local authorities in England and Wales—from 461,000 tonnes in 1998–99 to 670,000 tonnes in 1999–2000.

  Data on the percentage of waste composted are available for household waste only. Household waste amounts to approximately 90 per cent. of all municipal waste. The latest results taken from the Department's Municipal Waste Management Survey are as follows:

  Household waste composted1 in England and Wales

  Percentage

  1996–97

  1.2

  1997–98

  1.6

  1998–99

  1.9

  1999–2000

  2.6

  1 Includes organic materials (kitchen and garden waste) collected for centralised composting schemes from households via kerbside schemes or taken by householders to civic amenity sites. Home composting is not included.

  Note:

  The equivalent figures for 2000–01 are not yet available.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps her Department is taking to introduce best practice guidelines and safety regulations for the composting of household waste; [54550]

  (2) what assessment her Department has made of the scope for encouraging composting initiatives within the retail sector; [54586]

  (3) what steps her Department is taking to encourage home composting of domestic waste; [54584]
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  (4) what steps her Department is taking to promote community waste composting initiatives; and if she will make a statement; [54587]

  (5) what steps her Department is taking to promote composting as a central part of the UK's waste management strategy; and if she will make a statement. [54551]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government strongly support composting as a way of treating biodegradable waste, improving soil quality and replacing non-renewable products such as peat. We are actively encouraging the composting of green waste—at home, at municipal civic amenity and community composting sites and when separately collected by local authorities. Guidance on composting, including on safety issues, is produced by the Environment Agency.

  To support composting activity, the 2000 spending review allocated £220 million Private Finance Initiative funding for waste management that can be used to deliver increased recycling/composting rates. It also established a new £140 million household waste and recycling fund to help local authorities meet their statutory performance standards for recycling and composting.

  Although animal health legislation currently prohibits the land spreading of composted kitchen/catering waste which might contain meat, we have commissioned a risk assessment to assess the risks to public, animal and plant health from such compost. In the light of that assessment, we will review the legislation.

  The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) are currently working with the Composting Association to develop the existing industry standard for compost, to achieve British Standards Institute (BSI) accreditation. The delivery of these accredited industry standards for compost will help to create markets for organic waste derived products. The creation of these new markets will be relevant to the retail sector when considering whether composting has a part to play in its waste management strategy (bearing in mind the present legal requirements).

  "Waste Strategy 2000" places composting high in the hierarchy of preferred waste management options, and set targets for England and Wales to recycle or compost at least 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. This national target is backed up by statutory targets for each local authority in England for 2003–04 and 200573x2013;06, and the 2000 spending review identified substantial additional resources to help deliver the statutory performance standards on recycling and composting.

  Illegal Timber Imports
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what actions her Department is taking to ensure that no illegally logged timber enters the United Kingdom. [55294]

  Mr. Meacher
  The actions that the Department and the Department for International Development are taking to combat illegal logging are:

  (a) ensuring that the import of endangered timber species is in compliance with CITES, the convention on trade in endangered species;

  (b) implementing the government timber procurement policy that seeks to procure forest products only from legal and sustainable sources;

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  (c) working with a number of timber exporting countries to help them improve governance and strengthen forest law enforcement;

  (d) working to develop capacity for the implementation of timber certification schemes in some producing countries;

  (e) promoting bilateral arrangements between the UK and timber producing countries whereby countries work together to tackle illegal logging and associated trade;

  (f) showing leadership within the European Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) process that will see the European Commission draft a FLEGT action plan by the end of 2002. The EU FLEGT action plan will include consideration of new EU legislative requirements to enforce the control of access to the EU market of illegally logged timber and timber products

  (g) sponsoring, among other, research that shows the negative economic impact of illegal logging for the development of certain producing countries with a view to help them manage their natural resources in a more sustainable manner.

  With regard to (e) the Governments of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Indonesia signed on 18 April 2002 a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation to improve Forest Law Enforcement and Governance and to combat illegal logging and the international trade in illegally logged timber and timber products. Copies of the Memorandum have been placed in the Library of both Houses. We are discussing the content of the memorandum with a number of both timber producing and timber consuming countries, including United States, Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Malaysia as a possible model for taking forward actions on combating illegal logging on a bilateral, regional and multilateral basis.

  With regard to (a), (c), (d) and (g), it is important to remember that combating illegal logging and associated trade requires effort from both timber producing and consuming countries. Timber producing countries are responsible for defining and enforcing the national legislative and regulatory frameworks that define legality. We are helping them to do so effectively.

  Marine Environment
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what extra resources her Department will provide to meet the objectives of the Government's Marine Stewardship report. [55767]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Marine Stewardship report contains a range of initiatives for the conservation and sustainable development of the marine environment. Sustainable development is an overarching theme for the 2002 Spending Review. The review is due to conclude in the summer.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether spatial planning of the marine environment will take account of the review of regulations affecting development in coastal waters. [56046]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 15 May 2002]: We will certainly want to take account of the findings of the review in developing the role of spatial planning for the marine environment.

  Hinkley Point A
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of nuclear waste will be created as a result of Hinkley Point A power station in Somerset; and what plans she has to dispose of this waste. [56028]

  Mr. Meacher
  While it was operational the station gave rise to intermediate and low-level wastes and spent fuel which was sent to Sellafield for reprocessing. The station is in the defuelling stage which will give rise to further spent fuel and intermediate-level wastes. In due course the station will be decommissioned and this will give rise to further intermediate and low-level waste. Intermediate-level waste is stored on the Hinkley Point A site. Low-level waste is disposed of at the Drigg facility in Cumbria.

  The Department and the devolved Administrations issued a consultation paper in September 2001 on "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" as part of a process for developing policy on the future long-term management of radioactive waste. The responses to that consultation exercise are currently being considered.

  Pollution
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department plans to take to tackle diffuse pollution from(a) agricultural sources and (b) other sources. [56551]

  Mr. Meacher
  DEFRA is currently considering how best to tackle diffuse pollution of water, caused by agriculture, transport and urban development. We are carrying out a cross-cutting review of agricultural diffuse pollution, and expect an interim outcome from this process to inform our forthcoming sustainable agriculture strategy. The review is taking an evidence-based approach to the problem assessing the nature of the problem, including the impact of major pollutants such as phosphates, nitrates and microbial contamination, learning from wider international experience. We are also considering what additional measures, such as regulation, economic instruments, voluntary measures and awareness-raising, may be required in the future to tackle both agricultural and urban diffuse pollution, in order to implement the water framework directive.

  Landfill Sites
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when her Department will publish interim and final results from studies on possible health effects associated with landfill sites; [56850]

  (2) what assessment her Department has made of the implications for landfill sites in UK of the Eurohazcon study on landfill sites throughout Europe; [56851]

  (3) what studies her Department is sponsoring to investigate possible health effects associated with landfill sites. [56849]

  Mr. Meacher
  Following a European study (the first Eurohazcon study) published in 1998 that reported a 33 per cent. higher rate of non-chromosomal anomalies among people living near hazardous waste sites, the Government commissioned a programme of work on
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  health effects of landfill sites including a much more extensive national study by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU); this was published in the summer 2001.

  The SAHSU study found that 80 per cent. of the population lives within 2 kilometres of a landfill site (operational or closed). The SAHSU study looked at the rates of all birth defects (chromosomal and non-chromosomal) and found only a slightly higher rate (1 per cent.) in populations living near landfill sites and a 7 per cent. higher rate near hazardous waste sites. The Government's expert advisory committee, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, noted that this excess risk was small and could be accounted for by factors other than the landfill sites. The study has not shown, nor indeed could it show, a causal link between landfill sites and birth defects.

  Earlier this year a second Eurohazcon study was published. The study investigated the rates of certain birth defects (chromosomal anomalies) around 23 European hazardous waste landfill sites, including 12 sites in Great Britain. It found a 41 per cent. higher rate of chromosomal anomalies close to sites (0 to 3km) compared to further away (3 to 7km).

  The major difference between the two studies is the scale. The Eurohazcon study looked at populations around 23 landfills spread right across Europe, whereas the SAHSU study looked at populations within 2km of 9,565 sites (80 per cent. of the British population) of which 774 were known to take hazardous waste. The SAHSU study was therefore much more comprehensive. As such the results are less likely to be skewed by the pattern of birth defects surrounding any individual landfill site.

  Both the SAHSU and Eurohazcon reports have recommended further work and DEFRA, the Department of Health and the Environment Agency have a considerable amount of work planned or under way. A great deal is already known about the general make-up of gases that are emitted from landfill sites. However, better information is needed on the substances present in very low concentrations in landfill emissions and the levels of exposure experienced by people living near to landfills. To obtain this information, research is currently under way to analyse over 12 months the emissions from municipal landfills. This monitoring study will provide information on which to make a more informed assessment of the likelihood of landfill sites posing a risk to health. The work will be completed next summer and published as soon as possible thereafter.

  This Department hosted a seminar on 15 May 2002 to consider where there are gaps in the research on health impacts of all waste management options and to help prioritise future research. There are no risk-free options but conducting such research will allow local authorities and others to make more informed choices about the range, type and location of facility they wish to operate.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (habitat) is; how many times 492W
  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. [56804]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Habitats Committee is established by Article 20 of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) to assist the European Commission in measures to implement the directive.

  Two meetings of the Habitats Committee have taken place in the last twelve months. UK representation usually consists of an official from my Department and a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Officials from the devolved Administrations have also occasionally attended in the past.

  The items currently under consideration by the committee are:
  adoption and protection of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs);
  selection of projects to be funded under LIFE (Nature), Council Regulation 1655/2000;
  needs and opportunities for co-funding of site management measures (article 8);
  species protection measures (article 12);
  monitoring of conservation status;
  raising awareness of the Natura 2000 network;
  application of the directive in the marine zone, including the directive's extension by member states beyond their territorial waters;
  forestry;
  implications of enlargement, including discussions with candidate countries on proposed modification of the annexes of the directive in light of future enlargement of EU, and the participation of accession countries in the Committee.

  The European Commission meets the travel and subsistence costs of one UK representative at each Habitats Committee meeting. However, it would be of disproportionate cost to identify the cost to public funds of the Habitats Committee's work, as in addition to travel costs of any further UK representatives, this includes the cost of policy, scientific and practical conservation work undertaken by my Department, the devolved Administrations and the statutory conservation agencies, contributing to the UK's implementation of the EC habitats directive.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on conservation of wild birds (ORNIS) 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. [56803]

  Mr. Meacher
  The ORNIS Committee assists the European Commission in an advisory capacity on a wide range of issues concerning implementation of the EC Wild Birds Directive and has a regulatory role under article 16 of the Directive considering adaptations of the Annexes to the Directive.
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  One meeting of the ORNIS Committee has taken place in the last twelve months, on 15 June 2001. UK representation usually consists of an official from my Department and a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Officials from the devolved administrations have also occasionally attended in the past.

  The European Commission meets the travel and subsistence costs of one UK representative at each ORNIS Committee meeting but, in addition to travel costs of any further UK representatives, the cost to public funds of the Committee's work includes policy, scientific and practical conservation work undertaken by my Department, the devolved administrations and the statutory conservation agencies, contributing to the UK's implementation of the EC Wild Birds Directive. It would therefore be of disproportionate cost to try to separately identify the cost to public funds of the ORNIS Committee's work.

  Recent issues which have been considered by the Committee include:
  definition and overview of pre-nuptial and reproduction periods of huntable species
  progress and perspective for classification of Special Protection Areas
  progress in discussions with candidate countries on proposed modification of the Annexes of the Directive in light of future enlargement of EU
  sustainable hunting initiative
  action plans for endangered species listed in Annex I of the Directive
  list of bird species covered by Article 1 of the directive
  use of lead shot.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee on implementation of the Directive establishing a Community policy regarding water 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. [56840]

  Mr. Meacher
  This committee, established by article 21 of the Directive, has never met. Therefore the question of UK representation has not been addressed, no items are under consideration and it has not drawn on public funds. The role of the Committee, when it meets, will be to assist the Commission, mainly with technical matters relating to the Directive.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Directive on the incineration of hazardous 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. [56726]

  Mr. Meacher
  Article 15 of Directive 94/67/EC on the incineration of hazardous waste provides for a committee to assist the European Commission with the adaptation to technical progress of the provisions of Article 10 to 12 494W
  and Annexes I to III of that Directive. There have been no meetings of this committee in the last 12 months and there are no items currently under its consideration.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Directive concerning integrated pollution prevention and control 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. [56727]

  Mr. Meacher
  Article 19 of Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control ("IPPC") provides for a committee to assist with the establishment and maintenance by the European Commission of an inventory of the principal emissions and sources responsible from among the member states' industrial installations covered by that Directive.

  The Committee is currently considering the technical requirements for the establishment of the inventory, which will be known as the European Pollutant Emissions Register ("EPER"). It has met once in the last 12 months. The UK is represented by one official from my Department, assisted by another from the Environment Agency. Travel costs for the official are met by the European Commission. Subsistence costs amount to about £100 per meeting. Work in preparation for the meetings forms part of the general work of the Department on IPPC and cannot readily be separated and costed.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of the Directive on procedures for the surveillance and monitoring of environments concerned by waste from the titanium dioxide industry 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. [56825]

  Mr. Meacher
  The role of the Committee is to decide on amendments to parameters listed in the annexes to the Directive. There have been no meetings of the Committee over the last 12 months. The UK would usually be represented by an official from my Department. The annual cost of the work includes the time taken to prepare for and attend meetings and the travel and subsistence costs incurred. Specific information is not available without incurring disproportionate cost. There are no matters currently under consideration.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and the implementation of the Directive on the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions resulting from the storage of petrol and its distribution from terminals to service stations 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;
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  if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56815]

  Mr. Meacher
  The role of the Committee is to decide on amendments to technical measures described in the annexes to the Directive. There have been no meetings of the Committee over the last 12 months. The UK would usually be represented by an official from my Department. The annual cost of the work includes the time taken to prepare for and attend meetings and the travel and subsistence costs incurred. Specific information is not available without incurring disproportionate cost. There are no matters currently under consideration.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress and implementation of the directive on urban waste-water treatment 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. [56800]

  Mr. Meacher
  The mandate of the EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive Regulatory Committee is to assist the European Commission's work relating to implementation of the directive and to its adaptation to technical progress.

  The Committee has generally met once a year with the last meeting held on 20 February 2001.

  Four representatives are permitted from each member state. DEFRA is the lead Department for the United Kingdom with devolved authority representatives involved as appropriate. DEFRA will field two officials and the Scottish Executive one official for the next meeting. The Commission pays for one representative to attend from each member state. Additional experts from the UK cost between £300 and £400 per representative per meeting.

  Items for discussion at the next meeting, to be held on 3 June next month, will include: progress with the provision of information for the third Commission report on member state progress with implementation of the directive; discussion of the second such report published in November 2001; discussion of provision of required treatment standards for small to medium-sized sewage works by the directive deadline of 2005; discussion of infringement procedures being taken against member states and guidelines for extensive treatment systems.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the directive on methods of measurement of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the member states 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. [56796]
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  Mr. Meacher
  This Committee has not met over the last 12 months. The question of current UK representation has not been addressed, no items are under consideration and it has not drawn on public funds. The role of the Committee, if it should meet, is set out in Article 9 of the directive. Its purpose is to take account in particular of alterations in the levels of the parameters specified in the directive.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to 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; 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. [56799]

  Mr. Meacher
  This Committee has not met for more than five years. Therefore the question of current UK representation has not been addressed, no items are under consideration and it has not drawn on public funds in the last five years. The role of the Committee, if it should meet, is set out in Article 8 of the decision (Council decision 77/795/EEC, OJ L334, 24.12.1977, p29). It is to give its opinion on any measures proposed by the Commission which are necessary to adapt the decision's provisions to technical progress.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Management Committee on application of the directive on the standardisation and rationalisation of reports on the implementation of certain directives relating to the environment 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. [56802]

  Mr. Meacher
  This Committee has not met for more than five years. Therefore the question of current UK representation has not been addressed, no items are under consideration and it has not drawn on public funds in the last five years. The role of the Committee, if it should meet, is set out in Article 6 of the Council directive 91/692/EEC (OJ L 377, 31.12.1991, p 48). It is to give its opinion on any measures proposed by the Commission which are necessary to adapt the directive's provisions to technical or scientific progress.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee for the implementation of the directive on the limitation of volatile organic compounds due to the use of organic solvents in certain activities and installations 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. [56817]
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  Mr. Meacher
  The role of the Advisory Committee is to assist the Commission with matters on which it is required to take a decision under the provisions of the directive such as reviewing the progress of member states and on the format of reports. There was one meeting of the committee over the last 12 months at which the UK was represented by an official from my Department. That meeting considered the format of reports required under the directive; there are no matters currently under consideration. The annual cost of the work includes the time taken to prepare for and attend meetings and the travel and subsistence costs incurred. Specific information is not available without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Management Committee for the control and production of substances that deplete the ozone layer (SAO) 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. [56730]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Management Committee was established under Article 18 of EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer. The regulation that enforces the European Union's obligations under the Montreal Protocol. The committee's mandate is to assist the European Commission with implementation of the various controls in the regulation. It was established by Council Decision 1999/468/EC.

  The committee has met twice in the last 12 months. The UK is usually represented by two officials from my Department and one from the Department of Trade and Industry, although officials from other Government Departments and agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, have also attended meetings when items pertinent to their responsibilities were under discussion. The costs incurred by my Department in contributing to the committee's work are largely travel and subsistence costs of about £930 per meeting, incurred in attending the two-day meetings in Brussels, and staff costs of about £480 per meeting. In addition to the time spent at the meetings themselves, officials spend a similar amount of time preparing for and reporting back on the meetings.

  Items due to be considered by the committee at its next meeting include proposed changes to the critical uses of halon listed in annexe VII of the regulation, a mechanism for setting import quotas of HCFCs from 1 January 2003, and information on critical use procedures for methyl bromide.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade 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. [56805]
  498W
  Mr. Meacher
  The Scientific Review Group was set up under the terms of Article 17 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 to examine scientific questions relating to the application of these regulations. These questions may be raised by the chairman, either on his own initiative or at the request of the members of the group, or by members of the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora. It is composed of representatives from each member state and the UK is represented on the committee by scientific advisers from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (fauna) and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (flora).

  The group has met three times over the last 12 months. The annual cost of its work is relatively small, although detailed figures cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs. The items currently under consideration by the committee include:

  Application of Articles 4.1(a)(i) and 4.2(a) of the Regulation—opinions of the SRG on:
  procedure for making and transmitting SRG opinions
  imports form Madagascar
  "Psittacus erithacus"/Nigeria
  replies to consultations with third countries on "Phelsuma comorensis"
  review of annexe B animals subject to import restrictions
  "Amazona aestiva"/Argentina
  "Geochelone carbonaria"/Suriname

  Export quotas 2002

  Private husbandry or reptiles

  Coral mariculture and fossil corals

  18th meeting of the CITES Animals Committee

  12th meeting of the CITES Plants Committee

  Preparations for the 12th Conference of CITES Parties

  Mortality in transport

  Negative effects of captive breeding/artificial propagation operations.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Scientific review group for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade 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. [56806]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora was set up under the terms of Article 18 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 338–97 to assist the Commission in carrying out the functions set out at Article 19 of the Regulation, relating to the implementation within the Community of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It is composed of representatives from each member state and the UK is represented on the Committee by DEFRA officials.

  The Committee has met three times over the last 12 months. The annual cost of its work is relatively small, although detailed figures cannot be provided without

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  incurring disproportionate costs. The items currently under consideration by the Committee include:

  Preparations for the l2th Conference of CITES Parties

  Imports of mahogany from Brazil

  Treatment of vagrant species listed in the European Birds directive

  Regulation of trade in primates, rhinos, tigers and bears and parts or derivatives thereof

  Status and transmission of SRG opinions

  Treatment of ecological threat species

  Marking of specimens in trade

  Use of transponders

  Import of hunting trophies

  Annual and biennial reports

  Outcome of CITES Committee meetings

  Imports of reptiles from Madagascar.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Group of experts appointed by the Euratom Scientific and Technical Committee to address basic standards (Article 31) 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. [56826]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  This expert Group is mandated directly by article 31 of the Euratom treaty. Three experts in radiation protection matters attend from the UK. The Group has met twice in the last 12 months. It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the work of the committee without incurring disproportionate cost.

  The task of the Group is to advise the Commission on the basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiations. Experts are appointed in a personal capacity and therefore do not serve a representative function.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Euratom Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (CST) 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. [56732]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Euratom Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee is mandated directly by article 134 of the Euratom Treaty. Five scientific experts attend from the UK. Meetings are held two or three times a year. It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the work of the Committee without incurring disproportionate cost.

  The main task of the Committee is to advise the Commission on the nuclear component of the Community's work, in particular the fission and fusion content of its ongoing research programmes. Experts on the Committee are appointed in a personal capacity and
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  therefore do not serve a representative function. The Treaty specifically states that they are not to be bound by mandatory instructions.

  Farm Films Recovery Scheme
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assistance her Department gives to support recycling of used silage films; [57254]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the Farm Films Recovery Scheme. [57253]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Farm Film Producers Group operated on a voluntary basis between 1994 and 1997 to collect farm plastics for recycling. A small number of voluntary local collection schemes still exist.

  We will be addressing the question of how to deal with waste non-packaging farm plastics in the forthcoming consultation document on the application of the Waste Framework Directive to agricultural waste. We will consider whether a statutory scheme should be introduced in the light of responses to this consultation exercise.

  Village Pub Diversification
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many requests have been made for information on village pub diversification, broken down by region. [57457]

  Alun Michael
  The "Pub is the Hub" good practice guide is issued by Business in the Community, the British Beer and Pub Association and the Countryside Agency. There are no central records held on requests for information on village pub diversification.

  The Countryside Agency has funded eight projects located in public houses in the past year through their Community Services Grant. These are broken down by region as follows:

  Region

  North East

  0

  North West

  0

  Yorkshire & Humber

  1

  East Midlands

  1

  West Midlands

  0

  Eastern

  2

  South East

  4

  South West

  0

  Rural Funding
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on(a) parish plans, (b) community service grants and (c) parish transport grants, broken down by initiative, in 2001–02. [57461]

  Alun Michael
  The total outturn for expenditure on the Countryside Agency's Vital Villages Grant schemes until 31 March 2002 is:(a) Parish Plans Fund £399,000; (b) Community Services Grant £1.7 million; and (c) Parish Transport Fund £354,000.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 will be completed. [57650]

  Mr. Meacher
  The review will be conducted in accordance with standard Cabinet Office guidelines for such reviews. This will involve discussions within Government (which are already under way), a pre-consultation process with the main stakeholder organisations, and a full formal public consultation exercise (which normally takes three months, to allow sufficient time for a considered response). How long the review will take will depend on the outcome of those consultations.

  Bali Pre-conference
  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) first class, (b) club class and (c) economy tickets have been booked for (i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) special advisers attending the WSD conference in Bali. [57835]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: One Minister, two officials and one special adviser have booked first class tickets. Thirty officials have booked club class tickets.

  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's budget is for the Bali pre-conference. [57839]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The Department's budget for the Bali preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development is approximately £86,000.

  Mr. Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total budget is for the UK delegation to the Bali pre-conference. [57842]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The total budget for the UK Delegation for the fourth preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Bali will be approximately £180,000. This comprises air fares, hotel rooms, subsistence and office accommodation.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people will accompany her at public expense on her forthcoming trip to Bali; and what the total cost of the visit will be. [57654]

  Mr. Meacher
  There will be 28 people accompanying the Secretary of State during her forthcoming trip to Bali for the fourth preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This will include representatives from DEFRA. DFID, DTI, FCO and the Cabinet Office; the total cost of the visit will be approximately £180,000. This comprises air fares, hotel rooms, subsistence and office accommodation.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Bailey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the 502W
  Government will publish their response to the Environmental Audit Committee's First report of Session 2001–02, Departmental Responsibilities for Sustainable Development. [59802]

  Margaret Beckett
  I am pleased to announce that I have today, laid copies of the Government's response to the Environment Audit Committee's first report of the 2001–02 session, Departmental Responsibilities for Sustainable Development, in the Library of the House.

  The Government's response sets out progress on sustainable development following the general election in 2001. We strongly believe that the creation of DEFRA has produced a department which is better equipped to champion sustainable development and ensure that sustainable development continues to be a priority for the Government.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

  Maladministration
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many findings there have been of maladministration by ombudsmen with responsibility for agencies under the remit of his Department since 1997. [56307]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Information on the handling of complaints is set out in tabular form by the Parliamentary Ombudsman each year as an attachment to his Annual Report. For those complaints where there was evidence of maladministration which warranted a full investigation, the table sets out how many complaints were upheld as being fully or partially justified. Copies of the Parliamentary Ombudsman's Annual Reports for the period 1997–98 to 2000–01 inclusive can be viewed in the House Library, or on the Parliamentary Ombudsman's website at "www.ombudsman.org.uk/publications"

  Parish Councillors (Data Protection)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the Register of Parish Councillors' interests are covered by the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. [56617]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 apply to the maintenance of the register of parish councillors' interests, subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, including the requirement that the register should be made available for inspection by members of the public.

  Statutory Law Enforcement Agencies
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what statutory law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities there are within the responsibility of his Department; and what complaints procedure is available for each. [57101]

  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 16 May 2002]: The following divisions of the Department, its agencies, or bodies for which the Secretary of State for Transport,

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  Local Government and the Regions is accountable to Parliament, may act as prosecuting authorities in relation to the matters for which they have responsibility:

  British Transport Police

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  Health and Safety Executive

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency

  Radioactive Materials Transport Division

  Transport Security Division

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  Vehicle Inspectorate.

  All of the authorities listed have procedures in place for the handling of complaints. Complaints about any of these authorities may, in the first instance, be directed to the authority in question.

  Additionally, all of the authorities listed are within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, with the exception of the British Transport Police. Complaints against the British Transport Police may be referred to the Police Complaints Authority.

  Local authorities are also within the responsibility of the Department and operate their own complaints procedures. Complaints against local authorities can also be made in appropriate circumstances to the Local Government Ombudsman; in addition complaints against Councillors can be made to the Standards Board for England.

  Train Protection and Warning System
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the estimated cost is of the implementation of the new train protection warning system on Scotland's rail network; and what percentage this cost represents of the total costs of the implementation of the Strategic Rail Authority's plan in Scotland. [58093]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Information provided by Railtrack indicates the estimated cost of installing the train protection and warning system on Scotland's rail network is in the region of £50 million. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan does not allocate costs by region.

  Housing Repairs
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the backlog of disrepair of(a) local authority, (b) RSL, (c) private rented and (d) owner occupied housing in (i) Greater London and (ii) Enfield. [57922]

  Ms Keeble
  Through the 2001 Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix, London authorities have reported the following numbers of unfit dwellings on 1 April 2001:

  All London

  Total stock

  Unfit dwellings

  Local authority

  526,739

  29,490

  RSL

  284,240

  9,038

  Other public sector

  13,917

  870

  Owner occupied

  1,741,428

  95,602

  Other private sector

  560,034

  84,769

  504W
  Enfield have not given a full breakdown of their unfit stock, but the figures available are as follows:

  Enfield

  Total stock

  Unfit dwellings

  Local authority

  13,183

  166

  RSL

  5,778

  —

  Other public sector

  521

  —

  Total private sector

  94,619

  4,506

  We do not have up to date information on expenditure required across tenures in London and Enfield. All London local authorities say they need to spend £5,380 million on capital investment at 1 April 2001 on their own stock. Enfield estimates that its current backlog of repairs on its own stock is about £50 million, of which about £8 million is required to bring its housing up to the Decent Homes standard. (All figures are from the 2001 Business Plan Statistical Appendix).

  All local authorities are working towards providing numbers of non-decent homes within their own stock in July in their 2002 Housing Revenue Account Business Plans.

  Commercial Aircraft
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the criteria are for determining the lowest permissible altitude of commercial aircraft operations around international airports; and which authority is responsible for them. [57543]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Provisions relating to the lowest height at which aircraft may fly are contained in the Rules of the Air Regulations 1996 (Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 1393). These are made under the Air Navigation Order and reflect internationally agreed safety standards and recommended practices. The Rules apply to all flights.

  Rule 5 of the Rules of the Air Regulations is the low flying rule, and aircraft flying under Instrument Flight Rules must also comply with Rule 29 (minimum height).

  The responsible authority for the rules of the air is the Civil Aviation Authority, the Government's safety regulator.

  In addition some airports apply their own local restrictions within the immediate vicinity of the airport (normally within the local traffic circuit) for noise abatement purposes. These restrictions require aircraft to fly at heights greater than those specified in the low flying rules.

  Unpaid Advisers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 85W, what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of unpaid advisers who have assisted the work of his Department since June 1997 but are not included in the Cabinet Office's annual report "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews 2000–01". [57034]
  505W
  Dr. Whitehead
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: As my answer of 10 April made clear, Ministers in this Department have not appointed any unpaid advisers other than those accounted for in the list of Task Forces, Reviews and other ad hoc Advisory Groups.

  "The New Humber Pilotage Service"
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions from which sources his Department derived its information in preparing the document "The New Humber Pilotage Service". [58350]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The sources are given in the document.

  Potters Bar Derailment
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to publish the report from the formal investigation into the Potters Bar rail derailment by the Health and Safety Executive. [58655]

  Dr. Whitehead
  The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) will publish their formal report once the British Transport Police (BTP) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have completed their investigations.

  Safety lessons learnt from the BTP/HSE investigations will be transmitted without delay to industry dutyholders.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the major orders(a) won and (b) lost this year by the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh; what arrangements he is making for consultation on proposed changes to the Framework Document; and what the timescale is. [58735]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 22 May 2002, Official Report, column 341W.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent research the Government have commissioned under the Pathfinder studies into fire brigades; what the conclusions were; and what action the Government proposes to take to meet the recommendations. [58713]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Some 50 separate studies have been commissioned the Fire Cover Task Group of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council (CFBAC). The scope of the studies is too wide to summarise here. However, copies of the reports of all (48) currently completed studies can be found on my Department's website at "http://www.safety.dtlr.gov.uk/fire/fepd/fcr/fcrhome.htm".

  It is the responsibility of the Task Group to make recommendations to the CFBAC on the research they have commissioned and the overall outcome of the Pathfinder trials. Their report is expected in the late summer.

  When this is available it will be considered initially by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, following which I expect to consult widely, since I expect the review to provide the fundamental basis of planning delivery of service by fire brigades in the future.
  506W
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what investigations he has commissioned in the current year into aspects of the(a) financial and (b) other forms of management of the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh; and what consequent reports he has received. [58733]

  Dr. Whitehead
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 May 2002, Official Report, columns 341–42W.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to support and facilitate the expansion of regional airports. [58581]

  Mr. Jamieson
  A New Deal for Transport (1998) said that the Government would"encourage the growth of regional airports to meet local demand for air travel where consistent with sustainable development principles"
  in order to
  "maximise the contribution they make to national and regional economies; relieve pressure on congested airports in the south east of England; and reduce the need for long surface journeys (particularly by road) to south east airports."

  Before the summer recess, we aim to publish a series of regional consultation documents on airports and air services that will set out alternative options for how these aims might be achieved. Responses to the consultation will be used to inform the publication of an air transport White Paper, planned for late this year.

  Tourism
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what importance he attaches to the needs of tourism in his plans to improve England's road network. [58579]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Individual road improvement schemes are subject to the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA), introduced in 1998. NATA takes account of the expected impact of a proposed scheme on the environment, safety, the economy, accessibility and integration. The assessment includes an appraisal of the extent to which a proposed scheme may help the regeneration of an area. The time savings and reductions in vehicle operating costs for tourists (including coaches) are included in the overall appraisal of the benefits of a proposed road scheme.

  Rural Population
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2002, Official Report, column 798W, on the rural population, if he will estimate (a) the number of population increase and (b) the number of households projected in (i) deep rural and (ii) mixed rural areas by 2016. [58779]

  Ms Keeble
  The latest sub-national population projections for England to 2016 are the 1996-based projections prepared by the Office for National Statistics. Between 1996 and 2016 the population in those local authorities categorised by my Department as "deep rural"
  507W
  is projected to rise by 0.26 million and the number of households by 0.21 million. Over the same period, the population in those local authorities categorised by my Department as "mixed rural" is projected to rise by 0.77 million and the number of households by 0.67 million.

  Starter Home Initiative
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2002, Official Report, column 799W, on the starter home initiative, how many key workers will receive financial support in small rural settlements with a population of(a) 3000 or less, (b) 3001–5000 and (c) 5001–10,000. [58778]

  Ms Keeble
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Starter home initiative funding has been allocated to schemes which propose to help around 360 key workers in rural settlements with a population of 10,000 or less. This is a correction to the answers I gave on 9 May 2002, Official Report, column 278W and 16 May 2002, Official Report, column 799W.

  PFI Housing Schemes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice he provides to local authorities on developing their outline business case for submission in bidding rounds for PFI housing schemes. [57928]

  Ms Keeble
  The Department offers advice to local authorities at each stage of the housing private finance initiative (PFI) process. At the bidding stage the Department sends a letter to all authorities inviting them to submit expressions of interest. That letter is accompanied by guidance on issues to cover in submissions. The guidance is available on the Department's housing website.

  Following the expression of interest stage, the Department assesses the bids. The successful authorities are invited to develop their outline business case (OBC), and my officials offer advice to authorities on an individual basis during this stage. In addition, guidance is available from the Public Private Partnerships Programme (the 4Ps), with whom the Department is working closely in developing PFI for social housing. The OBC has to be endorsed by the inter-departmental Project Review Group (PRG) which is chaired by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) who also provide general guidance on PFI procurement.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria are used by the inter-departmental Project Review Group in assessing bids from local authorities for PFI housing schemes. [57927]

  Ms Keeble
  The assessment of bids for private finance initiative (PFI) housing schemes is carried out by my Department, with the help of the Government Offices for the Regions. In our recent bidding round schemes were assessed on the following criteria:

  value for money and whether an options appraisal had been carried out;

  evidence of housing demand and fitting in with the council's wider strategy;

  508W

  risk transfer;

  stakeholder and council consultation;

  meeting the general PFI criteria (e.g. innovation, sustainability and design quality);

  management and timetable.

  In order for a scheme to proceed, it also has to be endorsed at a later stage by the Project Review Group (PRG), who ensure that the projects which local authorities take into procurement are deliverable. PRG's assessment of all PFI schemes is based on the following criteria:

  affordability;

  output specification;

  bankability of the scheme;

  key terms and conditions;

  use of appropriate comparators;

  suitability of proposed advisers;

  indicative timetable;

  project team;

  commitment of the sponsors;

  statutory process.

  Construction Industry
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what further self-certification schemes are being planned for the construction industry; and whether they will be subject to public consultation. [59188]

  Dr. Whitehead
  A number of organisations have contacted my Department with proposals for self-certification schemes. Each of these schemes will be reviewed on their merits. As there have been two public consultations on self-certification, we do not intend to issue a further public consultation before recognising schemes for work already controlled by the Building Regulations. Individual trade and professional bodies may undertake some consultation, depending on the nature of the schemes they are developing.

  The hon. Member may wish to note that my Department issued a consultation document on 20 May entitled "Proposals for new safety requirements for electrical installation work in dwellings", which makes reference to self-certification by competent persons as a means of alleviating some of the financial and administrative burdens the proposed extension of the Building Regulations might create.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the cost of maintaining the Millennium Dome, including security costs, has been(a) since its closure and (b) in each of the last three months for which figures are available. [58605]

  Ms Keeble
  Since 31 December 2000, when the Millennium Experience ended, the cost of management, maintenance and security of the Dome has been £3.9 million, of which £1.9 million was incurred by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and £2 million by English Partnerships (EP). This includes the final figures for expenditure in December 2001, January and February 2002, which are £266,000, £251,000
  509W
  and £287,000 respectively. However, the January and February figures exclude telecommunications costs, which await final confirmation due to on-going delays by the service provider particularly in transferring accounts formerly held by NMEC to EP.

  Costs incurred by NMEC have been paid from the grant already approved by the Millennium Commission. EP costs are from their normal budget and will be recovered from eventual sale proceeds.

  English Regions
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions if it is his policy that regional tourist boards should remain independent of regional assemblies created under proposals outlined in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions. [58602]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Regional tourist boards will remain separate bodies from elected regional assemblies, but the assemblies will allocate funding from their block grants for the regional tourist boards and will provide direction on how this should be used.

  Groundwork
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in establishing a Lancashire-wide groundwork. [57607]

  Ms Keeble
  The Department is currently considering the proposal from Groundwork for a Lancashire-wide trust. A final decision is yet to be taken.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to commission research into the dangers posed by the use of hands-free mobile phones while driving. [58202]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 362W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Janet Anderson).

  In-flight Air Quality
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to meet the airlines to discuss the quality of cabin air in domestic and international flights. [58206]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The issue of cabin air quality was comprehensively addressed by the House of Lords inquiry into air travel and health. Since publication of the House of Lords findings, discussions between Government and the airline industry have been pursued through meetings of the Aviation Health Working Group. The Aviation Health Working Group was established to advise Ministers on all issues relating to aviation health.

  Permanent members of the group are the Department for Transport Local Government and the Regions (chair), the Department of Health, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Executive. Representatives from the airlines, as well as consumer groups and other interested parties such as medical specialists, are regularly
  510W
  invited to participate in selected meetings. At present we have no plans to meet airlines to discuss the quality of cabin air in domestic and international flights, but European Union funded research into cabin air quality is currently under way and my Department will continue to monitor this work closely.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2002. Official Report, column 520W, on road works injuries, what safety guidelines are issued to contractors working on the road; and what plans the Government have to introduce further safety measures for contractors working on the roads. [57930]

  Dr. Whitehead
  Following is a list of documents which provide safety guidelines for contractors working on the road:The Traffic Signs Manual, chapter 8 on Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations 1991 (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions)
  Planning for Safety—Guidance notes for the health and safety of workers at in-service motorway roadwork sites (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions)
  The Mobile Lane Closure Technique—TD49/97 (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions)
  Notes for Guidance on Safety at Roadwork—County Surveyors Society and Department Transport (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions)
  Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice (Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions)
  Crossing high-speed roads on foot during temporary traffic-management works—CIS 53 (Health and safety Executive).
  The Highways Agency established a steering group last year, consisting of representatives from public bodies and from across industry to look at safe practice in temporary traffic management operations on high speed roads. It has prepared an action plan consisting of short, medium and long term aims and is reviewing current guidance and practice.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned into the prevention of rail failures and accidents. [58207]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Health and Safety Executive and the Office of the Rail Regulator jointly funded research into the causation and treatment of gauge corner cracking by Arup and Partners International Ltd., and the Transportation Technology Centre Incorporated. Additional research is currently planned into track integrity and the effect on rolling stock.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what alterations were made to Railtrack plc's safety case following the appointment of an administrator. [58019]

  Mr. Byers
  On 8 October 2001, following Railtrack plc's entry into railway administration and consequent changes to the organisation, the HSE directed Railtrack plc to prepare and submit a revision to its safety case. Railtrack plc complied with the direction and HSE
  511W
  accepted this revised safety case, covering minor administrative and organisational changes, on 14 November 2001.

  In compliance with the requirements of the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 2000, Railtrack plc submitted a new thoroughly revised safety case to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 28 June 2001. The HSE process of assessment was completed and the safety case was accepted on I May 2002.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received over the past six months about the condition of the railway track between Colchester and London Liverpool Street from(a) Railtrack, (b) train operating companies, (c) rail unions and (d) others; and if he will make a statement. [58615]

  Mr. Jamieson
  None.

  Terrorist Activity (Railways)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many incidents of(a) terrorist activity and (b) suspected terrorist activity have been recorded by (i) the British Transport Police and (ii) other organisations relating to the railways in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [58192]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: After consultation with the British Transport Police, I can confirm that since 1997 the following numbers of incidents have been recorded in relation to security of the UK's rail network:

  1997: 562 threats, three viable devices or explosions, 33 hoax bomb items

  1998: 280 threats, 0 viable devices or explosions, 30 hoax bomb items

  1999: 323 threats, 0 viable devices or explosions, 20 hoax bomb items

  2000: 253 threats, two viable devices or explosions, 10 hoax bomb items

  2001: 347 threats, three viable devices or explosions, 18 hoax bomb items (plus 94 hoax biological items, eg white powder)

  2002: 58 threats, 0 viable devices or explosions, 9 hoax bomb items.

  In this instance "threat" means the number of times that railway infrastructure has specifically been indicated as a possible target in each given year, and "hoax bomb items" constitutes the number of items that have deliberately been assembled to resemble an explosive device.

  Railway Vandalism
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to combat acts of vandalism on railway lines; and if he will make a statement on the implementation of anti-vandalism programmes on the railways. [58200]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: The problem of vandalism on the railways is taken very seriously by the Government, the Health and Safety Executive, Railtrack, the British Transport police and the railway industry.
  512W
  Current initiatives to reduce vandalism on the rail network include:
  "Leave Sites Safe and Secure"—a Railtrack campaign to clear lineside debris which could be used in acts of vandalism. The overall aim of the campaign is to remove or safely secure all lineside materials by October 2002. The railway industry is working closely with HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) to achieve this objective;
  "National Route Crime Week" 17–25 June sponsored by the National Co-ordinating Group for Trespass and Vandalism (an SRA/Railway Safety body). There will be a number of activities including an open debate at the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) Rail Industry Advisory Committee meeting on 25 June;
  Industry programmes for reducing vandalism, including a range of targeted engineering measures such as improved railway fencing and caging bridges at vulnerable locations. HMRI monitor these programmes and take action if necessary.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many(a) incidents of and (b) prosecutions there were for (i) vandalism, (ii) informed vandalism and (iii) trespass on rail lines in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [58196]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: Information held by the British Transport police on reported vandalism offences (there is no defined difference between informed and non-informed vandalism) in each of the last five years is contained in the following table:

  Number of offences

  1997–98

  13,751

  1998–99

  12,855

  1999–2000

  13,743

  2000–01

  13,349

  2001–02

  15,075

  Information held by the British Transport police on adults/juveniles charged or summonsed to court for vandalism from 1998–99 onwards is contained in the following table (due to archiving issues the BTP are unable to supply data prior to this data):

  Number

  1998–99

  2,262

  1999–2000

  1,928

  2000–01

  1,963

  2001–02

  2,200

  Note:

  Those persons charged or summonsed to court may or may not have been convicted and the data do not include cautions.

  Information held by the British Transport police on reported trespass offences in each of the last five years is contained in the following table:

  Number of reported trespass offences

  1997–98

  17,451

  1998–99

  16,535

  1999–2000

  13,896

  2000–01

  14,964

  2001–02

  15,395

  Information held by the British Transport police on adults/juveniles charged or summonsed to court for

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  trespassing from 1998–99 onwards is contained in the following table (due to archiving issues the BTP are unable to supply data prior to this data):

  Number

  1998–99

  1,170

  1999–2000

  973

  2000–01

  1,215

  2001–02

  903

  Note:

  Those persons charged or summonsed to court may or may not have been convicted and the data do not include cautions.

  Mass Decontamination
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those groups and individuals from which he has taken advice in preparing the UK's strategy for mass decontamination in the event of(a) chemical and (b) biological attack. [50857]

  Mr. Hutton
  In preparing the United Kingdom's response, advice has been taken from the following sources:

  Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)

  Ambulance Services Association

  Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

  The nuclear industry, including Nuclear Emergency Planning Liaison Group, National Radiological Protection Board, and Atomic Weapons Establishment

  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  Environment Agency

  Civil Contingency Secretariat

  Health and Safety Executive

  Defence and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Centre

  London Resilience Committee

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association

  Local Government Association.

  The Department of Health and DTLR continue to research the approaches of other countries, including Japan and the United States of America.

WALES

  Data Protection Act
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library copies of each version of the internal guidance which have been drawn up by his Department since 1 January 1999 to assist staff in his Department to answer subject access requests under the Data Protection Act 1998. [53374]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Mr. Wills), gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. McCabe) on 25 April 2002,Official Report, column 446W.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions between 31 March 2001 and 31 March 2002(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. [58724]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002, a departmental special adviser accompanied me to Brussels on one occasion. It is not practicable separately to identify the cost of this visit, but the journey was judged to comply with the Civil Service Code.

  Sick Leave
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many days of sick leave were taken in his Department last year; how many related to employees suffering(a) stress and (b) other mental health problems; and what the cost was to his Department. [56488]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 14 May 2002]: The number of days of sick leave taken in my Department last year was 232 days. This averages to 6.1 days per staff year. Sickness records are not broken down by (a) stress (other than work-related) or (b) other mental health.

  The civil service is committed to reducing sickness absence by 20 per cent. by 2010 (to 8.3 days per staff year). Wales Office average of sick leave for last year is already below this target.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Visitor Tours
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what further consideration the Commission has given to visitor tours. [59659]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  Hon. Members were informed on 19 March of the Commission's wish to improve the arrangements to provide high quality tours for constituents and other visitors to the Palace, and its view that there should be a single official tours organisation supporting both the permanent Summer Opening and tours at other times. The Commission felt that this was an important part of its strategic aim to increase public understanding and knowledge of the House and its work.

  At its meeting on 20 May the Commission considered the advice of the Administration Committee and the Board of Management on the way forward. We also took into account the views of a number of right hon. and hon. Members, their staff and staff of the House who have helpfully contributed to the process.

  The House of Lords has an equal interest in visitor tours. We have sought the views of the authorities of that House on the improvements we would like to see, and will be working closely with them on the details.
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  We think it is important that Members should have the same freedom and flexibility to arrange tours for their constituents as is now the case, but we believe that there is scope for improvement. We decided that:
  for the convenience of Members and their staff, the tours office should be a "one-stop shop", making bookings, issuing permits and allocating guides, and that funds should be provided for this in the current financial year. We thought that the separate, well-understood system for allocating Gallery tickets should remain unchanged, and that the separately organised Summer Opening primarily for tourists should not be affected;
  informal visits of six people or fewer accompanied by Members, Peers, or Officers of either House, or four people accompanied by other permanent passholders, should continue as at present. The ability of Members, their staff, and staff of the House to guide their own larger parties should they wish would be unaffected;
  in the interests of fairness, unguided and unaccompanied visits should be discontinued;
  guides should be drawn primarily from staff of the House, who have given excellent service over a number of years; and that staff from all House Departments should be given the opportunity to contribute. We supported the idea of a guiding qualification that would help maintain high standards and encourage House staff to take part;
  tours should emphasise the role and work of the House just as much as the history and the heritage of the building.

  We thought that the new arrangements should begin to operate from the beginning of the next Session of Parliament, although some aspects (for example the guiding qualification) will need to be phased in over a longer period of time. We were also conscious of the restrictions that possible changes in sitting times of this House might impose on access. In order not to reduce the total number of visitors who are able to come to the House, Saturday opening may be an option.

  We had well in mind the need to ensure that the costs to visitors are kept as low as possible, especially in the interests of groups such as school parties and old age pensioners. We have asked the Finance and Services Committee to look at possible cost structures and to report to us for our next meeting. We have also asked the Board of Management now to develop a detailed implementation plan.

  The views of Members, their staff and staff of the House will be a welcome contribution to the development of the new arrangements. They should be sent to the Serjeant at Arms as the member of the Board of Management responsible for this project.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  BBC Wales
  Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the basis was for the reference in her advertisement for the post of National Governor (Wales) of the BBC to a substantial proportion of the output of BBC Wales being in Welsh. [57208]

  Dr. Howells
  BBC Wales provides S4C with 10 hours per week of Welsh language programming, as part of its commitment under the 1996 Broadcasting Act. It also produces 18 hours a day of radio in Welsh on Radio Cymru and provides an extensive Welsh language online service, Cymru'r Byd.

  Listed. Buildings (London)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) Grade I and (b) Grade II listed buildings there are in (i) Greater London and (ii) the London Borough of Enfield; what public funds including Lottery funds have been spent on them in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [57920]

  Dr. Howells
  The numbers of list entries as at 17 May, 2002 for listed buildings in Greater London are 576 at Grade I, 1,243 at Grade II* and 16,157 at Grade II; in Enfield as at the same date there are three list entries for buildings graded at Grade I, 13 at Grade II* and 256 at Grade II.

  English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund are the main distributors of public funds for listed buildings. The public funds spent on listed buildings by English Heritage in each of the last five years are as follows:

  Public funds for listed buildings—1997 to 2002

  £

  Year 1 April to 31 March

  Enfield

  Greater London1

  1997–98

  2,285

  2,599,000

  1998–99

  74,754

  2,196,000

  1999–2000

  24,023

  2,672,000

  2000–01

  Nil

  2,083,000

  2001–02

  1,618

  2,187,000

  1 Rounded figures

  It is not possible to ascertain the public funds spent through the Heritage lottery fund, but only the amounts awarded for funding listed buildings each year; these are therefore estimated and projected figures as follows:

  Enfield (£)

  Greater London (£)

  Number of buildings funded

  1997

  365,048

  19,272,448

  38

  1998

  264,236

  15,098,893

  51

  1999

  Nil

  5,273,321

  24

  2000

  Nil

  13,230,900

  42

  2001

  Nil

  29,912,614

  37

  Gaelic Programmes
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport how many hours of Gaelic programmes per year are required of(a) the BBC, (b) Grampian Television and (c) Scottish Television under the Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996; and how many hours have been provided by each of the above broadcasters in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000, (v) 2001 and (vi) 2002. [57891]

  Dr. Howells
  The Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996 requires the holder of the multiplex licence under which Channel 5 and S4C Digital are broadcast (SDN) to broadcast at least 30 minutes of Gaelic programming every day in Scotland during peak evening viewing time. In complying with this requirement SDN must broadcast at least 30 hours of Gaelic programmes per year supplied by each of the BBC, Scottish Television and Grampian Television. Under section 32(3) of the Broadcasting Act 1996, the BBC, Scottish Television
  517W
  and Grampian Television are required to provide SDN, free of charge, with such programmes in Gaelic as have been broadcast by the supplier as the holder may request.

  In practice, programmes from the BBC, Scottish Television and Grampian Television are provided to SDN indirectly via the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee (CCG). I understand that, of the programmes supplied to SDN by the CCG, the following hours had previously been broadcast on the BBC, Scottish Television and Grampian Television (the Gaelic service (TeleG) on SDN did not begin broadcasting until 31 October 1999):

  Hours

  BBC

  STV

  GTV

  1999

  14.5

  19.5

  6.0

  2000

  38

  120.5

  56

  2001

  31.5

  161

  41.5

  20021

  13.5

  37.5

  20.5

  1 To 30 April 2002.

  Communication Policy
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Ministers have met representatives of(a) the BBC, (b) ITV, (c) Channel 4 and (d) Channel 5 to discuss Government communication policy since October 2001. [57847]

  Dr. Howells
  Since October 2001 my ministerial colleagues and I have met representatives from all four broadcasters, both informally and in the course of our ministerial duties, on a wide range of issues including the development of communication policy. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the advice that her Department gives people in receipt of Lottery funds on conflicts of interest. [58108]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: The financial directions issued to Lottery distributing bodies require them to devise and abide by a procedure for handling potential conflicts of interest which may arise in the evaluation of applications by the body or individual members of that body. The directions also deal with the avoidance of actual or perceived conflicts when bodies solicit Lottery applications; and with conflicts which might arise in connection with applications from companies or persons which the distributing body owns, controls or is able materially to influence.

  In preparing their annual accounts, Lottery distributing bodies are required to comply with UK Accounting Standard FRS8 Related Party Transactions. The objective is to ensure that financial statements contain the disclosures necessary to draw attention to the possibility that the reported financial position and results may have been affected by the existence of related parties and transactions between them.

  Equal Treatment
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by her Department since August 1997. [58201]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: No new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned since August 1997. However, the following data have been commissioned which can potentially be separated by gender, ethnicity and age. Data on disability are not available from these sources.

  Museums and Galleries
  Aspects of age and ethnicity are available from a series, commissioned by DCMS in February 2000, to be collected annually from its sponsored museums and galleries.

  Digital television
  Data on age, gender, and ethnicity are available from DCMS commissioned MORI research into consumer attitudes to digital television. This research was published in June 2001 and has been re-commissioned for publication in June 2002.

  DCMS sectors
  Data on ethnicity, gender and age is available from two surveys co-funded by DCMS and managed by the Office For National Statistics. Funding to the General Household Survey has been on-going since its reinstatement in 2000–01, and has also been provided for the first run of the Time Use Survey, published in 2002.

  Wage Costs
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 2 May 2002,Official Report, column 919W, what her latest assessment is of the wage costs of museums, galleries and arts organisations. [58660]

  Dr. Howells
  The latest estimate of the total wage costs of museums, galleries and arts organisations sponsored by DCMS is £175 million. This covers the national museums and galleries and The Arts Council of England.

  The total is drawn from information supplied by the sponsored bodies on their pay bill during the 2001–02 financial year.

  Television Licence Fee
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will abolish the television licence fee; and if she will make a statement. [58551]

  Dr. Howells
  No. The Government believe that, at present, the television licence fee retains distinct advantages over the possible alternative methods for funding the BBC. We have therefore made clear that the licence fee will remain the main source of BBC funding at least until the expiry of the BBC's current royal charter at the end of 2006. Future funding arrangements will need to be considered as part of the charter review process, which will commence in 2004.

  Sports Facilities
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many publicly owned playing fields have been sold in each of the last 15 years. [58780]
  519W
  Mr. Caborn
  Data on the number of playing fields sold is not collected. Sport England do however, monitor the number of planning applications concerning playing fields in their role as statutory consultee. The Government will shortly be publishing combined figures for(a) applications from schools submitted to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for the disposal or change of use of school playing fields (which are already published monthly), and (b) figures from Sport England giving details of planning applications affecting playing fields which have been referred to them as statutory consultee (which are already published quarterly), along with (c) relevant data from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by local authorities on sport facilities in each of the last 15 years. [58667]

  Mr. Caborn
  Details of the expenditure by local authorities on the construction, conversion and renovation of sports facilities are shown in the following table. Figures for 2000–01 and 2001–02 are not available. (For the purposes of this question the figures relate to built facilities and do not include running costs (eg staffing costs, other overheads)):

  £ million

  Year

  Indoor sports and Leisure centres

  Swimming pools

  1987–88

  71.6

  45.5

  1988–89

  88.6

  49.6

  1989–90

  173.4

  80.6

  1990–91

  145.3

  69.0

  1991–92

  107.8

  50.6

  1992–93

  52.7

  35.1

  1993–94

  56.9

  27.4

  1994–95

  73.4

  30.3

  1995–96

  74.3

  35.9

  1996–97

  78.9

  35.8

  £ million

  Year

  Sports facilities

  1997–98

  167.6

  1998–99

  191.0

  1999–2000

  190.7

  Tourism
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish her response to the recent report of the Tourism Alliance commissioned by her. [58661]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government have not responded point by point to the Tourism Alliance document "Tourism Spending Priorities", which was published in April. However, the document's recommendations will be taken on board in developing the modernisation programme for the tourism and hospitality industry, including marketing, quality, skills, modernised communication and structural reform. The document identifies a number of key strategic spending issues which we will be considering in the coming months.
  520W
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what funding will be allocated to the regional development agencies in support of the tourism industry in the year 2002–03 by(a) her Department and (b) other Government agencies; [58603]

  (2) what plans she has to ensure the continuing independence of the regional tourist boards; [58599]

  (3) what offers of financial support she has received for the proposed public-private coalition for the marketing of English tourism; [58600]

  (4) when she expects a campaign to market English tourism to be launched; [58598]

  (5) what funding her Department intends to allocate to the proposed public-private coalition responsible for the marketing of English tourism. [58601]

  Dr. Howells
  The announcement on 13 May about the structural reform of English tourism represents a radical change and yesterday I held the first meeting of the Steering Group to start considering the detail of how to take our proposals forward. We aim to report the Group's findings this summer.

  No decision on the level of funding for marketing has yet been taken—an announcement about resources for tourism will be made at the appropriate time but not in advance of the spending round decisions. We have not sought, nor yet received offers of financial support, but I am sure that the industry will respond well, as it did for the Million Visitor campaign earlier in the year.

  Depending on the details of transition to the new structures, we hope to be in a position to start marketing domestically in 2003–04. The precise decisions on dates will of course be for the public-private coalition to decide upon.

  Regional development agencies will in future play a stronger part in the strategic leadership of tourism. However, no decisions on funding have yet been taken and the level of that funding will depend on the precise allocation of new responsibilities. We will continue to encourage RDAs to take account of the huge importance of tourism to their regions, both its direct and indirect impacts, when they take decisions about allocating their single pot.

  Regional tourist boards are private companies limited by guarantee (one is a trust) and so are independent by nature. They are the natural partners for RDAs, with much tourism expertise, and we hope they will all forge effective working relationships with the RDAs.

  Prize Competitions
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action the Government are taking in respect of its commitment in paragraph 4.53 of "A Safe Bet for Success" to carry out a separate review of prize competitions and similar quasi-gambling products. [59721]

  Mr. Caborn
  We are issuing a consultation paper today, which is also available on our website www.culture.gov.uk. The Government does not want to affect companies' ability to run genuine and harmless
  521W
  sales promotions. But it is important that operators should not be able to circumvent the principle that lotteries should not be run for commercial gain.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Community action programme concerning co-operation policy in the youth field, including European voluntary service and youth exchanges within the Community and with third countries (YOUTH) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if 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. [57493]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  I have been asked to reply.

  The purpose of the Youth Programme Committee is set out in the Council Decision 1031/2000/EC of 13 April 2000, which established the "Youth" Community action programme. The Youth Programme Committee has met twice over the last 12 months. One official and one expert
  522W
  attend the Committee meetings. Travel expenses are met from Commission resources. The travel and subsistence costs to public funds amount to approximately £1,100 over the last 12 months, of which approximately £800 was reimbursed by the Commission.

  The date of the next meeting has yet to be announced by the Commission and an agenda has not been published. However, the previous meeting in December 2001 considered the Commission's White Paper on Youth, adopted the 2002 Youth Programme Work Plan and approved the 2002 Budget.

  Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Corn (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Middle East
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to his answer of 11 April 2002,Official Report, column 616W, on Israel, what the final cost of the damage to projects in the area administered by the Palestinian Authority that have been funded by the UK on a bilateral basis is; and what plans he has to call for financial compensation. [58520]

  Clare Short
  The final cost of damage to UK-funded projects has still to be confirmed. We have also recently learned of damage to fourteen vehicles the UK provided to the Palestinian police force in 1995. The replacement cost would be about £280,000. In common with European Union partners we reserve the right to seek compensation from the Israeli authorities.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to his answer of 11 April 2002,Official Report, column 616W, on Israel, what the outcome was of the meeting between the Task Force and Minister Eliezer. [58519]

  Clare Short
  No formal response was given by Minister Ben Eliezer. Subsequent discussions with the Israeli authorities reveal plans for a tightening of travel restrictions affecting the movement of people and goods. This has serious implications for the Palestinian economy, Palestinian society and the viability of the future Palestinian state. In common with the European Union, and other partners, we are considering how we should address this unwelcome development.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with other countries about co-operating in paying for the damage caused to Palestinian areas during the recent Israeli incursions with special reference to Jenin. [58020]

  Clare Short
  A World bank led team has recently completed a damage assessment. We have been fully involved in that process, including discussions about potential funding opportunities. Initial indications are that at least $150 million—out of an estimated total cost of $360 million—will be readily available for urgent priority repairs. We are currently discussing with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees the provision of long term technical assistance to support the rebuilding of the Jenin refugee camp.

  Sustainable Development
  David Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards the implementation of national strategies for sustainable development for developing countries; and what involvement she has had with the development of the United Nations policy guidance. [58570]

  Clare Short
  My Department has been working within the OECD's Development Assistance Committee and the United Nations to reach international agreement on the characteristics of national strategies for sustainable development. In April 2001 the high level meeting of the Development Assistance Committee agreed guidelines on principles of planning for sustainable development. These principles were discussed at an international forum on 524W
  national sustainable development strategies, held in Ghana in November 2001. This forum was organised by the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs with support from my Department.

  An important outcome of this work has been the conclusion that good poverty reduction strategies contain the elements necessary for strategic planning for sustainable development and fulfil the role of national strategies for sustainable development. My Department is providing support in over 30 of the 41 countries which have produced interim or full PRSPs.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the mandate of the Joint Committee (EEC-Côte d'Ivoire) 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. [58507]

  Clare Short
  My officials are unaware of any meetings of a Joint Committee (EEC-Côte d'Ivoire). In response to our inquiries, the European Commission was also unable to recall such a committee ever having met or what its mandate might have been.

  Parliamentary Advisers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the(a) names and (b) responsibilities are of parliamentary advisers appointed to serve her Department. [56979]

  Clare Short
  Ministers in this Department have made no such appointments.

  HIV
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether there will be an open call from the European Commission for non-Governmental organisations to present proposals targeting HIV prevention in youth under budget line B7–6211. [58136]

  Clare Short
  The Commission will prioritise interventions targeting HIV prevention in youth under budget line B7–6211. An open call for proposals will be made in July 2002.

  Reproductive Health
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the European Commission is planning to issue calls for projects in 2002 for budget line B7–6312 Aid for Population and Reproduction Health in Developing Countries funding. [58135]

  Clare Short
  The European Commission plans to issue calls for proposals to budget line B7–6312 in July 2002.

  Somalian Refugees
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Somalian refugees are believed to be camped in(a) Kenya and (b) Ethiopia. [58100]
  525W
  Clare Short
  The latest figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees indicate there are(a) 129,800 Somalian refugees in Kenya and (b) 50,906 Somalian refugees in Ethiopia. The Kenya figure does not include approximately 10.000 people who have crossed the border into Kenya at Mandera this month.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government are taking to assist the Government of Kenya to deal with Somalian refugees from the town of Bula Hawa. [58101]

  Clare Short
  None. The Government of Kenya have not asked us for any assistance, and we understand that many of the refugees have already returned to Bula Hawa. Several UN agencies and NGOs are working with the Kenyan authorities and the refugees who have not yet returned, to ensure the latter receive the assistance they need, though we understand that food distribution is proving difficult as a result of the security situation. British officials in Nairobi continue to monitor the situation closely.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations the Government have made to the Government of Kenya for Somalian refugees from the town of Bula Hawa to be allowed to remain around Mandera until the fighting in their home areas subsides. [58099]

  Clare Short
  None. UNHCR is discussing with the Government of Kenya how best to look after the interests of the refugees in around Mandera. We understand that some have agreed to go to the established refugee camp in Dadaab rather than stay near to Mandera. British officials in Nairobi are in close touch with UNCHR and other concerned agencies, and are monitoring the situation as it evolves.

  Peru
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the Government will be offering Peru following the announcement by President Alejandro Toledo diverting military spending to basic social services for children. [57678]

  Clare Short
  We are pleased that President Toledo has reaffirmed the commitment that he made on assuming government in Peru last year to reduce military expenditures and to divert the funds to social expenditures. In support of this and other pro-poor policies, we have provided additional support to Peru in the last year, and we will continue to work closely with the Government and civil society in Peru to support improved access to basic services, for the poorest and most excluded people, including children.

  Anglo-Italian Meetings
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions in the last six months members of her Department have met their Italian counterparts; and what subjects were discussed. [56885]
  526W
  Clare Short
  Members of my Department meet their counterparts from other countries on a regular basis. It is not possible without disproportionate effort to provide details of all meetings that have taken place between staff of my Department and their Italian counterparts.

  Burma
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People regarding the provision of humanitarian aid to internally displaced people in Burma. [57660]

  Clare Short
  The UK contributes to the costs of providing safe refuge and assistance for both Karen refugees in Thailand and internally displaced people in Burma. This includes funding through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Burmese Border Consortium and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Officials from my Department have met the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People, and we are aware of its work through our more regular contacts with the Burmese Border Consortium.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government are taking to get(a) food and (b) medical supplies to internally displaced Karen, Kaenni and Shan people in Burma. [57661]

  Clare Short
  The situation for internally displaced people in Burma remains extremely vulnerable. Many of these people have taken refuge in remote, inaccessible and politically sensitive areas, making it difficult to conduct any detailed humanitarian assessment of their situation. In 2001–02 we provided humanitarian assistance amounting to over £2 million for both refugees and internally displaced people within Burma. This included funding through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Burmese Border Consortium and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress towards creating a Government of National Unity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [58096]

  Clare Short
  The Inter-Congolese Dialogue reached agreement on a wide range of issues and passed 37 resolutions. But it did not reach agreement on the crucial issue of a transitional leadership. An agreement was signed outside the ICD between President Kabila and the Chairman of the MLC, Jean-Pierre Bemba, which a number of political parties and members of civil society also signed. The RCD-Goma and some political parties including UPDS of Tshishekedi did not. Intensive efforts continue to find an inclusive agreement acceptable to all Congolese elements of the ICD as envisaged by the Lusaka Agreement.

  UN Aid Pledge
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps her Department has taken to meet the UN pledge of wealthy countries to spend 0.7 per cent. of national income on international aid. [58213]
  527W
  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have made clear their commitment to the United Nations' 0.7 per cent. oda/GNI target and to reversing the decline in UK development assistance. In 1997 the UK's oda/GNI ratio was 0.26 per cent. By 2003–04 it will have risen to 0.33 per cent. This represents an increase in the UK's development assistance budget of 45 per cent. in real terms.

  The Chancellor confirmed in his November 2001 pre-Budget report that in the next Spending Review, for the years 2003–04 to 2005–06, the Government will not only raise significantly the amounts of our own overseas development aid but also raise its share in national income. Further details of the review will be published later this year.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mongolia
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote trade with, and United Kingdom investment in, Mongolia; and if he will make a statement. [39948]

  Mr. MacShane
  Mongolia is a specialised market and British exporters often need help in establishing themselves. Trade Partners UK maintains a market information service on Mongolia for potential exporters. Trade Promotion is also a high priority of the British embassy in Ulaanbaatar. Her Majesty's ambassador and his team are fully equipped to help British exporters pursue business in the country.

  Grenade Licence Application
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) legal and (b) human rights factors were taken into account before 1998 when his Department considered export licence applications for the (i) E100 series integrated grenade system and (ii) fragmentation grenade E105 incorporated into the trip wire mechanism manufactured by PW Defence. [57169]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Such items would have been considered under the criteria applicable to all items on the Military List. From July 1997 onwards those were the UK's national export licensing criteria set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the former Foreign Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 28 July 1997,Official Report, HC26–29. Under those criteria we were obliged to comply with the UK's commitment not to export all forms of anti-personnel land mines and their component parts. The criteria also made clear that we would not issue licences where there is a clearly identifiable risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression, aggressively against another country, or to assert by force a territorial claim.

  The legal basis for controls of integrated grenade systems and fragmentation grenades is entry ML4 in Part III of Schedule 1 of the Export of Control (Goods) Order 1994 as amended.

  Foreign and Defence Council
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was discussed at European Union Foreign and Defence Ministers' meeting at Brussels on 13 and 14 May; what conclusions were reached; what was agreed for the agenda for European Council's meeting at Seville; and if he will make a statement. [57259]

  Peter Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I represented the UK at the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels on 13 May. Conclusions were agreed by consensus and no formal votes were taken. Preparation for the Seville European Council was not included in the final agenda.

  Preparation of the Johannesburg Summit on sustainable development

  The Council noted progress made in preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which will take place in Johannesburg on 26 August to 4 September 2002. The Council instructed relevant Council bodies to prepare a substantive contribution on the EU's role in the 'WSSD process, to be approved at the GAC on 17 June and endorsed at the Seville European Council.

  Annual Policy Strategy 2003

  The Council endorsed the Commission's three main priorities for 2003: achieving enlargement successfully, continuing to ensure security for EU citizens, and developing a sustainable and inclusive economy. The Council agreed that the Commission's suggested budgetary allocations would be studied in the framework of the Preliminary Draft Budget examination for 2003. The Council recommended that future versions of the Annual Policy Strategy should be presented as early in the year as possible to improve the coherence of the budgetary process.

  Effectiveness of the Union's external action

  The Council noted work in hand and heard presentations on improving cross-pillar co-operation, strengthening the EU's role in international organisations, budgetary issues, development aid and the EU decision-making process. Commissioner Patten briefed Ministers on pilot studies aimed at improving the impact of EU external assistance and on the process of evolution of responsibilities to Commission delegations.

  Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with ACP countries

  The Council welcomed the Commission's proposal for a mandate to negotiate EPAs with the ACP countries, recalling that the ultimate purpose of the negotiations was poverty eradication and integration of ACPs into the world economy. It also addressed questions of ACP market access and WTO compatibility. The discussion will continue in the Permanent Representatives' Committee, with a view to adopting the mandate at the June GAC.

  Renewal of mandates and financing of EU Special Representatives (EUSRs)

  Recalling the essential role played by EUSRs, the Council agreed to extend the functions and funding for FYROM and Afghanistan EUSRs and asked the relevant bodies to study financial formulae to make this possible.
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  Middle East

  The Council discussed the possibility of convening an international conference and welcomed the end of the Church of the Nativity crisis in Bethlehem. It thanked the Cypriot Government for their assistance and thanked member states for provisionally offering the 13 Palestinians involved temporary residence on humanitarian grounds.

  European Security and Defence Policy

  The Council welcomed the participation of Defence Ministers, meeting as the GAC for the first time, and noted progress towards establishing the Capability Development Mechanism (CDM). It also acknowledged recent advances made in European military capabilities and discussed possible means of resolving current shortfalls with a view to meeting the Headline Goal.

  Western Balkans

  The Council conducted its annual review of the Stabilisation and Association Process for South Eastern Europe (SAP), which provides a route map to EU membership, tied to each country's progress on reform. The Council called on the SAP countries to devote adequate attention and resources to implementation of EU recommendations, with particular reference to strengthening the rule of law and judicial systems and visa and entry policies. The Council invited the Commission to assess progress made at its next annual review in March 2003. The Council also proposed to establish a new ministerial-level political forum, linking the EU with the SAP countries. It also highlighted the need for a greater EU public information effort to foster greater understanding of the SAP. Crisis management in the Balkans, including the future EU Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and a possible mission in Macedonia, was also discussed.

  Iran

  The Council noted that broad agreement had been reached on substance and objectives for developing EU relations with Iran. In addition to commercial matters, it was felt important that this include dialogue on terrorism, proliferation and regional stability. It instructed officials to pursue discussion with a view to a decision at the next GAC on a negotiating mandate for a Trade and Co-operation Agreement with Iran.

  Angola

  The Council welcomed recent encouraging developments in Angola, including the signing of an MOU by the Angolan Armed and Unita forces culminating in a ceasefire. The Council, while expressing support for positive initiatives undertaken by the Angolan Government, called on the authorities to allocate the necessary resources to: reintegrating Unita and Angolan armed soldiers into the armed forces police and civil society; demining; and reconstruction of social and civil infrastructure. It also requested that the Angolan Government do their utmost to assist humanitarian needs.

  Bali Pre-conference
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people from his Department will travel to Bali to participate in the mini-summit for discussion of environmental issues. [57656]
  530W
  Mr. MacShane
  There will be six officials travelling to Bali from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who will be participating at the fourth preparatory committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

  World Cup
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) the Football Association and (b) the England Supporters Club on the advice to be given to England football supporters travelling to Japan and South Korea for the World Cup finals. [58089]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have been working closely with the Football Association and "Englandfans" (the official England supporters club) to provide useful, relevant and up-to-date information for travelling supporters to the World Cup in Japan and Korea. As well as the travellers tips available on our website, an FCO pocket information guide and FCO/DCMS/Home Office leaflet are being distributed with World Cup match tickets by the FA and FIFA, and will also be available at UK airports and upon arrival in Japan and Korea.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Japanese Government on British prisoner transfer arrangements during the course of and following the World Cup finals. [58090]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The UK does not have a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement with Japan. We have been encouraging Japan to accede to the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (CECTSP), but Japan must first enact the necessary domestic legislation. During discussions in April 2002, Japanese officials said that they hoped to have the necessary legislation in place by summer 2002, which will then enable Japan to apply for accession to the CECTSP. As applications to the Council of Europe Secretariat take some time, Japan will not have acceded to the Convention in time for the World Cup 2002. British consular staff will, however, continue to do everything possible to help British nationals who are arrested or detained in Japan.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions which have taken place between officials in his Department and those from Sweden on the timing of referenda on EMU membership. [57881]

  Peter Hain
  Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office conduct discussions on all aspects of EU policy, including economic issues, with all our European counterparts on a regular basis.

  Information Campaigns
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards projecting plurality of opinion on the future direction of the EU in his Department's information campaigns; what input he receives from representatives of external organisations in developing his material; and if he will make it his policy to expand contact lists to represent organisations critical of the EU. [57877]
  531W
  Peter Hain
  We are committed to consulting the public over the convention on the future of Europe, including by getting young people from all walks of life and political persuasion involved in the Youth convention. The Foreign Office, in conjunction with The Independent, is running a nationwide competition to select three young people to join the UK delegation.

  In developing EU public diplomacy material, we have received input from the Plain Language Commission.

  The FCO is open to the views of all organisations but is tasked with presenting the Government's policy on the EU.

  Nagorno-Karabakh
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on forced movement of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijan authorities. [58048]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Approximately 60,000 Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians were displaced by the Azeris during the heaviest part of the fighting in 1991–92. 35,000 have since returned. The displaced Armenian population was largely from the Shahumian and Madakaert regions. During the same period, a large number (approximately 800,000) of Azeris were also displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. We are not aware of any forced movement of population on either side of the line of control since the ceasefire in 1994.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the waiting time is for the spouse of a British national applying for a settlement visa in the UK from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. [57974]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have a Public Service Agreement with the Treasury that we conduct 90 per cent. of settlement interviews within a target time of 12 weeks. However, in practice applicants who apply to our visa section in Kinshasa on a Monday morning are usually interviewed on Tuesday and Wednesday; those who apply on a Wednesday morning, when the visa section opens again, are interviewed on Thursday, or the following Monday. The section would therefore expect to interview the spouse of a British national applying for settlement within three working days. Normally, a decision on the application would immediately follow this interview.

  Hague Tribunal
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Chief Prosecutor at the Hague Tribunal over funding of the Prosecutor's Office. [58052]

  Mr. MacShane
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met with the Prosecutor, Mrs. Del Ponte, in London on 14 March 2002. They discussed the resource requirements of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, including the Office of the Prosecutor. Mrs. Del Ponte received assurances of our continued support.

  Iraq
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the (i) level of risk posed by and (ii) stage of development reached by Iraq in the development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. [58210]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have not specifically commissioned any such research.

  We do, however, have regular access, including from intelligence sources, to information regarding the development of such weapons by Iraq.

  This information, coupled with the details of weapons and materials for which UN weapons inspectors were unable to account between 1991 and 1998 enables us to make periodic assessments of the risk posed by Iraq and of on-going development work.

  Since the withdrawal of UNSCOM and IAEA inspection teams in December 1998, we have had no independently-verifiable information of the stage of development reached in the Iraqi WMD programme.

  Libya
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Libyan authorities about the crash report on flight LAA1103. [57017]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Our embassy in Tripoli have made regular requests to the Libyan authorities for a copy of the crash report. They will continue to do so. As a British citizen was killed in the crash, we believe that we have a right to this information. However, it is far from certain whether a crash report has or will be written, or, if one does exist, whether the Libyan authorities will hand a copy over to us.

  Burma
  Mr. Luke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with foreign Ministers in other countries about future strategies to be adopted in partnership aimed at encouraging peaceful democratic change in Burma. [58024]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Burma is a frequent topic of multilateral and bilateral discussion at ministerial and official level within the EU as well as key members of the international community. I took the opportunity to discuss Burma with ministerial colleagues in Singapore and Brunei during my visit to south east Asia. I impressed on them the importance of maintaining pressure on the Burmese regime to take meaningful progress on democratic reform.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to impose sanctions against Burma as a result of military action on behalf of the Burmese Army against Karen, Kaenni and Shan people. [57662]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  In response to the overall political and human rights situation in Burma, the EU Common Position contains an arms embargo, a ban on high level visits, a ban on the export of items that may be used for
  533W
  torture, a ban on non-humanitarian assistance and an asset freeze and visa ban on senior members of the regime. The European Commission suspended Burma's trading privileges in 1997 in response to concerns over forced labour. In addition HMG discourages trade, investment and tourism with Burma.

  The EU Common Position was extended for a further period of six months in April 2002. It will only be relaxed when there is substantive progress towards national reconciliation in Burma.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are taking to help bring democracy to Burma. [57659]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government have played a leading role in the EU and the UN in pressing for substantive political change in Burma. In April, the EU Common Position was renewed unchanged for a further period of six months and an EU-sponsored resolution on the human rights situation in Burma was adopted by consensus at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

  The release from house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a welcome step forward. But it is only one of many needed. We will continue to press for national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of the number of Karen, Kaenni and Shan people(a) internally displaced and (b) killed as a result of military action against them by the Burmese Army in the last 12 months. [57663]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Exact figures are not available as international access to many of the conflict areas is restricted or prevented by the military authorities. Recent UN estimates have indicated that up to 600,000 Burmese may be internally displaced.

  It is even more difficult to gauge the number of people who have been killed as a result of fighting with the military authorities. That human rights abuses continue in Burma is not in doubt. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted a consensus resolution on Burma in April sponsored by the EU, which detailed the scale of the problem and expressed its continuing grave concern.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of military action taken by the Burmese Army against the Karen, Kaenni and Shan people following the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. [57658]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The ethnic minorities in Burma suffer disproportionately due to the misrule of the Burmese authorities. The violence inflicted on the Karen, the Karenni and the Shan is on-going. The intensity of the fighting fluctuates, in part due to the climate of Burma, particularly the monsoon. We have consistently pressed the regime to move ahead on national reconciliation and urged all sides to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.
  534W
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last made representations to(a) the Burmese Government and (b) other interested parties about the treatment of the Karen people by the Burmese army. [35792]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We take every opportunity to impress upon the Burmese regime our deep concern about their treatment of the Karen and other ethnic minorities in Burma, including through our ambassador in Rangoon and visiting officials. The UK co-sponsored a United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution on Burma in April 2002 and, as part of the EU, we shall co-sponsor a similar resolution at the United Nations General Assembly in November. We have also drawn our concerns to the attention of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Burma.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the planned prime ministerial and ministerial meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister and Spanish Ministers in which it is expected that the future of Gibraltar will be discussed under the Brussels Process in the next month. [57551]

  Peter Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met the Spanish Prime Minister on 20 May for discussions on a range of EU and foreign policy issues. They held talks on Gibraltar in a positive and constructive atmosphere. When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met his Spanish counterpart on 15 May they agreed to convene a further formal Brussels Process meeting in late June or early July.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 1 May 2002,Official Report, column 830W, on appeals on what date (a) the appeal papers were despatched from Islamabad, (b) they were received by London and (c) they were sent to the IAA. [56128]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my hon. Friend has referred this case to the parliamentary ombudsman it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the issues he has raised at this stage of proceedings. My officials from Immigration and Nationality Directorate will shortly be responding to the matters raised by the ombudsman who will send you a reply in due course.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will call upon the Australian Government to ban President Mugabe and his Ministers from attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Brisbane; [38417]

  (2) if he will urge the Australian Government to ban President Mugabe and his Ministers from attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Brisbane and from entering Australia until 10 March; [39800]
  535W
  (3) what discussions he has had with his Australian counterpart on whether Australia should ban President Mugabe and his Ministers from travelling to or entering Australia ahead of the presidential election in Zimbabwe on 10 March during the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting on 1 March; [39788]

  (4) what discussions (a) he has had and (b) plans to have with Commonwealth partners on whether President Mugabe should attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting during the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting on 1 March. [39791]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 4 March 2002]: President Mugabe did not, in the event, attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Brisbane. Attendance at the meeting was a matter for the Australian Government.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he will recommend his Commonwealth colleagues take regarding the present situation in Zimbabwe during the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting on 1 March. [39787]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 4 March 2002]: At the CMAG meeting on 1 March we urged our Commonwealth partners to suspend Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth. Zimbabwe was duly suspended from the Council of the Commonwealth on 19 March.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the European Union observers who have recently returned from Zimbabwe will publish a report on their findings. [38416]

  Mr. Straw
  The European Union observer team was withdrawn from Zimbabwe before the elections took place, as the Government of Zimbabwe prevented it from carrying out its mandate. The team did not publish a report.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to engage in dialogue or attend meetings with President Mugabe during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Brisbane. [38415]

  Mr. Straw
  I was unable to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Brisbane, at which President Mugabe was also not present. My noble Friend Baroness Amos attended plenary meetings at which Zimbabwe was represented, but did not engage in dialogue with representatives of the Zimbabwe Government.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications of Council Common Position 2002/203/CFSP of 11 March, repealing 2001/83/CFSP, for the Zimbabwean military; and what steps he will take to ensure that EU aid is properly accounted for. [57876]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Council Common Position referred to supports the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions within the framework of the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A key element of the Lusaka agreement is the full withdrawal of all foreign troops, including Zimbabweans. This is also in accordance with the Security Council Resolutions.
  536W
  The European Commission now focuses its aid for Zimbabwe on humanitarian assistance and support for the health sector to combat HIV/AIDS. It has systems in place to closely monitor its assistance, and ensure that it is properly accounted for.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the European Community has banned exports of electronic jamming equipment designed to prevent the detonation by remote of improvised bombs to Zimbabwe under EC 310/2002 Annex II. [57869]

  Mr. MacShane
  EC Regulation 310/2002 of 18 February 2002 places inter alia an embargo on sale or supply to Zimbabwe of equipment which might be used for internal repression. Annex II of that Regulation contains an agreed EC list of equipment subject to the embargo. This list was originally established in the context of EC Regulation 926/98 of 27 April 1998 which placed inter alia an embargo on the sale or supply to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of equipment which might be used for internal repression or terrorism. "Electronic jamming equipment especially designed to prevent the detonation by radio remote control of improvised devices and specially designed components therefor" was included in the list annexed to Regulation 926/98 because of the potential for such equipment being used in countering anti-terrorism measures.

  This embargo is in addition to the full scope arms embargo imposed by the Council Common Position (2002/145/CFSP).

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Profession
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish his consultative paper on the OFT report on the legal profession; and if he will make a statement. [57696]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  As announced in the Budget statement in April, Government plans to issue a consultation paper on matters falling to it before the summer recess. The issues concern the extension of legal professional privilege and rights to do conveyancing and probate work; moves towards enabling the Law Society effectively to regulate the provision of legal services through alternative business structures; and the QC system.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the estimated waiting time is for an immigration appeal to be heard. [50591]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [pursuant to her reply, 29 April 2002]: The average time to hearing for immigration cases received by the IAA between 1 May 2001 and 31 October 2001 was 5.2 weeks to first hearing and 14.1 weeks to substantive hearing at the adjudicator stage.

SCOTLAND

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to her answer of 7 March 2002,Official Report, column 512W, on statutory instruments, what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of each of the statutory instruments listed. [50400]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Costs associated with regulatory proposals are considered at the policy development stage. A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is completed for regulatory proposals unless there are no or negligible costs, and sets out the impact, in terms of costs, benefits and risks of the proposed regulation which could affect businesses, charities or the voluntary sector. RIAs are available from the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Amendment) Order 2001; and if he will make a statement; [51105]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement; [51106]

  (3) what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of the Representation of the People (Form of Canvass) (Scotland) Regulations 2001; and if she will make a statement; [51129]

  (4) what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 (Conditions Attached to PSV Operators' Licence and Competition Tests for Exercise of Bus Functions) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement; [51103]

  Period April 2000 to March 2001

  Joiners

  Leavers

  Region

  Administrative Assistants

  Administrative Officers

  Administrative Assistants

  Administrative Officers

  London East

  360

  580

  187

  233

  London North

  390

  477

  253

  172

  London Central and South

  408

  580

  237

  285

  South-west

  332

  213

  226

  91

  East Midlands

  254

  174

  155

  157

  West Midlands

  264

  174

  122

  65

  Wales

  272

  195

  189

  77

  Merseyside

  258

  81

  167

  42

  Greater Manchester

  185

  136

  102

  70

  Yorkshire

  217

  79

  134

  46

  North-east

  258

  119

  155

  57

  West of Scotland

  322

  217

  196

  147

  East of Scotland

  305

  153

  194

  103

  Agency Central Services

  207

  123

  151

  119

  Period April 2001 to March 2002

  Joiners

  Leavers

  Region

  Administrative Assistants

  Administrative Officers

  Administrative Assistants

  Administrative Officers

  London East

  511

  640

  257

  159

  London North

  530

  620

  304

  179

  London Central and South

  667

  840

  372

  379

  South-west

  453

  403

  292

  149

  East Midlands

  397

  398

  221

  91

  West Midlands

  414

  488

  167

  92

  538W
  (5) what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of the Scotland Act 1998 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2001; and if she will make a statement. [51104]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Costs associated with regulatory proposals are considered at the policy development stage. A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is completed for regulatory proposals unless there are no or negligible costs, and sets out the impact, in terms of costs, benefits and risks of the proposed regulation which could affect businesses, charities or the voluntary sector. RIAs are available from the Libraries of the House.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Isle of Wight of 1 March, Ref 39912 and 40038. [55434]

  Mrs. Liddell
  With apologies for the delay, I replied to the hon. Member's questions on 20 May.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the staff turnover in(a) administrative officer and (b) administrative assistant grades in the Benefits Agency was in each year since 1997; and if he will break down the turnover by region. [51051]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information requested is not available for the period before April 2000. Such information as is available is in the following tables.
  539W

  Period April 2001 to March 2002

  Joiners

  Leavers

  Region

  Administrative Assistants

  Administrative Officers

  Administrative Assistants

  Administrative Officers

  Wales

  467

  392

  245

  180

  Merseyside

  506

  245

  260

  87

  Greater Manchester

  259

  234

  124

  56

  Yorkshire

  507

  376

  266

  68

  North-east

  298

  156

  148

  45

  West of Scotland

  334

  284

  160

  52

  East of Scotland

  384

  194

  211

  58

  Note:

  Agency Central Services became part of DSS Corporate Services Directorate on 1 April 2001.

  Head Injury Rehabilitation
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to assess the availability of vocational rehabilitation services for people who sustain a head injury; [56435]

  (2) what recent meetings have taken place within his Department on the provision of brain injury rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement. [56436]

  Maria Eagle
  Regular assessments are carried out of the availability of vocational rehabilitation services, including those for people who sustain head injuries. The services which are now in place, and delivered under contract through the Department's Work Preparation Programme, meet current and expected demand within the catchment area of individual providers.

  Ministers and officials have regular meetings with colleagues across Government to discuss rehabilitation, including services for people with acquired brain injury. A meeting was held with Ministerial colleagues from the Department of Health on 15 April to discuss a range of issues concerning health and rehabilitation. The Department is working jointly with a number of other Departments, including the Department of Health, to ensure that what is in place fully contributes towards our objective of helping as many as possible of those not working following injury or ill-health to make a prompt return to work.

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Departmental report will be published. [58526]

  Mr. Darling
  The Work and Pensions Departmental Report, which sets out the Department's expenditure plans for 2002–03 to 2003–04, has been published today. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons the letter from the hon. Member for Ilford, North on behalf of Mrs. C. A. Beadle of Tomswood Hill, Ilford dated 2 July 2001 took nine months to answer. [49020]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The delay in replying to my hon. Friend's letter is regretted. This was due to administrative error.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will amend the housing benefit regulations to take into account those individuals whose financial circumstances have changed between selling the property they continue to reside in, and making a claim for housing benefit; [52955]

  (2) what reason the amendment of regulation 7 of the Housing Benefit regulations, effective in January 1999, excluded from entitlement to benefit those who previously owned the home they now rent. [52956]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The intention of Housing Benefit regulation 7(1)(h) is to halt the abuse of the scheme where an owner-occupier transfers ownership of his or her home without money changing hands, or sells it for less than the market price, and then rents it back.

  Housing Benefit is still available to anyone who can demonstrate that he or she was forced to transfer or sell, for example because of impending repossession for mortgage arrears. A further amendment, from May 2001, allows a former owner to claim Housing Benefit provided five years have elapsed since he or she ceased to own the property.

  We keep all our policies under review but have no plans to make further amendments to this provision.

  Data Protection
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library copies of each version of the internal guidance which have been drawn up by her Department since 1 January 1999 to assist staff in her Department to answer subject access requests under the Data Protection Act 1998. [53373]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Since 1 January 1999 the Department has only had one version of internal guidance to assist staff to answer subject access requests under the Data Protection Act 1998. The guidance is contained in the Data Protection Manual, which is available in the Library.

  Medical Services
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on his plans to extend SchlumbergerSema's contract for the supply of medical services; and if he will list the service improvements that SchlumbergerSema will be expected to deliver as a result of a contract extension; [54037]
  541W
  (2) when he plans to publish the Department's report on Medical Services' performance against quality targets; [54038]

  (3) if he will list each performance target that his Department has set for SchlumbergerSema to deliver medical services and the levels of performance against those targets that have been achieved; [54039]

  (4) what measures he has taken to ensure that SchlumbergerSema has made improvements to its level of performance in delivering medical services. [54040]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge and Chryston (Mr. Clarke), 22 May 2002,Official Report, column 374–75W.

  Fraud
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the staff employed undertaking specific work on counter fraud policy issues on 1 April had less than(a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) two years, (d) three years, (e) four years and (f) more than four years experience of working in this specific area. [54717]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The overall aim of the Department's anti-fraud strategy is to have a benefit system which is secure from first claim to final payment.

  The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of all staff in the Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments.

  The Fraud Strategy Unit (FSU) manages the setting and dissemination of fraud policy for the Department's Agencies and has a central role in undertaking specific work on counter-fraud policy issues. The information requested, in respect of FSU staff, is in the table.

  FSU staff's length of experience of working on counter-fraud policy issues as at 1 April 2002

  Less than 6 months

  6 to 12 months

  1 to 2 years

  2 to 3 years

  3 to 4 years

  More than 4 years

  19

  19

  12

  18

  8

  8

  The staff in Fraud Strategy Unit bring with them a wide range of skills and experience, notably in counter-fraud operational work, social security administration, legislation and programme/budget management. Many staff in the unit have had several years' experience in social security administration and dealing with customers, where countering fraud is the concern of all staff.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions for fraud involving housing or council tax benefit were undertaken by local authorities in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) between 1 January and 31 December 2001. [54725]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The latest information available on the number of prosecutions for fraud undertaken by local authorities is in the table.
  542W

  Local authority investigations

  Prosecutions

  Cautions and penalties as an alternative to prosecution

  Total

  1997–98

  700

  —

  700

  1998–99

  800

  —

  800

  1999–2000

  860

  390

  1,250

  2000–01

  1,100

  550

  1,650

  Notes:

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

  2. Information is not available for all 408 local authorities. The total for Great Britain includes estimates for local authorities that have not responded. These estimates are based on historical and regional data. This type of estimate is standard practice in reporting totals where there have been non-respondents. The figures for financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01 have been rounded to two significant figures.

  3. Administrative penalties, as an alternative to prosecution, were introduced by the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act (1997) with effect from December 1998.

  Tax Credits
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the applicable amount for housing benefit and council tax benefit will be increased to take non-pensioner tax credits into account. [55030]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The amounts included in respect of children in housing benefit and council tax benefit applicable amounts will equal the maximum help available for children through child tax credit and child benefit. Both child tax credit and working tax credit will be taken into account as income, in line with the current treatment of working families' tax credit and disabled person's tax credit.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on incentives in the field of employment is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55226]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Committee on Community incentive measures in the field of employment is provided for by a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council, which the Council adopted on 6 May 2002, Article 129 of the Amsterdam Treaty. It runs until 31 December 2006.

  The programme of employment incentive measures will cover analysis, research and co-operation among the member states to support the European Employment Strategy and help achieve the strategic goals set by the Lisbon European Council. Activities, particularly through pilot projects, will include: the forward-looking evaluation of the Strategy; promoting the exchange of experience and good practice; and increasing information and general

  543W
  awareness of the social partners and relevant local and regional authorities. It also involves raising awareness of the Employment Strategy among European citizens

  The work programme for the committee, which will approved at the first meeting on 30 May, will include deciding and managing with the Commission the: general guidelines for the implementation of the activities; breakdown of funding between the activities; proposals for selection criteria for financial support; criteria for assessing activities receiving such support; and the procedure for disseminating and transferring the results. The committee will have an advisory role on the other aspects of the standard comitology decision.

  The committee is likely to meet two to three times a year and will be attended by one UK official. The annual cost to public funds of UK attendance is likely to be up to £1,650 of which the Commission will reimburse up to £1,230.

  Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

  As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Commission Document 5685/02).

  As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the mandate of the Committee of the European Social Fund is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55227]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The legal base of the European Social Fund (ESF) Committee is Article 147 of the treaty establishing the European Community. The committee's role is to assist the European Commission in administering the ESF. It delivers opinions on draft Commission proposals relating to the ESF including programming documents and implementing rules. It has met four times over the last 12 months.

  The committee is chaired by the Commission and is composed of representatives of member state Governments, trade unions and employers' organisations. The UK has six full members: two officials from the ESF Division of the Joint International Unit of the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Education and Skills; two representatives from the Trades Union Congress (TUC); and two representatives from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). There are also three alternate members from the UK who are entitled to attend in the absence of a full member from their
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  respective category: an official from the UK Permanent Representation to the EU and representatives from the TUC and CBI. The costs to public funds for the Government full members are limited to expenses of approximately £550 per person for a one day-meeting, less reimbursement provided by the Commission.

  At its last meeting on 22 March 2002, the committee considered the evaluation of the ESF, local employment initiatives, gender mainstreaming, preparation of national action plans for employment, complementarity with the Leonardo Da Vinci vocational training programme and lifelong learning.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has responsibility for ESF policy within the UK and is accountable to Parliament for the work of the UK Government members on the ESF committee. The Department for Work and Pensions prepares explanatory memoranda on EU documents on the ESF committee that are deposited in Parliament for scrutiny. These arrangements will continue.

  Disability Benefit
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his programme to enable people receiving disability benefit to take employment. [57112]

  Maria Eagle
  We have a wide range of programmes that have proved successful in helping people with disabilities secure work where they are ready and able to do so.

  Over 8,200 people have already been helped into work through the New Deal for Disabled People pilots. Building on that success we extended the New Deal for Disabled People and we now have a national network of job brokers from the public, private and voluntary sectors who work closely with employers, voluntary groups and health services to help people with health conditions and disabilities move into work. A further 2,304 people have been helped into work through the extension.

  Disability employment advisers continue to provide specialist support to disabled jobseekers, and disabled employees and their employers. The roll-out of integrated Jobcentre Plus offices will provide disabled people with work-focused meetings with a personal adviser to ensure they are aware of all the help and opportunities available to them.

  A range of other Government programmes are also available to help people with health conditions and disabilities find and keep employment, including Access to Work, Workstep and Work Preparation. All the programmes are subject to evaluation, and reports are published. They are available free of charge from the Department and are also accessible on the internet.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the(a) number and (b) percentage of single pensioners with gross weekly incomes of between (i) £78 and £134 and (ii) £122 and £134; and if he will estimate the (1) number and

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  (2) percentage of pensioner couples with gross weekly incomes of between (A) £124 and £200 and (B) £188 and £200. [58030]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information requested is in the table.

  Gross weekly income (£)

  Number

  Percentage

  Single pensioners

  78–134

  1,730,000

  40

  122–134

  470,000

  11

  Pensioner couples

  124–200

  1,000,000

  25

  188–200

  170,000

  4

  Notes:

  1. The estimates are from the Family Resources Survey 1999–00 and are rounded to the nearest 10,000 or 1 per cent. As with data from any survey, these estimates should not be treated as exact as they are subject to sampling error. This is the latest year for which results are available and the survey covers Great Britain.

  2. The Family Resources Survey does not include information on pensioners living in residential care or nursing homes.

  3. Gross weekly income is at July 1999 prices.

  4. Single pensioners are defined as single (non-cohabiting) people aged 60 or over. Pensioner couples are defined as couples (married or co-habiting) where either partner is aged 60 or over. This differs from the definition used in the Pensioners' Incomes Series (singles over state pension age (65 and over for men, 60 and over for women) and couples where the man is over state pension age).

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact on payment to pensioners and those in receipt of other benefits of Consignia's plans for urban sub-post offices. [58124]

  Mr. McCartney
  Access for customers will be a key feature of the Post Office's restructuring programme. Even after restructuring, it is expected that well over 95 per cent. of customers in urban areas will still live within a mile of a post office branch and the majority will live within half a mile. And the branches which make up the network should have a sounder commercial basis upon which to develop customer service.

  Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) for each of the past five years, how many people were contracted out of SERPS; and what proportion of the workforce were contracted out; [58521]

  (2) how many people are contracted out of the additional pension; and what the equivalent number was in each of the last five years. [58522]

  (3) how many and what proportion of the workforce are contracted out of the additional pension, broken down by level of income. [58523]

  (4) for each (a) month and (b) quarter over the past four years, how many people were contracted out of SERPS; and what proportion of the workforce are contracted out. [58524]

  Mr. McCartney
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out as follows:

  The number of people who were contracted out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme in 1995–96, the latest year for which figures are available, is 14.8 million.
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  The workforce for the same year was 28.7 million; the proportion of the workforce estimated to be contracted out of the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme was 52 per cent.

  Note:
  Workforce means "economically active people" which is defined in the "Labour Force Survey" as being all those who are either in employment or unemployed.

  Source:
  "Second Tier Pension Provision 1995–96" and "Labour Force Survey"—Department for Work and Pensions' Analytical Services Division.

  Pension Service
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice and information will be provided by staff in the new pension centres to encourage(a) new and (b) existing pensioners to (i) claim the minimum income guarantee and (ii) receive payments directly from post offices. [58208]

  Mr. McCartney
  The Pension Service will provide a modern, efficient and customer focused service for both today's and future pensioners. It will play a crucial role in our aim to tackle pensioner poverty. We are committed to encouraging pensioners to claim their full entitlements. We have already conducted a very successful minimum income guarantee (MIG) campaign which resulted in an extra 134,000 pensioners making successful claims to MIG receiving on average an extra £20 a week.

  We are continuing to look at more effective ways of encouraging eligible pensioners to claim the MIG. Initiatives include:
  A MIG claim line on freephone 0800 028 1111. This is available to enable our customers to apply for MIG easily and simply.
  A new shortened claim form available on the internet at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk.
  Since April 2002, all customers contacting the Retirement Pension Teleclaims Centre are offered information on MIG and asked if they would like someone to call them back with more information and pursue a claim. Those customers who do not wish to claim MIG via the RP telecentre are sent a MIG information leaflet with their RP claim pack.

  Additionally, we will:
  Issue mailshots to pensioners who claimed RP and who may also be entitled to MIG, encouraging them to claim. Around 100,000 pensioners will receive a mailshot over the April-June period.
  Use "trigger" questions which identify customers who have a match with one or more predetermined 'key life events' that may indicate a potential entitlement to MIG, for example, when customers aged 60 and over receive a new award of one or more benefits, such as attendance allowance, industrial injuries benefit or housing benefit. A letter explaining the possible entitlement and inviting customers to claim MIG is sent to all customers identified in this way.

  Training material for Pension Service staff includes guidance on identifying potential entitlement to MIG. If, during the course of any inquiry, it becomes evident that the pensioner might be entitled to MIG they will be encouraged to claim.

  Also, the local service will work closely with local authorities, the voluntary sector and other service providers to give a proactive service and ensure that

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  customers receive their full benefit entitlement. In time local service staff will be trained to provide a more joined-up service covering the broad range of services older people may need to access. The local service will include surgeries, a home visiting where there is a special need and joint benefit take-up campaigns.

  At the moment, pensioners can choose to be paid by order book or have their money paid directly into a bank or building society account. From April 2003, payments directly into accounts will become the normal method of payment. People will still be able to collect their money from the post office and will be provided with information to enable them to choose the most appropriate account.

  Final Salary Pension Schemes
  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the company practice of dishonouring final salary pension schemes. [58051]

  Mr. McCartney
  There has been a long-term decline in the coverage of final salary pension schemes, which has accelerated as a result of increased longevity and the recent fall in the stock markets. Many companies have had to consider the financial impact on their business of continuing to run a final salary scheme for all employees.

  Employers should take a long-term view of pensions, rather than basing their decisions on short-term considerations. Where employers do change their pension schemes, we believe that they have a responsibility to make it absolutely clear what the implications are for employee pensions.

  The Sandler review of the long-term retail savings market and Pickering review of pension regulation will report in the summer. The Inland Revenue is also reviewing the taxation of occupational pension schemes. We will issue proposals in the autumn, aimed at making pension provision more attractive for individuals and pension providers. This will build on the reforms that have been introduced since 1998. Pension Credit will ensure that it always pays to save. State second pension will benefit 14 million low and moderate earners, and four million carers and disabled people who will get a second pension for the first time. We have introduced pension forecasts to provide individuals with the right information to make an informed decision about their retirement. And the introduction of stakeholder pensions means that everyone now has access to low-charge, flexible pension provision.

  E-Envoy (Contractors)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list by(a) date, (b) value and (c) contractor contracts for consultancy and research into (i) smart card and (ii) e-business which have been placed by or for the office of the E-Envoy by (A) competition or (B) single tender in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [56977]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.
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  (i) Smart card technology

  The office of e-Envoy has had two studies over the past 12 months and the details are as follows:

  (1) (a) 31 August 2001 (b) £5,000 (c) Alco Partnership. This was by single tender action.

  (2) (b) 3 August 2001 (b) £69,000 (c) Logica. This was by competition.

  (ii) e-Business

  The office of e-Envoy has had five contracts for consultancy and research that cross over onto the e-Business sector that we have listed. Please note these are not solely e-Business as these studies cover other areas such as citizen and public sector.

  (1) (a) 14 July 2001 (b) £516,000 (c) Analysis. This was a study that was to take place over a three-year period looking at international and UK benchmarking (broadband). This was by competition.

  (2) (a) 24 July 2001 (b) £400,000 (c) Analysis\Booz Allen. Consultancy support to the broadband: demand and aggregation in the public sector. This was by competition.

  (3) (a) 23 August 2001 (b) £47,000 (c) Hall Aitken. This was research into internet use in the voluntary and community sectors. Single tender action.

  (4) (a) 11 September 20001 (b) £48,000 (c) De Montfort university. This study was looking at ISP (internet service provider) data to research the business and household internet take up. This was by single tender.

  (5) (a) 13 March 2002 (b) £310,000 (c) Booz Allen. This is research into international benchmarking of the e-Economy. This was by competition.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Wrongfully Convicted Prisoners
  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has concluded his consideration of the report of the working group on an advice service for wrongfully convicted prisoners; if he has made final decisions on the matter; and if he will make a statement. [59013]

  Beverley Hughes
  After careful consideration of the report and recommendations of the working group, I have announced today my decision to establish an advice service for such individuals. The service will operate as a pilot project for an initial period of 12 months and will be provided by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. The project will be subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation during this pilot phase. Decisions on future service provision will be made in the light of evidence from the evaluation. To inform the evaluation process I have also decided to establish a consultative group, whose members will be drawn from a range of organisations and individuals with an interest in this issue. Expressions of interest in membership of this group are now being invited.

  Juvenile Crime
  Ian Lucas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to apply electronic monitoring technology to juveniles released from the custodial part of the detention and training order. [59797]

  Beverley Hughes
  Section 62 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 provides for the electronic monitoring of prisoners released on licence. By virtue of section 62(5)(a), this includes young people during the community element of a detention and training order (DTO).

  Electronic monitoring of those released from detention and training orders is already available in 84 youth offending team areas as part of the Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme overseen by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.

  Section 102(4) of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 empowers the Secretary of State to release an offender:
  in the case of an order of eight months or more but less than 18 months, one month before the half-way point; and
  in the case of an order of 18 months or more, one month or two months before that point.
  The availability of electronic monitoring enables me to consider how we can make further use of the powers in section 102(4) to provide a useful transitional phase in the reintegration of trainees from custody back into the community.

  I therefore propose to use electronic monitoring as a condition of the release of trainees serving a DTO of eight months or more for a period of one or two months prior to their current release at the half-way point. This form of release will be a normal feature of DTOs except in the case of trainees convicted of sex offences or serious violent offences. The possibility of release on electronic monitoring at this stage in the DTO will not be available to trainees who have exhibited violent or destructive behaviour to people or property within the secure facility; made exceptionally bad progress against the training plan as a result of consistent failure to co-operate or failure to take responsibility for their behaviour.

  Annie Millhouse
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to take a decision on the application for leave to remain on the basis of marriage of Annie Millhouse (Home Office ref: M718839). [56524]

  Angela Eagle
  A decision on this case was taken on 16 May 2002. Mrs. Millhouse will be notified of the result shortly.

  Alisa Masokha
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to issue a travel document to Alisa Masokha (Home Office ref: J1052415). [56525]

  Angela Eagle
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) are not responsible for issuing foreign national travel documents.
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  IND have no evidence of receiving Ms Masokha's national travel document in their offices. However, arrangements will shortly be made to issue Ms Masokha with a status letter which will enable her to obtain a replacement document from her national authorities.

  Naturalisation
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long people granted naturalisation on grounds of(a) residence and (b) marriage in April or the latest month for which figures are available had waited before receiving the decision; and how long persons who have applied for naturalisation on each ground in 2002 can expect to wait for a decision. [56544]

  Angela Eagle
  The information available relates to the average waiting time for citizenship (naturalisation and registrations). The most recent published data relate to March 2001, when the average waiting time was 11.6 months.

  I regret that information on waiting times for naturalisation applications only is not available.

  We aim to reduce the average time taken to grant citizenship to qualifying applicants to 4.5 months by March 2003. It is expected that performance on this target will be reported on in due course, after the end of the financial year.

  Drugs
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation and drugs treatment services have adopted oral fluid testing for drug abuse. [58514]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Home Office recently issued a probation circular, (PC7/2002:Revision of National Standards of Supervision of Offenders in the Community) which notified probation areas that they were no longer required to obtain specific written authority from the Home Office to use oral fluid testing in respect of the Drug Treatment and Testing Order. Prior to this announcement, twenty-three Probation Areas had requested the use of oral fluid testing. Oral fluid testing is also currently being used in the three probation areas piloting the drug testing provisions contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.

  Information regarding the practices of drug treatment services is not held centrally.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment or testing orders have been made which require the use of Naltrexone. [56542]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  This information is not held centrally and could not be determined except at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the economic cost of drug misuse in the last year for which figures are available. [56713]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The University of York Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology (Culyer A, Eaton G, Godfrey C et al, 2002) has recently completed a
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  research report for the Home Office entitled "The Economic and Social Costs of Class A Drugs Misuse in England and Wales, 2000". The report will be published as a Home Office Research Study (HORS) early to mid-summer, 2002.

  Key findings from the research have been released (Home Office News Release, 12 February 2002). Annual economic costs (mainly to health service, criminal justice system and state benefits) are estimated to be between £3.7 billion and £6.8 billion. Adding social costs (mainly victim costs of crime) increases figures to between £10.9 billion and £18.8 billion. Problematic drug users account for around 99 per cent. of these costs with annual economic costs at £11,000 each compared with less than £20 for a non-problematic user.

  Throckmorton
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the scope of the environmental impact assessment in relation to the proposed asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton. [57341]

  Angela Eagle
  An environmental impact assessment will be included with the planning notification to be submitted shortly in relation to the proposed accommodation centre at Throckmorton. We are currently in discussions with Wychavon District Council to establish its scope.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the timetable for the planning process in relation to the application for the asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton. [57236]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: We intend to submit a planning notification shortly. We will advise the hon. Member when the notification is submitted.

  Asylum Accommodation Centres
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he estimates the first asylum accommodation centre will be open. [57343]

  Angela Eagle
  It is envisaged that the first centre will open in 2003.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the number of dependants of asylum seekers under 18-years-old who will be housed in pilot accommodation centres. [51135]

  Angela Eagle
  We have yet to make a final decision.

  Asylum Seekers
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to deter applications for asylum from citizens of countries that have democratic benign Governments. [57262]

  Angela Eagle
  The White Paper 'Secure Borders, Safe Haven' and the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill set out a range of measures to create an effective end-to-end system which will enable us to return swiftly those not in need of protection. There are also measures to 552W
  combat illegal entry and illegal working. These measures should deter those who attempt to pursue unfounded asylum applications in the United Kingdom.

  A key part of our strategy has been the use of the Oakington Reception Centre which allows us to process quickly those whose claims are determined to be manifestly unfounded.

  We have also operated pre-clearance operations in Prague and we have deployed a network of airline liaison officers to prevent improperly documented passengers travelling to the United Kingdom.

  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to establish an independent documentation centre to provide information about countries from which people have fled. [57999]

  Angela Eagle
  We have commissioned an evaluation of the content and accessibility of country information in the asylum process. This evaluation includes an assessment of whether the information provided by the Country Information Policy Unit, including the country assessments, meets the needs of its users. The finalised report will provide systematic, additional evidence on which to base decisions as to whether any further mechanisms might prove useful, and enable us to reach a decision on the need for an independent documentation centre.

  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill will allow families with children who are seeking asylum to be detained at the beginning of the asylum process. [57998]

  Angela Eagle
  The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill makes no change to the policy with regard to the detention of asylum seeking families. The policy for the detention of families is detailed in the White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Haven" which makes it clear that families may, when appropriate, be detained while their identities and basis of claim are established, or because there is a reasonable belief they would abscond, or as part of the fast-track asylum process at Oakington Reception Centre, or to effect their removal.

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research his Department is conducting on the return of dispersed asylum seekers to the Greater London area; [57634]

  (2) how many asylum seekers dispersed from the Greater London area returned to live in London between April 2001 and April 2002. [57633]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: There are no statistics on the number of asylum seekers who have returned to London following dispersal to another area of the country. Nor are statistics available on those accepted as refugees or granted exceptional leave to remain (ELR) who, in both cases, are free to live where ever they like. The National Asylum Support Services (NASS) cannot require asylum seekers to remain in the accommodation provided. If they choose to leave the accommodation they can seek to alter their support package from subsistence and accommodation to subsistence only. Generally speaking asylum seekers are not provided with accommodation in London. The Home Office is currently reviewing the extent of and reasons for

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  asylum seekers leaving their dispersal accommodation. The results will be made available as soon as possible following the completion of the project.

  Ms Gracie Allen
  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department will lodge an appeal about the adjudicator's decision over the visa application by Ms Gracie Allen (HO ref A1127781; Appeal No. THS 1272/2001); and if he will make a statement. [57559]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: The Home Office has decided not to apply for leave to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal against the adjudicator's decision to grant Mrs. Allen entry clearance.

  European Security
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy towards the initiative of Spain setting up a European network for the protection of public figures (2002/C42/08). [57864]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Working Party on Police Co-operation meeting held on 5 to 6 February 2002, proposed the setting up of a European network for the protection of public figures to be chaired by the member state holding the Presidency of the Council. Its remit was to standardise the package of support and protection afforded to visiting dignitaries against agreed criteria, as well as the exchange of resources and information.

  Negotiations are ongoing and it is expected that a decision on the implementation of the Network's proposals will be taken in June. However, the Government feel that the United Kingdom (UK) has much to offer in the exchange of best practice ideas and procedures in the area of public figure protection. One of the key issues that the Government have sought to maintain is the principle that it is the right of the host state to determine the appropriate package of support according to the specific threat to the individual visiting that country. The network will have no power to make legislative changes to UK law.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes of 17 April about Mrs. Roberta Parr and Miss Dominyka Gajauskite regarding their visa applications and the return of their Lithuanian passports for work purposes. [57507]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 20 May 2002]: My right hon. and noble Friend, Minister of State, Home Department (Lord Rooker), wrote to the hon. Member on 14 May 2002.

  Drugs Offences
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been serving prison sentences for drugs offences in each year since 1979; and what percentage of the prison population this represents in each reporting period. [56236]
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  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: Data on the number of people in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales broken down by type of offence on 30 June is published each year in Prison Statistics England and Wales' available in the Library.

  The Table shows the number of drug offenders received into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in each year between 1992 (the earliest data available) and 2000 (the latest confirmed data available), and what percentage of the total sentenced receptions they represent in each year.

  %

  Number of drug offenders received

  Percentage of total sentenced receptions

  1992

  3,636

  5.2

  1993

  3,761

  5.2

  1994

  3,953

  4.7

  1995

  5,206

  5.8

  1996

  6,412

  7.7

  1997

  7,371

  8.5

  1998

  7,655

  8.4

  1999

  7,844

  8.3

  2000

  7,353

  7.8

  Animal Experiments
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of animal experiments carried out in the last year for which figures are available were mandatory, pursuant to legislative requirements and where the use of non-animal alternatives would not have met those requirements. [57924]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: Under the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, animals can only be used in licensed scientific procedures when there is no alternative way to achieve the objective concerned, such as testing products using computer models, cell cultures and other in vitro methods. Animals are only used where fully justified and where the benefits outweigh the costs to the animals involved.

  The Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2000, the last year for which figures are available, records that procedures for toxicological purposes—the category where legislative testing requirements usually apply—accounted for 17 per cent. of all procedures started in 2000. This proportion compares with 20 per cent. in 1999 and 25 per cent. in 1995.

  The majority of these toxicology/safety procedures (some 84 per cent.)—amounting to just over 14 per cent. of all procedures carried out in all categories—were performed to conform to legislative requirements. The procedures of this type carried out for non-legislative purposes include studies for refinement or replacement of live animal use in safety testing, as well as ecological studies.

  It may be additionally worth noting that pharmaceutical safety/efficacy evaluation purposes accounted for 60 per cent. of all procedures for toxicology, other safety and efficacy evaluations, and that no procedures were performed in 2000 for the purpose of evaluating the safety of either cosmetic products or ingredients.
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  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require the numbers of animals bred for experimentation purposes but subsequently found to be unsuitable for such purposes or surplus to requirements to be included in the annual statistics on animal use under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [57925]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: The published annual statistics relate solely to animals used in scientific procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This meets the requirement, in section 21 of the Act, to provide related information to Parliament.

  With the exception of the production of genetically modified animals—which is itself a regulated procedure—the number of animals bred but not eventually used for scientific purposes has not been considered appropriate for inclusion in these statistics. The Government have at present no plans to change that.

  The Animal Procedures Committee looked at the issue of the over-breeding of animals for use in scientific procedures as part of its 10-year review of the 1986 Act. It concluded that although some over-breeding was unavoidable, it can and should be minimised, and it recommended principles of best practice to help to achieve this.

  The committee also undertook to liaise with the Laboratory Animal Science Association, which has also been considering the issue of over-breeding and how it can be minimised, to refine these principles before finalising its advice. I expect to receive the Committee's report by the summer and will carefully consider the further advice it provides.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the mandate is of the Advisory Committee on the implementation of the Community Action Programme to combat social exclusion; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55231]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Programme Committee set up pursuant to Decision No. 50/2002/EC of 7 December 2001, establishing a programme of Community action to encourage co-operation between member states to combat social exclusion, is mandated to assist the Commission in implementing that Decision. It has met three times (once on an informal basis as it predated the coming into legal force of the Decision) over the last 12 months. The UK was represented by either one or two officials from the Department for Work and Pensions at these meetings. Costs to UK public funds were limited to their expenses, approximately £2,650, less reimbursements provided by the Commission. There are no items currently under consideration by the Programme Committee.
  556W
  The first annual report by the Commission required by Council Decision 1999/468/EC on the working of committees was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Commission Document COM (2001) 783 Final). The UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the action programme to promote gender equality is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55238]

  Mrs. Roche
  The legal basis for the fifth action programme (2001–05) is Article 13 of the Treaty and Council Decision 2001/51/EC of 20 December 2000. The programme is one of the components of the overall Community strategy on gender equality (which embraces a range of Community policies and action aimed at achieving gender equality), including both mainstreaming gender into general policies and targeting specific actions towards women.

  The committee which implements the programme is composed of member states' representatives. The current UK nominee is the responsible official in the Cabinet Office's Women arid Equality Unit. It has met three times during the last 12 months. As per Article 6 of the Council Decision establishing the programme, the committee's agenda includes:
  the general guidelines for the implementation of the programme;
  the annual plan of work for the implementation of the programme's actions;
  the financial support to be supplied by the Community;
  the annual budget and the distribution of funding between the various actions of the programme;
  the procedures for selecting the actions to be supported by the Community and the draft list of actions to receive such support submitted by the Commission;
  the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the programme, in particular its costs-effectiveness, and the arrangements for the dissemination of results.

  The funds of the fifth action programme are made available by the commission to member states and to individual contractors. The programme has a financial reference amount for the period 2001–05 of 50 million euro, and a budget line of around 10 million euro/year.

  Travel costs for officials attending committee meetings are reimbursed by the European Commission; subsistence costs average less than £250 per year.

  The principles and conditions concerning public access to the committee's documents (Article 13 of the rules of procedure for the committee) are the same as those applying to commission documents. The European Scrutiny Committee receives Explanatory Memoranda about work undertaken under this programme.

  Together with member states, the commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of committees into line with Council

  557W
  Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

  As an obligation to this decision, the commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Corn (2001) 783 Final).

  As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

  Recruitment
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many net additional staff his Department has recruited in each month since June 2001 at(a) executive officer level and (b) administrative level. [52432]

  Mr. Leslie
  The net additional staff recruited in the Cabinet Office including Government Car and Despatch Agency and Central Office of Information since June 2001 at(a) executive officer level arid (b) administrative level:

  Executive officer level

  Administrative level

  Month/Type of staff

  Headcount

  Full-time equivalent

  Headcount

  Full-time equivalent

  June 2001

  Permanent

  3

  3

  3

  2.11

  Casual

  1

  1

  -1

  -1

  Total

  4

  4

  1

  1.11

  July 2001

  Permanent

  0

  0

  0

  0.33

  Casual

  11

  10.28

  10

  10

  Total

  11

  10.28

  10

  9.67

  August 2001

  Permanent

  3

  3

  0

  0.39

  Casual

  -1

  -1

  -7

  -7

  Total

  2

  2

  -7

  -6.61

  September 2001

  Permanent

  3

  3

  2

  2

  Casual

  -1

  -1

  -8

  -8

  Total

  2

  2

  -6

  -6

  October2001

  Permanent

  5

  5

  4

  3.9

  Casual

  1

  0.8

  5

  4.67

  Total

  6

  5.8

  9

  8.57

  November 2001

  Permanent

  -1

  -0.61

  2

  0.13

  Casual

  2

  2

  0

  -0.24

  Total

  1

  1.39

  2

  -0.11

  December 2001

  Permanent

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Casual

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  2

  2

  2

  2

  January2002

  Permanent

  7

  7

  4

  4

  Casual

  2

  2

  6

  6

  Total

  9

  9

  10

  10

  558W

  Executive officer level

  Administrative level

  Month/Type of staff

  Headcount

  Full-time equivalent

  Headcount

  Full-time equivalent

  February 2002

  Permanent

  4

  3.67

  -5

  -5

  Casual

  1

  0.59

  1

  1.24

  Total

  5

  4.26

  -4

  -3.76

  March 2002

  Permanent

  3

  3

  -4

  -4.5

  Casual

  1

  1.72

  -2

  -1.4

  Total

  4

  4.72

  -6

  -5.9

  Civil Servants
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many job vacancies there were at(a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in each Government. Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the south-east in each year since 1995. [52093]

  Mr. Leslie
  This information is not held centrally for all Government Departments; the following is for the Cabinet Office only.

  Recruitment records have been held electronically and centrally since 1 April 2001; therefore the figures provided are for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 only. Figures prior to 1 April 2001 and divided between London and the south-east could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Figures on Government Office's senior civil service posts advertised could not be provided as Government offices do not collect this information centrally.

  Grade/payband

  Number of posts advertised

  Senior civil service

  38

  Band A (grade 6 and 7)

  159

  Band B2 (grade HEO and SEO)

  232

  Band B1 (grade EO)

  195

  Band C2 (grade AO)

  214

  Band C1 (grade AA)

  58

  Electronic Services
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is being done to increase the usage of Government Departments and agencies websites and the take-up of their electronic services. [55989]

  Mr. Leslie
  A survey published by the Office for National Statistics in April 2002 shows that 19 per cent. of UK internet users have used or accessed government/official services online.

  The UK online national media campaign is playing a key role in persuading more individuals to get online and enjoy the benefits of e-commerce and e-government services. In addition, the range and scope of take-up targets for e-services are being considered as part of the Spending Review.
  559W
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made by each Government Department and agency towards the Prime Minister's target for electronically available services by 2005. [55984]

  Mr. Leslie
  The last survey of Department's progress in meeting the target showed that just over half of services (274) are available electronically. The following breakdown by Departments and agencies was included in the National Audit Office report, "Better Public Services through e-government", published on 4 April 2002:

  Number

  British Trade International

  1

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  4

  Department for Education and Skills

  36

  Department for International Development

  2

  Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  54

  Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

  45

  Department for Work and Pensions

  5

  Department of Health

  14

  Department of Trade and Industry

  32

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  2

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  8

  HM Treasury

  6

  Home Office

  29

  Land Registry

  1

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  4

  Ministry of Defence

  14

  Office for National Statistics

  3

  Ordnance Survey

  7

  Public Record Office

  7

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are being taken to encourage Government sector agencies to put in place management information to monitor usage of their websites and electronic services, and to play back this information to the content providers and divisions responsible for originating web materials and internet services. [56001]

  Mr. Leslie
  Since December 1999 Government webmasters have been tasked with collecting particular statistics on usage. This advice has been updated and revised in the "Guidelines for UK Government Websites: Framework for Senior Managers" published in November 2001.

  A much larger handbook for web management teams, that was widely consulted on within Government for a year and is scheduled for final publication in mid-May, recommends customer relationship management techniques and other means for ensuring evaluation of websites. The forthcoming "Quality Framework for UK Government Web Design" gives guidance in building in user testing in order to continually improve website content.

  A newly-developed central infrastructure being delivered by the Office of the e-Envoy will provide central server hosting and applications. A new statistical analysis solution will be part of the offering for Departments that use this service.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister of the central Government Departments and agencies required to meet the Prime Minister's target for electronically available services by 2005, how many hits the(a) most and (b) least used have received in the last year; and what steps are being taken to analyse user behaviour. [56000]
  560W
  Mr. Leslie
  The latest Office for National Statistics data shows that 3.84 million citizens use the internet to use or access Government services.

  Since 1999 all Government websites have been given guidance on the key statistics they should collect. The "Guidelines for UK Government Websites" specify that at a minimum:

  the number of users (visitors)

  number of visits (unique visits)

  and number of page impressions (page views)

  should be collected. Further performance and access statistics are recommended in addition to these minimum statistics.

  However, such information is not currently collated centrally. The Government are examining the nature and adequacy of the statistics available on Government websites as part of the process of considering its response to the NAO report, 'Government on the Web II'.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the role played by the development of electronic public services in making the UK a congenial location for e-business and e-commerce to develop. [55874]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Government recognise the key role played by electronic service delivery on the development of the UK's e-commerce environment. The scale of Government interaction with business and the public, through its own supply and distribution chains, places it in a position to be a strong driver of e-commerce.

  A broad assessment was published in "e-commerce@its.best.uk" in 1999. Subsequently our strategy for leveraging e-Government as a key driver for growth of the wider e-economy has been set out in the UK online annual reports published by the e-Minister and the e-Envoy in 2000 and 2001.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information he publishes about the development of central Government services on the web. [55988]

  Mr. Leslie
  The second UK online annual report was published by the e-Minister and e-Envoy in December 2001. The report sets out the progress that has been made in meeting the Government's objectives for being at the forefront of the knowledge economy.

  Among its five overarching themes is 'getting Government online'. The report also provides an updated UK online strategy, setting out the commitments made by the Government to further the e-Agenda.

  Each month, the e-Minister and e-Envoy provide a joint report to the Prime Minister. These reports set out the progress on the UK online strategy.

  There are also a number of development frameworks and guidance documents published. Among the key documents are:

  e-Government Interoperability Framework Version 4

  e-Government Metadata Standard

  Guidelines for UK Government Websites: Framework for Senior Managers

  Framework for e-Service Delivery.

  561W
  All these documents can be downloaded for the publication option on the office of the e-Envoy website www.e-envoy.gov.uk.

  Information on the Government Gateway is available from: http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/gateway—partnerlink/

  Disclosure of Interests
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what rules apply to the disclosure of interests on the part of those serving on public bodies which are responsible to his Department. [56460]

  Name of body

  Board members code of practice

  Code of practice for board members of advisory NDPBs

  Where available

  Advisory Committee on Advertising

  Yes

  Upon request from the secretary

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments

  Under review

  Not yet available

  Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace for Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Yes

  Upon request from the secretary

  Better Regulation Taskforce

  Yes

  Upon request from the secretary

  Civil Service Appeal Board

  Yes

  On request from the secretary

  Committee on Standards in Public Life

  Yes

  On internet at www.public-standards.gov.uk or on request from the secretary

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Yes

  Incorporated in the EOC corporate governance document—available from the EOC

  Honours Scrutiny Committee

  No code in place. (Interest declared on the House of Lords' Register)

  House of Lords Appointments Commission

  Yes

  On internet at www.houseoflordsappointmentscommission.gov.uk or on request from the secretary

  Security Commission

  Yes

  On request from the secretary

  Security Vetting Appeals Panel

  Yes

  On request from the secretary

  Senior Salaries Review Body

  Under review

  Not yet available

  Women's National Commission

  Yes

  On request from the Women's National Commission

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by his Department on paying pensions to retired employees of his Department in 2001–02; if he will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in(a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if he will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if he will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years. [57355]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Cabinet Office has responsibility for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS)—the occupational pension arrangement for civil servants.

  The PCSPS is an unfunded public service scheme made under the Superannuation Act 1972. all payments of pension and related benefits to former members of the PCSPS or their dependants are made from the Civil Superannuation Vote, for which the Cabinet Office are accountable.

  Net expenditure on civil service pension and related benefits for the year 2001–02 was as follows:

  Expenditure—2001–02

  £ billion

  Gross

  2.8

  Net of employer and employee contributions

  1.4

  562W
  Mr. Leslie
  All advisory and executive non-departmental public bodies are required to adopt a board members' code, based on guidance produced by my Department, and they should have registers of interests. The definition of interests is ultimately for individual Departments since they are best placed to decide what might be thought to influence members of their NDPBs.

  The table lists the NDPBs sponsored by this Department and in each case indicates what the relevant Code of Practice is and where it is available.

  Estimated net expenditure in five years' time, 10 years' time, 20 years' time and 30 years' time is estimated by GAD as follows:

  Expenditure

  £ billion

  Gross

  Net of employer and employee contributions

  5 years

  3.0

  1.1

  10 years

  3.2

  1.2

  20 years

  3.6

  1.6

  30 years

  3.7

  1.6

  New pension arrangements for the civil service are being introduced from 1 October 2002. These will give existing staff the choice between remaining in the existing scheme or moving to a new defined benefit scheme; new entrants will have a choice between joining the new defined benefit scheme or a good quality defined contribution arrangement. It has been assumed, solely for the purpose of these projections, that:
  all existing staff will opt to remain in the existing scheme and continue to pay an employee contribution of 1.5 per cent. of pay; and
  all new entrants will opt to join the new defined benefit scheme with an employee contribution of 3.5 per cent. of pay.

  Options exercised by existing staff and new entrants are likely to differ from these assumptions but:
  in circumstances where the future pattern of options is not known; and
  the changes in pension arrangement are cost neutral for employers

  563W
  the projections provide a reasonable estimate of future expenditure.

  Constant earnings, as at 2001–02, have been assumed throughout.

  Temporary Staff
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many employees under contract from temping agencies were working in his Department and how much was spent on temporary staff(a) as a total and (b) as a percentage of the total staffing budget in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [58187]

  Mr. Leslie
  The number of employees working in the Cabinet Office under contract from temping agencies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Estimated expenditure on temporary staff in the Cabinet Office is as follows:

  Year

  £000

  Percentage of total staffing budget

  1997–98

  1,135

  2.1

  1998–99

  1,589

  2.6

  1999–2000

  1,907

  2.7

  2000–01

  3,250

  4.0

  Final figures for 2001–02 are not yet available.

  The figures include the Central Office of Information which, although not part of the Cabinet Office, also reports to me.

  Sick Leave
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many days of sick leave were taken in his Department last year; how many related to employees suffering from(a) stress and (b) other mental health problems; and what the cost was to his Department. [56482]

  Mr. Leslie
  Cabinet Office publishes an analysis of sickness absence in the civil service each year. The most recently published figures (available on the Cabinet office website) are for calendar year 2000. Cabinet Office Departments (which included in that year GCDA and COI but not RCU) had an average of 4.6 working days absence per staff year.

  The report estimates the overall cost of sickness absence within the civil service but does not provide a breakdown by Department.

  Name and status of body

  Location of Code of Practice and register of members interests

  Statistics Commission1

  Published on Statistics Commission public website (address www.statscom.org.uk, in the "how we operate section"). Also available in that section is the register of Commissioners' interests

  Public Service Productivity Panel1

  The panel's Code of Conduct is available on application to the secretary of the panel, and will soon be available on the HM Treasury website (address http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/Documents/Public Spending and Services/Public Services Productivity Panel/pss psp backgrd.cfm)

  The register of members interests is in the process of being updated and the new version will be available on the panel's web

  1 Advisory NDPB

  564W
  Cabinet Office's internal records show the following levels of absence for (a) stress related illness and (b) other mental health problems.

  2001

  Number

  Working days lost through:

  stress related illness and sickness

  1,321

  other mental health illness

  0

  Neither GCDA nor COI holds this information.

  A breakdown of the specific cost of these absences is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Cabinet Office is committed to improving levels of attendance. It is aware of its responsibilities as an employer to provide a safe and healthy working environment and is actively working to ensure that working days lost through work-related injury or illness are minimal.

TREASURY

  Unpaid Advisers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2002,Official Report, column 246W, what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of unpaid advisers who have assisted the work of his Department since June 1997 but are not included in (i) the Cabinet Office's annual report "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews 2000–01" and (ii) his previous answer. [57043]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: There is nothing I can usefully add to my answer of 10 April.

  Disclosure of Interests
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rules apply to the disclosure of interests on the part of those serving on public bodies which are responsible to his Department. [56456]

  Ruth Kelly
  All advisory and executive non-departmental public bodies are required to adopt a board members' code, based on guidance produced by the Cabinet Office, and they should have registers of members' interests. The definition of interests is ultimately for individual Departments since they are best placed to decide what might be thought to influence members of their NDPBs.

  The following table lists the NDPBs sponsored by this Department and in each case indicates what the relevant Code of Practice is; where it is available and where information may be found on registers of members interests.

  National Insurance (Care Homes)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the increased revenue from national insurance employees' contribution from the care home sector. [57180]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that it would be possible to provide a reliable estimate only at disproportionate cost.

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mandate of the Committee on the mutual assistance in customs and agricultural markets, including operation of the CIS is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58436]

  Ruth Kelly
  The legal base for the Committee on mutual assistance on customs and agricultural matters is set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 515/97. It has a mandate to examine all matters relating to the application of this regulation and the effectiveness of its operation.

  The Committee has met three times in the last 12 months.

  Representation is normally two officials from HM Customs and Excise. Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Office of the Information Commissioner also attend when necessary.

  Travel expenses for two officials are reimbursed by the Commission. The usual cost of overnight accommodation and subsistence per day per official is 217.95 euro (£134.70).

  The main item under consideration at present is the development of the Customs Information System, an automated information system being set up to assist in preventing, investigating and prosecuting operations which are in breach of customs or agricultural legislation.

  Accountability and transparency to Parliament are ensured by the regular EU scrutiny process: documents agreed by various Council (ECOFIN, JHA, etc.) are submitted to Parliament along with explanatory memorandums and are examined by the Scrutiny Committees.

  Mortgage Rates
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average mortgage rate was in each of the last 20 years. [58665]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 23 May 2002:

  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the average mortgage rate in each of the last 20 years. (58665)
  566W
  The rates shown below are compiled by the Financial Services Authority. They are average rates for mortgages with Building Societies. Comparable figures prior to 1984 are not available.

  Average rates for mortgages with building societies, 1984–20011

  Average rate2

  Basic rates3

  1984

  12.19

  11.88

  1985

  13.01

  12.75

  1986

  12.32

  12.30

  1987

  10.34

  10.30

  1988

  12.75

  12.77

  1989

  14.44

  14.42

  1990

  14.34

  14.48

  1991

  11.39

  11.52

  1992

  8.98

  8.98

  1993

  7.94

  7.99

  1994

  7.84

  8.14

  1995

  7.48

  7.98

  1996

  6.51

  7.00

  1997

  7.58

  8.16

  1998

  7.29

  7.75

  1999

  6.49

  6.77

  2000

  6.65

  7.31

  2001

  5.17

  5.34

  1 The average rates are based on information provided by building societies. The figures reflect rates at the end of the year.

  2 These data represent the weighted average of individual reporters' own weighted average rates on their overall residential loan book.

  3 These data represent the weighted average of the individual reporters' standard variable (headline) rate applying to the majority of mortgage accounts at the end of reporting period.

  Unemployment
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will restore the 1979 methods of calculating the official level of unemployment; [58760]

  (2)if he will estimate the level of current unemployment using methods of counting claimants used in 1979; [58758]

  (3) what changes were made between 1979 and 1997 to the way in which the official level of unemployment was calculated. [58759]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Paul Holmes, dated 23 May 2002:

  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary questions; (a) if he will restore the 1979 methods of calculating the official level of unemployment, (b) if he will estimate the level of current unemployment using methods of claimants used in 1979 and (c) what changes were made between 1979 and 1997 to the way in which the official level of unemployment was calculated. (58758, 58759, 58760)

  The monthly measure of UK unemployment used in 1979 was the count of registrants at Jobcentres. This was based on an administrative system which no longer exists. Consequently it is not possible to restore the 1979 method of calculation nor to estimate the current level on the same basis.

  Since April 1998, monthly statistics of unemployment in the UK have been compiled and published, following the internationally standard definition, from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). This counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. The Labour Force Survey measure of

  567W
  unemployment has been compiled and published on the same definition—following the guidelines of the International Labour Organisation—since 1984.

  The ONS also publishes monthly statistics of the numbers of people who are claiming unemployment-related benefits, known as the claimant count. Details of changes which have affected the coverage or calculation of these monthly figures between 1979 and 1997 are detailed in articles in the November 1995 and April 1998 editions of Labour Market Trends.

  Tonnage Tax
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the tonnage tax. [59720]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The tonnage tax was introduced in 2000 as part of a package of measures to revive the UK shipping industry. In accordance with commitments given at the time, I am asking the Inland Revenue to begin a review of the way the regime is operating. As the review develops, it will contribute to the Government's evaluation of the whole package of measures including the impact on employment and training. Details about how representations can be made to the review will be available on the Inland Revenue's website. www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/consult_new/tonnagetax.pdf

  Departmental Land
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the land that his Department is(a) offering for sale and (b) plans to offer in the next 12 months, giving its (i) location and (ii) size. [59059]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Treasury does not plan to sell any land over this period.

  European Council Decisions
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy towards Recital 22 of Council Decision 2002/177/EC (0J L60, 1 Mar 02), on making visible a gender perspective across all pillars. [57905]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I have been asked to reply.

  Council Decision 2202/177/EC, dated 18 February 2002, is on the 'guidelines for member states employment policies for the year 2002'. Recital 22 states that member states should strengthen their efforts to include and make visible a gender perspective across all the pillars (of the Employment Guidelines). This Recital clarifies the intention of the Council, and reflects the wishes of the European Parliament, that gender equality should be a horizontal objective for member states when they take the Guidelines into account in their national employment policies.

  The UK Government fully supports the principle that a concern for gender equality needs to be reflected across the full range of employment policy. The Government principally achieves that outcome through the Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment Guidelines, issued to all Departments in November 1998, and through the Gender Impact Assessment framework, which will be produced during 2002–03.
  568W
  The website of the Women and Equality Unit of the Cabinet Office publicises this activity, which is also reported on in the UK Employment Action Plan 2002, along with a gender breakdown of performance data. The LKP will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Customs and Excise
  Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the(a) size of fleet and (b) type and age of vehicles was in each division of Customs and Excise in the last three years; [53478]

  (2) what percentage of the vehicle fleet of Customs and Excise were equipped with online computer terminals in each of the last three years. [53477]

  Mr. Boateng
  Like all their equipment and staff, Customs' vehicles are deployed in a flexible way based on the latest assessments of risk, rather than located exclusively in any one region. On a national basis, the total Customs' vehicle fleet has increased from 2,085 in 1999–2000 to 2,143 in 2001–02.

  The average age of the vehicle fleet has remained constant at around 4.5 years. The proportions of different vehicle types which make up the fleet have also remained broadly constant with approximately 78.3 per cent. designated as cars, 8 per cent. as car-derived vans, 8.5 per cent. as light commercial vehicles and 5.2 per cent. as specialist/heavy goods vehicles.

  The percentage of the vehicle fleet fitted with online computer terminals, used either for satellite navigation or covert tracking, has risen from approximately 3 per cent. in 1999–2000 to approximately 8 per cent. in 2001–02.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed at the HM Customs and Excise Coventry International Hub in each year since 1995. [58086]

  Mr. Boateng
  HM Customs and Excise's station at Coventry International HUB opened in October 1999.

  Staff employed (headcount) at the station in 2000, 2001 and 2002 (1 April each year) were as follows:

  Number of staff employed

  2000

  63

  2001

  68

  2002

  59

  Funding (Luton, South)
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what moneys have been provided(a) directly and (b) via agencies for which the Department has responsibility to the Luton, South constituency since 1997. [58584]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Treasury's expenditure relates to the conduct of national economic and financial policies. It does not make grants or other payments which can be attributed to individual parts of the country.

  Negative Equity
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of mortgage holders experiencing negative equity in each of the last 20 years. [58635]

  Ruth Kelly
  HM Treasury do not make estimates of negative equity. Estimates from the DTLR are shown in the table. Figures were not produced pre-1989, and have not been produced post-1997 on the grounds that with rising house prices the number of cases are likely to be negligible.

  DTLR end year estimates of numbers of mortgage holders with negative equity

  Thousand

  1989

  78

  1990

  340

  1991

  507

  1992

  1,221

  1993

  894

  1994

  677

  19951

  907

  19961

  226

  19971

  30

  1 Different methodology used for estimates from 1995.

  Euro
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the objective of the preliminary technical work on the five economic tests which is being carried out by the Treasury is; and if he will make a statement. [58819]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the comments 1 made during the adjournment debate on the preliminary and technical work held on the Floor of the House on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 267.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many times the Cross-party Committee on Euro Preparations has met since 7 June 2001; what meetings are planned over the next six months; and if he will make a statement; [58791]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the recent work of the Cross-party Euro Preparations Committee. [58792]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Cross-party Group on Euro Preparations has met on five occasions since 7 June 2001. The Group continues to hold regular meetings looking at euro preparations from the perspective of different sectors of the UK economy. Recent meetings of the Cross-party Group on Euro Preparations have focused on the cash changeover in the euro area, UK business preparations for working with the euro now, and public sector euro preparations.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) special advisers have had since 1 January with Conservative hon. Members on the subject of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [58816]

  Ruth Kelly
  Ministers and special advisers from HM Treasury have had no meetings since 1 January with Conservative hon. Members on the subject of the euro.
  570W
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the time it will take to assess whether the five economic tests for euro entry have been met, from the time when the assessment is begun; and if he will make a statement; [58793]

  (2) whether it is his policy to make a public statement when the preliminary technical work on the five economic tests for euro entry is completed and the formal assessment of the tests is begun; and if he will make a statement;[58794]

  (3) whether he has started the assessment of the five economic tests for membership of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [58807]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 2 July,Official Report, column 67W.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish the preliminary technical work so far completed on the five economic tests for the euro; and if he will make a statement; [58798]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the recent progress on the preliminary technical work relating to the five economic tests for membership of the euro. [58808]

  Ruth Kelly
  The assessment has not yet started, but the preliminary analysis—technical work that is necessary to allow us to undertake the assessment within two years as we promised—is under way. The Government have said that they will complete the assessment within two years of the start of this Parliament. Once the assessment is complete, the Government will publish the conclusions and the report.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many individuals within HM Treasury were working on the preliminary technical work on the five economic tests on the latest day for which information is available; and if he will make a statement; [58801]

  (2) how many people in the Treasury will be involved in the formal assessment of the five economic tests for euro entry; who they are; and if he will make a statement; [58795]

  (3) which (a) units and (b) individuals within HM Treasury will complete the work to establish whether the UK has met the five economic tests for euro entry; and if he will make a statement; [58802]

  (4) whether HM Treasury will be involving officials from other Departments in the final evaluation of the five economic tests for euro entry; [58803]

  (5) whether HM Treasury is involving officials from any other Government Departments in the preliminary technical work on the five economic tests for euro entry; and if he will make a statement. [58804]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the comments I made during the adjournment debate on the preliminary and technical work held on the Floor of the House on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 268.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what opinion polling has been carried out by his Department since 7 June 2001 into public attitudes to the euro; what the cost has been of such polling; if he will publish the results; and if he will make a statement. [58796]
  571W
  Ruth Kelly
  No opinion polling into public attitudes to the euro has been carried out by HM Treasury either since 7 June 2001, or before then.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the outside academic work which has been commissioned since June 2001 by HM Treasury as part of the preliminary work on the assessment of the five economic tests for euro entry; and if he will make a statement. [58818]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 6 February,Official Report, column 959W.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had since 1 January with Ministers from the Department of Trade and Industry about the Government's plans for the euro; and if he will make a statement. [58797]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor has regular discussions with Ministers in other Government Departments on a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had since 1 January with(a) trade unionists, (b) business leaders and (c) the CBI, about Government policy on the euro; and if he will make a statement. [58817]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor frequently meets representatives from outside organisations to discuss a range of issues.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had since 1 January with other EU Governments about British policy on the euro; and if he will make a statement. [58813]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Chancellor has frequent discussions on a wide range of issues with his European counterparts.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals from the Bank of England are seconded to HM Treasury to work on the preliminary technical work on the euro; and if he will make a statement. [58799]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the comments I made during the Adjournment debate on the Floor of the House on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 268.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relative positions in the economic cycle of the United Kingdom in relation to the economy of the euro zone; and if he will make a statement. [58790]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government will not give a running commentary on the five tests. The assessment of the five economic tests has not yet started, but the necessary preliminary analysis—technical work that is necessary to allow us to undertake the assessment within two years as promised—is under way.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed within the euro preparations section of HM Treasury; how many were employed on(a) 31 December 2000 and (b) 31 December 2001; and if he will make a statement. [58809]
  572W
  Ruth Kelly
  The number of staff in the Euro Preparations Unit in the Treasury on the dates requested is as follows:

  EPU staffing1

  31 December 2000

  12

  31 December 2001

  14

  1 April 2002

  14

  1 Full-time equivalents

  The aims and objectives of the Euro Preparations Unit were set out in Treasury Press Notice 156/97 of 5 December 1997.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made recently of the competitiveness of the pound against the euro; and if he will make a statement [58812]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government do not comment on day-to-day developments in the value of sterling, as they believe this could have destabilising effects. However, a stable and competitive exchange rate is sought over the medium-term.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications of British membership of the euro for British fiscal policy autonomy; and if he will make a statement. [58815]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government have said that they will complete an assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. All relevant economic issues will be dealt with as part of the assessment.

  Growth Rate
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he predicts that the Scottish GDP growth rate will match the overall UK GDP growth rate. [59397]

  Ruth Kelly
  Neither the UK Government nor the Scottish Executive produce GDP forecasts for Scotland, or any other country or region of the UK.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what levels of growth the Scottish GDP would have to attain in 2002–03 to keep pace with the projected EU average. [59396]

  Ruth Kelly
  The latest EC GDP growth forecast for the EU-15 in 2002 and 2003, as published on 24 April 2002 in 'European Economy—Economic Forecasts Spring 2002' (ref no. 2/2002), was 1.5 per cent. and 2.9 per cent. respectively.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he devised the UK GDP growth rate that was announced in the Budget. [59395]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's latest forecasts for UK GDP growth are based on a comprehensive assessment of domestic and world economic developments and prospects, as set out in Chapter B of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC592). This assessment takes into account a wide range of economic data from official and private sector sources.
  573W
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the GDP growth rate for Scotland was in each of the last five years for which data was available; what it is projected to be for this year; and if he will make a statement. [59394]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Scottish Executive produces a constant price index of Scottish Output (Gross Value Added). These data are available on the Scottish Executive website.

  Neither the Scottish Executive nor the UK Government produce GDP forecasts for Scotland or any of the other countries and regions of the UK.

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the size of the usable surplus in the national insurance fund; and what restrictions there are on the future use of the fund. [58204]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the report of the Government Actuary (Cm 5383) published in February 2002. The report estimates the receipts of and payments from the national insurance fund for the years 2001–02 and 2002–03 and the balance in the fund at the start and end of each year. Under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 the national insurance fund can only be spent on contributory benefits and related expenditure, and certain redundancy payments. Any surplus is invested in Government securities.

  Offshore Tax Havens
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent research his Department has commissioned on the effects of company offshore tax havens on United Kingdom tax revenue. [58211]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue regularly monitor the effects of other jurisdictions' tax policies on UK tax revenues.

  EU Tax Harmonisation
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on tax harmonisation within the European Union. [58814]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government's approach to EU tax issues is based on fair tax competition rather than tax harmonisation.

  EU Stability and Growth Pact
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department is making in working with other EU Governments to reform the Stability and Growth Pact; and if he will make a statement. [58811]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government support a prudent interpretation of the Stability Pact, which takes into account the impact of the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment. We continue to discuss this with our EU colleagues.

  Equitable Life
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the final report by Lord Penrose into Equitable Life; and if he will make a statement. [57606]
  574W
  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 19 March 2002,Official Report, column 214W.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what circumstances special advisers within his Department see draft answers to parliamentary questions; whether they make comments on these; and if he will make a statement. [58806]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 6 February 2002,Official Report, column 958W.

  Bank of England Governor
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to announce the appointment of the next Governor of the Bank of England; and if he will make a statement. 158800]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 21 March 2002,Official Report, column 523W.

  Temporary Staff
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees under contract from temping agencies were working in his Department and how much was spent on temporary staff(a) as a total and (b) as a percentage of the total staffing budget in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [58186]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 22 May 2002]: The total cost of temp services for the last five financial years along with a comparative percentage of total staffing costs is as follows:

  Temp costs£

  Percentage of total staffing costs

  1997–98

  156,823

  0.5

  1998–99

  462,521

  1.4

  1999–2000

  614,706

  1.7

  2000–01

  929,800

  2.4

  2001–02

  1,012,776

  2.4

  Actual numbers of staff under contract from temping agencies are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

  Mobility Products
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a statutory code of practice governing the sale of mobility products for elderly people. [58021]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have agreed to meet Age Concern to discuss their recent report on sales techniques used in selling assistive products. There are however no plans to introduce a statutory code of practice.

  Job Advertisements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the job advertisements placed by his Department in the last 12 months specifying where the advertisements were placed and the cost in each case. [39068]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is shown in the table. Details of where the advertisements are placed are not centrally recorded. Regional offices and agency recruitment details are not collated centrally.

  Senior and specialist posts are advertised nationally and/or in specialist press.

  The Department has a robust external recruitment policy which complies with the rules and requirements of "Minister's Rules for Selection", "The Civil Service Order Council", Treasury and equal opportunity and employment protection legislation.

  £

  Job vacancy

  Advertising cost

  Admin and secretarial posts

  52,885.54

  Branch head posts

  81,905.87

  Business manager posts

  16,843.15

  Communications specialist posts

  69,031.88

  Director posts

  88,261.90

  Economist/analyst posts

  51,629.96

  Human resource professional posts

  13,587.70

  Information/librarian specialist posts

  4,282.88

  Local public service agreement coordinator posts

  3,390.56

  Management accountant posts

  5,710.88

  Mental health group manager posts

  2,286.93

  Policy officer posts

  12,192.73

  Primary care nursing adviser posts

  4,789.76

  Pharmaceutical specialist posts

  10,262.17

  Project manager posts

  20,821.26

  Researcher posts

  12,803.15

  Risk management officer and quality inspector posts

  15,108.32

  Scientific specialist posts

  10,211.78

  Senior auditor posts

  9,486.76

  Senior forensic mental health specialist posts

  2,670.46

  Senior medical officer posts

  17,243.81

  Senior quality assurance coordinator posts

  10,979.32

  Social services inspectors posts

  14,435.67

  Valuing people regional worker posts

  3,188.20

  Web development manager posts

  4,753.49

  Total cost

  538,764.00

  Source:

  Department of Health central recruitment data March 2001 to February 2002.

  RSV
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the(a) effectiveness, (b) cost-effectiveness and (c) affordability of a programme of RSV immunisation for (i) all premature infants before their first or second winter and (ii) infants with a history of, or with, a lung or heart condition. [41473]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department of Health has not undertaken a study to assess the cost effectiveness of a programme of respiratory syncytial virus immunisation in premature infants and those with a history of a lung or heart condition. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has considered this and has asked for more information.

  Oral Contraceptive Pills
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many oral contraceptive pills were dispensed to teenage girls in each of the last five years, broken down by(a) age and (b) region. [42328]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 11 March 2002]: The information requested is not collected by the Department. Data on general practitioners prescriptions are not broken down by age.

  Information about the number of first contacts with girls age under 16, and between 16 and 19 years of age at family planning clinics, where the primary method of birth control was the oral contraceptive, is given below. The figures for England are published in "NHS Contraceptive Services, England: 2000–01", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Because regional health authority boundaries changed in April 1998, the information is presented in two tables, one for the pre-1998 boundaries and one for the boundaries introduced in 1998.
  First contacts with teenage girls at family planning clinics where the primary method of birth control was the oral contraceptive.

  (a) 1996–97 and 1997–98: Health regions in existence before April 1998

  Age under 16

  Age 16–19

  England

  22,968

  110,115

  Regions 1996–97

  Northern and Yorkshire

  3,979

  14,372

  Trent

  2,464

  9,070

  Anglia and Oxford

  1,787

  9,968

  North Thames

  2,528

  15,826

  South Thames

  3,081

  16,265

  South and West

  2,912

  14,876

  West Midlands

  2,706

  13,169

  North West

  3,511

  16,569

  1997–98

  England

  22,675

  115,879

  Regions 1996–97

  Northern and Yorkshire

  3,788

  16,861

  Trent

  2,421

  9,086

  Anglia and Oxford

  1,712

  9,776

  North Thames

  2,431

  17,087

  South Thames

  3,506

  17,037

  South and West

  2,864

  15,186

  West Midlands

  2,475

  13,217

  North West

  3,478

  17,647

  Source:

  Department of Health Statistics Division SD2B, form KT31

  (b) 1998–99 to 2000–01: New health regions from 1998

  Age under 16

  Age 16–19

  1998–99

  England

  21,830

  114,959

  New regions from 1998–99

  Northern and Yorkshire

  3,922

  15,719

  Trent

  2,309

  9,283

  Eastern

  1,491

  10,691

  London

  3,232

  19,416

  South East

  3,412

  17,748

  South West

  2,094

  10,440

  West Midlands

  2,297

  13,678

  North West

  3,073

  17,984

  577W

  (b) 1998–99 to 2000–01: New health regions from 1998

  Age under 16

  Age 16–19

  1999–2000

  England

  22,736

  118,752

  New regions from 1998–99

  Northern and Yorkshire

  3,939

  16,201

  Trent

  2,479

  2,524

  Eastern

  1,733

  10,806

  London

  3,251

  20,698

  South East

  3,811

  19,394

  South West

  1,560

  9,215

  West Midlands

  2,726

  14,248

  North West

  3,237

  18,666

  2000–01

  England

  23,911

  116,682

  New regions from 1998–99

  Northern and Yorkshire

  3,930

  16,342

  Trent

  2,522

  9,676

  Eastern

  1,814

  10,406

  London

  3,494

  19,707

  South East

  4,072

  18,798

  South West

  1,614

  8,174

  West Midlands

  2,773

  14,194

  North West

  3,692

  19,385

  Source:

  Department of Health Statistics Division SD2B, form KT31

  Hearing Aids
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how long the average wait has been to receive an NHS hearing aid in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [48573]

  (2)how old the average recipient of an NHS hearing aid has been in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [48574]

  (3)how many people have been on a waiting list to receive an NHS hearing aid in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [48572]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not available centrally. However according to the Institute of Hearing Research, the mean age of adults supplied with hearing aids as part of the modernising hearing aid services project is 71 (with a median age of 74). The Department is working in partnership with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People to modernise hearing aid services. The project includes provision of digital hearing aids as part of a modernised service designed to meet the needs of people with hearing impairments. Over £30 million has been invested to support the modernisation project.

  Mount Vernon Hospital
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors and nurses have worked in each service provided at Mount Vernon hospital in each of the last 10 years; and how many doctor and nurse vacancies there have been in each service provided in each of the last 10 years. [48907]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services are provided at Mount Vernon hospital; how many patients were treated as(a) out-patients and (b) in-patients in each of the last five years,
  578W
  broken down by service area; whether each of the services will continue to be provided in the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [48910]

  Mr. Hutton
  Hillingdon Hospital National Health Service Trust provides the following services on the Mount Vernon site: general medical and surgical out-patient care (including orthopaedics and urology), endoscopy day care and in-patient general surgery, urology, orthopaedics, rehabilitation and continuing care.

  West Hertfordshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust provides specialist services on site such as cancer services and burns and plastics. They also provide pharmacy, medical physics and haematology services.

  The future of cancer services at Mount Vernon is currently under review. The long term review of the Mount Vernon cancer network and centre is scheduled to be published in June 2002. A review of burns and plastics services has already been undertaken and these services are due to move to the Northwick Park site by 2004.

  Information is not collected centrally with regard to the number of patients treated as in-patients and out-patients in each of the last five years, broken down by service area. The data are collected annually at NHS trust level, rather than by individual hospital site. NHS trusts provide health care but may provide it at more than one hospital site.

  Smoking Czar
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 276W, when (a) he and (b) his Ministers last met Nikki Griffiths of his Tobacco Policy Team. [53068]

  Yvette Cooper
  No meetings have taken place between Nikki Griffiths, alliance network co-ordinator, and either my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health or any of his ministerial colleagues.

  Renal Transplant Services
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the relative benefits of transferring renal services from St. George's to St. Helier hospitals. [54280]

  Mr. Hutton
  10 criteria were considered as part of the assessment of the relative benefits of centralising transplantation services at Epsom and St. Helier national health service trust, St. George's healthcare national health service trust or Guy's and St. Thomas' national health service trust. These criteria included access; clinical quality; standard of facilities; staff recruitment and retention; strategic fit; education, training and research; clinical links; resource effectiveness and affordability; achievability; methods for patient and carer involvement. These criteria were agreed by clinical and managerial staff of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority, Brighton and Sussex university hospitals national healthcare service trust, St. George's healthcare national healthcare service trust, Epsom and St. Helier national healthcare service trust, their kidney patient associations and Merton and Sutton community health council.
  579W
  Proposals to centralise services at St. George's hospital are currently subject to a three month public consultation which concludes on 25 June 2002.

  NHS Appointments (Non-attendance)
  Margaret Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will rank in order of non-attendance the level of failed appointments in each health authority for each hospital in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [55789]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on the number of failed appointments due to non-attendance are not available at health authority or hospital level.

  Data ranked by the level of failed appointments due to non-attendance in national health service trusts during 2000–01 have been placed in the Library.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to increase the number of dentists taking NHS patients in the Boston and Skegness constituency. [56148]

  Yvette Cooper
  All health authorities in England have in place dentistry action plans to ensure that everyone in their local area can access NHS dentistry if they want it, within a reasonable time and distance. These plans identify shortfalls in service provision and ways of tackling user demand.

  Based on information held by NHS Direct, one practice in both Boston and Skegness are accepting NHS patients. Action is being taken to improve this situation. Lincolnshire is one of the third wave personal dental service pilots. The pilot will see the development of a dental access centre at six sites across the county, including Boston and Skegness, through a combination of new buildings and conversion of existing community dental services. £877,000 capital and £340,000 revenue were allocated to the pilot in 2000–01 with a further £270,000 capital and £91,000 revenue in 2001–02.

  In addition, Lincolnshire has received dental care development funding amounting to £95,000 in 2000–01 and £185,000 in 2001–02 for expansion and modernisation of practices in areas of poor access which are already offering significant NHS commitment and are prepared to increase numbers of NHS patients. A further allocation of £407,000 has been made from the dental modernisation fund to modernise premises and upgrade equipment and from the dental practice. £17,000 has been allocated from the dental practice grant to set up quality assurance systems in each dental practice.

  Waiting Times
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum waiting time for radiotherapy in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells has been in the last 12 months; and what the target is for maximum waiting times for radiotherapy. [56273]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on radiotherapy waiting times is not collected centrally.
  580W
  The Government are committed to improving the whole cancer pathway from referral to diagnosis and, if needed, treatment. We have set out a series of targets that will come into force during the next few years. By 2005, there will be a maximum one month wait from diagnosis to treatment for all cancers and a maximum two month wait from urgent referral to treatment for all cancers. Information to monitor the achievement of these targets will be collected and published.

  Hospital Treatment
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency patients attending Oldchurch A and E department received in-patient treatment in(a) each half-yearly period from 1994–95 to date and (b) each of the last 12 months. [56520]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on patients admitted from accident and emergency are not available for the individual hospital requested. The Oldchurch hospital is part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust, which was formed in April 2001. Information on the number of patients admitted from an accident and emergency department is shown in the table. Previous years' figures are not available as this information was collected at health authority level.

  Admission from accident and emergency departments, for Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS trust, 2001–02 quarters one to three

  2001–02

  Number of patients admitted through A and E

  Quarter three

  7,369

  Quarter two

  6,338

  Quarter one

  6,120

  Source:

  "Your guide to the NHS" form

  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients failed to attend for in-patient and day-care treatment in each of the past 10 years in England. [56527]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on the number of in-patients and day-cases that failed to attend (FTAs) are shown in the table.

  In-patient and day-case FTAs—NHS Trusts, England

  Quarter

  Patients admitted

  Patient DNAs

  DNA rate percentage

  1991–92

  —

  2,993,532

  192,068

  6.0

  1992–3

  —

  3,111,627

  180,538

  5.5

  1993–94

  —

  3,110,477

  179,594

  5.5

  1994–95

  —

  3,376,016

  199,535

  5.6

  1995–96

  —

  3,500,353

  207,515

  5.6

  1996–97

  —

  3,549,073

  223,255

  5.9

  1998–99

  —

  3,826,507

  171,382

  4.3

  1999–2000

  —

  3,682,180

  146,599

  3.8

  2000–01

  —

  3,467,338

  125,860

  3.5

  2001–02

  1

  791,623

  28,299

  3.5

  2001–02

  2

  814,973

  28,393

  3.4

  2001–02

  3

  822,616

  28,681

  3.4

  Note:

  Data for 1997x2013;98 was collected at year end only, not on a quarterly basis, and is not included because of issues surrounding the quality of the data.

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH06
  581W
  John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people attended the A and E department at Oldchurch hospital in Havering in(a) 1992–93 and in each subsequent year to 2000–01 and (b) each of the last 12 months. [56521]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on accident and emergency (A and E) attendances are not collected on a monthly basis. From 2001–02, the information is available on a quarterly basis and previous to this on an annual basis.

  Accident and emergency service activity, for the selected NHS trust, 1992–93 to 2001–02 quarter 4

  Name

  First attendances

  Follow-up attendances

  Total attendances

  2001–02 quarter 4

  Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals NHS trust

  41,846

  2,000

  43,846

  2001–02 quarter 3

  Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals NHS trust

  43,709

  2,587

  46,296

  2001–02 quarter 2

  Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals NHS trust

  43,382

  1,940

  45,322

  2001–02 quarter 1

  Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals NHS trust

  43,770

  1,904

  45,674

  2000–01

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  76,416

  3,744

  80,160

  1999–2000

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  79,973

  3,684

  83,657

  1998–99

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  86,118

  6,240

  92,358

  1997–98

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  88,182

  6,869

  95,051

  1996–97

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  89,273

  8,516

  97,789

  1995–96

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  86,167

  8,603

  94,770

  1994–95

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  93,356

  9,191

  102,547

  1993–94

  Havering hospitals NHS trust

  100,627

  12,856

  113,483

  1992–93

  Barking, Havering and Brentwood DHA

  110,529

  15,850

  126,379

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH09

  Committee Mandates
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the advisory committee on training in nursing is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56756]

  Mr. Hutton
  The advisory committee on training in nursing (ACTN) is one of a group of committees set up to advise the European Commission and member states on matters relating to the training of workers whose professions come under sectoral directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.

  The ACTN was set up by Council Decision 77/454/EEC. Its mandate is set down in Article 2, which states that:

  1. The task of the Committee shall be to help ensure a comparably demanding standard in the training of the various categories of nursing personnel throughout the Community.

  2. It shall carry out this task, in particular, by the following means:
  exchange of comprehensive information as to the training methods and the content, level and structure of theoretical and practical courses provided in the member states,
  discussion and consultation with the object of developing common approaches to the standard to be attained in the training of nursing personnel, and, as appropriate, to the structure and content of such training,
  keeping under the review the adaption of the above-mentioned training to developments in nursing practice, medical and social science and teaching methods.

  3. The Committee shall communicate to the Commission and the Member States its opinions and recommendations including, when it considers it appropriate, suggestions for amendments to
  582W
  A and E data are not available for the individual hospital requested. The Oldchurch hospital is part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals national health service trust, which was formed in April 2001 (previously it was part of Havering hospitals NHS trust). Information on the number of A and E attendances at the NHS organisation that contained the Oldchurch hospital is given in the table.

  be made to the provisions concerning training in the Directives relating to nursing activities as in Directives 77/452 EEC and 77/453/EEC.

  4. The Committee shall also advise the Commission on any matter which the Commission may refer to it in relation to the training of nursing personnel.

  Each advisory committee has three members per member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authorities concerned. Three alternates are also appointed. Members and alternates are nominated by Ministers following consultation with the relevant professional bodies.

  Advisory committee expenses fall to be paid by the Commission (or on occasion by the professions concerned). There is thus no direct charge to public funds.

  Member states are currently considering Commission proposals for streamlining the directives and processes relating to free movement of professionals. None of the advisory committees has met during the last 12 months; and none of them has any items under consideration.

  In April this year, the issues arising from the Commission's proposals for the future of professional recognition were submitted to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees (Explanatory Memorandum No. 7239/02-COM(2002)119final).

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the advisory committee on medical training is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56755]
  583W
  Mr. Hutton
  The advisory committee on medical training (ACMT) is one of a group of committees set up to advise the European Commission and member states on matters relating to the training of workers whose professions come under sectoral directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.

  The ACMT was set up by Council Decision 75/364/EEC. Its mandate is set down in Article 2, which states that:

  1. "The Task of the Committee shall be to help to ensure a comparably demanding standard of medical training in the Community, with regard both to basic training and further training".

  2. It shall carry out this task, in particular, by the following means:
  exchange of comprehensive information as to the training methods and the content, level and structure of theoretical and practical courses provided in the member states;
  discussion and consultation with the object of developing common approaches to the standard to be attained in the training of doctors and, as appropriate, to the structure and content of such training;
  keeping under review the adaptation of medical training to developments in medical science and teaching methods.

  3. The Committee shall communicate to the Commission and the member states its opinions and recommendations including, when it considers it appropriate, suggestions for amendments to be made to the Articles relating to the training of doctors as in Directives 75/362/EEC and 75/363/EEC.

  4. The Committee shall also advise the Commission on any matter which the Commission may refer to it in relation to the training of doctors.

  Each advisory committee has three members per member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authorities concerned. Three alternates are also appointed. Members and alternates are nominated by Ministers following consultation with the relevant professional bodies.

  Advisory committee expenses fall to be paid by the Commission (or on occasion by the professions concerned).

  Member states are currently considering Commission proposals for streamlining the directives and processes relating to free movement of professionals. None of the advisory committees has met during the last 12 months; and none of them has any items under consideration.

  In April this year, the issues arising from the Commission's proposals for the future of professional recognition were submitted to the parliamentary Scrutiny Committees (Explanatory Memorandum No. 7239/02— COM(2002)119 final).

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the advisory committee on the training of dental practitioners is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56758]

  Mr. Hutton
  The advisory committee on dental training (ACDT) is one of a group of committees set up to advise the European Commission and member states on matters 584W
  relating to the training of workers whose professions come under sectoral directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.

  The ACDT was set up by Council Decision 78/688/EEC. Its mandate is set down in Article 2, which states that:

  1. The Task of the Committee shall be to help ensure a comparably demanding standard in the training of dental practitioners in the Community, with regard both to the training of dental practitioners and that of practitioners of specialised dentistry.

  2. It shall carry out this task, in particular, by the following means:
  exchange of comprehensive information as to the training methods and the content, level and structure of theoretical and practical courses provided in the member states,
  discussion and consultation with the object of developing common approaches to the standard to be attained in the training of dental practitioners and, as appropriate, to the structure and content of such training,
  keeping under the review the adaptation of the training of dental practitioners to developments in dental science and teaching methods.

  3. The Committee shall communicate to the Commission and the member states its opinions and recommendations including, when it considers it appropriate, suggestions for amendments to be made to the Articles relating to the training of dental practitioners as in Directives 78/686/EEC and 78/687/EEC.

  4. The Committee shall also advise the Commission on any matter which the Commission may refer to it in relation to the training of dental practitioners.

  Each advisory committee has three members per member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authorities concerned. Three alternates are also appointed. Members and alternates are nominated by Ministers following consultation with the relevant professional bodies.

  Advisory committee expenses fall to be paid by the Commission (or on occasion by the professions concerned).

  Member states are currently considering Commission proposals for streamlining the directives and processes relating to free movement of professionals. None of the advisory committees has met during the last 12 months; and none of them has any items under consideration.

  In April this year, the issues arising from the Commission's proposals for the future of professional recognition were submitted to the parliamentary Scrutiny Committees (Explanatory Memorandum No. 7239/02— COM(2002)119 final).

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the advisory committee on the training of midwives is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56757]

  Mr. Hutton
  The advisory committee on the training of midwives (ACTM) is one of a group of committees set up to advise the European Commission and member states on
  585W
  matters relating to the training of workers whose professions come under sectoral directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.

  The ACTM was set up by Council Decision 80/156/EEC. Its mandate is set down in Article 2, which states that:

  1. The Task of the Committee shall he to help ensure throughout the Community a comparably high standard in the training of midwives.

  2. It shall carry out this task, in particular, by the following means:
  exchange of comprehensive information as to the training methods and the content, level and structure of theoretical and practical courses provided in the member states,
  discussion and consultation with the object of developing common approaches to the standard to be attained in the training of midwives, and, as appropriate, to the structure and content of such training,
  keeping under the review the adaptation of the above-mentioned training to developments in midwifery practice, medical and social science and teaching methods.

  3. The Committee shall communicate to the Commission and the Member States its opinions and recommendations including, when it considers it appropriate, suggestions for amendments to be made to the articles concerning training of midwives in Directives 80/154/EEC and 80/155/EEC.

  4. The Committee shall also advise the Commission on any matter which the Commission may refer to it in relation to the training of midwives.

  Each advisory committee has three members per member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authorities concerned. Three alternates are also appointed. Members and alternates are nominated by Ministers following consultation with the relevant professional bodies.

  Advisory committee expenses fall to be paid by the Commission (or on occasion by the professions concerned). There is thus no direct charge to public funds.

  Member states are currently considering Commission proposals for streamlining the directives and processes relating to free movement of professionals. None of the advisory committees has met during the last 12 months; and none of them has any items under consideration.

  In April this year, the issues arising from the Commission's proposals for the future of professional recognition were submitted to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees (Explanatory Memorandum No. 7239/02-COM(2002) 119final).

  GPs
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of general practitioners he estimates will opt out of 24-hour responsibility. [56918]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is too early to estimate what proportion of general practitioners will respond to the opportunities offered by the planned new national GP contract.

  Breast Cancer
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women were screened for breast cancer in each of the last five years. [56910]
  586W
  Yvette Cooper
  The number of women screened by the NHS breast screening programme in England in each of the last five years are contained in the following table.

  Number of women, aged 45 or over, screened for breast cancer in England, 1996–2001

  Number of women screened

  2000–01

  1,298,752

  1999–2000

  1,322,891

  1998–99

  1,232,310

  1997–98

  1,179,658

  1996–97

  1,109,845

  Source:

  Department of Health Statistics Division 3G KC62.

  Waiting Lists
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2002,Official Report, column 1121W, on waiting lists, when the results of the regional office reviews of the listed trusts will be (a) completed and (b) published. [57024]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Audit Office (NAO) report "Inappropriate Adjustments to NHS Waiting Lists" recommended that the Department investigate trusts where more than 10 per cent. of patients are suspended and which have more than 2 per cent. of patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. There were 13 trusts that met both these criteria at the time of the report.

  An investigation was already taking place in Royal United Hospitals Bath, one of the 13 trusts that met the NAO criteria. This commenced in December 2001 with the findings being made public in a press release (ref: 2001/0201) on 3 May 2002.

  Between December 2001 and early May 2002, regional offices reviewed the waiting list position at the 12 other national health service trusts and found no evidence of inappropriate adjustments to waiting lists taking place. The findings of these reviews were also announced on 3 May.

  Infectious Diseases
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of running each of the high security infectious diseases units in each of the past five years. [56996]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department provided funding for the running costs of the high security infectious disease units at Coppett's Wood and Newcastle in the past five financial years as shown in the table:

  £

  Coppett's Wood

  Newcastle

  1997–98

  333,405

  171,169

  1998–99

  366,543

  170,000

  1999–2000

  340,000

  185,000

  2000–01

  321,000

  180,000

  2001–02

  321,000

  180,000

  Note:

  The figures for 1999–2000 to 2001–2002 include an annual transfer of £47,000 from the Scottish Executive.
  587W
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in each of the last five years were treated in the high security infectious disease units in(a) London and (b) Newcastle; [57001]

  (2) for what diseases patients were admitted, and how many patients there were in each case, to each of the high security infectious disease units in each of the past five years; [57002]

  (3) what the staffing levels were at each high security infectious diseases unit in each of the past five years. [56997]

  Yvette Cooper
  Patient admissions and diagnoses at the high security infectious disease units at Coppett's Wood (north London) and Newcastle from 1997 to 2001 are shown in the table:

  Coppett's Wood

  Newcastle

  1997

  0

  0

  1998

  0

  0

  1999

  0

  0

  2000

  11

  21

  2001

  0

  0

  1 Lassa fever

  2 Suspected Lassa fever, subsequently diagnosed as malaria

  These units exist as a contingency arrangement to provide secure and specialist clinical care for patients with or suspected of having rare, highly contagious and serious infectious diseases such as Ebola and Lassa fevers. Admissions are therefore infrequent.

  Sufficient medical, nursing and laboratory staff, who are routinely involved in the treatment, care and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, are on call for the medium and high security infectious disease units. This ensures that they maintain equipment and participate in regular training exercises so that the units remain in a state of readiness to admit and care for patients securely.

  48-hour Access Target
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the NHS Plan 48-hour access target will apply in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [56928]

  Mr. Hutton
  This target applies only in England.

  Vaccine Contracts
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value was of contracts awarded for supply of(a) BCG vaccines, (b) Tuberculin PPD solutions and (c) influenza vaccines in the last 12 months. [56655]

  Yvette Cooper
  No tenders were sought and no contracts awarded in the last 12 months for BCG vaccine or Tuberculin PPD solutions.

  The value of the contract for a contingency supply of influenza vaccine cannot be disclosed as it is commercially confidential.

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff were employed in the National 588W
  Clinical Assessment Authority at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients. [56859]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Clinical Assessment Authority employs 38 staff. Of those, 10 have clinical contact with national health service patients.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff were employed in the General Osteopathic Council at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients; [56869]

  (2) how many staff were employed in the Retained Organs Commission at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients; [56856]

  (3) how many staff were employed in the General Optical Council at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients; [56871]

  (4) how many staff were employed in the Nursing and Midwifery Council at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients; [56867]

  (5) how many staff were employed in the General Medical Council at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients; [56866]

  (6) how many staff were employed in the General Dental Council at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients; [56872]

  (7) how many staff were employed in the Health Professions Council at 1 April; and what proportion of those staff have clinical contact with NHS patients. [56868]

  Yvette Cooper
  The table shows the number of people employed at 1 April 2002 in the seven independent health profession regulatory bodies. None of the staff have clinical contact.

  Name of regulatory body

  Number of staff employed at 1 April 2002

  General Osteopathic Council

  20

  General Chiropractic Council

  8

  General Optical Council

  13

  Nursing and Midwifery Council

  139

  General Medical Council

  294

  General Dental Council

  60

  Health Professions Council

  51

  Note:

  Figures are based on head count.

  Speech Therapists (Vacancies)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there are for speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement. [57087]

  Mr. Hutton
  As at 31 March 2001 there were 200 vacancies for speech and language therapists that had lasted for three months or more.

  Between 1997 and 2001 the number of speech and language therapists working in the national health service has increased by 810 (11 per cent.) and the number of training places available for students has increased by over a hundred since 1998. There will be further increases in the number of students entering training as a result of the NHS Plan commitment to provide 4,450 more training places each year for therapists and other health

  589W
  professionals by 2004. The increased investment in training, work to make the NHS a better employer and encourage return to practice, will result in a continued increase in the number of speech therapists available to work in the NHS.

  Surgical Outsourcing
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of outsourcing of surgical interventions has been in the last 12 months. [57155]

  Mr. Hutton
  Based on a survey of national health service organisations carried out in October 2001, we estimate that in the first six months of 2001–02 the number of surgical procedures carried out by independent providers on behalf of the NHS was equivalent to around 1.2 per cent. of total NHS acute elective in-patient and day-case surgical activity.

  Smear Tests
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women have failed to make appointments for their regular smear test in each of the last three years; how many appointments for smear tests have been broken in each of the last three years; how many cases of cervical cancer have not received their regular smear test in that time; and if he will make a statement. [57349]

  Yvette Cooper
  Cervical screening is not a test for cancer but for abnormalities which, if left undetected and untreated, may develop into cancer. The national computerised call/recall system for cervical screening invites women aged 20 to 64 for a free cervical screening test every three to five years.

  The figures are not available in the form requested. 83 per cent. of eligible women were screened at least once in the last five years. Detailed statistics on the number of invitations and the number of women tested are available in Tables 3 and 5 of Statistical Bulletin: Cervical Screening Programme, England: 1998–99, Statistical Bulletin: Cervical Screening Programme, England: 1999–2000, and Statistical Bulletin: Cervical Screening Programme, England: 2000–01, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Paediatric Pathologists
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to address the shortage of paediatric pathologists. [57202]

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the physiotherapy area of work by health authority area and per population as at 30 September 2001

  Health authority

  Whole-time equivalents

  Per 100,000 population

  Per head of population

  Headcount

  England

  12,990

  26

  0.0003

  16,210

  Northern and Yorkshire

  1,880

  30

  0.0003

  2,270

  QDD—Bradford

  160

  33

  0.0003

  190

  QDE—County Durham and Darlington

  110

  18

  0.0002

  130

  QDF—East Riding and Hull

  140

  24

  0.0002

  160

  QDG—Gateshead and South Tyneside

  80

  23

  0.0002

  90

  QDH—Leeds

  280

  38

  0.0004

  330

  590W
  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is aware of the difficulties facing national health service paediatric pathology services, highlighted in the recent report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 'The Future of Paediatric Pathology Services.' We are committed to working closely with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Pathologists to improve long-term staffing levels in this speciality. The establishment of three histopathology training schools and of international fellowships to attract experienced histopathologists to work in the NHS will both increase the pool from which paediatric pathologists can be recruited. The children's care group workforce team also plans to start work on this issue in June.

  Food Allergies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died as a result of a food allergy in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [57256]

  Yvette Cooper
  Reliable data are not available for the number of deaths associated with food allergy. This is because deaths due to allergy are often attributed on the death certificate to asthma or some other symptom rather than to actual food allergy. The committee on toxicity reported in 2000 that of about 20 deaths annually attributed to fatal anaphylactic shock, 30 per cent. (i.e. about seven) are due to foods, the most commonly implicated food being peanut.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the UK have been diagnosed as having a potentially fatal food allergy. [57255]

  Yvette Cooper
  Reliable data are not available for the precise incidence of potentially fatal food allergy. Most allergic reactions to food are mild, although reactions can be severe, even life threatening in a small number of cases. The food most commonly associated with fatal food allergic reactions is peanuts. In the UK, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal has shown that 1 in 200 children suffer from peanut allergy.

  Physiotherapists
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many physiotherapists there are per head of population in each of the National Health Service trust areas in England. [57299]

  Mr. Hutton
  Population data are not available by trust but have been given by health authority as shown in the table.

  Between 1997 and 2001 the number of physiotherapists has increased by 1,640 or 14 per cent.
  591W

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the physiotherapy area of work by health authority area and per population as at 30 September 2001

  Health authority

  Whole-time equivalents

  Per 100,000 population

  Per head of population

  Headcount

  QDJ—Newcastle and North Tyneside

  150

  33

  0.0003

  180

  QDK—North Cumbria

  110

  33

  0.0003

  130

  QDM—Northumberland

  150

  49

  0.0005

  180

  QDN—Sunderland

  80

  27

  0.0003

  90

  QDP—Tees

  180

  33

  0.0003

  220

  QDQ—Wakefield

  90

  29

  0.0003

  100

  QDR—North Yorkshire

  180

  24

  0.0002

  240

  QDT—Calderdale and Kirklees

  170

  28

  0.0003

  200

  Trent

  1,330

  26

  0.0003

  1,600

  QCG—Barnsley

  60

  27

  0.0003

  70

  QCH—North Derbyshire

  90

  25

  0.0003

  120

  QCJ—South Derbyshire

  120

  22

  0.0002

  160

  QCK—Doncaster

  90

  31

  0.0003

  100

  QCL—Leicestershire

  200

  21

  0.0002

  240

  QCM—Lincolnshire

  120

  18

  0.0002

  140

  QCN—North Nottinghamshire

  110

  27

  0.0003

  130

  QCP—Nottingham

  210

  32

  0.0003

  250

  QCQ—Rotherham

  80

  33

  0.0003

  100

  QCR—Sheffield

  230

  43

  0.0004

  270

  QDL—South Humber

  20

  8

  0.0001

  20

  West Midlands

  1,360

  25

  0.0003

  1,750

  QD9—Birmingham

  330

  33

  0.0003

  390

  QEA—Coventry

  80

  27

  0.0003

  110

  QEC—Dudley

  70

  23

  0.0002

  90

  QED—Herefordshire

  40

  22

  0.0002

  60

  QEE—Sandwell

  50

  17

  0.0002

  60

  QEF—Shropshire

  140

  32

  0.0003

  190

  QEG—Solihull

  20

  8

  0.0001

  30

  QEH—North Staffordshire

  160

  34

  0.003

  200

  QEJ—South Staffordshire

  120

  20

  0.0002

  160

  QEK—Walsall

  40

  15

  0.0001

  40

  QEL—Warwickshire

  130

  25

  0.0002

  160

  QEM—Wolverhampton

  60

  25

  0.0002

  70

  QEN—Worcestershire

  130

  24

  0.0002

  180

  North West

  1,940

  29

  0.0003

  2,360

  QC1—South Lancashire

  60

  18

  0.0002

  80

  QC2—Liverpool

  150

  33

  0.0003

  170

  QC3—Manchester

  270

  63

  0.0006

  310

  QC4—Morecambe Bay

  90

  29

  0.0003

  130

  QC5—St. Helen's and Knowsley

  70

  23

  0.0002

  90

  QC6—Salford and Trafford

  140

  31

  0.0003

  160

  QC7—Sefton

  120

  41

  0.0004

  130

  QC8—Stockport

  70

  23

  0.0002

  80

  QC9—West Pennine

  100

  21

  0.0002

  110

  QCT—Bury and Rochdale

  70

  18

  0.0002

  80

  QCV—North Cheshire

  110

  35

  0.0004

  140

  QCW—South Cheshire

  160

  23

  0.0002

  220

  QCX—East Lancashire

  110

  22

  0.0002

  140

  QCY—North West Lancashire

  120

  27

  0.0003

  160

  QDA—Wigan and Bolton

  190

  34

  0.0003

  230

  QDC—Wirral

  110

  35

  0.0003

  150

  Eastern

  1,110

  20

  0.0002

  1,400

  QA6—Bedfordshire

  100

  17

  0.0002

  120

  QAX—North Essex

  150

  16

  0.0002

  200

  QAY—South Essex

  120

  17

  0.0002

  140

  QCF—Suffolk

  150

  22

  0.0002

  210

  QER—Cambridgeshire

  200

  26

  0.0003

  250

  QET—Norfolk

  210

  26

  0.0003

  260

  QEX—Hertfordshire

  180

  17

  0.0002

  220

  London

  2,000

  27

  0.0003

  2,320

  QA2—Hillingdon

  30

  13

  0.0001

  40

  QA3—Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  210

  52

  0.0005

  250

  QA5—Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  50

  11

  0.0001

  60

  QAD—Croydon

  70

  21

  0.0002

  90

  QAG—Kingston and Richmond

  60

  16

  0.0002

  70

  QAH—Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  260

  34

  0.0003

  280

  592W 593W

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the physiotherapy area of work by health authority area and per population as at 30 September 2001

  Health authority

  Whole time equivalents

  Per 100,000 population

  Per head of population

  Headcount

  QAJ—Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  260

  40

  0.0004

  310

  QAP—Barking and Havering

  100

  26

  0.0003

  110

  QAR—Brent and Harrow

  130

  27

  0.0003

  160

  QAT—Camden and Islington

  210

  55

  0.0006

  230

  QAV—Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  140

  21

  0.0002

  170

  QAW—East London and the City

  170

  26

  0.0003

  180

  QEW—Barnet, Enfield and Haringey

  170

  20

  0.0002

  210

  QEY—Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich

  140

  19

  0.0002

  180

  South-East

  2,000

  23

  0.0002

  2,670

  QA7—Berkshire

  160

  20

  0.0002

  230

  QA8—Buckinghamshire

  150

  22

  0.0002

  210

  QAE—East Kent

  150

  26

  0.0003

  190

  QAF—West Kent

  190

  19

  0.0002

  260

  QAK—East Surrey

  90

  21

  0.0002

  120

  QAL—West Surrey

  210

  32

  0.0003

  280

  QAM—East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  190

  25

  0.0002

  250

  QAN—West Sussex

  150

  20

  0.0002

  200

  QCC—Northamptonshire

  100

  17

  0.0002

  140

  QCE—Oxfordshire

  200

  32

  0.0003

  280

  QD1—North and Mid Hampshire

  100

  18

  0.0002

  130

  QD3—Southampton and South West Hampshire

  140

  26

  0.0003

  190

  QEV—Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  150

  22

  0.0002

  190

  South West

  1,370

  27

  0.0003

  1,850

  QD5—Somerset

  130

  26

  0.0003

  200

  QD6—South and West Devon

  180

  30

  0.0003

  220

  QD7—Wiltshire

  150

  25

  0.0002

  240

  QD8—Avon

  310

  30

  0.0003

  390

  QDV—Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  120

  24

  0.0002

  150

  QDW—Dorset

  180

  26

  0.0003

  260

  QDX—North and East Devon

  150

  31

  0.0003

  200

  QDY—Gloucestershire

  150

  27

  0.0003

  200

  Notes:

  1. Staff figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  2. Population rates are rounded to the nearest whole number and four decimal places

  3. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts

  Source:

  Department of Health non-medical workforce census

  Chiropody
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the numbers of persons entering training as chiropodists. [57218]

  Mr. Hutton
  Chiropodists are included within the NHS Plan target for 4,450 more therapists and other key professional staff entering training each year by 2004. Our latest forecast or meeting this target suggest an increase of more than a hundred places (34 per cent.) over current levels by 2004.

  We intend to work with the society of chiropodists and podiatrists to raise the profile of the profession and encourage students to enter training.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts on the provision of chiropody services; and if he will make a statement. [58515]

  Jacqui Smith
  No guidance has been issued to strategic health authorities or primary care trusts (PCTs) on provision of chiropody services. However, chiropody/podiatry services are essential parts of the national service frameworks for older people and diabetes. The
  594W
  Department has also launched a "National Primary and Care Trust programme (NatPaCT)" designed to support PCTs in delivering their key functions which will be:

  improving the health of the community,

  securing the provision of high quality services, and

  integrating health and social care locally.

  As local organisations, PCTs are best placed to understand the needs of their patient populations. This will ensure that the right services are delivered to the right people in the right location at the right time.

  Violent Incidents
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish figures for violent incidents against NHS staff. [58348]

  Mr. Hutton
  The analysis of data collected on the levels of reported violent incidents, together with data on the levels of reported accidents and sickness absence should be complete by the end of May. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Scanners
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many MRI scanners the NHS has. [57513]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are currently 198 magnetic resonance imaging scanners (MRI) installed in the national health service in England.

  In September 1999 the new opportunities fund (NOF) provided funding for the purchase of equipment in support of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, which included 38 new and replacement MRI scanners. Of these, 30 have been delivered and are operational.

  NOF announced further funding in November 2001 for 16 MRI scanners to be used for the diagnosis of stroke. 11 of these scanners will be additional and five will be replacement. All are due to be installed by the end of 2003.

  The NHS Plan and NHS Cancer Plan make a commitment for a further 50 additional MRI scanners to be installed in the NHS by 2004.

  Flu Vaccine
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the take-up rates for flu vaccine were at(a) 1 November and (b) 1 December 2001 for each health authority. [58035]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 21 May 2002]: Information received from flu co-ordinators show the uptake rates in those aged 65 years and over at 1 November and 1 December for each health authority as follows:

  November 2001

  December 2001

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  45.6

  59.3

  Cambridgeshire

  55.5

  70.5

  Hertfordshire

  47.9

  61.3

  Norfolk

  51.7

  65.6

  North Essex

  55.7

  65.5

  South Essex

  50.9

  63.4

  Suffolk

  55.1

  65.7

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Bradford

  53.3

  64.3

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  55.3

  64.2

  County Durham and Darlington

  52.8

  63.9

  East Riding and Hull

  42.5

  67.3

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  55.1

  67.7

  Leeds

  56.3

  69.7

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  57.0

  66.7

  North Cumbria

  54.9

  67.6

  North Yorkshire

  58.5

  70.6

  Northumberland

  58.6

  68.9

  Sunderland

  55.4

  65.5

  Tees

  51.4

  64.8

  Wakefield

  56.6

  66.4

  South east

  Berkshire

  53.9

  67.3

  Buckinghamshire

  51.7

  65.2

  East Kent

  57.0

  65.0

  East Surrey

  45.6

  62.3

  East Sussex, Brighton/Hove

  54.9

  68.5

  North and Mid-Hants

  37.9

  69.5

  Northamptonshire

  58.2

  66.3

  Oxfordshire

  54.3

  69.4

  596W

  November 2001

  December 2001

  Portsmouth and South-east Hants

  51.8

  65.7

  Southampton and South-west Hants

  57.8

  68.1

  West Kent

  55.0

  64.0

  West Surrey

  47.0

  41.9

  West Sussex

  57.2

  63.5

  North west

  Bury and Rochdale

  42.9

  59.4

  East Lancashire

  49.1

  63.3

  Liverpool

  48.6

  61.1

  Manchester

  46.8

  55.4

  Morecambe Bay

  47.2

  65.2

  North Cheshire

  54.1

  62.8

  North-west Lancashire

  38.6

  56.7

  Salford and Trafford

  51.2

  64.5

  Sefton

  54.4

  66.7

  South Cheshire

  57.0

  68.4

  South Lancashire

  55.5

  67.1

  St. Helen's and Knowsley

  54.3

  65.0

  Stockport

  52.4

  67.9

  West Pennine

  49.2

  63.3

  Wigan and Bolton

  53.4

  63.9

  Wirral

  48.1

  62.8

  London

  Barking and Havering

  50.2

  64.1

  Bexley and Greenwich (Bromley)

  49.2

  60.0

  Brent and Harrow

  47.5

  61.9

  Camden and Islington

  43.4

  50.1

  Croydon

  44.1

  59.5

  Ealing, Hammersmith, Hounslow

  42.7

  56.4

  East London and City

  47.0

  56.5

  Enfield and Haringey (Barnet)

  50.1

  65.6

  Hillingdon

  68.6

  63.4

  Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster

  35.7

  46.9

  Kingston and Richmond

  50.3

  61.5

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  38.4

  47.5

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  46.7

  60.6

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  50.7

  63.3

  South and West

  Avon

  49.0

  67.5

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  49.4

  60.6

  Dorset

  53.5

  65.2

  Gloucestershire

  53.4

  67.8

  North and East Devon

  55.6

  66.5

  Somerset

  50.9

  63.1

  South and West Devon

  51.1

  65.7

  Wiltshire

  52.8

  63.9

  Trent

  Barnsley

  49.4

  63.8

  Doncaster

  55.9

  68.3

  Leicestershire

  49.7

  61.9

  Lincolnshire

  54.9

  66.3

  North Derbyshire

  61.5

  72.1

  North Nottinghamshire

  54.0

  65.4

  Nottingham

  57.3

  66.5

  Rotherham

  57.8

  74.9

  Sheffield

  54.2

  70.7

  Southern Derbyshire

  58.2

  68.3

  South Humber

  55.7

  68.3

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  51.1

  60.4

  Coventry

  48.9

  61.1

  Dudley

  50.8

  63.2

  Herefordshire

  63.1

  68.7

  North Staffordshire

  57.9

  68.2

  597W

  November 2001

  December 2001

  Sandwell

  48.8

  57.4

  Shropshire

  55.6

  67.2

  Solihull

  56.9

  67.4

  South Staffordshire

  53.8

  65.3

  Walsall

  53.2

  61.7

  Warwickshire

  57.6

  69.6

  Wolverhampton

  50.2

  64.2

  Worcester

  54.6

  67.5

  MMR
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason children given measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations singly have the rubella vaccination first. [57528]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government do not recommend the use of separate vaccines to protect children against rubella, measles or mumps and are therefore unable to comment. We recommend that children are vaccinated with the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as the safest way for parents to protect their children against these potentially very serious diseases.
  598W
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if MMR is included in the research into the causes of autism undertaken by his Department. [57529]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Medical Research Council (MRC)—which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—is the main Government agency that funds research into the causes of medical conditions. Their most recent review of the epidemiology and causes of autism, published in December last year, notes that autism seems likely to result from a range of causes but that the strongest evidence to date is for a major genetic component. The report states that several genes may interact to create susceptibility to the disorder. In relation to the combined MMR vaccine, it advises that the evidence does not support the proposed causal link between MMR and autism.

  We have since announced the allocation of a further £2.5 million to the MRC for autism research. This will complement and add to the MRC's current support for research in this field. The MRC welcomes high quality applications for support in any scientific area which will further our understanding of autism, and especially those areas which were highlighted in the recent MRC review of autism: causes and epidemiology; this does not preclude research involving MMR.

  Rights of the Child: Optional Protocol
  Rights of the Child: Optional Protocol
  India and Pakistan
  India and Pakistan
  Juvenile Offenders: Electronic Monitoring
  Juvenile Offenders: Electronic Monitoring
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Wrongfully Convicted Prisoners
  Wrongfully Convicted Prisoners
  Lymphoma
  Lymphoma
  Aid and Development
  Aid and Development
  C17 Transport
  C17 Transport
  Rights of the Child: Optional Protocol
  Rights of the Child: Optional Protocol
  Eurofighter
  Eurofighter
  Postal Services
  Postal Services
  New Forest
  New Forest
  Traffic Lights at Intersections
  Traffic Lights at Intersections
  Bishopsgate Goodsyard
  Bishopsgate Goodsyard
  English Regions
  English Regions
  Civil Aviation
  Civil Aviation
  Theatres: Lottery Funding
  Theatres: Lottery Funding
  Belfast Agreement: Parity of Esteem
  Belfast Agreement: Parity of Esteem