Written Answers of 21 November 2002

CABINET OFFICE

  IT Security
  Brian White
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he has taken to review the security of his Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on his Department's system in(a) October and (b) 2002. [80765]

  Mr. Alexander
  My Department is constantly reviewing the security of our IT networks in line with our Government Secure Intranet accreditation, and taking the latest security advice into consideration.

  Within my Department and its Agencies there have been (a) 1,167 digital attacks in October and (b) 5,857 during 2002.

  None of these resulted in compromise, loss or damage to any information held on the systems.

DEFENCE

  Brigadier Gordon Kerr
  Mr. Kevin McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the basis for his policy on Brigadier Gordon Kerr's giving evidence and otherwise co-operating with the inquiry undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner into collusion in Northern Ireland; [80127]

  (2) what his policy is on allowing Brigadier Gordon Kerr to give evidence and otherwise to co-operate with the inquiry undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner into collusion in Northern Ireland. [80128]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Stevens Inquiry is an independent police investigation, with which the Ministry of Defence is fully co-operating. Issues relating to interviews with individuals in connection with this or any other criminal investigation are for the investigating authorities and the individuals themselves.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are deployed in Afghanistan; and how many of these are reserves. [80975]

  Mr. Ingram
  On 18 November 2002, three hundred and thirty two personnel were deployed in Afghanistan, including thirty-nine reservists.

  Army (Non-British Citizens)
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the British Army is comprised of soldiers who are not British citizens. [81096]
  210W
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 2002]: The number of soldiers, both trained and untrained, in the British Army as at 1 October 2002 was 111,670; of these 3,580 were non-British personnel. This represents 3.2 per cent. of the total strength. These figures exclude Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Personnel (FTRS), Royal Irish Home Service and Mobilised Reservists.

  Baton Rounds
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what technologies are available to assist the accuracy of the plastic baton round; what he estimates the comparative advantages of LI8A1(a) optical sight, (b) laser sights and (c) other options are; and what the estimated costs are of supplying each. [80623]

  Mr. Ingram
  We believe the L21A1 baton round, fired from the LI04 gun and using the LI 8 optical sight to have state of the art accuracy over its designed range. Such accuracy is critical in reducing the risk of serious injury. The L18A1 optical sight met the accuracy requirement for the baton round and is an intuitive sight to use. It is not possible to cost a laser sight for L21 without examining all the issues of the visibility of a laser spot when viewed through a visor at relevant ranges, against representative targets and in varying lighting conditions. Laser sights can cost between £50 and £1,000 dependent on specification.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what post-development studies have been carried out on the medical effects of the use of the L21A1 baton round; [80626]

  (2) what progress has been made in the medical study of the effect of ricocheting L21A1 plastic baton rounds; and if he will place the results in the Library. [80622]

  Mr. Ingram
  An instrumented, technical trial of L21A1 in a typical operational environment has been conducted. This has involved ricochets from street furniture, kerbs, door frames and riot debris as well as inside buildings. The results from the instrumentation are currently being processed and any necessary reruns will be conducted. Once these results are available the medical implications of the ricochets will be assessed. The Sub-Committee, Defence Scientific Advisory Council will be invited to make a statement and it is my intention to place the statement in the Library of the House.

  The L21A1 performance after one year in service was given in my answer on 30 October 22002, Official Report, column 800W. The assessment of the use of L21A1 at ranges from 1m to 20m was reported in the Home Office's answer of 6 November 2002, Official Report, column 312W.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours of additional training is required to enable personnel to discharge a baton gun to be fired in situations other than public disorder; what the minimum distance is that a baton round may be discharged at a human target; what level of authorisation is required for this use of the baton gun; and what the reporting requirements are. [80627]
  211W
  Mr. Ingram
  Personnel undergo a three-day urban operations package as part of their operational training for use of the baton gun for situations other than public disorder. The circumstances under which members of the Armed Forces may discharge baton rounds at a human target, are set out in the guidance on the Rules of Engagement for the use of baton rounds, which has been previously placed in the Library of the House on 23 October Official Report, column 351W. The tactical use of a baton gun is controlled by either an officer or non-commisioned officer, although ultimate authority is vested in the individual baton gunner who is authorised to use the weapon as and when deemed necessary. If a baton round is fired, a baton log report, giving details of the incident, is completed and forwarded through the chain of command.

  Business Information Systems
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the money announced in the Spending Review for modernising business information systems across defence. [80969]

  Last five chiefs of Defence Staff

  Period of office

  Admiral Sir Michael Boyce GCB OBE ADC

  16.02.01-

  General Sir Charles Guthrie GCB LVO OBE ADC Gen

  02.04.97–15.02.01

  Field Marshal Sir Peter Inge GCB

  15.03.94–01.04.97

  Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Peter Harding GCB DSc FRAeS CBIM

  01.01.93–13.03.94

  Field Marshal Sir Richard Vincent CBE KCB DSO

  02.04.91–13.12.92

  Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir David Craig GCB OBE DSc MA FRAeS

  10.12.88–01.04.91

  First Sea Lords after 1972

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir Michael Pollock GCB MVO DSC ADC

  13.03.71–02.03.74

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Ashmore GCB DSC ADC

  02.03.74–01.03.77

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin GCB DSC ADC

  01.03.77–06.07.79

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach GCB ADC

  06.07.79–01.12.82

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fieldhouse GCB GBE ADC

  01.12.82–02.08.85

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Staveley GCB ADC

  02.08.85–25.05.89

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir Julian Oswald GCB ADC

  25.05.89–02.03.93

  Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst GCB ADC

  02.03.93–10.07.95

  Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB LVO ADC

  10.07.95–08.10.98

  Admiral Sir Michael Boyce GCB OBE ADC

  08.10.98–16.01.01

  Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh GCB ADC

  16.01.01–17.09.02

  Admiral Sir Alan West KCB DSC ADC

  17.09.02-

  Civilian Firefighters
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian firefighters are(a) employed and (b) resident in Army barracks in (i) Great Britain and (ii) Northern Ireland. [80616]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are currently 64 civilian fire fighters stationed at army establishments in Great Britain and 35 in Northern Ireland. Of those personnel there are three individuals, all officers, resident in service messes, two in Northern Ireland and one in Great Britain.

  Continuous Attitude Survey
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in the(a) Army, (b) RAF and (c) Royal Navy were sent the last Continuous Attitude Survey and encouraged to answer; what proportion of the service members in each service this represents; how
  212W
  Mr. Ingram
  The 2002 Spending Review provided the Ministry of Defence with an additional £578 million for modernising business information, logistics and support systems across defence. This will help to ensure the delivery of our ambitious efficiency target, freeing resources to strengthen the front line.

  The allocation of these resources will be decided through the MOD's annual planning process which will be completed early next year, and will inform the Defence White Paper which it is planned to publish next summer.

  Chiefs of Defence Staff
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the periods of office for the last five(a) Chiefs of Defence Staff, and (b) First Sea Lords after 1972. [82366]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  his Department ensures that the sample group asked and who reply are representative of the services as a whole; what the differential response rate is in each service by rank; and if he will make a statement. [81106]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The number of personnel that were sent the last Continuous Attitude Survey (CAS) for each Service is as follows: Naval Service 2,000; Army 4,006 and RAF 2,000. The proportion of personnel this represented for each Service was 5.3 per cent., 3.9 per cent. and 4.1 per cent. respectively, based on Trained Strength figures for United Kingdom regulars as at 1 September 2002.

  In the Naval Service the distribution of the CAS is now carried out through the chain of command rather than directly to the individuals and personnel are encouraged to answer by the offer of participation in a prize draw. The sample groups are entirely random and the sample is sufficient to produce statistically significant results across all ranks.
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  In the Army the Adjutant General writes a personal letter to all unit Commanding Officers asking them to encourage individuals to respond to the survey. The selection criterion works on a rolling basis using the last two digits of Service numbers. The overall population of respondents is large enough to have statistical confidence that the results can be extrapolated against the wider military population.

  For the Royal Air Force a letter from the Chief of Staff Air Member for Personnel accompanies each survey encouraging individuals to take part and emphasising the importance placed on the survey. The survey is a rank-stratified random sample. This means that while the number of personnel at each rank to whom the form is issued is determined in advance, taking into account previous response rates, the individuals who actually receive the form are chosen at random, using the last three digits of their Service number. This results in a total sample that is fairly representative of RAF personnel in rank, branch/trade, gender and ethnic group.

  The response rates as a percentage for each Service by rank are shown below:

  Naval Service

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Lt Commander and above

  69

  Junior Officers

  67

  Senior Ratings ie. WOs, CPOs and POs

  55

  Junior Ratings ie. Able Rates and Leading Rates1

  37

  Note

  1 For the Naval Service the above level of detail is all that can be provided in the time available.

  Army

  Rank

  Per cent.

  2Lt/Lt

  56

  Capt

  64

  Lt Col

  71

  Brig

  40

  L/Cpl

  40

  Sgt

  53

  WO2

  62

  2Lt/Lt

  56

  Maj

  84

  Col

  65

  Re

  29

  Cpl

  47

  SSgt

  68

  WO1

  68

  RAF

  Rank

  Per cent.

  Pit Off + Fg Off

  60

  Flt Lt

  75

  Sqn Ldr

  74

  Wg Cdr

  82

  Gp Capt

  70

  SAC = LAC

  47

  Jnr Tech

  55

  Cpl

  55

  Defence Attachés
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role and mandate of UK defence attachés posted overseas. [81107]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The principal role of defence attaches is to further the United Kingdom's defence diplomacy aims in the host country. There are six core attaché functions:

  Support to defence diplomacy

  Provision of operational military advice and assistance

  Provision of politico-military advice

  Support to defence intelligence

  Support to defence exports

  Representation and administrative support

  Attachés deploy to post with a Chief of Defence Staff Directive they are his, and the three single service chiefs', representative in country. Depending on location, they may also receive a Directive from chief defence intelligence and/or the single service(s).

  Attachés are appointed to the staff of the ambassador/high commissioner whose instructions and policies they are to follow. Under the direction of the ambassador/high commissioner, they undertake any duties that advance the interests of the United Kingdom.

  Defence Logistics Organisation
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been employed by the Defence Logistics Organisation in each year since its creation. [80967]

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

  UK regular forces and permanent UK-based civilian staff in the Defence Logistics Organisation

  Year

  Services

  Civilian

  Total

  April 2000

  8,429

  30,303

  38,732

  April 2001

  7,406

  25,219

  32,625

  April 2002

  7,628

  22,644

  30,272

  Notes:

  1. Figures are full-time equivalent i.e. part-time staff are counted as a proportion of full-time hours worked.

  2. The DLO was created in April 2000. Since then, the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (1 April 2001) and the Army Base Repair Organisation (1 April 2002) have become trading funds. The Strengths of Defence Aviation Repair Agency as at 1 April 2001 (4,418 civilians and 721 service personnel) and ABRO as at 1 April 2002 (2,019) are reflected in the losses in the above table.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what computer systems he plans to procure for the Defence Logistics Organisation. [80970]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Defence Logistic Organisation (DLO) intends to procure a number of computer systems in support of its role to decide, provide for, and deliver effective and integrated logistic support and information services to the front line and across the Department at best value for Defence. These include the Defence Electronic Commerce Service (DECS), Management of Materiel in Transit (MMiT) computer system, the Bulk Fuel Inventory Solution (BFIS), the Postal and Courier Electronic Records (PACER)
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  system. Other requirements may be generated by the wider end-to-end review of logistics processes including the DLO, front-line commands and industry.

  Departmental Projects
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures he intends to follow so that the programme for the development of his Department's three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge will be largely self-funding. [82057]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence is currently examining the procurement options available for the delivery of project 'MOD Estate London (MoDEL), which will offer best value.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a further announcement about consultation and approval procedures in respect of his Department's three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge conditionally identified for development on 29 October; and what timescale and timetable he expects these projects to follow. [82058]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence currently has a two gate approvals process for projects of this magnitude. The Business Case for the first gate (Initial Gate) should be prepared by the end of this year. The Business Case for the second gate (Main Gate) should be prepared towards the latter half of 2003.

  The current programme for the project details that implementation of the proposals is scheduled to take place between 2004–09.

  Consultation with all stakeholders with an interest in the Defence Estate within Greater London, and a specific interest in project MoDEL, has already begun. This consultation will continue throughout the Department's approvals process and the project's implementation.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas of each of the three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge will be developed as announced by his Department on 29 October; and what the balance sheet value was at 31 March of(a) the land and (b) the buildings on each site. [82060]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence is currently working with the relevant Local Authorities and other stakeholders to develop our proposals and to identify where on each of the Core Sites future development will take place.

  The Balance Sheet value at the 1 April 2002 for the three Core Sites is as follows:

  £

  Core sites

  Land value

  Building value

  RAF Northolt

  70,000,000

  28,281,400

  RAF Uxbridge

  55,000,000

  22,863,973

  Woolwich station

  120,925,000

  2—

  1 Provisional figure only, actual not currently available

  2 Not currently available.

  Devonport Dockyard
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was responsible for the security of Devonport 216W
  Dockyard on Friday 15 November; if he will make a statement on a breach of security involving Trident nuclear submarines at Devonport Dockyard on 15 November; what consequential action his Department intends to take; what the state of alert was at Devonport on that day; what the state of security of the nuclear submarines was on that day; and what Royal Navy and other personnel were on the vessel on that day. [82278]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Naval Base Commander has overall responsibility for security of Devonport Naval Base. Devonport Management Ltd (DML), the owners of Devonport Dockyard and the nuclear licensed site, are responsible for the security of HMS VANGUARD and the refitting/refuelling facility where she is currently undergoing refit. The Naval Base and DML work closely together on security matters.

  On the evening of 15 November two anti nuclear protesters gained access to HMS VANGUARD. The submarine, which has no weapons onboard, did not sustain any damage and safety was not compromised. A full inquiry into the incident is being conducted by a team comprising the Head of Security for the Defence Logistics Organisation, a senior MOD Police Officer and a MOD security specialist.

  The state of alert at Devonport, and all UK military establishments, on 15 November was "Bikini Black Special". Some additional security measures had also been put in place at Devonport in preparation for an anti nuclear demonstration that was expected to take place during the weekend of 16/17 November. VANGUARD'S security status is classified as 'Non Vital Property'. This reflects that there are no weapons on board and also the extensive work the submarine and her reactor are undergoing during refit. At the time of the incident twelve contractors were working within the submarine and three Royal Navy personnel from the submarine were on duty but not onboard.

  Farmers (Thailand)
  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representation he has received regarding the Minute between the UK and Thailand Government signed on 19 October concerning those clauses that will help Thai farmers to export to the United Kingdom and Europe. [81205]

  Dr. Moonie
  None. The Joint Minute signed between Thailand and the United Kingdom on 19 October contains no clauses referring to Thai agricultural goods. It states the Government's intention to continue to offer advice and training in areas such as peace support operations and to share our experience of initiatives such as the Strategic Defence Review. It also refers to the modernisation of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and our support of BAE SYSTEMS legitimate efforts to supply a range of defence equipment. I will place a copy of the Joint Minute in the Library of the House.

  Fijian Soldiers
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make it easier for Fijian soldiers serving in British regiments to travel freely while on leave. [80698]
  217W
  Mr. Ingram
  Fijian personnel serving in the British Army may travel on leave within the United Kingdom without restriction. Those who wish to travel abroad during their leave periods, other than to their country of origin, are subject to the same visa and entry requirements as other Fijian nationals travelling abroad. Visa and entry requirements are constantly changing and may only be guaranteed by the embassy, consulate or high commission of the country an individual wishes to enter.

  There are no specific plans, at present, to make any changes in this regard.

  Fire Tenders (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Department first used the term Yellow Goddess to describe a liveries military fire tender in Northern Ireland; and what other colours are available for fire tenders employed on overseas postings. [80618]

  Mr. Ingram
  The term Yellow Goddess was first used in 2002 to describe the livery of the fire tenders deployed to Northern Ireland and manned by the army. All fire tenders used by the Defence Fire Service on bases in the United Kingdom and overseas are red.

  Firefighters' Dispute
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what powers the Government have authorised the employment of members of Her Majesty's armed forces for fire fighting duties; and if he will make a statement. [81722]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The involvement of the armed forces followed a request from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to assist with the provision of emergency fire and rescue cover in the event of a firemen's strike. A Defence Council Order for this purpose was signed under the Emergency Powers Act 1964.

  The order permits troops to be used on non-military tasks which constitute urgent work of national importance, ensuring that instructions given to troops are lawful and subject to the provisions of the Service Discipline Acts.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to train defence personnel in the use of civilian fire equipment; and what estimates have been made of the time required to train personnel to an equivalent standard(a) to their current capacity to handle Green Goddesses, (b) to that of retained firefighters and (c) to that of full-time firefighters. [81958]

  Mr. Ingram
  In view of the additional challenges presented by the eight-day strike threatened by the Fire Brigades Union to begin on 22 November, a number of red fire engines have been made available from the National Fire College and the Scottish training college.

  These will be deployed in a role similar to that of the Green Goddesses, while exploiting the advantages they offer in this role. Two days conversion training for existing Green Goddess crews began on 18 November to enable their deployment, should it be necessary, on 22 November. It would take on average a minimum of
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  five weeks to train crews to the standard of retained firefighters and 12 weeks to that of full-time firefighters. Training times would, however, be dependent upon factors such as the numbers to be trained, the availability of personnel (instructors and trainees) and equipment and the time required to resource the training locations.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) soldiers, (b) sailors and (c) airmen are (i) deployed on firefighting activities, (ii) trained to use civilian fire equipment and (iii) currently training to use civilian fire equipment. [82011]

  Mr. Ingram
  Approximately 2,700 Royal Navy personnel, 7,400 Army personnel and 2,200 Royal Air force personnel (some 12,300 personnel in total) are currently available for firefighting duties during Fire Brigade Union strike periods. In addition, 6,700 personnel are employed in support roles. Of the 12,300 personnel, 2,134 are trained in specialist roles to use civilian-type fire equipment (rescue equipment/cutting gear, chemical protection suits etc). They make up the flexible response Breathing Apparatus Rescue Teams and Regional Equipment Support Teams. The total is broken down by service as follows:

  Total

  Army

  1,533

  Navy

  236

  RAF

  365

  As at 19 November, 240 personnel were undergoing conversion training from Green Goddesses to red fire appliances. Once trained, they will be able to operate the red fire appliances in a role similar to that of the Green Goddesses.

  Gurkha Welfare Trust
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial assistance his Department gives to the Gurkha Welfare Trust; and if he will make a statement. [82225]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) is a registered charity independent of the Ministry of Defence. It was established in 1969 to provide financial, medical and community aid to alleviate hardship and distress among Gurkhas and their families when they leave the British Army. The Department recognises the valuable work of the Trust and makes an annual grant in order to pay for the administrative costs of its field arm, the Gurkha Welfare Scheme (GWS). This year the Grant was £710,417. Our Defence Attache in Kathmandu heads the GWS. It spends over £6 million each year in Nepal and our contribution enables nearly all the money raised by the Trust through charitable donations and public appeals to be used for welfare purposes. This includes the payment of welfare pensions to Gurkhas who, in common with many other soldiers recruited to British colours for wartime service, were discharged before completing the requisite period of employment to qualify for a Service pension. The GWS provides, even in the most remote areas of Nepal, primary health care, first aid and emergency treatment, doctors' clinics and elementary dentistry, all free of charge. It is also involved in community projects and the
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  award of one-off hardship payments in respect of individual catastrophes. No genuine case of hardship is ever turned away and its work not only benefits our ex-Servicemen, but is also of value to the infrastructure of Nepal as a whole.

  L104A1 Anti-riot Gun
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the means are of assessing a candidate applying for a competency qualification to fire the L104A1 anti-riot gun; what the minimum number of rounds is a candidate must fire to complete the training course; how many rounds must be fired in test conditions; what the pass score is; what the percentage rate of successful candidates is; and how many hours' training is required before a candidate is ready to take the test. [80625]

  Mr. Ingram
  All soldiers are, by virtue of their training and experience, considered capable of being trained as a baton gunner. Individuals do not apply to take the L104A1 competency qualification, rather, assessments are made by commanders who then choose who should be trained as a baton gunner. To complete the L21 training course, a minimum of 20 rounds must be fired of which five rounds must be fired under test conditions achieving a grouping of 200mm. There is no score pass or percentage pass rate as such, as training is continued until the standard has been achieved. In addition to the basics of small arms training, it takes a further five hours to train a soldier to safely handle and fire a baton gun.

  Medical Down-Grading
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's forces are medically down-graded. [80794]

  Dr. Moonie
  The numbers of trained UK regular personnel in the armed forces who were medically down-graded in October 2002 are given in the following table:

  Officers

  Other ranks

  Total

  Navy

  221

  2,467

  2,688

  Army

  908

  9,694

  10,602

  RAF

  536

  3,297

  3,833

  Notes:

  1. These figures exclude FTRS, Gurkhas, R Irish (Home Service) and reservists who have been mobilised for duty.

  2. The Army figures are based on the Pulheems Efficiency Standard, and are all those who are not marked as being fit everywhere.

  3. The RAF figures are based on the Medical Employment Standard, and are all those who have a 3, 4 or 5 against their ground work capability.

  4. The Navy figures are based on their Medical Category and are all those who do not have a P code of P2.

  5. As the services have different methods of determining who is medically down-graded the figures are not comparable across the three services.

  MOD Properties
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for other parts of his Department's estate in London 220W
  of the proposed development announced by his Department on 29 October of its three sites at Northolt, Woolwich and Uxbridge. [82059]

  Dr. Moonie
  At the Public Launch of Project "MoD Estate London" (MoDEL) on 29 October, I announced that the Ministry of Defence, in consultation with the US Visiting Forces (USVF), are proposing to vacate 11 sites within, or close to, Greater London.

  The proposed sites are:

  Sites occupied by MOD

  Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill

  RAF Bentley Priory

  Royal Military Academy Woolwich

  Victoria House Woolwich

  Ha Ha Road Woolwich

  Sites Occupied by the USVF

  RAF Daws Hill

  RAF Eastcote

  RAF West Ruislip

  Blenheim Crescent

  Loudwater

  Edison House

  Additionally, the sites the MOD is proposing to retain and develop as Core Sites are RAF Northolt and Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich. Further, it has been proposed that RAF Uxbridge could be developed as a Core Site for the United States Visiting Forces (USVF). If the USVF do not participate in the project then the MOD would still vacate RAF Uxbridge.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations on compensation he has received from nuclear test veterans since June 2001; and if he will make a statement. [80125]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence has received seven representations in the form of letters from nuclear test veterans concerning compensation since 1 June 2001. The Veterans Agency has received 37 new applications for War Pensions associated with participation in nuclear tests since 1 June 2001.

  The Ministry of Defence has every confidence in the independent studies carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund which showed that for the veterans as a group their participation in the nuclear test programme has not had a detectable effect on their expectation of life, or on their risk of developing cancer or other fatal diseases.

  Operation Sandcastle
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will break down the expenditure on Operation Sandcastle under headings. [81325]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 2002]: According to records held by the Ministry of Defence we estimate that costs of Operation Sandcastle, at 1991–92 prices, were as follows.
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  £

  Labour costs (civilian and military)

  140,005.52

  Information Technology Equipment (Equipment and Support Costs)

  139,872.88

  Travel and Subsistence Costs (includes car hire, mileage allowance and miscellaneous expenses)

  85,060.51

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff worked on Operation Sandcastle; what their grades were, and for how long each member of staff worked. [81328]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 2002]: According to records held by the Ministry of Defence the number of days worked by investigator by rank (based on an eight hour day) on Operation Sandcastle were as follows:

  Days

  Lieutenant Colonel

  46.92

  Major

  7.33

  Captain

  179.63

  Warrant Officer Class 1

  177.53

  Warrant Officer Class 2

  170.66

  Staff Sergeant

  815.39

  Sergeant

  984.43

  Corporal

  748.58

  Lance Corporal

  187.74

  Private

  83.60

  Those records also indicate that civilian staff worked for 19.22 hours in support of the operation.

  Perisher Submarine
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Perisher submarine training exercises have taken place in each of the past five years. [82214]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of Perisher submarine training courses which have taken place in each of the past five years is as follows:

  Year

  Courses

  1997

  2

  1998

  2

  1999

  2

  2000

  1

  2001

  1

  2002

  2

  Picket Lines
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances members of the armed forces can cross trade union picket lines. [82155]

  Mr. Ingram
  Access to property or equipment beyond trade union picket lines is a civil matter and would consequently be an issue for the civil authorities, not the military. No circumstances are envisaged where the armed forces would be called upon to cross picket lines
  222W

  Recruitment (Over-50s)
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people employed in his Department are aged over 50. [81688]

  Dr. Moonie
  The available information is given in the table, showing the position as at September 2002.

  50 and Under

  Over 50

  Percentage over 50

  Ministry of Defence

  51,154

  25,805

  33.5

  Trading Funds

  9,079

  2,981

  24.7

  Total

  60,233

  28,786

  32.3

  Source:

  SA Civilian

  Reservists
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to ensure that embodied regular reservists are given the same promotion opportunities as their regular army counterparts. [80697]

  Dr. Moonie
  On permanent service, Reserve officers and soldiers are subject to the normal rules for promotion applicable to Active List officers and regular soldiers at that time. If when called out on permanent service a Reservist receives substantive promotion to a higher rank, they will retain that higher rank when released from permanent service.

  For training or when employed on Full Time Reserve Service a Reservist may, according to the current rules for Active List officers and regular soldiers, be granted acting rank appropriate to any appointment which they are required to fill while so called out.

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the Borough of Gosport as planning authority about the long-term use of the site of the Royal hospital Haslar. [80798]

  Dr. Moonie
  Ministry of Defence's plans to withdraw from the Royal hospital Haslar site, following the 1998 decision, are tied to the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust's development of its Queen Alexandra hospital site at Cosham. It would be premature for the MOD to enter into formal discussions with Gosport borough council until the timescale for the completion of that development is more definite, but informal discussions take place periodically with the Leader of the Council to apprise him of progress, and MOD officials met Council officers on one occasion in 1999 prior to a review of MOD estates in the Gosport and Portsmouth area and after the decision to close Haslar as a MOD site had been taken. At that stage, the local authority—which will ultimately be responsible for determining the future of the site—was reviewing its plans for the local area.

  Royal Navy
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the Royal Navy is. [82735]
  223W
  Dr. Moonie
  The strength of the Royal Navy is announced in Defence Analytical Services Agency TSP4, "Strength of the UK armed forces quarterly press release as at 1 October 2002" which is published today. As of 1 October 2002 the total strength of the Naval Service—full time trained and untrained personnel—was 42,330.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships are(a) on operations and (b) in port. [81011]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 18 November there were 77 Royal Navy ships and submarines in the operational Fleet. This includes all vessels which are operational or engaged in preparing for service, trials or training. As at 18 November, 21 Royal Navy ships and submarines were undergoing deep maintenance

  Secondments
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the senior officials who have left his Department since April 2000 to take up posts in the private sector, stating in each case the name, position previously held, date of leaving, and the company and position taken up. [82387]

  Dr. Moonie
  Under the Cabinet Office rules on the acceptance of outside appointments by Crown servants ("the Business Appointment Rules"), all Ministry of Defence non-industrial civilians and officers in the Armed Forces are required, within two years of leaving the Department, to apply for permission before taking up employment with an organisation connected with their official duties. Some of these applications are speculative and not all lead to external appointments being taken up. The rules require only senior officials whose applications are approved by the Prime Minister to confirm to their former department that they have taken up a new appointment on leaving the MOD. Details of such appointments are published in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Service Establishments
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times establishment targets for the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF have changed since 1998; and what the rationale was for the change each time. [81109]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The full time trained requirement for the Armed Forces is published quarterly by the Defence Analytical Services Agency.

  In each Service, however, the requirement for trained manpower is a live and dynamic figure which can change frequently. Causes for such changes include alterations to force structures, evolving doctrine, the introduction of new equipment and technology, changes to the
  224W
  operating environment and the introduction of routine efficiencies. Consequently establishment target figures have been revised many times before and since 1998.

  In the Royal Navy to provide a degree of smoothing for planning purposes, a Headmark Requirement for future years is calculated quarterly (issued three times per annum prior to 2001).

  The Army now reviews its future manpower requirement annually.

  The RAF, for strategic manpower planning purposes, normally captures forecast establishments twice a year.

  Spending Review
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capabilities or facilities he intends to procure with the new capital announced in the Spending Review; and if he will list the five capabilities that he intends to spend the most money on. [80968]

  Mr. Ingram
  The 2002 Spending Review provided £1 billion for extra investment in enhanced military capabilities to implement the conclusions of the New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review. The allocation of this will be determined through the Ministry of Defence's annual planning process which will be completed early next year and will inform the Defence White Paper which it is planned to publish next summer.

  My right hon. Friend The Secretary of State for Defence has announced that we will be investing in a range of capabilities including by accelerating the Watchkeeper UAV programme and upgrading our E-3D AWACS aircraft. We are evaluating additional enhancements to our target acquisition and strike capabilities to operate 24 hours a day, in all weathers, and to enable rapid retargeting. We are also acquiring technology to meet the threats from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons that we may face in the future.

  Stores Management System
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in developing the defence stores management system; and how much has been spent on the project to date. [80966]

  Mr. Ingram
  The original objectives of the Defence Stores Management Solution (DSMS) were to manage the single service inventories as a single defence inventory, to build a single system to replace the existing Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force systems, and to provide a deployed inventory management capability. The project had not secured full main gate approval by the time that the project was suspended on grounds of affordability at the time. The requirement, including the continuing need for a deployed inventory management capability, will be addressed as part of a wider end-to-end review of the logistic process, involving the DLO, front-line commands and industry which should complete by mid 2003. Expenditure on DSMS to date totals £140 million and estimated net savings of £650 million over a 10 year period were anticipated from its implementation.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Affordable Housing
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the definition of affordable housing; and what plans he has to alter that definition. [80528]

  Mr. McNulty
  There are no formal definitions of affordable housing within housing policy. For the purposes of securing affordable housing through the planning system, affordable housing encompasses low-cost market and subsidised housing (irrespective of tenure, ownership—whether exclusive or shared—or financial arrangements) that will be available to people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market. Local authorities are expected to define through their local plans what they consider to be affordable in the plan area in terms of the relationship between local income levels and house prices or rents for different types of households.

  The research report, "Delivering Affordable Housing through Planning Policy", published by DTLR in February 2002, noted that local authorities were not consistent in defining affordable housing, with a tendency in the south to equate affordable housing with social rented housing, and not to consider the full range of alternatives. The report concluded that local authorities should ensure their consideration of affordable housing, including the wider definition given to it by national planning guidance. There are no plans to make the definition less flexible.

  Affordable Housing (Chesham and Amersham)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many units of affordable housing have been built in the Chesham and Amersham constituency in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [81171]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Chesham and Amersham constituency is within Chiltern district council, which has reported the following levels of house-building activity by both registered social landlords and the authority itself:

  New dwellings completed within Chiltern district council area by registered social landlords (RSLs):

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  4

  1998–99

  0

  1999–2000

  0

  2000–01

  31

  2001–02

  55

  Note:

  No completions of dwellings by the local authority itself were reported.

  Source:

  Data to 2000–01: LA and RSL new-build from ODPM P2 (monthly) housing activity returns.

  Compulsory Purchase
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which(a) Government agencies and (b) regional bodies have compulsory purchase powers. [81696]
  226W
  Mr. McNulty
  The following list sets out the principal Government agencies and regional bodies which operate in England and which have their own compulsory purchase powers. In addition some Ministers have compulsory purchase powers which they exercise through departmental agencies: for example, orders for trunk roads are made by the Highways Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Government agencies

  Housing Corporation

  Housing Action Trusts

  Environment Agency

  NHS organisations Countryside Agency

  English Nature

  Civil Aviation Authority

  UK Atomic Energy Authority

  Coal Authority

  British Waterways Board

  The Broads Authority

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (English Heritage)

  Urban Regeneration Agency (English Partnerships)

  Regional bodies

  Regional Development Agencies

  Council Rents (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average increase in council rents in the Greater London area has been in each of the last three years. [81671]

  Mr. McNulty
  Average council rents in Greater London for the past few years are as shown in the table. The annual change in the average council rents is also provided in the table

  Financial year

  Average weekly rent £

  Change in weekly rent £

  Percentage change in weekly rent

  1998–99

  55.27

  1999–2000

  58.00

  + 2.73

  + 4.9

  2000–01

  60.44

  + 2.44

  + 4.2

  2001–02

  62.36

  + 1.92

  +3.2

  2002–03

  (provisional)

  64.29

  +1.93

  +3.1

  Hare Krishna Temple (Hertfordshire)
  Keith Vaz
  To ask Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Hare Krishna Temple at Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire concerning their application for planning permission to extend the temple. [82358]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received no representations about this planning application

  Housing Policy
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of Government funds allocated for housing is specified for the sound proofing of ageing
  227W
  council and housing association properties; and what proportion of this money will be allocated to the Housing Corporation for use by registered social landlords. [80587]

  Mr. McNulty
  Although we have not allocated funds specifically for sound proofing of ageing council or housing association properties, we have set a target requiring social landlords to bring their housing up to the decent home standard, one component of which is adequate insulation against external noise.

  Local authorities can meet this target either through their own resources and through the Major Repairs Allowance and Single Capital Pot; or by setting up a high performance Arms Length Housing Management Organisation (ALMO); or through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme; or by transferring their stock to one or more housing associations.

  Repairs to housing association stock to bring it up to the decent home standard may be funded through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme.

  Thames Gateway Initiative
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recognition the Government give to the Thames Gateway initiative; and what financial and other support the Government provide. [80754]

  Mr. McNulty
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made a statement in July announcing plans for a step change in our policies for building successful, thriving communities. As part of that statement, the Thames Gateway was identified as a key area for economic and housing growth. My right hon. Friend, Lord Rooker, chairs the Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership, whose membership includes Ministers from five Government Departments. The partnership is now looking at new means of delivering the rapid regeneration and development of the Gateway.

  There are no dedicated resources for the Thames Gateway, but development and regeneration is being supported by investment from various Government funding streams (for example, housing and transport). My right. hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will be announcing around the turn of the year how he will be allocating resources identified for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the Spending Review 2002.

  Urban White Paper
  Andrew George
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many funding commitments have been launched by his Department and across the Government following the publication of the Urban White Paper in November 2000; which(a) require bidding and (b) are linked to a set funding formula; and what the total amount available for each commitment is. [81570]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has one funding commitment which flows directly from the Urban White Paper and which meets both criteria of requiring bidding and of being linked to a set funding formula.
  228W
  The future rough sleeping strategy was included in the wider programme set out in "More than a Roof" (March 2002) with a total budget of £125 million in 2002–03. £10 million of this has been allocated to local authorities by "formula" and the rest is subject to a "bidding" process. Some goes direct to voluntary sector organisations funding existing or new services, agreed as part of a local strategy.

  In the time available it has not been possible to provide information in the form requested on funding commitments launched by other Government Departments, but I will write shortly to the hon. Member.

CULTURE, MEDIA, SPORT

  Athletics Funding
  Mr. Nick Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the oral answer by the Minister of Sport on 18 November 2002,Official Report, column 350–51 whether every sporting governing body which received funding before the Sydney Olympics and the Manchester Commonwealth Games will receive the same funding, adjusted for inflation, in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04, (c) 2004–05 and (d) 2005–06; and if she will make a statement. [82115]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government has committed to maintain funding for UK Sport's World Class Performance Programme (the programme that supports our Olympic athletes) at the same level in the run up to the Athens Olympics as it was in the run up to the Sydney Olympics. The level of funding provided to individual governing bodies of sport, however, is determined by the individual Sports Councils and no guarantees of funding are provided.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her oral answer of 18 November 2002,Official Report, column 350–51 to the hon. Members for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) and Ryedale, whether the commitment to maintain world performance funding applies to (a) those athletes who were in receipt of funding before the Sydney Olympics, and (b) athletes who will take part in the Athens and Beijing Olympics. [82281]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government has committed to maintain funding for UK Sport's World Class Performance Programme (the programme that supports our Olympic athletes) at the same level in the run up to the Athens Olympics as it was in the run up to the Sydney Olympics. This commitment was to support the Programme, overall, and not to individual athletes. Decisions on individual athletes who receive funding will continue to be determined by the governing bodies and performance directors in consultation with UK Sport.

  BBC
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what consultations took place before the decision was taken to lift the restriction
  229W
  on the number of digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV; and what the outcome was; [80430]

  (2)what publicity was given to the decision to lift the restriction on the number of digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV; [80437]

  (3)when the restriction on the number of digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV was lifted; and for what reason. [80426]

  Dr. Howells
  The restriction to the number of channels that UKTV can launch under the first and second joint ventures, which were approved in 1997, has not been lifted, but the third and fourth joint ventures, which were approved in 2000, are not subject to a restriction. As BBC commercial service approvals, the joint ventures were not subject to consultation, nor were they publicised

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide, through UKTV, which have been given approval by her Department. [80427]

  Dr. Howells
  BBC Worldwide's joint ventures with Flextech have been subject to my right hon. Friend's approval, but the commercial channels launched by UKTV under the terms of those joint ventures are not.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to ensure that digital channels operated by BBC Worldwide through UKTV do not unfairly compete with existing commercial channels. [80428]

  Dr. Howells
  It is a condition of the joint ventures under which UKTV channels operate that they must abide fully by the BBC's fair trading commitment, the commercial policy guidelines and all the requirements of EU and UK competition law. They are also subject to external audit by independent fair trading auditors and to the UK and EU competition authorities.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures she has taken to ensure that the BBC's programmes do not adversely affect existing commercial(a) radio and (b) television channels. [80432]

  Dr. Howells
  The BBC's licence fee funded services are distinct from the BBC's commercial services. The market impact of any new BBC licence fee funded service is one of the factors the Secretary of State must consider in her assessment of a proposal. This is not the case for BBC commercial services. However, BBC commercial services must comply with EU and UK competition law, as well as the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment and the Commercial Policy Guidelines.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on the future financing of the BBC. [80433]

  Dr. Howells
  I have no plans to change the current financing arrangements for the BBC, but funding will be looked at as part of the process of reviewing the BBC's Charter, which expires in 2006
  230W
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the relationship between BBC Worldwide and Flextech has been scrutinised by the BBC's external auditors. [80438]

  Dr. Howells
  Yes. The relationship between BBC Worldwide and Flextech is subject to scrutiny by the BBC's external auditors.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what measures she is taking to ensure that the BBC abides by the Fair Trading Commitment; [80439]

  (2) whether OFCOM will have responsibility for ensuring that the BBC abides by its Fair Trading Commitment; and if she will make a statement. [80440]

  Dr. Howells
  The BBC's Fair Trading Commitment is an internal compliance document and, therefore, will continue to be regulated by the BBC Board of Governors. OFCOM will have concurrent powers (with OFT) to apply competition law to broadcasting and related activities. This applies to the BBC, as to other broadcasting organisations.

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library a copy of the documents issued in November 2000 that gave permission for the BBC to extend its range of new channels with Telewest under the UKTV joint venture. [81827]

  Dr. Howells
  Approvals given for BBC Worldwide's commercial activities contain commercially sensitive information and therefore cannot be placed in the Library. The restriction to the number of channels that UKTV can launch under the first and second joint ventures, which were approved in 1997, has not been lifted but the third and fourth joint ventures, which were approved in 2000, are not subject to a restriction.

  Bletchley Park
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has for the future of the Code Breaker Museum at Bletchley Park [81823]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department has no plans. Bletchley Park and its contents are the responsibility of the Bletchley Park Trust, which is implementing plans that will ensure the long-term preservation of key heritage elements of the site and serve as a fitting memorial to the men and women involved in the vital code-breaking work there during the second world war.

  Elite Sport Funding
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the funding for elite sportsmen and sportswomen will be in cash terms under her three-year future funding plans in(a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04, (c) 2004–05 and (d) 2005–06; and if she will make a statement. [82116]

  Mr. Caborn
  The data required is not readily available. I will write to the hon Member with detailed information as soon as possible

  History Channel
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she has satisfied herself that UK History is distinctive from the History channel and will not compete unfairly with it. [80429]

  Dr. Howells
  Unlike the BBC's licence fee funded channels, there is no requirement that BBC Worldwide's commercial channels are distinctive. As a commercial channel, UK History can compete on a commercial basis in the same way as any channel, subject to all the requirements of EU and UK Competition Law, as well as the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment and Commercial Policy Guidelines

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish the approval given in 2000 to UKTV for the UK History channel. [80436]

  Dr. Howells
  No. Approvals given for BBC Worldwide's commercial activities contain commercially sensitive information and, therefore, are not published.

  Independent Production Quotas
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when the independent production quotas for television will apply across all media including the internet; and when the independent production quota of 25 per cent. will be increased to 40 per cent. across all media. [80726]

  (2) what plans there are to increase the independent production quota for broadcasting from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent.; and what plans there are to extend the 25 per cent. independent production quota in (a) radio and (b) web sites. [81824]

  Dr. Howells
  The ITC are considering the independent productions quota as part of their review of the television programme supply market. We will consider any recommendations the review makes in this area. It is not our intention to apply the independent producers quota to web sites. We have received representations suggesting that BBC radio commits itself to an independent production quota similar to the one which currently exists for television services. The Department's officials are considering this issue with the BBC and others.

  Millennium Stadium
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of the continuing viability of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. [82109]

  Mr. Caborn
  No assessment has been made by this Department. Any ongoing liability of the Millennium Stadium is a matter for its operators and falls within the remit of the National Assembly for Wales.

  Museum of Moving Image
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are to(a) reopen the Museum of Moving Image; and (b) open a new Museum of Film and Television in London. [81825]
  232W
  Dr. Howells
  The British Film Institute (BFI), which is responsible for the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI), has no plans to re-open it. However, the BFI is developing plans to open a new Film Centre on the South Bank which will incorporate not only the collections of MOMI, but also the existing National Film Theatre, National Film and Television library and the BFI's head office.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many planning applications affecting school playing fields were(a) referred to Sport England and (b) objected to by Sport England in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [82364]

  Mr. Caborn
  Sport England in their role as statutory consultee for planning applications affecting playing fields received 314 applications in respect of playing fields within educational ownership for the year 1999—2000, 428 for the year 2000—01, and 551 for the year 2001—02. Data is not available to show Sport England's response action to planning applications for playing fields in educational ownership.

  Planning applications affecting playing fields can often involve a change of use that benefits sport rather than in resulting in the outright sale of playing fields or their development It should also be noted that where planning permission is granted this does not necessarily mean that the proposed development or change of use went ahead. Data is not collected centrally on whether planning applications are actually implemented.

  Seconded Civil Servants
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what work has been(a) researched and (b) implemented jointly by her Department and (i) the Broadcasting Standards Commission and (ii) London Arts through the use of seconded senior civil servants. [81568]

  Dr. Howells
  No work has been researched and jointly implemented by my Department and the Broadcasting Standards Commission or London Arts through the use of seconded senior civil servants. Neither organisation conducts research.

  TV Licences
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were given custodial sentences following a failure to pay a fine for TV licence evasion in each of the last 20 years. [80442]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is available only from 1992 onwards. The number of people in England and Wales received into prison for non-payment of fines for television licence fee evasion, in each year since 1992, was as follows.
  233W

  Year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Number

  570

  861

  770

  774

  355

  245

  156

  83

  36

  31

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether a television licence is required for a personal computer capable of receiving television broadcasts. [80488]

  Dr. Howells
  The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and for determining the licensing requirements in specific circumstances. I cannot, therefore, comment in detail on how those requirements would apply in particular cases. However, the requirement to have a licence relates to the installation or use (actual or intended) of the apparatus in question and not simply its capability. A television licence is required for the installation or use of a television receiver. A television receiver is equipment installed or used for the purpose of receiving television programme services, as defined by section 2(4) of the Broadcasting Act 1990. A personal computer which is capable of receiving television programme services, and which is installed or used for such purposes, is therefore a television receiver, and its installation or use as such requires a television licence.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

  Israel
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States Government about the use of US manufactured military equipment containing components manufactured in the UK and sold to Israel; and if he will make a statement. [82226]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign Secretary's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Paddy Tipping) of 8 July 2002,Official Report, column 650–2W, informed Parliament about the issuing of export licences for the export of Head Up Display Units (HUDs) to the USA for incorporation into F-16s, some of which were for re-export to Israel. While considering these applications we had discussions with US Administration to make sure of our understanding of US export control policy and practice. The US Government maintains a strong and effective export licensing system.

  Kenya
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are being made by(a) the UK Government, (b) the Commonwealth and (c) the European Union to provide observers for the Kenyan elections on 27th December. [80543]
  234W
  Mr. Rammell
  The Government of Kenya has invited international observers. The European Union Election Observer Mission will be the cornerstone of the international observation effort. It will deploy 20 long term observers from 24 November and 50 short term observers a week before polling. The UK has nominated a list of nationals willing to participate in the Mission.

  The Commonwealth Secretariat has been invited to send a team of observers as well. A team of Commonwealth officials has been in Kenya making a needs assessment.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the situation in(a) Rwanda and (b) the Great Lakes region. [80888]

  Mr. Rammell
  a) Since the genocide and civil war in 1994, the Rwandan Government and people have been rebuilding their country and lives. The Government has embarked on a programme of recovery through national reconciliation and poverty reduction. It has made significant progress but continues to face many challenges, including the delivery of a tradition-based judicial process (gacaca), the demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants, and democratisation.

  b) The situation in the Great Lakes is dominated by the conflicts in DRC and Burundi. In the DRC the 30 July Pretoria Agreement was a welcome development, resulting in the withdrawal of all Rwandan forces by 5 October. The Government of DRC must now honour its Pretoria commitments to deal with the anti-Rwandan militia operating in DRC, and reach agreement with the rebel groups (MLC and RCD-Goma) on a transitional Government. talks resumed on 15 November. It is hoped this will end the conflict conclusively and result in the withdrawal of the remaining Zimbabwean and Uganda forces soon.

  In Burundi recent talks produced a ceasefire between the Government of Burundi and some, but not all, of the rebels. We are giving our full support to South African and Tanzanian mediation efforts, which are seeking a comprehensive agreement. Uganda's President Museveni is convening a regional summit soon.

  UK Ambassador (Washington)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Sir David Manning will take up his position as the new UK ambassador to Washington; and when Sir Christopher Meyer is due to retire. [82113]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Sir David Manning will take up his position as British Ambassador to Washington in summer 2003. Sir Christopher Meyer will retire at the end of February 2003.

HEALTH

  Child Care
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to improve the interdependence and effectiveness of advocacy and support services for children in residential care and their preparation for independent living when they leave residential care. [80471]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Children (Leaving Care) Act commenced in October 2001. This imposed a duty on local authorities to provide a personal adviser to each young person leaving care from their 16th birthday. This adviser must work with the young person to draw up a "pathway plan" setting out the support that they must have to prepare them for independent living. Part of the adviser's role will be to represent the views of young people and to advocate on their behalf with the agencies whose services will be necessary to prepare them for adulthood. Guidance to the Act also requires local authorities to make provision so that young people may have access to independent advocacy if they need to complain about how services have been provided for them.

  The Adoption and Children Act 2002, when commenced, will place a new duty on local authorities to make arrangements for the provision of advocacy for looked after children.

  Arthritis
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to help sufferers of arthritis. [80890]

  Jacqui Smith
  The national service framework for older people does not specifically focus on arthritis but through improvements in general hospital care, and especially through the new single assessment process, older people's health care needs will be properly targeted, so ensuring that the services that are provided are most appropriate to their needs.

  People with arthritis will benefit from the expert patients programme, which will see the national health service provide training in self-management skills for people with long-term chronic conditions. The first pilot phase has begun in selected primary care trust sites, with activity to take place both on a generic and a disease-specific basis.

  The Medical Research Council, which is the main Government research agency, funded major research projects into arthritis. Also, in the past year, two new classes of drugs, Cox II inhibitors and anti-TNF therapy, have been made available to arthritis patients, following reviews by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). In addition, NICE is reviewing the drug Anakinra for its clinical and cost effectiveness in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

  Bed Occupancy (Buckinghamshire)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average bed occupancy rate was at NHS units in Chesham and Amersham in each of the last six years since 1 May 1996; [81200]
  236W
  (2)if he will make a statement on progress on cancelled operations and appointments at NHS units in the Chesham and Amersham constituency in the last 12 months; [81194]

  (3)how many acute beds there were in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire in each year since 1 January 1996; and how many he expects there to be in the next 12 months. [81198]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 19 November2002]: Information is not collected centrally, or by Thames Valley health authority, at constituency level. Information on bed numbers and occupancy together with details of cancelled operations for the three Buckinghamshire acute trusts has been placed in the Library.

  On the progress made on cancelled operations and appointments, I am advised by Thames Valley Strategic health authority that the acute trust providing care for Chesham and Amersham constituents, South Buckinghamshire national health service trust, has performed well. In terms of cancelled operations, information for Quarter 1 of 2002–03 shows no last minute cancellations for non-clinical reasons.

  Cardiology
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to date is of the introduction of the Cardiology NUF; and what estimates have been made of future cost implications. [80953]

  Ms Blears
  The national service framework for coronary heart disease is a programme for improving services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

  The Department does not collect figures on the cost of national health service services, which enables an accurate global figure for the cost of tackling a particular disease to be calculated. The great majority of spending on services for coronary heart disease is contained within primary care trust unified allocations. It is for primary care trusts, in partnership with NHS trusts and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

  Dentists
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of the population in the Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust area is registered with dentists in the national health service; [80802]

  (2) what dental facilities are available within the national health service in the Gosport area; [80800]

  (3) how many patients can be given dental care at the national health service treatment centre in Fareham; [80803]

  (4) how many dentists are accepting new adult patients within the national health service in the Borough of Gosport. [80801]
  237W
  Ms Blears
  Approximately 40 per cent. of the population in the Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT) area were registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist at 30 September 2002. This percentage will exclude patients who have not been to their GDS dentists within the past 15 months, as registrations last for 15 months after the end of the month of attendance, and patients who receive dental treatment from other national health service dental services.

  Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority has advised me that NHS services available within the borough of Gosport include:
  Nine practices, with a total of 20 dentists.
  Two surgeries (Rowner and Gosport), with three dentists working between them, serving people with special needs, including those patients needing mental health services, and children with high caries (high decay).
  Community facilities.

  It is not possible to quantify the annual activity of the Fareham NHS Treatment Centre. However, the treatment centre can treat 40 patients per day. The centre does not deal with routine dental treatment. Patients attend the centre for emergency treatment or, if they are in the process of having a course of treatments, they would attend the centre specifically for that treatment.

  The Strategic Health Authority has advised me that currently no NHS dentists within Gosport are accepting new adult patients. Patients wishing to register with a CDS dentist can obtain details of dentists accepting new patients by contacting NHS Direct.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the payment to dentists under the national health service relates to the time involved and costs incurred by the dentist. [80730]

  Mr. Lammy
  Dentists' fees are set out in the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) which was set in consultation with the profession. The SDR was designed to deliver, after expenses, a target annual net income (TANI) for dental practitioners with an average commitment to the national health service. The TANI was reviewed annually by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body on Remuneration (DDRB) who made recommendations on any increase as appropriate.

  Since 1994, based on evidence submitted by the Government and the profession including evidence submitted jointly on practice expenses, the DDRB have made pay recommendations based on percentage increases to the gross fees to cover both income and expenses rather than setting a TANI. Since 1999 the Government have accepted the Review Body's recommendations without staging. The current average net income of dental practitioners is considered to be in line with comparable professions.

  Discussions with representatives of the dental profession take place regularly, where joint work is undertaken to review any particular fee items that appear to have fallen out of line with current practices.

  Fertility Rates
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department makes a regular assessment of the fertility rate of young males. [81050]

  Ms Blears
  The Department does not make a regular assessment of the fertility rate of young males.

  The Department of Health, with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Health and Safety Executive and the European Chemical Industry Council, is funding a programme of four epidemiological studies to investigate trends in male reproductive health, and the possible influences of occupational, environmental or other exposure to chemicals. Two of these studies will provide extensive information on semen quality in men in the United Kingdom. We expect the programme of studies to be completed by the end of this year and the results of the research will be published in due course.

  Health Professions Council
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the proposed fee increases for the Health Professions Council; and if he will make a statement. [82106]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have received a number of items of correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members concerning the Health Professions' Council's proposed fee level.

  The principle of United Kingdom healthcare regulation is based on the concept of independent self-regulation and it is for the HPC to determine the appropriate fee to be charged for registration taking account of the functions it is required to undertake and the views of those consulted. When considering whether to approve the proposed fees, the Privy Council will take account of these relevant issues.

  HFEA Report
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the annual report of the HFEA for 2002 will be published. [80693]

  Ms Blears
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority intends to publish its 2002 annual report in early December.

  IVF/DI Data
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the IVF/DI data for 2002 will be available. [80694]

  Ms Blears
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is considering the content and date of publication of the data as part of its overall business plan for 2003–04.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Lyons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average hours of junior doctors were in 1997; and what they were at the latest date for which figures are available. [80143]
  239W
  Mr. Hutton
  Data on junior doctors' working hours is not collected in a way that enables an average to be calculated. Available data shows the proportion of junior doctors who work above or below set thresholds.

  Initial indications from monitoring carried out in September 2002 showed 86 per cent. working on average less than 56 hours a week, with at least 23 per cent, of these working less than 48 hours a week.

  This compares favourably with the monitoring carried out in March 1997 which indicated that only 78 per cent. of junior doctors were working on average less than 56 hours a week.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation his Department undertook before publishing the draft Mental Health Bill. [82703]

  Jacqui Smith
  The proposals in the draft Mental Health Bill have been the subject of a long process of consultation by the Government, starting with the Green Paper "Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983" published in November 1999. Since then there have been informal discussions with key stakeholders and letters have been received, for example following the publication of the White Paper "Reforming the Mental Health Act" published in December 2000.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has assessed the work of the Mental Health Institute. [81506]

  Jacqui Smith
  Although the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) is only in the first year of its establishment, there are plans in place and funds set aside to commission an evaluation of NIMHE's activities, in collaboration with the research & development Directorate at the Department. It is anticipated that the work will be commissioned in 2003.

  Mid-Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for in-patient treatment in the mid Essex hospital services national health service area. [82061]

  Mr. Lammy
  There were 9,703 patients waiting for inpatient treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services national health service trust at the end of September 2002.

  Source: KHO7 return.

  NHS Administration (Buckinghamshire)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff were employed to carry out the administration for NHS services for residents of(a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire in 1997; how many are employed now; and if he will make a statement; [81197]

  (2) what the total running costs of NHS organisations serving (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b)Buckinghamshire were in 1997; what the totals are now; and if he will make a statement. [81196]
  240W
  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 19 November 2002]: Information is not collected centrally, or by Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority, at constituency level.

  Information available centrally on the number of administrative staff in the former Buckinghamshire health authority area is shown in the table. 2001 is the most recent year for which information is currently available

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS) and general and personal medical services: Administrative staff within the Buckinghamshire health authority area as at 30 September each year

  Whole time equivalents

  1997

  2001

  All administrative staff

  2,120

  2,560

  Health and community health services

  1,560

  1,880

  General and personal medical services

  560

  690

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts.

  Sources:

  Department of Health non-medical workforce census.

  Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.

  A direct comparison of running costs for NHS organisations within the former Buckinghamshire health authority area, between 1997 and now, is not possible because of the considerable organisational change that has taken place in the intervening years.

  Allocations to the Buckinghamshire Health Authority in 1997–98 were £265,389,000 and in 2002–03, £493,959,000.

  NHS Bank
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress made in establishing the NHS Bank; and how much money it has lent. [82282]

  Mr. Milburn
  The NHS Bank has been operating in `shadow' form this year overseen by the Department's director of finance and investment and four strategic health authority chief executives. The future management arrangements are still under consideration.

  The shadow NHS Bank has made available a total of 100 million to three strategic health authority areas. Avon, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire, 45 million, Surrey and Sussex, 30 million, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, 25 million. The terms, conditions and amounts for individual health service bodies is still to be finalised by the strategic health authorities and are subject to delivery of agreed recovery plans

  North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust and its predecessor, Warrington Hospital NHS Trust, spent on public relations in each of the last five years. [82056]

  Jacqui Smith
  The table shows the public relations costs for North Cheshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust and its predecessor organisation in each of the last five years.
  241W

  Year

  Warrington hospital NHS trust £000

  Halton hospital NHS trust £000

  North Cheshire hospitals NHS trust £000

  1998–99

  21,580

  In house

  —

  1999–00

  22,010

  In house

  —

  2000–01

  24,344

  17,076

  —

  2001–02

  —

  —

  24,462

  2002–03

  —

  —

  29,100

  Nursing and Residential Care Charges
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the level of capital limits with respect to the cost of(a) nursing home care and (b) residential care. [82105]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department is currently consulting on proposals to increase the capital limits used in the financial assessment for residential accommodation, including care homes providing nursing care, to 12,000 and 19,500 with effect from 7 April 2003.

  Overseas Visitors Regulations
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what systems are in place to(a) identify and (b) collect payment from illegal immigrants and others who use the national health service and are subject to the charges to overseas visitors regulations 1989, as amended; [80955]

  (2) if he will set out the total amount collected by the NHS under the NHS charges to overseas visitors regulations in each of the last three years for which records exist; and if he will make a statement. [80956]

  Ms Blears
  The National Health Service is first and foremost for the benefit of people who live in the United Kingdom. A person who is not ordinarily resident in the UK but who requires NHS hospital treatment is subject to the provisions of the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended [in 1991 (SI No: 438), 1994 (SI No: 1535), 2000 (SI No: 602), 2000 (SI No: 909)].

  These regulations place a duty on NHS trusts to establish the residential status of all patients. Where an NHS trust identifies a person who is not ordinarily resident in the UK and is not otherwise exempt from charge then the regulations provide for the making and recovery of a charge by the trust for most types of hospital treatment.

  The amounts collected from NHS charged patients are not separately identifiable in trust accounts and are not collected centrally.

  Patient Prospectus Initiative
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Department in conjunction with the strategic health authorities are overseeing with regard to the delivery of the patient prospectus initiative. [80136]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department is working closely with strategic health authorities' communication functions to maintain a progress overview of distribution. While it is for individual primary care trusts to organise local 242W
  delivery arrangements, the Department is continuing to act in a facilitative role and to identify local support needs through StHAs.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department estimates has been spent by each primary care trust on the patient prospectus initiative. [80403]

  Mr. Lammy
  The responsibility for funding and compiling the prospectus leaflets was placed with primary care trusts (PCTs), who were encouraged to select the most appropriate and efficient local means of managing all aspects of prospectus production. The Department does not collect centrally the cost to each PCT of the patient prospectus initiative.

  Physiotherapy/Chiropody
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the action he has taken to protect titles for physiotherapists and chiropodists. [81572]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Health Professions Order provides a register which will be divided into parts in respect of which there will be designated titles

  Under transitional arrangements a person who has not previously been registered may qualify for registration on the basis of safe and effective practice for a specified period or by satisfying the Health Professions Council (HPC) that additional experience and training give him the requisite standard of proficiency to be registered. To benefit from the transitional arrangements a person must apply within two years of the opening of the relevant part of the register. The HPC expect to open the new register in April 2003. Once the register is open no one can use the designated title lawfully unless he is registered or benefits from transitional arrangements

  Poultry
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many samples of poultry, by category, had a water content of(a) 0–10 per cent., (b) 11–20 per cent., (c) 21–30 per cent, (d) 31–40 per cent., and (e) 41 per cent. and more in each of the last 10 years. [81584]

  Ms Blears
  The Food Standards Agency has undertaken two surveys investigating added water in poultry and poultry products. The survey reported in October 2000, in the Food Survey Information Sheet 8/00, focused on added water in whole chicken and chicken parts, including half, quarter, boneless and skinless breast, thigh, drumstick and wing, sold mainly in the retail sector. The second survey reported in December 2001, in the Food Survey Information Sheet 20/01, investigated added water, chicken content and hydrolysed protein in frozen chicken breast products supplied to the catering trade. Copies of the two survey information sheets have been place in the Library

  The water content found in the poultry samples analysed in the two surveys is summarised in Tables 1 and 2
  243W

  Table 1: Information Sheet No. 08/00 October 2000

  Poultry category Number of samples found with added water (percentage of those sampled)

  Percentage water content of chicken

  Whole chicken1

  Boneless and skinless chicken breast2

  Chicken thigh3

  No added water

  37 (49%)

  72 (72%)

  36 (88%)

  0–10

  25 (33%)

  416 (26%)

  55 (12%)

  11–20

  14 (18%)

  4 (4%)

  0

  21–30

  0

  1 (1%)

  0

  34–40

  0

  6 (6%)

  0

  41+

  0

  0

  0

  1 76 total samples

  2 99 total samples

  3 41 total samples

  4 9 (9 per cent.) of these breast samples had not more than 2 per cent. water

  5 All of the thigh samples had not more than 2 per cent. water

  Table 2: Information Sheet No. 20/01 December 2001

  Percentage water content in chicken

  Frozen, skinless chicken breasts products1 Number of samples found with added water (percentage of those sampled)

  No water added

  1(1%)

  0–10

  4 (6%)

  11–20

  8 (12%)

  21–30

  35 (51%)

  31–40

  16 (24%)

  41+

  4 (6%)

  1 68 total samples

  Prescribing
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on anticipatory prescribing following the observations made by the Commission for Health Improvement following publication of their report 'Portsmouth Healthcare NHS Trust at Gosport War Memorial Hospital'. [80113]

  Ms Blears
  The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) expressed serious concerns about anticipatory prescribing of medicines to older people on two wards in Gosport War Memorial hospital in 1998. During the course of its investigation in 2002, the CHI welcomed the introduction and adherence to policies regarding the administration, review and recording of medicines. Anticipatory prescribing was no longer evident on these wards

  The decision when and how much to prescribe is a matter for the clinical judgement of the doctor caring for the patient

  Pre-Payment Prescriptions
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the time taken to issue pre-payment certificates for NHS prescription charges is; and if he will make a statement. [80608]

  (2) when the issuing of pre-payment certificates for NHS prescription charges was centralised in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. [80609]

  (3) what estimate he has made of when the issuing of pre-payment certificates for prescription charges will meet the contract delivery target; and what that target is. [80610]
  244W
  (4) for what reason the telephone number for inquiries about slow processing of pre-payment certificates now centralised in Newcastle-upon-Tyne was not included in the information sent to existing users. [80611]

  (5) where the call centre that handles inquiries about delays in processing pre-payment certificates for prescription charges is physically based. [80612]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) became responsible for the issue of pre-payment certificates (PPCs) in respect of applications received on or after 1 October. Applications sent before 1 October should have been dealt with by health authorities and the PPA telephone number for inquiries should therefore have been irrelevant to people who applied for PPCs before that date. A number of health authorities did, however, send applications received before 1 October to the PPA. Rather than return them and thus add further to the time taken to issue certificates, the PPA decided that they would issue the certificates themselves

  The target for issuing pre-payment certificates ordered by telephone is 14 days and that target is being met. The target for issuing PPCs by post is 21 calendar days of the application being received (as shown on the application form) and that target is being met. On 19 November applications received by post on 1 November were being processed. Applications made by phone are generally being processed within seven days. These targets will be kept under review

  The call centre that handles telephone requests for PPCs and inquiries is based in Nottingham. A further inquiry line is based in Newcastle

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the financial cost of(a) retaining services at the Royal Hospital Haslar and (b) bringing such services together on the Queen Alexandra Hospital site in Cosham. [80729]

  Ms Blears
  A review of the private finance initiative scheme to develop the Queen Alexandra Hospital site was undertaken in July 2002. I am advised by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic health authority that the review clarified that the revenue consequences of the development of the Queen Alexandra Hospital site amounted to £44 million per annum.

  The strategic health authority has also advised me that the review also considered the "do minimum option", which included the assumption that the Royal Hospital Haslar was retained. The revenue consequences of this option amounted to £43.2 million per annum. However, the overall conclusion of the review was that this option, including the retention of Haslar, was no more financially advantageous than the preferred development of the Queen Alexandra Hospital site. Moreover, the "do minimum" option failed to deliver the strategic service changes and clinical benefits required.
  245W
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the development of a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at the Royal hospital Haslar. [80799]

  Ms Blears
  The first phase of the diagnosis and treatment centre at Royal hospital Haslar has been implemented and is progressing well. The second phase of the project is due for completion in December 2002 and at present, is on course to meet this target

  Sex Selection
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what factors underlay his recent decision to ask the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to consult on the subject of sex selection for non-medical reasons; [81751]

  (2) who the author is of the HFEA consultation document on sex selection; and who is responsible for assessing the results of the consultation. [81752]

  Ms Blears
  We asked the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to review the practice of sex selection to take account of new techniques developed since the HFEA's last review in 1993. The consultation document was produced by the HFEA, who will assess the responses to it and report to Ministers

  Sickness Statistics
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many working days in the NHS were(a) lost and (b) lost in each of the past 10 years due to sickness of less than three days' duration in each of the last 10 years. [80952]

  Mr. Hutton
  National data on sickness absence levels in the national health service has only been collected since 1999. Information on working days lost in the NHS due to sickness of less than three days duration is not held centrally, but may be available from individual NHS employers.

  The national sickness absence rate in 1999 was 4.96 per cent. which is equivalent to approximately 9.97 million working days. The sickness absence rate in 2000 was 4.68 per cent., which is equivalent to approximately 9.78 million working days. Sickness absence figures for 2001 are currently being analysed by the Department

  Social Services
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the cost to public funds of making non-residential social services free of charge for(a) people aged over 65 and (b) people in receipt of disability living allowance. [80455]

  Jacqui Smith
  In 1999–2000, total charge income for non-residential social services in England was £303 million. Of this, £232 million was in respect of services for people aged 65 or over

  No comprehensive estimate is available for charges paid by people receiving disability living allowance

  Warrington PCT
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of (a) the production and (b) the distribution of the leaflet entitled 'Your Guide to Local Health Services' recently distributed by Warrington PCT. [82055]

  Jacqui Smith
  The table shows production and distribution costs incurred by Warrington Primary Care Trust to issue the leaflet 'Your Guide to Local Health Services' to the population of Warrington. In order to keep costs to a minimum, distribution was made via free local newspapers

  Costs £

  Number of copies

  Cost per leaflet

  Production

  5,768

  94,000

  6p

  Distribution

  1,204

  —

  —

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Air and Pellet Guns
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to launch an inquiry into the misuse of air and pellet guns; [80135]

  (2) what plans he has to further restrict the sale of pellet and air guns. [80134]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We have been looking at a number of options for dealing with the problem of air weapon misuse, and will bring forward proposals in due course.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions in each of the last five years cyclists have been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit; [80397]

  (2) how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years of cyclists for (a) cycling the wrong way down one-way streets, (b) riding on pavements, (c) cycling through traffic lights at red, (d) using footpaths designated for pedestrians and (e) failing to carry cycle lights at night. [80398]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The available information is contained in the table. This relates to neglect of traffic directions (which will include cycling the wrong way down one-way streets), riding on footpath (which will include riding on pavements and using footpaths designated for pedestrians), failing to obey signal (which will include cycling through traffic lights at red), lighting and reflector offences (which will include failing to carry cycle lights at night) and other offences (which will include any offences of exceeding the speed limit)

  Information for 2001 will be published in December.
  247W

  Persons1 proceeded against at magistrates' courts for various offences connected with pedal cycles, England and Wales 1996 to 2000

  Office Description

  Principal statute

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  20002

  Neglect of traffic directions

  Road Traffic Act 1988 Secs 35 and 36

  181

  92

  121

  63

  52

  Riding on footpath

  Highways Act, 1835 Sec 72; (as amended by Local Government Act 1888 S.85(l), the Statute Law Revision (No. 2) Act 1888, Highways Act 1959 Sch, Criminal Justice Act 1967, 3rd Sch. and Criminal Justice Act 1982, ss 39 and 46 and Sch. 3); Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, Sec.54(7) and Byelaws.

  423

  648

  1,055

  376

  223

  Failing to obey signal

  Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Sec. 28(3)

  24

  43

  19

  45

  6

  Lighting and reflector offences

  Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec. 81 and RVL Regs. 1989

  382

  412

  624

  459

  275

  Certain other offences

  Various

  16

  7

  16

  25

  15

  Notes:

  1 Principal offence basis.

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

  Deer Hunting Study
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds the Home Office Project Licence to the Joint Universities Study on Deer Hunting was refused. [80821]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  We have been unable on available information to identify a Joint Universities project licence application of the type described. A similar application was, however, made in 1998 from another source. It was made under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and was for a project licence to conduct a study concerned with deer hunting

  It is not policy to disclose details of individual applications, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the application was refused because it was not considered to meet the cost/benefit criteria set out in section 5(4) of the 1986 Act. In other words, the adverse effects on the animals to be used were deemed to outweigh the likely benefit to accrue from the specified programme of work.

  Heroin
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the annual consumption of heroin was in each year since 1992; [81000]

  (2) how many people have been convicted of dealing in heroin in each year since 1992. [80999]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Although there is no robust estimate of the consumption of heroin, data are collected on the number of heroin seizures made in the United Kingdom, and these are shown for each year from 1992 to 2000 in Table 1.

  Table 1. Number of heroin seizures made in the UK 1992–2000.

  Number of heroin seizures

  1992

  2,968

  1993

  3,678

  1994

  4,483

  1995

  6,479

  1996

  9,834

  1997

  12,508

  1998

  15,192

  1999

  15,519

  2000

  16,295

  Table 2 shows the number of persons found guilty of dealing heroin in Great Britain between 1992 and 2000
  248W

  Table 2. persons found guilty of dealing in heroin in Great Britain, 1992–20001

  Number of persons2

  1992

  472

  1993

  706

  1994

  764

  1995

  942

  1996

  1,296

  1997

  2,060

  1998

  2,727

  1999

  3,248

  2000

  3,3343

  1 The term 'dealing' is taken to cover the following drug offences: possession with intent to supply unlawfully, unlawful supply, and unlawful import/export.

  2 As the same person may be found guilty of or cautioned for more than one offence, rows cannot be added together to produce totals.

  3 Import/Export data not available for 2000.

  Source:

  Home Office Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom, 2000–Supplementary Tables

  The Home Office Statistical Bulletin is available on the RDS website http:www.homeoffice.gov.uk.rds.pdfs2.hosb402.pdf, and copies are available in the Library.

  Road Traffic Penalties
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the results of the consultation on road traffic penalties. [81095]

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  [holding answer 18 November 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Tom Harris) on 24 July 2002, Official Report, column 1450W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Burma (Refugees)
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much humanitarian assistance her Department provides for refugees in Burma. [80564]

  Clare Short
  The situation for internally displaced people/refugees in Burma remains extremely vulnerable. Many of these people have taken refuge in remote,
  249W
  inaccessible and politically sensitive areas, making it difficult to conduct any detailed humanitarian assessment of their situation. This financial year 2002–03, we have committed humanitarian assistance amounting to £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

  Magistrates Courts (Greater Manchester)
  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the UK Government and other key donors are taking to address the shortfall in funding to the Afghan Government for promoting Afghanistan's recovery. [78215]

  Clare Short
  The international donor community has now disbursed $1.3 billion of the $1.8 billion pledge for 2002; of this, a total of $200 million has been paid into the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, which is used by the Afghanistan Transitional Administration to meet recurrent costs and finance the most pressing of reconstruction requirements. Recent payments into the fund mean that the ATA now faces a far smaller potential budget deficit this financial year than was originally feared but my Department is continuing to work closely with other donors to help ensure budget requirements are fully met. In addition, I recently approved a contribution of $20 million in support of Afghanistan's arrears clearance with the major international financial institutions, and am confident this will enable the Asia development bank and world bank to finance the implementation of substantial reconstruction initiatives in the near future

  Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the UK Government and other donor countries are taking to address the shortfall in funds to the WFP and UNHCR in Afghanistan. [78216]

  Clare Short
  We understand that UNHCR and WFP programmes for 2002 for Afghanistan have been well-resourced so far (to the order of 90 per cent. and 75 per cent. respectively). So far in the current financial year, the UK has contributed 4 million and 2.2 million respectively to UNHCR and WFP programmes.

  Overall needs for emergency support are being revised in light of the increasing number of returned refugees and in anticipation of the coming winter. A consolidated appeal is due to be launched at the Afghan Support Group meeting in December, in Oslo. The basic emergency needs will come under the human capital pillar of the National Development Framework, for which the Afghan Government has determined it will allocate 45 per cent of all external funds received

  We have now committed 65 million to Afghanistan for the current financial year (the original allocation was 40 million). We will consider future support in light of the Transitional Assistance Programme for Afghanistan and the priorities set out in the National Development Framework, in consultation with the Afghan authorities.

  Malawi
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the assistance given by her Department to increase the provision of clean water to the people of Malawi. [82688]

  Clare Short
  My Department operates the largest bilateral donor programme in Malawi (70 million in 2002–03). Our focus is on health, education, governance and sustainable livelihoods. We have no involvement in the water sector

  Ministerial salaries
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the annual cost was of Ministerial salaries in her Department in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02. [60943]

  Clare Short
  The levels of Ministerial salaries are recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body. From May 1997, in this Department there was one Cabinet Minister at an annual salary of £43,991 and one Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at an annual salary of £23, 623. From June 2001, for the same two posts, the respective salaries were £68,157 and £26,835

  Overseas Development Assistance
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to other international donors regarding the untying of overseas development assistance. [80948]

  Clare Short
  The international community has this year untied financial aid to the least-developed countries. We welcome this, but we want other donors to follow the UK example and untie all development assistance for all countries. As the largest block of development finance, Europe should give a lead. The Commission have tabled proposals for further untying which I welcomed at this week's Council meeting. We want to see a clear timetable for future progress

  Pharmaceutical Sales
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to increase world pharmaceutical sales(a) to the developing countries and (b) to Africa. [80557]

  Clare Short
  The Government are working to bring about increased supplies of essential medicines to developing countries, in a way which is sustainable and predictable and ensures they reach the poorest

  The Government will shortly be launching the report of the UK's high level working group on access to medicines. The report is a result of a year's collaboration between representatives of UK industry, WHO, WTO, The European Commission, a developing country and international foundations. It outlines an approach intended to facilitate voluntary differential pricing of essential medicines for the poorest developing countries-and all of sub-Saharan Africa-as the international operational norm. The UK is committed to working with others to take the report's recommendations forward as a matter of urgency. The

  251W
  report complements ongoing work in the context the Doha Ministerial Declaration on TRIPS and public health, and it also emphasises the importance of sustainable financing and reliable health and supply systems. The UK has already pledged $200 million over five years to the Global Fund to Fight TB, AIDS and Malaria (GFATM), and has committed over £1 billion since 1997 to strengthen developing countries' health systems. The Government have also introduced tax incentives to encourage longer-term development of new medicines to treat AIDS, TB and malaria in developing countries.

  Staff Costs
  Mr. Bercow (Buckingham)
  Asked the Secretary of State for International Development, how much and what proportion of the Departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if she will make a statement. [61027]

  Clare Short
  Spending on staff from DFID's Administration Costs was £41 million in 2001–2, which was 1.3 per cent. Of the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL). On the same basis, spending in 2002–3 is forecast to be around £45 million, or 1.3 per cent of DFID's DEL. We expect spending on staff to rise over the next Spending Review period but at a significantly slower rate than the Departmental Spending Limit

  Zimbabwe (Food Aid)
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her strategy is for delivering food to vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe when the Government of Zimbabwe obstructs food aid. [80574]

  Clare Short
  My Department has provided over £38 million in humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe since September 2001. This has included food assistance through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and through non-governmental organisations. There has been relatively little obstruction in these operations that cover more than half of the country's 57 districts and continue to expand.

  If obstruction does occur, we work closely in support of the United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator and the World Food Programme in engaging with the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the obstruction is dealt with and the distribution of food resumed as quickly as possible. For example, Save the Children UK has now obtained written clearances to resume its feeding programme in Binga.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Mr Peter Jewell
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when the Lord Chancellor intends to reply to the letter dated 3 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Peter Jewell. [81712]
  252W
  Yvette Cooper
  A reply was sent on 19 November 2002. My right hon. Friend wrote originally to the Home Secretary. The letter was then passed to the Lord Chancellor for reply in late October.

  Rape
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what steps the Lord Chancellor will take to ensure that the Court of Appeal adopts the recommendations of the Sentencing Advisory Panel in sentencing for offences or rape; [81930]

  (2)if the Lord Chancellor will monitor the implementation by the Court of Appeal of the recommendations of the Sentencing Advisory Panel in sentencing for offences of rape; [81928]

  (3)what discussions the Lord Chancellor has had with the Court of Appeal in connection with the implementation of the recommendations of the Sentencing Authority Panel on sentencing for offences of rape. [81929]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Lord Chancellor is grateful to the Sentencing Advisory Panel for publishing its advice to the Court of Appeal, which proposes a revision of the current sentencing guidelines for the offence of rape.

  The decision on whether or not to adopt this advice is for the Court of Appeal alone and is not a matter in which the Lord Chancellor can intervene.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  British Irish Joint Secretariat
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the total cost per annum of the British Irish Joint Secretariat, based at Windsor House in Belfast; and how the cost are allocated between the British and Irish Governments. [80676]

  Mr. Browne
  The expenditure of the British irish Intergovernmental Secretariat is met by the two Governments. The total cost to the British Government in 2001–02 was £554,000.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff are employed by the British Irish Joint Secretariat at Windsor House in Belfast; and what proportion of these staff members are appointed by the(a) British and (b) Irish Governments. [80677]

  Mr. Browne
  The British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat comprises 25 members of staff, 12 employed by the Northern Irleland Office and 13 employed by the Irish Government.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what are the main functions of the British Irish Joint Secretariat based at Windsor House in Belfast. [80678]

  Mr. Browne
  The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference and the Secretariat were established by the British-Irish Agreement, which took effect on Thursday 2 December 1999. the role of the Secretariat is to support the Conference. As such it provides a formal
  253W
  channel of communication to promote bilateral co-operation between the two governments on non-devolved Northern Ireland matters. [80678]

  Congestion Charging
  Mr. Christopher Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy is of his Department in relation to the reimbursement of Central London road user charges incurred by its employees. [81841]

  Jane Kennedy
  It is general departmental travel planning policy that staff should not use cars to commute to and from work. However, staff on official business who are required to drive their own vehicles, or hire vehicles, within the charging zone will be reimbursed.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost is to his Department of the Central London Road User Charging Scheme for(a) 17 February 2003 to 31 March 2003, and (b) 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. [81880]

  Jane Kennedy
  All civil servants are responsible for payment of their own everyday home to office travel costs. The introduction of a Central London user charge will not affect this basic condition of service.

  Any additional costs to the Department as a result of the congestion charging scheme will be just one element within wider costs which have to be met from budgets for official travelling and other costs.

  Electoral Identity Cards
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the percentage take-up among electors of the new electoral identity cards. [81574]

  Mr. Browne
  A question was included in this year's Annual Canvass registration form which asked electors if they would need an electoral identity card. Once the Annual Canvass is complete on 29 November and the new Electoral Register is published, the Chief Electoral Officer will be able to target his efforts and resources to those people who have indicated that they need the card. As of 16 November 220,000 (18 per cent. of the 1.2 million Northern Ireland electorate) had done so.

  The Government is committed to providing those people who require one with an electoral identity card in time for the Assembly election on 1 May 2003. This also remains the target for the removal of all forms of non-photographic ID from the list of specified documents acceptable as proof of identity at the polling station.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he collates on the average price of petrol paid by motorists in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; when he last discussed fuel prices with major companies
  254W
  supplying petrol to Northern Ireland retail outlets; and if he will make representations to reduce the price paid by Northern Ireland motorists at petrol stations. [80807]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Department of Trade and Industry obtains, on a weekly basis from petroleum suppliers, the average UK price charged for petrol on the forecourts. DTI provides this information to the European Commission. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment does not collate separate information.

  I have not currently had discussions with major companies supplying petrol to Northern Ireland retailers. The level of pricing is a commercial decision taken by the companies in the petrol supply industry. Unless there is evidence of "price fixing" Government cannot intervene in those commercial decisions.

  Prison Officer
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prison officers have been informed they are on the intelligence list stolen by SF/IRH, how many have been accepted on to the S.P.E.D. scheme for alternative housing; and what the total amount offered to those who choose to stay in their homes for installing additional security measures has been. [80824]

  Jane Kennedy
  Of the 1,426 names of Northern Ireland Prison Service Staff on the PSNI list, the vast majority have been informed either orally or in writing, efforts to inform others are continuing daily.

  To date 40 prison staff have applied to be accepted onto the SPED scheme. This is operated by the NI Housing Executive and so far no decisions have been confirmed.

  Officers who decide to remain in their current homes are individually assessed regarding their security needs. As this matter is ongoing the cost of the work involved is not available.

PRIME MINISTER

  Downing Street Air Conditioning
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Prime Minister what coolant is used in the air conditioning recently installed in Downing Street. [81776]

  The Prime Minister
  All coolants in the air conditioning units in Downing Street comply with the UK Climate Change Programme and all relevant European Standards on the use of HFCs and safety in the workplace.

  Gifts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister what rules govern the retention of gifts given to members of the Royal Family when they are undertaking official tours [80816]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for the Palace. However I understand that the Palace issues internal guidance on gifts.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Firefighters' Dispute
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Solicitor General what discussions she has had with the Attorney-General, the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister about the legal aspects of the fire dispute and the implications of trade union legislation when there is a risk to life [81661]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The Law Officers are concerned with the legal aspects of the fire dispute in three ways. We are responsible to Parliament for the Crown Prosecution Service, which is responsible for considering whether to bring prosecutions where hoax calls have been made. We are also legal advisers to the Government. There is a long-standing convention, followed by successive Governments and reflected in the Ministerial Code, that both the content of legal advice to the Government and the fact that it has been given remains confidential. Thirdly, the Attorney General has the power to apply, when he thinks it appropriate, to the High Court for an injunction to prevent breach of the criminal law, including offences under trade union legislation. In making such decisions he acts as guardian of the public interest.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bilateral Trade
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the total level of bilateral trade was with each EU applicant country in the last 12 months; [82352]

  (2) what the level of bi-lateral trade with each of the EU applicant countries was in the last 12 months. [81652]

  Ms Hewitt
  According to information published by HM Customs and Excise, the value of UK trade in goods with the EU applicant countries, for the 12-month period ended August 2002, was as follows:

  £million

  UK imports

  UK exports

  Malta

  168.9

  232.7

  Estonia

  320.7

  101.8

  Latvia

  433.3

  76.4

  Lithuania

  249.9

  151.3

  Poland

  1,235.6

  1,331.3

  Czech Republic

  1,247.6

  1,081.9

  Slovakia

  200.6

  201.3

  Hungary

  798.3

  715.5

  Slovenia

  165.5

  169.4

  Cyprus

  237.6

  276.7

  Romania

  494.5

  394.4

  Bulgaria

  113.1

  133.8

  Bilateral Trade

    BNFL
    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to 256W
    seek a reduction in the movements of (a) high-level and (b) intermediate-level radioactive material by BNFL. [80861]

    Mr. Wilson
    [holding answer 20 November 2002]: The number of movements of radioactive material undertaken by BNFL is dependent on operational requirements and is a matter for BNFL. I have no reason to believe that BNFL or any other relevant operator would undertake unnecessary movements of radioactive material The transport of radioactive material in the UK is subject to stringent regulatory requirements in respect of safety and security.

    Business Link
    Mr. Prisk
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost is of the Business Link advertisement campaign broken down by(a) newspapers, (b) radio and television. [80482]

    Nigel Griffiths
    The current advertising campaign was launched in September 2002. The costs associated with the campaign to date are:

    £

    (a) Newspapers

    (b) Radio

    (c) Television

    Media

    549,978

    489,255

    2,139,063

    Production 1

    62,980

    44,202

    239,275

    1Excludes COI fees and VAT

    Phase 2 of the campaign is due to run in the new year with advertising planned to run on TV, radio, press and online.

    Car Parking
    Mr. Chope
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many car parking spaces are available to(a) employees of her Department and (b) visitors to her Department within the proposed Central London Road User Charging Zone. [81866]

    Ms Hewitt
    [holding answer 19 November 2002]: Within the proposed central London charging zone there are:

    103 car parking spaces available to employees of the Department, and

    12 car parking spaces available to visitors to the Department.

    Congestion Charging
    Mr. Chope
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the policy is of her Department in relation to the reimbursement of Central London road user charges incurred by its employees. [81846]

    Ms Hewitt
    [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The DTI policy in relation to reimbursement of central London road user charges incurred by its employees is to reimburse the costs only if necessarily incurred on essential departmental business.

    Mr. Chope
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost is to her Department of the Central London Road User Charging Scheme for(a) 17 February 2003 to 31 March 2003, and (b) 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. [81885]
    257W
    Ms Hewitt
    [holding answer 19 November 2002]: The DTI does not maintain central records of the number of staff who make essential business journeys into the area covered by the central London congestion charging zone. To obtain data on which to produce a meaningful estimate for the information requested would entail disproportionate cost.

    Debt Swapping
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her policy towards debt swapping and the rainforest. [81243]

    Ms Hewitt
    Under ECGD's Debt Conversion Scheme, a percentage of a country's rescheduled debt stock (usually 10 or 20 per cent.) can be swapped for 'certain' projects. When evaluating such requests, ECGD will consider the potential contribution of any project towards the social, economic and environmental development of the country. ECGD is willing to consider projects involving rainforest protection. Any project must be jointly approved by the debtor Government and ECGD and comply with ECGD's Business Principles.

    The Debt Conversion Scheme does not affect debt relief for HIPCs (Highly Indebted Poor Countries), for whom the UK Government have pledged to write-off 100 per cent. of their UK debt. Debt write-offs for HIPCs are contingent on country commitment to a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper process.

    Employment Agencies
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is on the responsibility of employment agencies to interview and assess those responding to job advertisements, where the advertisement is published(a) in a newspaper and (b) on the internet; and if she will make a statement. [82021]

    Alan Johnson
    Under the legislation covering the private recruitment industry, employment agencies and employment businesses, who have placed job vacancy advertisements in either a newspaper or on the internet, before supplying or introducing a work-seeker to an employer, are required to make all such inquiries as are reasonably practicable to establish that the worker-seeker is suitable and has such qualifications as are required by law and that employment of that work-seeker by the employer would not breach any other duty or restriction imposed by law.

    It is in the best interests of all those involved in this sector to ensure that the legislation covering the private recruitment industry operates effectively and is relevant to the flexible labour market of today and of the future. On-line recruitment companies have proposed that the Employment Agency legislation should not apply to on-line job boards. I will consider the case for treating on-line job boards as a special case on its merits within the normal framework.

    India
    Keith Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she next plans to visit India. [82045]
    258W
    Ms Hewitt
    I plan to visit India early in the new year 2003.

    Industrial Tribunals
    Vernon Coaker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the time it takes for industrial tribunals to hear individual cases; and if she will make a statement. [82107]

    Alan Johnson
    In the financial year 2001–02, the Employment Tribunals heard 69 per cent. of individual cases within 26 weeks of receipt. In the current financial year, as at the end of October 2002, Employment Tribunals have heard 72 per cent. of individual cases within 26 weeks of receipt.

    This achievement is in the context of a 60 per cent. increase in applications over the three years to March 2001. At March 2002, the level of applications remained high in comparison to previous years.

    Parliamentary Answer
    Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Member for South Norfolk (Mr. Bacon) of 10 June if he will place details of the direction in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [80620]

    Ms Hewitt
    I have no plans to do so under Exemption 13 of the Open Government Code, on grounds of commercial confidentiality where disclosure would harm the competitive position of a third party.

    UK Solar Industry
    Mike Gapes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs have been created in the UK Solar PV industry since 1997; and if she will make a statement [81750]

    Mr. Wilson
    The DTI's 1996 Sectoral Competitiveness Analysis for PV estimated that there were a maximum of 350 people employed fulltime in the manufacture, supply, design, consultancy, and research areas. A subsequent review in 2001 concluded that though there had been some expansion and reduction of staff in individual organisations the overall figure had remained about the same.

    Since then, with the implementation of the £10 million Domestic and Large-Scale Field Trials, and the launch of the £20 million First Phase of the Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme this number has undoubtedly risen.

    Renewables UK is conducting a GAP analysis, which will include figures on employment. This will be published next year.

  TRANSPORT

    Minicabs
    Linda Perham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has undertaken into the links between illegal and unlicensed mini-cab touting and other crimes; and what the findings were. [80536]
    259W
    Mr. Jamieson
    The Department has not carried out any research into the links between taxi touting and other crimes. Taxi touting is a criminal offence and enforcement is a matter for local licensing authorities and the police.

    A249
    Mr. Wyatt
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about progress with the A249 Iwade to Queenborough improvement, with special reference to the(a) start date, (b) finish date and (c) Compulsory Purchase Order required. [82228]

    Mr. Jamieson
    I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

    Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Derek Wyatt, dated November 2002:

    I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent question about progress on the A249 Iwade Bypass to Queenborough Improvement scheme.

    This scheme is incorporated within the A249 Stockbury (M2) to Sheerness DBFO project which is currently out to tender, with a tender return date of 6 December. We expect to award the contract in November next year.

    The actual delivery programme for the improvement scheme will be determined by the successful DBFO Company. At this stage of the procurement process our assumed programme is as follows:

    Works commencement date-01 March 2004

    Road open to traffic-31 March 2006

    Completion of Works-01 July 2006

    It should be noted that whilst tenders are due to be submitted by 6 December, a significant period of negotiation is required between return of tenders and award of contract. The period between the date of award and the start date for the works allows for completion of detailed scheme design.

    With regard to the Compulsory Purchase Orders for the scheme, these were made in June 2001 and will remain valid until June 2004. This period can be extended beyond 2004 provided that Notices to Treat are served prior to this date.

    Airport Staff (Security)
    Miss Anne McIntosh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what security checks are being undertaken on airport-related staff on recruitment of(a) baggage handlers, (b) dispatches, (c) security staff and (d) other airport workers. [80959]

    Mr. Jamieson
    Before being able to work airside, all persons, including baggage handlers and dispatchers, are required to have undergone a five year background check on their education, training and employment record, and to have have submitted proof of identity. UK legislation requires that those carrying out listed security activities at UK airports are also in possession of a government security clearance known as a Counter Terrorist Check. All others working airside are to be subject to a Criminal Record Check.

    Notwithstanding these checks, all baggage handlers, dispatchers and other airport workers are screened on each occasion before being able to enter the airport's Restricted Zone

    Airports
    Tom Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what cost benefit analysis has been conducted by his Department or is planned of the(a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental costs and benefits from (i) new airports and (ii) airport expansion, which (A) has taken place since 1997 and (B) is planned. [81410]

    Mr. Jamieson
    [holding answer 20 November 2002]: These issues have been covered extensively in the Government's recent airport studies. This included an assessment of the economic, social and environmental benefits and impacts of various airport development options, both at existing and new sites. The findings are set out in "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom" consultation documents.

    Modal Shifts
    Tom Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what(a) discussions his Department has had or plans to have and (b) representations have been received by his Department with regard to the past and potential future role of improvements to public transport access at United Kingdom airports upon (i) past increases and future total passenger and freight numbers and (ii) past and future (A) economic, (B) environment and (C) social impacts; [81415]

    (2)what research has been conducted by his Department or is planned on the potential impact of high speed rail links on the modal shift of (a) internal and (b) international air passengers and freight away from air; what incentives have been provided or actions have been taken or are planned to encourage such a modal shift; [81400]

    (3)what assessment and research has been made by his Department or is planned of the past and potential future impact of improvements to public transport access at United Kingdom airports upon (a) past increases and future total passenger and freight numbers and (b) past and future (i) economic, (ii) environment and (iii) social impacts; [81414]

    (4)what (a) discussions his Department has had or plans to have and (b) representations have been received by his Department with regard to the potential impact of high speed rail links on the modal shift of (i) internal and (ii) international air passengers and freight away from air; and if he will place copies of related documentation in the Library; [81401]

    (5)what research has been conducted by his Department or is planned on the causal processes and mechanisms responsible for (a) past and (b) potential future modal shifts between air transport and other modes of transport for (i) passengers and (ii) freight transport, distinguishing between (A) internal and (B) international flights. [81398]

    Mr. Jamieson
    [holding answer 20 November 2002]: The Department's policies aim to deliver safe, reliable and secure transport for everyone that respects the environment, encouraging modal shift where appropriate.
    261W
    The research which has been carried out into recent and future public transport improvements for access to United Kingdom airports and on rail-air mode shift has been extensive and is set out in the seven consultation documents "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom" published on 23 July and the background technical reports which support them. The latter include reports commissioned by the Strategic Rail Authority and the Commission for Integrated Transport on the potential for rail-air substitution and the different environmental effects of journeys made using different modes on key inter-regional journeys within the UK.

    The Strategic Rail Authority is also conducting a study into a potential North-South high speed line which will consider its likely impact on other modes, including air.

    The service quality improvements resulting from use of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link are expected to result in some transfer of international air passengers to Eurostar. However, the forecast of Eurostar demand does not allow the transfer from international air services to be separately identified. The report of this research was not published because of the subject's commercially sensitive nature.

    Buses
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent guidelines he has issued on the use of bus lanes by cars. [82082]

    Mr. Jamieson
    Local Transport Note 1/97, Keeping Buses Moving, was published in 1997. This includes advice on the use of bus lanes by other vehicles, including cars.

    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage occupancy is of the UK bus fleet on normal timetable services. [81020]

    Mr. Spellar
    The Department collects information on the number of bus passenger journeys in Great Britain, but does not have information on bus occupancy.

    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has(a) been conducted and (b) is planned by his Department on the effects of marketing upon bus usage. [81733]

    Mr. Jamieson
    No research has been commissioned specifically on the effects of marketing on bus usage. However, we have obtained relevant information from research into quality bus partnerships and from surveys on satisfaction with the quality of local bus services.

    Bus operators are well aware of the benefits of good marketing of services. Marketing includes a variety of activities such as branding, publicity, timetable information, fares and tickets. A task group established by the Bus Partnership Forum, which comprises industry, local and central government representatives, is examining a number of surveys conducted by Transport for London, local transport authorities and operating companies to evaluate the success of marketing initiatives on particular routes or networks.

    Camera Systems
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to permit camera systems to be used to aid enforcement against illegal turning movements by vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [80490]

    Mr. Jamieson
    If approved by Parliament, the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill will allow London authorities and Transport for London to enforce compliance with signs indicating banned turning movements using camera systems. Owners of vehicles not complying with signs would receive a penalty charge. The Government have no objection to such enforcement in principle and will follow its piloting in London with interest.

    Channel Tunnel Rail Link
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the channel tunnel rail link to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [82551]

    Mr. Jamieson
    Section 1 of the CTRL (channel tunnel to Fawkham Junction, north Kent) is now over 90 per cent. complete and on target for completion by the end of 2003. Section 2 of the CTRL (Kent to St. Pancras in London) is over 30 per cent. complete on target for opening in early 2007.

    Cycles
    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people in the United Kingdom own pedal cycles. [80394]

    Mr. Jamieson
    Information is not available about how many people in the United Kingdom own pedal cycles. However, from the National Travel Survey, the percentage of households in Great Britain owning bicycles in 1999–2001 was as follows:

    Bicycles

    Percentage of households

    1999–2001

    None

    58

    1

    17

    2

    13

    3

    6

    4

    3

    5 or more

    2

    Mr. Ben Chapman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate how many people used a pedal cycle at least once a week in each of the last five years. [80395]

    Mr. Jamieson
    The National Travel Survey for Great Britain has asked about the frequency of bicycle use
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    since 1998. The percentage of people who have said that they cycle at least once a week is as follows:

    1998: 14

    1999: 14

    2000: 15

    2001: 14

    Diesel Trains (Stopping Distances)
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the safe braking distance is for a diesel commuter train to stop from a speed of 70mph. [81246]

    Mr. Spellar
    The Health and Safety Executive have advised that, assuming a standard-load diesel commuter train, on a flat gradient with good rail/wheel adhesion conditions, approximately:

    816 metres using defensive driving brake application;

    544 metres using full service brake application; and

    408 metres using an emergency brake application.

    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the safe braking distance is of a 125 mph diesel train to stop from maximum speed. [81247]

    Mr. Spellar
    The Health and Safety Executive have advised that, assuming a standard-load diesel commuter train, on a flat gradient with good rail/wheel adhesion conditions, approximately:

    2,568 metres using defensive driving brake application;

    1,713 Metres using full service brake application; and

    1,283 Metres using with an emergency brake application.

    DVLA
    Clive Efford
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the accuracy of the information held by the DVLA. [80805]

    Mr. Jamieson
    DVLA carried out a postal survey in January 2001 to establish the overall accuracy of its records. The survey indicated that 92 per cent. of mail issued by the Agency was delivered to the correct vehicle keeper. Work is underway to improve further on these accuracy levels.

    Emissions
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what emissions of(a) carbon monoxide, (b) hydrocarbons, (c) oxides of nitrogen and (d) particulates are generated by (i) a four car new DMU train on a normal commuter service, (ii) a new bus on an urban test cycle, and (iii) an average new car on an urban test cycle. [81254]

    Mr. Spellar
    The emissions are shown in the following table. The data for road vehicles are from the 2001 National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. The data for rail are from a recent study carried out by NETCEN.

    g/vehicle km

    NOx

    PM

    CO

    HC

    4 car DMU train

    26.75

    0.85

    8.16

    2.51

    Urban bus

    6.748

    0.216

    1.625

    0.725

    Urban car

    0.190

    0.0058

    0.813

    0.046

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    The train emissions are for a Virgin Voyager Class 221 with one power car and three trailer cars. It should, however, be noted that the majority of commuting by train is in London and the south east, where the majority of trains are electric and so have zero local emissions. The car and bus data refer to Euro III standards (ie current standards for new vehicles) at an urban speed. The car emissions are averages, weighted by the proportion of petrol and diesel cars in the fleet. A full environmental comparison would need to incorporate occupancy figures but comparative data per passenger km are not available.

    Heathrow (Land Values)
    Tom Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department or is planned of the potential value of land at Heathrow for uses other than aviation; what other(a) social, (b) economic and (c) environmental assessment has taken place [81406]

    Mr. Jamieson
    [holding answer 20 November 2002]: As part of the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) analysis a wide ranging social, economic and environmental assessment of airport development options at Heathrow was undertaken. These are summarised in "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom—South East" consultation document. The analysis takes account of the costs of acquiring, at market value, the additional land which would be required. No assessment has been made, or is planned, of the potential value of the existing airport land at Heathrow for uses other than aviation.

    IT Security
    Brian White
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to review the security of the Department's IT system; and how many digital attacks there were on the Department's system in(a) October and (b) 2002. [80770]

    Mr. Jamieson
    The security of the Department's IT system is kept under constant review. Separate figures are not available for the number of digital attacks on the Department's IT system, as the Department shares with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister the IT network of their predecessor (the Department for Transport, Local Government, and the Regions). For that IT network, the number of digital attacks detected was(a) 18 in October and (b) 266 in 2002 up to the end of October.

    London Traffic
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people enter London by(a) the M1 and (b) the Great Northern railway between 8 am and 9 am on a working weekday morning. [81252]

    Mr. Spellar
    The average number of vehicles entering London by the Ml between 8 am and 9 am on a week day morning is 4,240. The Highways Agency does not have details of the number of occupants in these vehicles.
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    The Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) brings into London Kings Cross on average 2,800 people in the hour 8 am. to 9 am. on a normal working weekday. This figure may fluctuate a little as commuters do not always travel on the same train.

    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people enter London by(a) the Great Western Railway and (b) the M4 between 8 am and 9 am on a working weekday morning. [81253]

    Mr. Spellar
    There are between 11,000 and 12,000 people entering London between 8 am and 9 am using trains which operate into London Paddington. The exact figure will vary a little from day to day as not all commuters use the same trains every day.

    The average number of vehicles entering London by the M4 between 8 am and 9 am on a weekday morning is 5,520. The Highways Agency does not have details of the number of occupants in these vehicles.

    Maritime and Coastguard Agency
    Mr. Collins
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his restructuring of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; and what further plans he has to restructure it. [81657]

    Mr. Jamieson
    The structure and management of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are matters for its chief executive, Maurice Storey. Mr. Storey is responsible for ensuring that the agency meets its targets effectively and efficiently. All chief executives must keep organisational structures under review to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.

    Merchant Navy
    Miss McIntosh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage recruitment of(a) British officers and (b) cadets in the Merchant Navy. [80958]

    Mr. Jamieson
    In December 1998 this Government's introduction of a tonnage based corporation tax for UK tax resident shipping companies requires applicant companies to satisfy a minimum training obligation and recruit and train one British Cadet for every 15 officers. We estimate the number of cadets undergoing training for the year, as of October 2002, to be in the order of 650. The total cumulative training commitment for the training year beginning October 2002 is 660. This is an encouraging and significant increase on previous years.

    Under the Support for Maritime Training Scheme the Government has made available 9.4million for merchant navy training for this financial year.

    The Government appreciates that the consequence of the tonnage tax has been an increased demand for cadets. We are therefore heartened and supportive of the industry led initiative to raise the profile of the maritime industry in the eyes of the general public. This major campaign, co-ordinated by the Chamber of Shipping, has the active support of over 70 maritime organisations including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and goes under the title of "Sea Vision UK". The campaign is gaining momentum and hopes to attract public attention at the London Boat Show in January 2003 and other events through the year.
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    Ministerial Cars
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars are(a) owned and (b) leased by the Department for the use of Ministers and employees. [81022]

    Mr. Spellar
    (a)(b)

    New Roads and Railways
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new road are under construction in London and the South-East under the supervision of the Highways Agency. [81256]

    Mr. Spellar
    The Highways Agency is supervising the construction of 35.2 miles of road in the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent. This includes the on-line widening of the A2/M2 road.

    Transport for London is responsible for roads in London.

    Norman Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent in each year from 1990 on the construction of(a) new roads and (b) new railway lines, excluding in both cases the refurbishment of existing capacity. [81576]

    Mr. Jamieson
    [holding answer 20 November 2002]: The information requested is shown in the table.

    Expenditure on the construction of new roads and rail lines

    £million1

    National roads

    Jubilee line extension

    1990–91

    1,270

    41

    1991–92

    1,277

    62

    1992–93

    1,309

    67

    1993–94

    1,345

    255

    1994–95

    1,218

    371

    1995–96

    1,125

    588

    1996–97

    1,007

    657

    1997–98

    875

    476

    1998–99

    714

    283

    1999–2000

    663

    655

    2000–01

    677

    0

    2001–02

    829

    0

    2002–03

    1,032

    0

    2003–04

    1,003

    0

    2004–05

    1,196

    0

    2005–06

    1,206

    0

    Total

    16,746

    3,455

    1Outturn prices

    Notes:

    Total expenditure on construction of the channel tunnel rail link to the end of 2000–01 was £1,343 million. An annual breakdown of this figure could be provided only at disproportionate cost. An additional £983 million was spent in 2001–02.

    The figures for national roads are not on a consistent basis over the whole period because of a change in the way that the information was classified from 1994–95 onwards. The figures from 2002–03 are for all work on national roads other than maintenance, although actual expenditure will depend on progress on specific schemes.

    The table excludes spending on the construction of new local roads because this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

    The JLE figure for 1999–2000 reflects an estimated accrual in London Transport's accounts for 1999–2000 to cover Jubilee line extension works in future years.
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    These figures exclude spending on the construction of light rail schemes.

    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of(a) new railway line and (b) new dual carriageway road he plans in (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05. [81027]

    Mr. Spellar
    The first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is expected to open by the end of 2003. This is 46 miles of new railway, the first major new railway line in over 100 years. Other proposals for enhancement to the network are set out in the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan, which it is required to update annually.18.2 miles of new dual carriageway trunk road are planned to be opened in the remainder of 2002–03, 64.9 miles of new dual carriageway trunk road are planned to be opened in 2003–04 and 7.9 miles of new dual carriageway trunk road are planned to be opened in 2004–05.

    Additional dual carriageway standard local authority roads are planned to be opened over these years; the timetable for their construction is in the hands of the relevant local authority.

    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of(a) new dual carriageway road and (b) new railway line have been constructed in the last two years. [81028]

    Mr. Spellar
    11.4 miles of new dual carriageway trunk and local road have been constructed in 2000 and 20.2 miles of new dual carriageway trunk and local road have been constructed in 2001 No new railway lines were constructed in 2000 or 2001.

    New Station (Wokingham)
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the project for a new station at Wokingham will begin on the ground. [81258]

    Mr. Spellar
    A Rail Passenger Partnership bid has been received, and is being evaluated by the Strategic Rail Authority, which will meet South West Trains soon to discuss the matter further.

    Paddington Station
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains an hour can enter Paddington from the west; and what his plans are for capacity for Paddington. [81249]

    Mr. Spellar
    There are approximately 28 trains per hour entering London Paddington station at peak times. The Strategic Rail Authority has invited comments on a consultation paper on its capacity utilisation policy. In order to make the best use of existing capacity at Paddington, the Authority intends to create a new Greater Western franchise out of the existing First Great Western, Wessex and Thames franchises.

    Rail Projects
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those projects from the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan launched in January 268W
    which have been (a) amended, (b) dropped and (c) added subsequently; and what the (i) timing and (ii) total cost of each project was. [81739]

    Mr. Jamieson
    The SRA is required to update its Strategic Plan annually. We expect a revised version to be published in early 2003.

    Road Schemes
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those major road schemes in the local transport settlements for 1999 to 2001 which were(a) provisionally approved and (b) considered 'work in progress', and which have been subsequently (i) approved, (ii) 'provisionally approved' and where there is work still in progress. [81746]

    Mr. Jamieson
    The following are the current classifications for schemes which were "provisionally approved" by Ministers in the local transport settlements between 1999 and 2001. Those marked with an * were originally classified as "work in progress" in a previous settlement.

    (i)Approved

    The following five schemes are open to traffic:

    Ashby Bypass Stage 2 (Leicestershire)

    A131 Great Leighs Bypass (Essex)

    Manchester/Salford Inner Relief Road (Regent Road/Gore Street) (Manchester/Salford)

    Broome and Ellingham Bypass (Norfolk)

    A6002/A6007 Coventry Lane Improvement (Nottinghamshire)

    A689 Sedgefield to Wynyard Improvement (Durham)

    Semington to Melksham Improvement (Wiltshire)

    Biddulph Inner Bypass (Staffordshire)*

    Bridgwater Northern Distributor (Somerset)

    Burntwood Bypass (Staffordshire)

    Baldock Bypass (Hertfordshire)

    Coalfields Link Road Phases 2 and 3 (Barnsley)

    Scarborough Integrated Transport Scheme (North Yorkshire)

    A53 Hodnet Bypass (Shropshire)

    South Stockton Link (Stockton-on-Tees)

    A6023 Denarby Main Diversion (Doncaster)

    Still Provisionally Approved

    A617 Mansfield Ashfield Regeneration Route (Nottinghamshire)

    A507 Ridgmont Bypass and Woburn Link (Bedfordshire)

    Bedford Western Bypass (Bedfordshire)

    Stowmarket B1115 Relief Road (Suffolk)

    A142 Fordham Bypass (Cambridgeshire)

    A4146 Stoke Hammond and Linslade W. Bypass (Buckinghamshire)

    Nar Ouse Regeneration Project (Norfolk)

    South Lowestoft Relief Road (Suffolk)*

    W. Thurrock Regeneration Ring Road (Thurrock)

    A1073 Spalding to Eye Improvement (Lincolnshire/Peterborough)

    A607 Rearsby Bypass (Leicestershire/Leicester City)

    Earl Shilton Bypass (Leicestershire)

    A158/C541 Coastal Access Improvement (Lincolnshire)

    Southern Radial Route (Sunderland)

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    Eastern Transport Corridor (Darlington)*

    A688 Wheatley Hill to Bowburn Link (Durham)

    A167 Chilton Bypass (Durham)

    Scotswood Road Improvement (Tyne and Wear)

    Carlisle Northern Development Route (Cumbria)*

    Bridgefoot Environmental Enhancement (Warrington)

    Glossop Spur (Tameside)

    Hall Lane Area Improvement Scheme (Liverpool)*

    East Kent Access Phase 1 (Kent)

    Brunel Link and Harnham Relief Road (Wiltshire)

    Barnstaple Western Bypass (Devon)*

    NW Taunton Package (Somerset)

    A39 Camelford Bypass (Cornwall)

    Weymouth Relief Road (Dorset)*

    Rugeley Bypass (Staffordshire)*

    Hanley Bentilee Link (Stoke-On-Trent)*

    Barford Bypass (Warwickshire)

    Cradley Heath Town Centre (Sandwell)

    Rugby Western Bypass (Warwickshire)

    Northfield Regeneration Route (Birmingham)

    Owen Street Relief Road (Sandwell)

    Inner Relief Road—Stages 2 and 3 (Sheffield)*

    Glasshoughton Coalfields Link Road (Wakefield)

    A631 W. Bawtry Road Improvement (Rotherham)*

    Hemsworth—A1 Link Road (Wakefield)

    A1198 Papworth Everard Bypass (Cambridgeshire)

    Markham Employment Growth Zone (Derbyshire)*

    East Corridor South (Luton)

    A612 Gedling ITP Scheme (Nottinghamshire)

    A34 Alderley Edge Bypass (Cheshire)*

    A228 Main Road to Ropers Lane (Phase 1) (Medway)*

    Bletchley Link (Milton Keynes)*

    Junction 11 M4 Improvement Proposals (Reading)

    Poole Bridge Regeneration Initiative (Poole)*

    Selly Oak Relief Road (Birmingham)*

    A628 Cudworth and West Green Bypass (Barnsley)*

    Oakham Bypass (Rutland)*

    A57(T) M1 Junction 31–Todwick Crossroads (Rotherham)

    Pegswood Bypass (Northumberland)

    A6096 Ilkeston Awsworth Link (Derbyshire)*

    Kiln Lane Link (Surrey)*

    In addition to the above schemes, the following schemes which were classified as "work In progress" by Ministers in the Transport Settlements between 1999 and 2001

    are:

    (i)Approved

    None

    (ii) Still Work In Progress (some have not been resubmitted in subsequent settlement rounds)

    Inner Relief Road (Leeds)

    Cadishead Way (Salford)

    Integrated Transport Scheme (Wigan)

    Roscommon Way Extension (Essex)

    Northern Gateway Stage 2 (North Tyneside)

    Central Route (Sunderland)

    A24 Horsham Capel Improvement (W.Sussex)

    Ashton Northern Bypass (Phase 2) (Tameside)

    A36 Codford-Heytesbury Improvement (Wiltshire)

    A350 Westbury Bypass (Wiltshire)

    270W

    M6 Heysham Link Road (Lancashire)

    Manchester Ship Canal Crossing (Warrington)

    Newhaven Port Access Road (East Sussex)

    E. Kent Access Phase 2 (Kent)

    A228 Ropers Lane to Grain (Phase 2) (Medway)

    A418 Wing Bypass (Buckinghamshire)

    A33 Interchanges (Reading)

    Wylye Valley Relief Road (Wiltshire)

    A4 Bath Road—Callington Road Link (Bristol)

    Westbury Bypass (Wiltshire)

    Town Centre Transport Package (Walsall)

    City Centre Link (Stoke-On-Trent)

    A244 Cross Thames Transport Corridor (Surrey)

    S. Humber Bank Link Road (Stage 2)

    (N.E. Lincolnshire)

    Birkenhead Town Link Diversion (Wirral)

    Great Yarmouth A47/A149 Link Road (Norfolk)

    N. Gateway Stage 3 (N. Tyneside)

    Tunstall N. Bypass (Stoke-on-Trent)

    School Transport
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has(a) been conducted and (b) is planned by his Department; and what research has been assessed by his Department on the steps needed to reduce the cost of starting up new home to school transport. [81732]

    Mr. Jamieson
    My Department has recently commissioned independent consultants to evaluate the American-style yellow school bus pilots which First is running and other innovative school bus schemes. The objectives of the evaluation include comparing the daily cost per capita to local authorities of running a First pilot vehicle to that of running a traditional school contract vehicle. The study is expected to report in August 2003 and we expect to issue a statement on the interim findings next month.

    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research(a) has been conducted and (b) is planned by his Department on the implications on (i) road safety, (ii) congestion and (iii) pollution of changes in home to school transport which (A) have taken place, and (B) could arise from additional improvements in home to school transport. [81736]

    Mr. Jamieson
    In March 2001 the then DTLR commissioned W. S. Atkins to assess what the effects would be of increasing the current provision of home-to-school transport. The study, which reported at the end of 2001, identified considerable interest in using home-to-school transport among households that were currently not entitled to free home to school transport. It concluded that relaxing the eligibility criteria would have a noticeable impact on car use. Copies of the report "Assessment of parental attitudes to and the potential take-up of additional home to school transport" are available in the Libraries of the House.

    My Department has recently commissioned independent consultants to evaluate the American style yellow school bus pilots that First are running. The objectives of the evaluation include assessing how successful the pilots have been in reducing the number of journeys to school by car, comparing the safety

    271W

    record of the First pilot vehicles with that of the vehicles traditionally used for school bus services and assessing their impact on other accident rates in the area. The study is expected to report in August 2003 and we expect to issue a statement on the interim findings next month.

    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State (1) for Transport what funding mechanisms are available directly from his Department to(a)local authorities and (b) other education bodies for improving school transport in order to (i) improve road safety, (ii) tackle congestion and (iii) tackle pollution; [81737]

    (2) what funding mechanisms have been available directly from his Department to (a) local authorities and (b) other education bodies for improving school transport in each year since 1992. [81738]

    Mr. Jamieson
    My Department does not provide specific funding for school transport. Responsibility for the provision of statutory home to school transport lies with the Department for Education and Skills.

    However, as part of their Local Transport Plan strategies, whose objectives must include the improvement of safety, the promotion of accessibility and the protection of the environment, local authorities in England can propose strategies to provide support for and improve school transport provision. They may also take advantage of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding route. An example of the latter is Surrey County Council's (Pegasus) School Bus Scheme for which my Department announced 16 million in PFI credits, which will be paid through supporting special grant, in December 2002.

    Local authorities are able to fund bus services that would not otherwise be provided from their Revenue Support Grant; in some cases these will be on routes that serve schools. They may also bid for funding for innovative road passenger transport schemes, which may include school transport services, under the Rural and Urban Bus Challenge schemes.

    Speed Limits
    Mr. Swayne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce speed limits in urban areas; and if he will make a statement. [80886]

    Mr. Jamieson
    Legislation is already in place that allows local authorities to introduce 20 mph zones and 20 mph speed limits. Traffic calmed 20 mph zones have been particularly successful as they ensure compliance with the speed limit thereby substantially reducing the risk of accidents.

    Dr. Murrison
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance exists for the erection of 30mph repeaters in lit streets. [80621]

    Mr. Jamieson
    None. The use of repeaters on 30mph lit roads (restricted roads) is strictly prohibited.

    Strategic Rail Authority
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to whom the(a) Chairman and Chief Executive of the Strategic Rail Authority, (b) Directors of the Strategic Rail Authority and (c) Organisation of the Strategic Rail Authority are accountable; what
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    actions are required in each case to report on their delivery and performance; what requirements are placed on each by his Department in terms of delivery and performance; and what actions his Department can take where delivery and performance targets are not being met. [81741]

    Mr. Jamieson
    The chair and members of the Strategic Rail Authority are appointed by Ministers and collectively responsible to the Secretary of State for the overall performance of the Authority.

    They are required to operate within the bounds of statute and in accordance with any directions and guidance from the Secretary of State issued under sections 206(3) and 207(5) of the Transport Act 2000. The authority must also comply with a statutory financial framework and its management statement. Copies of these documents are available in the House Library.

    The management of the authority, within this framework, is a matter for the chair, chief executive and members. The authority reports on its performance in its annual report, which is laid before the House in accordance with section 75 of the Railways Act 1993.

    Traffic Lights
    Mr. Redwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic lights in London have been replaced in the last two years. [81245]

    Mr. Spellar
    Traffic lights in London are the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). Further information can be obtained from:

    Jim Landles

    Assistant Director of Traffic Technology Services

    TfL Street Management

    Windsor House

    42–50 Victoria Street

    London SWIHOTL

  TREASURY

    Bankers (Northern Ireland) Act
    Rev. Martin Smyth
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what general or special licences have been issued under section 2 of the Bankers (Northern Ireland) Act 1928 in the past five years. [80721]

    Ruth Kelly
    [holding answer 18 November 2002]: None.

    Budget Projections
    Mr. Hoban
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons for the difference between the Budget projections of 2001–02 and the projection based on actual receipts in 2002–03 to 30 September 2002 for(a) income and capital gains taxes, (b) corporation tax and (c) stamp duties. [82284]

    Ruth Kelly
    Consistent with the Code for Fiscal Stability, an interim update of projections for tax receipts will be published in the forthcoming pre-Budget Report.
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    Company Cars
    Ms Atherton
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the use of fuel-efficient company cars following changes to the taxation of company cars introduced on 1 April; what steps have been taken to encourage employers to consult employees on company policy following the changes; and what evidence he has reviewed of the change in the number of vehicles of commercial vehicle status purchased by companies since 1 April. [81664]

    John Healey
    The Inland Revenue has begun an extensive evaluation programme to look at the effects of the company car tax reforms introduced in April this year. Results of the evaluation are not yet available.

    The changes have been widely publicised.

    Financial Services Authority
    Mr. Donaldson
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what action is being taken by the Financial Services Authority to address the problems caused by the collapse of the professional indemnity insurance market for independent financial advisers in the United Kingdom. [80675]

    Ruth Kelly
    This is a matter for the FSA. I understand that in a press statement on 29 October 2002, the FSA announced technical changes to its rulebook regarding professional indemnity insurance. The FSA has explained that it introduced these new, temporary measures to increase capacity in the market for professional indemnity insurance.

    Fire Service
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding funding sources for a possible increase in firefighters' pay. [81791]

    Ruth Kelly
    Deployment of the departmental expenditure limit (DEL) of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is a matter for the Deputy Prime Minister. The Treasury is in regular contact with the office on a range of financial issues.

    Firefighters' Dispute
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of a national firefighters' strike to the UK economy per day. [81790]

    Ruth Kelly
    Estimated costs to the UK economy of fires were set out in Home Office Research Study 229 (October 2001) entitled "The economic costs of fire". It is not possible to reliably estimate in advance the costs to the UK economy of a firefighters' strike given the number of factors involved, including the different capacity offered by emergency cover arrangements compared with the normal fire service.

    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much an(a) 11 per cent., and (b) 40 per cent., increase in firelighters' pay would cost HM Treasury over the next five years. [81789]
    274W
    Ruth Kelly
    Estimated spending on fire services (the Fire Standard Spending Assessment) is set out in the Government's White Paper: "2002 Spending Review: New Public Spending Plans 2003–2006", published in July 2002. Actual spending on fire services, including pay, is determined by fire authorities and will include an element derived from local taxation.

    London Underground
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with representatives of Amey concerning the delayed public-private partnership of London underground; and if he will make a statement. [81787]

    Ruth Kelly
    I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 February 2002,Official Report, columns 114W–15W.

    Military Action Costs (Middle East)
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made regarding the cost to HM Treasury of military action in the Middle East; and what discussions his Department has had with the Ministry of Defence about action as a result of the UN resolution against Iraq. [81802]

    Ruth Kelly
    Officials of HM Treasury and the Ministry of Defence routinely discuss potential contingencies. The cost of any UK contribution to military action would depend on a number of factors, including the scale of the UK contribution and the duration of military action. No decisions have, however, been taken to commit UK Armed Forces to new military action in the Middle East. Military action is neither imminent nor inevitable, and will not be necessary if Iraq chooses to comply fully with UNSCR1441.

    National Air Traffic Services
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of a national air traffic controllers' strike to the UK economy. [81806]

    Ruth Kelly
    No such assessment has been made.

    National Minimum Wage
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish the research his Department undertook before deciding on the level of the national minimum wage; [81805]

    (2) what recent representations he has received from (a) trade unions, (b) industry and (c) other interested parties regarding the level of the national minimum wage. [81803]

    Alan Johnson
    I have been asked to reply.

    When setting the level of the national minimum wage the Government take account of the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission. The commission has recently consulted widely as part of the process of preparing its fourth report on the minimum wage and industry, trade unions and other interested parties will have made representations to them, although we have received copies of these from only a

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    small number of respondents. The Government submitted their evidence to the commission earlier this month and a copy of this has been placed on my Department's website at www.dti.gov.uk. We expect the commission to present the fourth report to the Government in February 2003.

    Network Rail
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's interests in Network Rail, taking into account the UK accounting principles. [81809]

    Ruth Kelly
    The Government does not have an equity stake in Network Rail nor does it control the company's governing board. Government has made certain credit facilities available to the company. UK accounting principles includes both Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) used to prepare company accounts, and the European System of Accounts (ESA95) used by the Office for National Statistics for the compilation of economic statistics. Sir John Bourne (the Comptroller and Auditor General) and Len Cook (the National Statistician) made a joint statement on 24 October on how these accounting rules affect Network Rail. This is available on the ONS and NAO web sites.

    Office for National Statistics
    Matthew Taylor
    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the data series produced by National Statistics to which Ministers in his Department have had privileged access prior to publication since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [80413]

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

    Letter from Len Cook to Mr Taylor, dated 21 November 2002:

    As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning data series produced by National Statistics to which Ministers have had privileged access prior to publication since May 1997. (80413)

    Historical information is not held centrally. Treasury Ministers currently receive pre-release access to the following statistics released by the Office for National Statistics:

    2001 Census Statistics—first release

    Balance of Payments First Release

    Business Enterprise R&D

    Business Investment

    Consumer Prices Index

    Environmental Accounts in Blue Book

    Foreign Direct Investment

    GDP Preliminary First Release

    Government Debt Under Maastricht

    Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D

    Health Statistics Quarterly

    Index of Distribution

    Index of Production

    Investment by Insurance Companies

    Labour Market Statistics (UK and Regional)—First Release

    Life Expectancy [by sub-national geographies and socio-economic classifications] Low Pay Estimates

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    Motor Vehicles Production

    New Earnings Survey

    Outcome Income and Expenditure

    Overseas Travel and Tourism

    Pilot UK Health Accounts

    Population Trends

    Producer Prices Index

    Productivity

    national

    Profitability of UK Companies

    Public Sector Accounts

    Public Sector Finance

    Regional Accounts

    Quarterly National Accounts

    Retail Sales Index

    Social Trends

    The effect of taxes and benefits on household income

    UK Trade

    Pensions Dividend Tax
    Mr. Stephen O'Brien
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of Government policy on pensions dividend tax in relation to the value of stocks and shares listed on the(a) FTSE 100 share index and (b) FTSE 250 share index. [81783]

    Ruth Kelly
    The Government ended the payment of dividend tax credits to pension providers and other tax-exempt investors in order to encourage companies to retain more of their profits for investment and long-term growth. Over time, this measure will help to enhance the value of stocks and shares in listed companies.

    Public Finance Initiative
    Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the revised accounting treatment for PFI transactions will be recorded in the government accounts; and if he will make a statement. [80126]

    Ruth Kelly
    The government's policy when accounting for PFI contracts is to follow Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP). In particular, Application Note F to Financial Reporting Standard 5—Private Finance Initiatives and Similar Contract complemented by the Treasury Taskforce Technical Note No.1(Revised) How to Account for PFI Transactions.

    The guidance requires that PFI projects are recorded in accounts in the year the project becomes operational.

    Public Service Agreements
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce external auditing of PSAs; and if he will make a statement. [80588]

    Ruth Kelly
    The Government announced in its response to Lord Sharman's report on Audit and Accountability in Central Government that it has invited the Comptroller & Auditor General to take responsibility, under his existing powers, for the validation of systems used in reporting on PSA targets where measurement of performance depends upon data.
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    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish statistics this autumn to fulfil his pledge in the 2002 Budget to publish bi-annual reports of departmental progress against public service agreement targets. [80590]

    Ruth Kelly
    Updates of progress against public service agreement targets will shortly be published by departments in their autumn performance reports.

    Public-private Partnerships and PFI
    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether his Department is reviewing the use of the Private Finance Initiative and public-private partnerships; and if he will make a statement; [81812]

    (2) what plans he has to review the bidding process for public-private partnerships. [81785]

    Ruth Kelly
    The Government keep all aspects of procurement policy under review in order to ensure that high quality public services are delivered on the basis of value for money.

    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the off-balance-sheet borrowings funding projects on the Private Finance Initiative and public private-partnerships are(a) fully guaranteed and (b) effectively guaranteed. [81813]

    Ruth Kelly
    A full guarantee is in place in relation to the bonds issued by London and Continental Railways for the development of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. This represents a contingent liability of £3.75 billion and has been laid before the House.

    No borrowings related to PFI and PPP are effectively guaranteed.

    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters of comfort his Department has issued in association with the public private-partnership financing scheme. [81814]

    Ruth Kelly
    Details of all letters of comfort which fall within the definition of a reportable non-statutory liability in Chapter 26 of "Government Accounting" have been provided in minutes laid before the House of Commons. The exceptions are those cases where commercial confidentiality has required that they be reported in confidence in writing to the Chair of Public Accounts Committee.

    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what checks and balances are in place to ensure that investment through public-private partnership and Public Finance Initiative offers value for money for the Government. [81815]

    Ruth Kelly
    This Government only uses PFI where there is a clear value for money case to do so. Specific procurement decisions are a matter for individual Departments concerned.

    Mr. Flight
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's system for accounting for public-private partnerships and the Private Finance Initiative; [81811]

    (2) if he will make a statement on the Government's liabilities, including those under PFI. [81807]
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    Ruth Kelly
    All Government liabilities are disclosed on the basis of openness and transparency. Independent auditors determine the accounting treatment for PFI and public-private partnership projects. The Government record all future PFI obligations in the Budget Red Book and reports to Parliament any contingent liabilities over £100,000.

    Suicide
    Mr. Paul Marsden
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people committed suicide in each year since 1992. [82693]

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

    Letter from L. Cook to Mr. P. Marsden, dated 21 November 2002:

    As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many people have committed suicide in each year since 1992. (82693)

    The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures for each year from 1992 to 2001 are given in the table below.

    Number of deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted1, persons, England and Wales,1992 to 20012

    Calendar year

    Number of deaths

    1992

    5,486

    1993

    5,251

    1994

    5,144

    1995

    5,157

    1996

    4,893

    1997

    4,981

    1998

    5,154

    1999

    5,188

    2000

    4,922

    2001

    4,699

    1 The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1992 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.

    2 Figures are for deaths registered in 1992 and for deaths occurring in each calendar year from 1993 to 2001.

    Terrorist Funds
    Mr. Wray
    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in co-operating with other European Treasury Departments in neutralising terrorist funds. [81063]

    Ruth Kelly
    As made clear in the recent joint Treasury/Home Office report "Combating the Financing of Terrorism: A Report on UK action", many of the measures to target, disrupt and cut off terrorist financing are taken at international level. The Treasury works in close cooperation with its European counterparts and others, including the financial services industry, to ensure the effectiveness of these measures in the fight against terrorism. EC Regulations have been introduced which require all EU members to freeze the assets of terrorists and those listed by the UN Sanctions Committee as associated with bin Laden, Al Qa'ida and the Taliban.

  WORK AND PENSIONS

    Annuities
    Mr. Frank Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of annuitants had annuitised over £100,000 of pensions savings in each of the last five years; and if he will estimate what the effect on annuity rates would be were the excess over £100,000 not annuitised. [82063]

    Mr. McCartney
    Estimates taken from data collected by the Association of British Insurers show that around 3 per cent. of pension funds used to purchase annuities in 2001 were £100,000 or larger.

    Figures for earlier years are not available.

    No assessment has been made of what the effect on annuity rates would be if people were not required to annuitised that proportion of their pension fund in excess of £100,000. The Government believes that, once any tax-free lump sum has been taken, the remaining funds built up in a pension fund should be used to provide an income in retirement

    Benefits
    Mr. Frank Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on(a) contributory and (b) non-contributory benefits in the last 12 months. [82062]

    Malcolm Wicks
    Data on total expenditure on contributory and non-contributory benefits is included in the Department for Work and Pensions consolidated resource account.

    Data on contributory and non-contributory benefits for 2000–01 was included in the Department of Social Security consolidated resource account published on 31 January 2002 (HC 491). The 2001–02 resource account is scheduled to be published on 31 January 2003.

    Post Office Card Account
    Mr. Hoban
    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultations have been carried out with benefit recipients on the advantages and disadvantages of(a) the basic bank account and (b) the Post Office card account. [82165]

    Malcolm Wicks
    We have discussed the changes widely with interested groups, who have been given an opportunity to comment on the information materials that will be issued to our customers. Our information campaign will take customers through the changes. Customers will be supplied with information which clearly sets out their account options (including the key features of each type of account) and enables them to decide which account best meets their needs and circumstances.

    Mr. Hoban
    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost per transaction will be of paying(a) the basic state pension and (b) child benefit through (i) the basic bank account and (ii) the Post Office card account [82166]
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    Malcolm Wicks
    The cost of making payments to the Post Office card account is less than 1p, as it is for basic bank accounts, however the Government pays additional costs to the Post Office for the provision of the Post Office card account services. These costs remain commercial in confidence.

    Mr. Hoban
    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of(a) the likely take-up of the Post Office card account and (b) the cost to the Department thereof [82170]

    Malcolm Wicks
    There is operating assumption that three million card accounts will be opened. The cost will depend on take-up which is itself dependent on a variety of factors including the numbers of benefit, pension and tax credit customers and the choices that customers make between different types of accounts.

    SERPS
    Mr. Webb
    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to how many recipients of his initial letter regarding changes to the rules regarding inherited SERPs he plans to send a further letter of clarification following the referral of one such letter to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. [82277]

    Mr. McCartney
    Officials are currently finalising detailed plans in response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman's findings. However, we expect to be writing to around 500,000 individuals to offer further clarification of their SERPS position.

    The background to this is that the Pension Service has sent out 5.1 million letters to people who will reach state pension age between 6 October 2002 and 5 October 2010. This letter informed them of the changes to the rules regarding the inheritance of SERPS announced to the House by my predecessor on 29 November 2000 and subsequently approved by Parliament in March 2001.

    This letter gave people the option of requesting a SERPS estimate, and by 16 November some 1,248,104 estimates had been requested.

    This follow-up estimate letter was the subject of exhaustive drafting and an approval process that included the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) and outside bodies. One key complexity was around how to explain SERPS and its interaction with Contracted Out Deductions (COD).

    However, it has come our attention that some people may have possibly misunderstood the estimate despite the caveat in the letter. This group may believe that they stand to receive their full SERPS without appreciating that if they have contracted out, their SERPS will be lower because of their occupational or private pension scheme.

    We have therefore decided that officials should write again to all those people who have received an estimate letter and have some COD deductions except people who will reach pension age between now and 5 July 2003-they will get pre-retirement pensions claim material including full personal details of their new final entitlement.
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    In addition we will continue the provision of the very successful Contact Centre, incorporating a helpline which has already dealt with in excess of 270,000 phone calls and 1.5 million pieces of post.

  ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

    Nappies
    Dr. Naysmith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage families, nurseries and hospitals to switch to traditional cotton nappies. [81222]

    Mr. Meacher
    A growing number of councils are promoting the use of re-usable nappies. For instance, both West Sussex and Oxfordshire provide subsidies for parents who use re-usable nappies. A number of councils also take part in awareness-raising initiatives.

    Grants have also been made from Defra's £140 million Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund to councils promoting waste minimisation to their communities. A project aimed at increasing the use of re-usable nappies is among these, and a number will include nappies as part of their programmes.

    Combined Heat and Power
    Malcolm Bruce
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she proposes to maximise the potential development for combined heat and power plants. [81224]

    Mr. Meacher
    The Department recently consulted on a draft CHP Strategy that sets out the measures thought sufficient to achieve the CHP target of at least 10,000 mega watts of good quality CHP by 2010. The Government are currently developing an Energy White Paper that aims to set out future energy policy to and beyond 2010. This will include consideration of CHP.

    Pig Industry
    Mr. Bacon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the pig industry scheme for Outgoers. [81225]

    Mr. Morley
    The Outgoers element of the Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme (PIRS), which was introduced as part of the Action Plan for Farming, and is now closed to applications, provided assistance of £15.6 million in 2001 to pig farmers seeking to leave the industry. Under the Ongoers element, £10.9 million was offered this year and next to producers who wished to restructure their businesses to become more viable in the long term.

    Agrimonetary Compensation
    Sir Robert Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her European Union counterparts on a succession scheme to agrimonetary compensation. [81227]
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    Alun Michael
    My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has had no discussions with European Union counterparts on a successor scheme to agrimonetary compensation.

    EC Fisheries Council Meeting
    Annabelle Ewing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who will head the UK delegation at the next EC Fisheries Council Meeting. [81228]

    Mr. Morley
    EU negotiations are a reserved matter as laid out in the terms of the, devolution settlement, and Defra is the lead Department. UK negotiating positions are agreed with the involvement of devolved administrations.

    Corporate Environmental Reporting
    Sue Doughty
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to encourage corporate environmental reporting. [81229]

    Mr. Meacher
    We have produced a series of guidelines to help companies measure and report their environmental performance, including general guidelines published last year, and more specific guidance on reporting the key impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water. The general guidelines were endorsed by the CBI and sent to approximately 3,000 of their members, and to all of the leading FTSE 350 listed companies.

    We have written this year to companies in the FTSE 350, asking them what they had done to respond to the Prime Minister's challenge to report on their environmental performance. A list of the results was placed in the Library of the House in July.

    We have also been working with the Department for Trade and Industry on plans for some important new reporting provisions, set out in the White Paper on Modernising Company Law, published this summer. These would require approximately 1,000 of the most economically significant companies to include information on environmental, social and community issues relevant to the company's business in a new Operating and Financial Review. We are supporting the Department of Trade and Industry in establishing an independent group of experts to help develop guidance on how directors should assess whether an item is material to their company and would therefore have to be included in its OFR. The membership of the group will be announced shortly.

    Bovine TB
    Mr. Clifton-Brown
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's strategy for combating bovine TB. [81230]

    Mr. Morley
    Bovine TB in cattle is one of the most difficult animal health problems being faced, and the increase in its incidence is continuing to give considerable concern. The Government are keen to
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    tackle the problem and have implemented a wide-ranging strategy at a cost of £35 to £40 million a year. Action is centred around a five-point strategy as follows:

    protecting human health;

    developing a TB vaccine;

    carrying out research into bovine TB;

    testing cattle for TB and putting controls in place; and

    the randomised badger culling field trial.

    The strategy is kept under review by officials. Some elements of the overarching bovine TB strategy will not produce results in the immediate future, e.g. the badger culling trial and development of a TB vaccine. We are therefore exploring and, where appropriate, implementing interim measures to help control bovine TB, while taking account of the affects of disease control measures on farmers.

    A package of measures was announced in early October. This introduced:

    the licensed movement off farm of non-reactor cattle in certain specified circumstances;

    the imposition of movement restrictions on herds with overdue tests;

    a pilot project to assess the effectiveness of the gamma interferon blood test in detecting bovine TB; and

    the establishment of an industry group to monitor progress in implementing the new measures.

    Defra is currently considering how to manage the risk from movement of animals onto herds affected by bovine TB. An announcement will be made shortly.

    Recycling (Inner London Boroughs)
    Jeremy Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action the Government are taking to increase the level of recycling in waste by boroughs in inner London. [81231]

    Mr. Meacher
    The Government have set statutory performance standards under the Best Value regime so that authorities must, on average, double their 1998–99 recycling rate by 2003–04 and triple their 1998–99 rates by 2005–06.

    We are providing funding to assist. Primarily, this is through additional revenue support grant, which all local authorities receive. This year the EPCS block, which includes funding for waste, will be £1.1 billion over baseline in 2000–01. In addition, we have put in place a waste minimisation and recycling fund challenge fund totalling £140 million over the two years 2002–03 and 2003–04. In London, we allocated £21 million of this challenge fund to a partnership between the Mayor of London, the Association of London Government, the GLA and London Waste Action. That partnership is allocating the funding to various recycling initiatives in London boroughs.

    Illegal waste
    Sir Sydney Chapman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress in the Environment Agency's role in tackling the dumping of illegal waste. [81232]
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    Mr. Meacher
    The Environment Agency as purchased £120,000 worth of surveillance equipment that may be used in covert surveillance operations to identify fly-tippers attempting illegally to dump waste. This equipment has been distributed to all of the agency's regions for use in both the agency's Tyre Watch campaign to detect illegal dumping of waste tyres and to counter fly-tipping generally. The agency is working with local authorities to deploy such equipment at relevant sites and investigations made using this equipment will lead to prosecutions for those caught.

    The agency is also working closely with the Fly-tipping Stakeholder's Forum representing farmers, landowners, local authorities and others with the common aim of combating fly-tipping, better to establish the scale of fly-tipping and to develop measures to detect and prevent it.

    The agency investigated some 3,800 incidents in 2001–02 to ensure protection of the environment and has prosecuted a number of fly-tippers. In 2001–02, the agency won 132 successful prosecutions against fly-tippers.

    Air Pollution
    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the changes in the levels of air pollution in large cities over the past five years. [81233]

    Alun Michael
    In general, levels of air pollution in large cities in the UK have reduced over the past five years, largely as a result of reductions in road transport emissions brought about by tighter specifications for new vehicles and fuels. The average number of days of moderate or higher air pollution at air monitoring sites in urban areas reduced from 48 days in 1996 to 21 days in 2001.

    Doorstep Recycling
    Tim Loughton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help she is giving to local authorities to improve doorstep recycling [81234]

    Mr. Meacher
    Individual local authorities are in a position to decide how best to meet the requirements we have put in place to increase recycling, taking into account local circumstances.

    However, we are providing additional funding to improve recycling rates, both through additional revenue support grant distributed to local authorities by formula and through a waste minimisation and recycling fund totalling £140 million over the two years 2002–03 and 2003–04. The latter is a challenge fund.

    Under the allocations from that fund outside London for 2002–03, we supported 112 schemes, more than 30 of which involved additional kerbside collection outside London.

    Waste Collection
    Joan Ruddock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to amend the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991. [81235]
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    Mr. Meacher
    We propose to amend the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 to allow waste collection authorities to serve notice on businesses, which will allow the authority to see their duty of care waste transfer notes. This should mean better enforcement of the duty of care requirements. The amended regulations should be laid before the House shortly.

    Pesticides
    Mr. Simon Thomas
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Voluntary Initiative on pesticides use [81236]

    Mr. Morley
    The Government are committed to reducing the environmental impacts of pesticides. To this end, the Government have invited industry to implement a package of measures, under the badge of the "Voluntary Initiative". These measures are designed to deliver real environmental benefits over a five year period, commencing in April 2001.

    Year

    1993

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2002 planned

    Number of samples tested

    3,371

    3,742

    3,230

    3,449

    2,648

    2,187

    2,374

    2,304

    4,003

    4,000

    The surveys cover fruit and vegetables, cereal products, animal products and miscellaneous items such as bottled water or composite foods like baby foods. But otherwise, the commodities tested vary from year to year. Samples of both imported and UK origin produce are tested. The 2001 survey generated results for over 130,000 pesticide commodity combinations.

    The detailed results of the PRC's monitoring (and its predecessor the Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR)) (including the commodities tested) have been published and can be viewed on the relevant websites:

    www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/PRC/prc.htm (PRC results)

    www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/WPPR/wppr.htm (WPPR results)

    These electronic results go back as far as 1996. Hard copies going back to 1992 are available in the House Library.

    The Department is also responsible for surveillance for veterinary residues. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) of Defra runs two surveillance schemes that look for residues of authorised veterinary medicines and banned substances. In total, over 35,000 samples are collected per annum. All of the results are published quarterly in the VMD's newsletter and annually since 1996 in a report on surveillance and previously in the VMD's Annual Report and Accounts. Copies of the Annual Reports are available in the House Library or the VMD's website www.vmd.gov.uk.

    The main, statutory, scheme collects samples from farms and abattoirs from throughout the UK and covers: red meat, poultry, farmed fish, eggs, farmed and wild game, milk and honey.
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    The Government are closely monitoring progress on implementing the Voluntary Initiative. The Government hope that the initiative will produce results and urge farmers, growers and their advisers and suppliers to give it their full support. If the Voluntary Initiative does not produce tangible environmental benefits, the Government will need to take other action. One option would be a pesticides tax, which the Government believe could be a useful tool in conjunction with other measures.

    Mr. Roger Williams
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many food samples by type were tested for pesticide and other residues in each of the last 10 years. [81585]

    Mr. Morley
    The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) conducts an annual pesticide residues surveillance programme for fruit and vegetables and other produce. This programme is now overseen by the independent Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC).

    The number of samples tested in each of the last 10 years is indicated in the table.

    The second scheme complements the statutory scheme and concentrates on raw imported produce and samples of popular processed foods collected from shops.

    The two surveillance schemes are subject to independent scrutiny from the Veterinary Residues Committee, which was established in January 2001. Prior to that, the Advisory Group on Veterinary Residues oversaw the work.

    The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has responsibility for pesticide residues and veterinary residues. Other food residues are a matter for the Food Standards Agency, who also takes the lead in monitoring food products for environmental contaminants.

    Landfill Directive
    Andrew Bennett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress is being made by the UK in meeting the EU Landfill Directive. [81237]

    Mr. Meacher
    The Waste and Emissions Trading Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 14 November. This will set the framework for achieving the targets on municipal biodegradable waste in Article 5(1) and (2) of the Directive to be met by the United Kingdom. For England and Wales, other aspects of the Directive were covered in The Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002 no. 1559).
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    Foot and Mouth
    Huw Irranca-Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on her policy on vaccinating against foot and mouth disease. [81238]

    Mr. Morley
    The Government's policy is set out in their Response to the Reports of the Foot and Mouth Disease Inquiries (Cm 5637), published on 6 November. Section 4.3 in particular deals with vaccination.

    Brassenthwaite Lake
    Tony Cunningham
    Tony Cunningham (Workington): To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Environment Agency has to deal with the environmental problems suffered by Brassenthwaite Lake [81239]

    Mr. Morley
    The main environmental problem suffered by Bassenthwaite Lake is eutrophication caused by an increase in nutrient levels, specifically phosphorous, due primarily to diffuse pollution and discharges from waste water treatment works.

    Nutrient enrichment of Bassenthwaite Lake will be addressed within the framework of the Environments Agency's national strategy (set out in an Agency publication entitled "Aquatic Eutrophication in England and Wales—A Management Strategy") and through a more targeted Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme that is currently being developed.

    Two initiatives currently under way are:
    the use of the Agency's regulatory powers to reduce the discharge of phosphorous from Keswick waste water treatment works. The introduction of phosphorous stripping in 1996 has lead to a significant reduction in the amount of phosphorous being discharged to the lake. Additional upgrades to the treatment works planned for 2004 will further reduce phosphate discharges. The Environment Agency will consider what other enhancements are required to waste water treatment works within the Bassenthwaite catchment for the water utilities Asset Management Process period 2005 to 2010;
    the promotion of the Still Waters partnership within the catchment to promote solutions to nutrient enrichment caused by diffuse pollution that are beyond the remit of any one regulatory body or party. Since land use and land management practices are the primary cause of diffuse phosphorous entering Bassenthwaite Lake and diffuse sources are the biggest contributors of phosphorus pollution in the lake, the Still Waters partnership will focus on ways and means of reducing such inputs.

    Fishing Industry (Scotland)
    Mr. Weir
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive regarding the fishing industry in Scotland. [81240]

    Mr. Morley
    I always discuss fishing issues affecting all parts of the United Kingdom with the Scottish Minister for Environment and Rural Development, in preparation for meetings of the EU Council of Ministers, and often in between Council meetings as well. There is constant contact between fisheries officials from Defra and their opposite numbers in the Scottish Executive.
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    Vehicle Registration and Licensing Procedures
    Mrs. Brooke
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on what steps have been taken and are planned to tackle the problem of abandoned cars. [81241]

    Mr. Meacher
    In October 2001 we published a consultation document on measures to remove abandoned and untaxed vehicles from the streets more quickly and, for the longer term, bring forward changes to vehicle registration and licensing procedures to ensure greater accuracy of DVLA's vehicle record.

    Regulations reducing the statutory notice periods after which local authorities can remove abandoned vehicles from the highway and the storage periods for unlicensed vehicles came into force on 9 April. Local authorities can now remove those vehicles that they consider merit destruction from the highway after the expiry of a 24 hour notice placed on them.

    We have supported pilot schemes in the London boroughs of Newham and Lewisham in which the local authority was given DVLA's powers to wheelclamp and remove unlicensed vehicles after 24 hours. Following the success of the Newham pilot on 19 April, we announced that all councils who wished could operate in the same way

    In addition, councils have targeted over 6,000 abandoned unlicensed vehicles in multi-Agency "Operation Cubits" with over 4,000 vehicles crushed and more operations are planned. To date we estimate that the operations have induced more than 15,000 motorists to relicense voluntarily bringing in over £2.3 million in additional revenue.

    The Government are currently developing proposals for the reform and modernisation of vehicle registration and licensing, to reduce evasion and to bear down on vehicle crime. In response to the recommendations of a report commissioned by the Department for Transport from the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science DfT have established a Modernising Vehicle Registration Implementation Board (MVRIB). This includes representatives of motorists' organisations, the motor trade, the police and the insurance industry to advise on and develop those proposals

    The 2002 Finance Act contained provisions under which the responsibility for licensing and taxing vehicles will be placed on the registered keeper, who will remain liable for doing so until such time that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has properly been notified of a change of keeper. These proposals will also mean that it is not necessary for a vehicle to be detected on the road for effective enforcement action to take place. The implementation of these new powers is at the heart of MVRIB's agenda.

    Collection of Flood Event Data
    Dr. John Pugh
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to improve the collation of flood return statistics [81242]

    Mr. Morley
    The Environment Agency has established and implemented systems and procedures in all of its regions and areas covering England and Wales
    289W
    for the collection of flood event data during and after flooding. Flood and hydrometric data is collected from instrumentation (rain gauges, river level and flow recorders, tide gauges, wave buoys) and by using techniques such as aerial/remote sensing, land survey, on-site monitoring and post-event questionnaires

    A project led by the Environment Agency (funded by DEFRA) in collaboration with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland, is being carried out to improve the capture and archiving of flood flows at river gauging stations in the UK. Known as "HIFLOWS-UK", the main aim of the project is to extend and improve the data available for flood estimation primarily using Flood Estimation Handbook methods, and to develop a single authoritative UK dataset. The project also aims to make the data widely available and easily accessible via the Internet, and to establish structures and procedures for future updating and dissemination. The project is due to complete in March 2004

    Work started in 2002 to improve accessibility to sea level data. Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) who manage the UK Tide Gauge Network for DEFRA and the Scottish Executive are being given extra funding from DEFRA to collate a new data base of tide data over the last 30 years and make it available on CD. In addition recent historic data from the network is now freely available from the POL web site. In September 2002 DEFRA installed the first of two of a network of six near-shore wave recording gauges which, together with data from existing offshore wave gauges run by the Met Office, will be collated to form the first long term archive of wave data for England and Wales. Data from the archive will be freely available on the CEFAS web site who are managing the network for DEFRA

    In the South-East of England a new £8.2 million pilot project has been established by the Agency in partnership with all the maritime authorities (via the coastal groups) for the strategic regional coastal monitoring of the shoreline form and coastal processes (including wind, waves and tides). This project has been supported and grant-aided by DEFRA, and similar projects are likely to be established in other regions of England and Wales

    In all cases, collating date and making it freely available facilitates the user community who undertake statistical analysis including flood frequency analysis for many purposes.

    Ivory
    Mr. Desmond Swayne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to prevent trade in ivory products; and if she will make a statement [80885]

    Mr. Morley
    Under EU CITES Regulations, commercial trade in ivory products, including internal sales is prohibited. The only exception relates to worked items acquired before 1 June 1947. The recent CITES 290W
    decision to allow a one-off sale of limited ivory stocks after May 2004, subject to strict conditions, will not affect the EU's current position on trade in ivory.

    Arable Farmers
    Mr. Alan Hurst
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to ensure fair competition for British arable farmers in the international grain trade [80481]

    Mr. Morley
    The terms of competition for UK farmers in the international grain trade are governed by the relevant provisions of the EU's common market organisation for cereals and the wider WTO framework. The Government's objective is to ensure that these are as fair and open as possible.

    Cattle
    Mr. Desmond Swayne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the losses incurred by farmers as a consequence of the disappearance of cattle passport tear-off slips; and if she will make a statement. [80823]

    Alun Michael
    The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is currently reviewing the results of cross checks which it has carried out between the bovine subsidy claims made by farmers and the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) maintained by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS). No reliable estimate can be made of the sums which may be withheld or applied by way of penalties until the review is complete Penalties will apply only where the RPA is satisfied that the claimants have failed to meet their obligation to ensure that details of their animals are properly registered on the CTS.

    Fallen Livestock
    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the collection of fallen livestock for disposal and its relationship with existing livestock movement regulations; and if she will make a statement. [81160]

    (2) what assessment she has made of the relationship between fallen livestock and hunts; and if she will make a statement. [81158]

    (3) what assessment she has made of the impact of the use of incinerators for dealing with fallen livestock; and if she will make a statement [81162]

    (4) how many fallen livestock there have been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by region [81161]

    (5)what plans she has to provide financial support for the disposal of fallen livestock from 2003; and if she will make a statement [81159]

    Mr. Morley
    [holding answers 20 November 2002]Since April 2002, the Government has been holding discussions with livestock and disposal industry stakeholders with the aim of developing a national fallen stock disposal scheme. At a stakeholder meeting on the 18 September the collection and disposal industries submitted a joint proposal for a National Fallen Stock collection and disposal scheme. I intend to meet the
    291W
    industries to discuss their proposal. However, it is for the livestock industry, like other industries, to pay for the disposal of its waste

    No specific assessment has been made of the collection of fallen stock and its relationship with existing livestock movement regulations. However, there was agreement at the stakeholder meeting that additional guidance on detailed bio- security would need to be produced if plans for the scheme were to be taken forward.

    Information regarding the number of fallen stock for each of the last 10 years is not available. However, it is estimated that something in the order of, at least, 200,000 tonnes of fallen stock will need to be collected annually. In arriving at this figure, assumptions have been made about mortality rates for adult and immature animals and their average weight.

    Hunts and incinerators are permitted disposal routes for fallen stock, and are used by many farmers. We estimate there to be around 2500 on-farm incinerators, mostly on pig and poultry farms.

    Flood Plains
    Andrew Bennett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration has been given by the Environment Agency to identifying and preparing suitable areas of flood plains, adjacent to non-tidal reaches of rivers, for use as emergency wash-lands to minimise peak heights of floods occasioned by increases in the proportion of direct run-off as a result of changes in the amount and nature of precipitation. [80517]

    Mr. Morley
    Following the autumn 2000 floods the agency has been investigating solutions for the 700 affected locations. We consider whether it will be more appropriate to provide additional discharge capacity or to temporarily store excess water.

    The agency carries out the option with the best return, taking into account the technical, environmental and economic aspects. In some cases the preferred option will involve the creation of flood storage areas which are purpose built reservoirs.

    The agency ensures that the natural floodplain is utilised as much as possible during times of floods and seeks to prevent the location of inappropriate development in the floodplain.

    The agency is planning to complete catchment flood management plans for the whole of England and Wales over the next five to six years. These will consider the impact of future development, land use changes and climate change and will explore the use of wetlands, washlands and flood storage areas in reducing flood risk to local communities.

    Functional Foods
    Mr. Wray
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations are in place to ensure that new functional foods claiming to improve mental and physical well-being are covered by a legal framework. [81059]
    292W
    Ms Blears
    There are no specific regulations in place to control the use of claims for improving mental and physical well-being made on 'functional' foods. Claims on foods are controlled by provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, which prohibit false and misleading claims. In addition, the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 (as amended) lay down general labelling requirements for foods and prohibit medical claims i.e. claims that a food will prevent, treat or cure a disease.

    Mr. Wray
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been done in the past two years to promote scientific research into(a) the claims of functional foods and (b) their safety. [81060]

    Ms Blears
    I have been asked to reply.

    The Government has not taken any specific steps to promote scientific research into the claims made for "functional foods" or their safety. "Functional foods", like other foods, must comply with the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Labelling Regulations (1969) as amended and the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

    The Food Standards Agency (FSA) supports the activities of the self-regulatory joint health claims initiative that has established a voluntary system for the scientific substantiation of health claims. The FSA also commissions a broad spectrum of research and surveys on nutrition and food safety, details of which are available through the agency's website.

    GM Technology
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how she plans to assess public opinion regarding GM technology and commercialization. [81226]

    Mr. Meacher
    The Government is sponsoring a public dialogue on GM technology and this will focus on issues and concerns raised by the public. The outcome of the debate could be invaluable in informing the Government's approach to decision making, and our view of the overall framework in which decisions are taken. We will listen, and learn, from the views emerging from the debate.

    Imported Offal
    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of(a) sheep, (b) cattle, (c)pig and (d) poultry offal have entered the UK from (i) Latin America, (ii) Africa, (iii) South Asia, (iv) East Asia, (v) North America, (vi) the EU, (vii) non-EU Europe and (viii) Australasia in each of the last 10 years. [81571]

    Mr. Morley
    The table shows the UK imports of sheep, bovine, pig and poultry offal from(i) Latin America (ii) Africa (iii) South Asia (iv) East Asia (v) North America (vi). The EU (vii) non-EU Europe and (viii) Australasia between 1992–2001, as recorded in the Official Overseas Trade Statistics.
    293W

    Type of offal

    1992

    1993

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    2000

    2001

    Africa

    Bovine

    0

    0

    0

    0

    18

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Pig

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Poultry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Sheep

    0

    16

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    17

    0

    0

    Total

    0

    16

    0

    0

    18

    0

    0

    17

    0

    0

    Australasia

    Bovine

    6,350

    6,782

    5,357

    4,969

    2,919

    1,305

    2,337

    1,458

    775

    225

    Pig

    0

    71

    0

    19

    18

    2

    1

    1

    4

    0

    Poultry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Sheep

    12,685

    11,789

    10,591

    13,343

    12,585

    9,819

    9,863

    10,998

    11,609

    12,561

    Total

    19,035

    18,641

    15,948

    18,331

    15,552

    11,126

    12,201

    12,457

    12,388

    12,786

    East Asia

    Bovine

    0

    0

    0

    0

    128

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Pig

    0

    3

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Poultry

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Sheep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    18

    207

    0

    0

    0

    Total

    1

    3

    0

    0

    128

    18

    207

    0

    0

    0

    EU

    Bovine

    21,139

    20,027

    16,411

    13,868

    9,021

    13,360

    9,457

    11,243

    12,731

    11,418

    Pig

    25,066

    18,935

    20,932

    21,348

    16,465

    16,569

    18,187

    18,609

    28,028

    22,939

    Poultry

    1,122

    2,167

    3,900

    5,195

    5,671

    11,359

    5,115

    5,935

    4,926

    9,147

    Sheep

    978

    717

    503

    453

    650

    358

    315

    372

    249

    375

    Total

    48,305

    41,864

    41,746

    40,863

    31,806

    41,646

    33,074

    36,158

    45,934

    43,879

    Latin America

    Bovine

    372

    402

    768

    1,477

    888

    485

    311

    570

    827

    546

    Pig

    0

    0

    0

    14

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Poultry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    22

    0

    42

    Sheep

    203

    141

    184

    60

    96

    33

    61

    79

    139

    47

    Total

    575

    542

    952

    1,550

    983

    518

    372

    672

    967

    635

    Non-EU Europe

    Bovine

    36

    33

    87

    19

    0

    0

    0

    0

    14

    41

    Pig

    0

    1

    3

    0

    0

    0

    7

    0

    0

    0

    Poultry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    20

    Sheep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    18

    0

    0

    28

    Total

    36

    34

    90

    19

    0

    0

    25

    0

    14

    89

    North America

    Bovine

    1,446

    1,850

    1,804

    1,610

    752

    75

    16

    0

    0

    0

    Pig

    4,748

    3,091

    3,313

    2,872

    1,914

    479

    596

    227

    176

    133

    Poultry

    0

    15

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Sheep

    35

    0

    36

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Total

    6,228

    4,956

    5,153

    4,482

    2,666

    554

    612

    227

    176

    133

    South Asia

    Bovine

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Pig

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Poultry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Sheep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

    Total

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

    Grand Total

    74,180

    66,039

    63,889

    65,246

    51,123

    53,861

    46,491

    49,531

    59,479

    57,523

    Source:

    HM Customs and Excise

    Data prepared by Statistics (Commodities and Food) Accounts and Trade, ESD, DEFRA
    294W

    Mobile Slaughtermen
    Mr. Lidington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is towards the practice of home kills by mobile licensed slaughtermen. [80460]

    Ms Blears
    I have been asked to reply.

    The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (as amended) require that no person shall carry on the business of a slaughterhouse unless the premises are licensed under the Regulations. Furthermore the regulations also require that no person shall sell fresh meat for human consumption unless it has been slaughtered in a licensed slaughterhouse.

    It is unlawful for a mobile licensed slaughterman to kill and dress an animal outside of licensed premises where it is intended that the meat be used for human consumption. In addition, the slaughterman would further contravene the Regulations as he would be supplying goods—the dressed carcase—and a sale would therefore have taken place.

    Poultry Imports
    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department has taken to ensure that poultry imports meet the same(a) animal welfare, (b) chemical contact and (c) hygiene standards expected of United Kingdom-produced poultry meat. [81040]

    Mr. Morley
    The Government has made it clear the importance it attaches to developing and maintaining high welfare standards for all animals both domestically and internationally. We have made clear that trade liberalisation must not compromise EU standards of animal welfare and hygiene. Our concerns are fully reflected on the negotiating proposals that the Commission has submitted in the Doha Development Agenda

    All poultry in the European Union must be slaughtered or killed in accordance with the requirements laid down in Council Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing. This Directive should have been implemented in all Member States by 1 January 1995, and has been implemented in this country by the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (as amended). The Directive contains a requirement that birds imported from third countries must be slaughtered under conditions which offer guarantees of humane treatment at least equivalent to those provided for in the Directive.

    In respect of chemical contact where illegal veterinary medicine residues, for example nitrofurans and chloramphenicol, have been detected in imports of poultry meat from third countries there is a requirement under community law to test all consignments at border inspection posts. Consignments are not allowed entry if they are found to contain these chemicals. Nitrofurans and chloramphenicol are not permitted for use in food producing animals in the EU due to public health concerns. Therefore their residues should not be present in food.
    296W
    Imports into the United Kingdom of animal products are governed by European community legislation, which contains provisions to protect both animal and public health. Under these rules only third countries approved by the Commission on the advice of the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health may export into the community, and only from establishments which meet community hygiene standards. The lists of countries and establishments allowed to export particular products into the community, are available on the Commission's website at the following address:

    http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/listes/tableO.html

    Imports of poultry meat from third countries must have been produced to the standards at least equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 71/118/EEC. In addition, all consignments of fresh poultry meat imported from third countries are subject to veterinary inspection on entering the EU to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and to ensure that they have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport.

    Responsibility for ensuring that third countries meet these requirements lies with the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the European Commission. FVO reports are published on their website at: http://euroDa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/insDections/vi/reports/index en.html.

    Rural Payments Agency
    Mr. Evans
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding has been allocated to the Rural Payments Agency in each of the last five years. [82203]

    Alun Michael
    The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) was established on 16 October 2001 as a single EU paying agency, combining the functions previously undertaken by the Intervention Board and the Defra paying agencies. RPA's published accounts for 2001–02 (HC 1197) give details of the funding allocated to the Agency in that financial year and for 2000–01 on a comparative basis. Combined figures for prior years covering the activities now administered by RPA have not been produced. RPA's budget for 2002–03 is shown in the table below.

    RPA is partway through a £130 million restructuring programme that will deliver a step change in customer service when completed in 2005. These funds are ring fenced and are allocated separately, over and above the amounts quoted.

    £000

    2002–03

    DEL administration

    111,140

    DEL programme

    257,314

    AME

    1,933,988

    Local authorities

    6,495

    Payments to DGD's

    695,440

    EU receipts

    -2,396,824

    Net total

    607,553

    TB Reactor Cattle
    Mr. Roger Williams
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost is of maintenance of TB reactor cattle per day while awaiting slaughter; and if that cost is met by her Department. [81569]

    Mr. Morley
    Information on the cost of maintaining TB reactor cattle awaiting slaughter is not held by Defra.

    Government pays compensation for cattle compulsorily slaughtered under TB control measures but does not pay for the maintenance of animals awaiting removal from farm.

    Veterinary Practices
    Andrew George
    To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many veterinary practices and surgeries are(a) registered and (b) not registered with the RCVS in the UK. [81155]

    Mr. Morley
    (a) There are 3,539 veterinary practices and practice branches listed in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons "Directory of Practices". In addition, the College holds details of 74 charity veterinary clinics/hospitals who are not listed in their directory, giving a total of 3,613.

    (b) No figures available.

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