To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of the NATO artillery exercise in Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72853](2) how many personnel were deployed on the NATO artillery exercise in Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72844](3) which countries had armed forces involved in and what assessment he has made of the value of the NATO artillery exercise in Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76595]

NATO artillery exercise Ardent Ground 97, carried out in North West Turkey between 23 April and 19 May 1997, involved the deployment of 2,000 personnel from the following NATO nations; Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain,

Operation	Military personnel tasked in the UK	Civilian personnel tasked in the UK	Military personnel tasked overseas	Civilian personnel tasked overseas
UN missions in former Yugoslavia	0	0	0	0
UN Tribunal in Yugoslavia	0	0	0	0
UN missions in the former Soviet union	0	0	(Georgia) 7	0
UN Special Commission on Iraq	0	2	0	(New York) 2
UN Iraq/Kuwait Observation Mission	0	0	11	0
UN Mission for the Referendum in Western sahara	0	0	0	0
UN Angola Verification Mission	0	0	0	0
UN support mission in Haiti	0	0	0	0
UN observer Mission in Angola	0	0	0	0
UN Mission in Central African Republic	0	0	0	0
UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone	(on stand-by to deploy) 4	0	2	0
UN Tribunal in Rwanda	0	0	0	0
OSCE in Albania	0	0	0	0
WEU police mission in Albania	0	0	0	0

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were deployed on the NATO joint exercise in Norway carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; and what was the cost of the exercise. [72833]

[holding answer 1 March 1999]: Exercise Strong Resolve, which took place in March 1998 jointly in Norway and Portugal, consisted of two halves; exercise Crisis North, in Norway, and exercise Crisis South, in Portugal. Members of the armed forces of the following nations participated in the Northern half of Strong Resolve, Crisis North; Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of his Department's (a) military and (b) civilian personnel tasked (i) in the UK and (ii) overseas as United Kingdom contributions to (1) UN missions in former Yugoslavia, (2) the UN Tribunal on Yugoslavia, (3) the UN missions in the former Soviet Union, (4) the UN Special Commission on Iraq, (5) the UN Iraq/Kuwait observation mission, (6) the UN mission for the referendum in western Sahara, (7) the UN Angola verification mission, (8) the UN support mission in Haiti, (9) the UN observer mission in Angola, (10) the UN mission in Central African Republic, (11) the UN observer mission in Sierra Leone, (12) the UN tribunal in Rwanda, (13) the OSCE in Albania and (14) the WEU police mission in Albania. [83631]

As at 11 May 1999, the numbers of Ministry of Defence personnel tasked to the various operations were as listed in the following table:the United Kingdom and the United States and consisted of some 25,000 NATO personnel. I understand from NATO that the cost to NATO Exercise Funds was £450,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of, and which countries had armed forces involved in, the jungle training exercises in Belize carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76606]

The cost of the seven jungle exercises in Belize carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998 was £1.094 million, excluding the cost of ammunition and of spares consumed during the exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of, what assessment he has made of the value of, and how many personnel were deployed on the infantry exercises in France carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998 [76600]

Three infantry exercises were carried out in France during this period. Of the first two, Liberty Bell took place between 11 and 25 July 1997, involved 452 personnel, and cost £169,000; Fraternal Front took place between 5 and 19 September 1997, involved 122 personnel and cost £43,000. The exercises were designed to test core infantry skills and the ability to plan and execute an overseas exercise. I understand that the exercises succeeded in their aims. The third exercise, Team Spirit, took place between 7 and 23 November 1997, involved 68 personnel from the Royal Marines and the French 9^th Maritime Infantry Division, and cost £5,934. The exercise was designed to enable the participating units to practise small-scale military alliance operations. I understand that this exercise also succeeded in its aim. All of the above costs exclude the costs of ammunition and spares consumed during the exercise as these costs are not separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of, and how many personnel were deployed on the infantry exercise in Botswana carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76607]

Exercise Diamond Cutter, which took place in Botswana from 4 February to 20 March 1998, involved 144 personnel from B Company 2 Para and cost £0.324 million, excluding the costs of ammunition and spares consumed during the exercise as these costs are not separately identifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of, which countries had armed forces involved in and how many personnel were deployed on the infantry exercises in the USA carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76598]

The cost of the infantry exercises in the USA carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998 was as follows:

£million
Exercise	Cost
Trumpet Dance 1/98	0.256
Trumpet Dance 2/98	0.696

The cost of Trumpet Dance 1/98 excludes the cost of movement by RAF transport aircraft to and from the USA, as these figures are no longer available. The costs of ammunition and spares consumed during both exercises are also excluded as these costs are not separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the policy is on the use of military headwear in Northern Ireland; in what circumstances a local commander would order steel helmets to be worn and on how many occasions such orders have been given since September 1997 broken down by the (a) barracks and (b) regiment from which the patrol was drawn. [83388]

[holding answer 11 May 1999]: In August 1997, Headquarters Northern Ireland announced that, as a matter of policy, troops operating in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) would wear regimental headdress instead of helmets, but that local commanders had the discretion to authorise the wearing of helmets for the personal protection of soldiers under their command, taking into account the threat and local operational circumstances. The decisions taken by local commanders as to when they have ordered the wearing of helmets are not held.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army infantry battalions and companies there were in (a) May 1998 and (b) May 1999. [83625]

There are currently 33 Infantry Battalions and 95 Companies in the Territorial Army. There were also 33 Battalions and 95 Companies in May 1998. However, from 1 July 1999, the date on which converted, reorganised or re-roled units assume their new function and, where applicable, change title following the restructuring of the Territorial Army, the number of Infantry Battalions and Companies will reduce to 15 Battalions and 64 Companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army centres there were in (a) May 1998 and (b) May 1999. [83626]

The number of Territorial Army Centres in the following years were:

Year	Number
May 1998	452
May 1999	454

TA Centres that were vacant, or that housed only cadet units, have been excluded from these figures. Similarly, Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Association (TAVRA) headquarters buildings and stand-alone University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) premises have not been included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce fair trade products at (a) meetings, (b) events and (c) catering facilities within his Department. [82862]

It will be for the Assembly to consider its own arrangements for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the terms of the performance target for his Department of securing at least 250,000 UK jobs from foreign direct investment by March 2002; and what assessment he has made of the present number of UK jobs currently maintained by foreign direct investment. [83736]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Trade and Industry share a Public Service Agreement target to maintain the United Kingdom as the prime location in Europe for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Figures for the number of jobs secured from FDI are recorded by the Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB), which is jointly run by the two departments. The figures, which cover both jobs safeguarded and new jobs created, are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest and are released annually. The IBB recorded 1,057,700 jobs created or safeguarded by FDI between 1979 and 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review diplomatic immunity for serious offences committed by families of staff attached to foreign embassies and high commissions. [83366]

None. The recommendations of the Government Report on Review of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Reply to "The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges", the First Report from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in the Session 1984–85, of April 1985, remain valid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the British High Commission in Pakistan is taking to assist Mrs. J. Badar-ud-Din, a British citizen who is in Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan; how many visits staff from the High Commission have paid her; and what representations he has received from her family. [83596]

From the time they were told of Mrs. Badar-ud-Din's admission to hospital on 26 February 1999 our consular staff in Lahore and Islamabad were in close touch with her husband. They helped him to arrange for her repatriation to the UK, accompanied by a medical escort, on Saturday 8 May. She is now being cared for in Leicester General hospital.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if (a) the British Embassy offices and (b) the SFOR offices in Banja Luka are back in use following their occupation by demonstrators on 25 March; and if he will make a statement. [83628]

The British Embassy office, along with other international buildings in Banja Luka, was seriously damaged by vandals during demonstrations organised by extremists in the Serb Radical Party. The office is no longer in use. The SFOR office for Civil-Military Co-operation was slightly damaged but has now been repaired and is operating normally. The main SFOR headquarters were not occupied and have been in continuous use. The security situation is now described as calm. We and our international partners made clear in March that the actions of a minority of extremists would not derail the peace implementation agenda in Bosnia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase public awareness of health issues affecting men; and if he will make a statement. [83638]

Specific action has already taken place, such as the introduction of the Campaign Against Living Miserably helpline for younger men, as well as support for initiatives such as last year's Europe Against Cancer Week which had cancer in men as its theme. In addition, the Department has provided funding for projects that look at the reasons why men are reluctant to take opportunities to improve their health.The Government will shortly publish their new strategy for health in England—"Our Healthier Nation"—which will set out how Government, local authorities, health authorities, other local organisations, and individuals can work together in partnership to improve the health of everyone, including men. Reducing health inequalities—including those between men and women—is a key aim in "Our Healthier Nation", and action will focus on heart disease, cancer, accidents and suicides, and particularly opportunities for men's health which has been neglected for too long.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the introduction of a green transport plan for his Department. [82845]

[holding answer 11 May 1999]: Since last July's Integrated Transport White Paper, which set targets for the introduction of green transport plans for Government Departments, my Department has completed 2 plans covering all headquarters and main buildings. Plans are being developed for all other key buildings in line with the target of March 2000 set in the White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what environmental appraisal his Department is undertaking of the review of utility regulation. [82855]

The review has concluded that Ministers should have powers to give statutory guidance to the regulators on the social and environmental objectives which are relevant to their responsibilities. The Government intend to legislate as necessary on the conclusions of the review as soon as parliamentary time can be made available. We also intend that this legislation should provide enabling powers for energy saving obligations in the gas and electricity industries. When the Government put their legislative proposals before Parliament, they will be accompanied by a suitable environmental appraisal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his estimate is of the numbers and percentages of (a) mothers and (b) fathers who will choose to take their parental leave entitlement. [83808]

[holding answer 10 May 19991]: We are committed to fostering a workplace culture which recognises the importance of family friendly employment policies, including parental leave, for both men and women in reconciling their work and family commitments. For the purposes of the regulatory impact assessment published with the Employment Relations Bill, we assumed that about 82,000 people would take parental leave each year,

Table 1
	Percentage of electricity supplied in the UK					GWh generated
	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1997
Onshore wind	0.07	0.11	0.12	0.15	0.20	665
Small scale hydro1	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.03	0.05	159
Large scale hydro2	1.37	1.62	1.49	1.00	1.22	3,969
Landfill gas	0.15	0.17	0.18	0.22	0.27	880
Sewage sludge digestion	0.13	0.12	0.12	0.12	0.12	400
Municipal solid waste combustion3	0.13	0.23	0.24	0.24	0.29	934
Other4	0.05	0.09	0.11	0.10	0.10	335
Total renewable sources	1.95	2.39	2.30	1.85	2.25	7,341
1Electricity generation scheme belonging to companies with an aggregate hydro capacity below 5 MWe are classified as 'small'.
2Excluding pumped storage stations.
3Includes combustion of refuse derived fuel pellets and hence some waste of fossil fuel origin.
4Includes farm waste digestion, waste tyre combustion and poultry litter combustion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list (a) the growth rate in and (b) the percentage of power supplied by each renewable energy source in each of the last five years; [81863](2) if he will list the types of renewable energy sources currently providing power and the contribution in percentage terms each source makes to the United Kingdom's total energy supply in the most recent year for which figures are available. [81784]

The types of renewable energy sources generating electricity in each of the last five years (1997 is the last year for which data are available) are given in the table. The percentages alongside each are the contribution made to total UK electricity supply. To set the figures in context, actual generation of electricity from each source is also given for 1997:The information requested on the growth rate of renewable energy sources used to generate electricity in the United Kingdom is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those subjects (a) which he will raise and (b) which he expects other states to raise at the Trade Ministers Council of 10 and 11 May. [83818]

The meeting agreed that the EU's objectives in preparing for the next Round of World Trade Organisation talks in Seattle in November should be to secure agreement to:

a new Round of comprehensive multilateral trade negotiations embracing subjects and issues of interest to all WTO members;

a short, time limited Round to be completed in three years;

a 'single undertaking' to ensure that all participants accept the outcome of the negotiations as a whole;

specific issues, which are ready for decision at Seattle, such as a binding commitment to provide duty free access for essentially all products from least developed countries, and steps to improve WTO transparency.

There was broad agreement among Member States on the EU's priority areas for future negotiations. These include: agriculture, services, investment, trade facilitation, technical standards, electronic commerce, industrial tariffs, trade and the environment, intellectual property rights,

Inspectors' report	Date of publication	Accountancy firm criticised
Minet Holdings plc	29 August 1990	Black Geoghegan & Till
WMD Underwriting Agencies Limited		Josolyne layton-Bennett
		Arthur young
Alexander Howden Group plc	29 August 1990	Josolyne Layton-Bennett
		Arthur Young de Paula Turner Lake
Aldermanbury Trust plc	20 March 1991	Levy Gee Spicer & Pegler
Sound Diffusion	1 May 1991	Arthur Young
		Ernst & Whinney
Rotaprint plc	24 July 1991	Arthur Young
The Milford Docks Company	16 January 1992	Coopers & Lybrand
Edencorp Leisure plc	18 February 1993	Ernst & Young
Norton Group plc	11 March 1993	Hacker Young
Astra Holdings plc	17 June 1993	Stoy Hayward
London United Investments plc	23 September 1993	KPMG peat Marwick
CR Driver & Co. Ltd
The Bestwood plc	20 January 1994	BDO Binder Hamlyn
Atlanta Fund Managers Ltd.
Atlantic Computers plc	21 July 1994	Deloitte Haskins & Sells
Atlantic Computer Holdings plc		KPMG Peat Marwick
		McLintock
		Spicer & Oppenheim
James Ferguson Holding Plc	6 July 1995	Thouche Ross (Jersey)
Barlow Clowes Gilt Managers Ltd.		Lindley Adams & Co
		Spicer & Oppenhheim
		Spicer & Oppenheim (Gibraltar)
		Touche Ross
Chancery Plc	17 December 1998	Arthur Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing his Department's proposals on regulation of accountancy; [82546](2) what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing his Department's proposals for regulating auditing; and what proportion of that cost each of the parties will bear. [82547]

The new framework for the regulation of the accountancy profession is non-statutory and funded by the bodies represented on the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies. The Government have not made their own estimate of the costs but the running costs are expected to be of the order of £5 million a year. Since much of the new framework will replace existing regulatory arrangements, the additional costs will be relatively small.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the accountancy firms whose affairs have been investigated following criticisms of their conduct in his Department's inspectors' reports. [82925]

Inspectors' reports published since 1990 which contain criticisms of accountancy firms are set out in the table. Such reports are referred to the recognised professional body of the firm concerned and investigations are a matter for that body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to regulate the use of fax surveys in cases where replies are charged at premium rates; and if he will make a statement. [83899]

Fax surveys where replies are charged at premium rates will frequently constitute unsolicited direct marketing faxes.As indicated in my written answer of 27 January 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what studies his Department has undertaken or evaluated to assess the impact of the Millennium Dome on the localities of (a) Bermondsey tube station and (b) London Bridge tube station, with particular reference to the Shad Thames development; [82428](2) what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the Millennium Dome on the localities of (a) Bermondsey tube station and

When the Jubilee Line Extension is fully open, it is forecast that 114,590 and 17,102 people per day will use London Bridge and Bermondsey stations respectively. Of these, it is estimated that 2,232 passengers per day will use London Bridge station and 56 passengers per day will use Bermondsey station to travel to the Millennium Dome. Therefore, passengers travelling to and from the Dome will contribute about 2 per cent. of total usage at London Bridge and 0.3 per cent. at Bermondsey.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what studies his Department has carried out or evaluated to assess the impact of the Millennium Dome on the locality of North Greenwich tube station, with particular reference to parking for local businesses and residents; [82426](2) what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the Millennium Dome on the locality of North Greenwich tube station with particular reference to car-parking for local businesses and residents. [82427]

None. This is a matter for the London Borough of Greenwich, which is implementing the Greenwich Millennium Controlled Parking Zone, which includes specific provisions to accommodate the parking needs of both residents and businesses. Having carried out extensive public consultation on its CPZ proposals, Greenwich's conclusion is that the scheme provides facilities to meet the majority of local parking demands, whilst safeguarding the area from unrestricted and intrusive parking from commuters and visitors to the Millennium Experience and other developments on the Greenwich Peninsula.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if people who are not visiting the Millennium Dome will be able to drive to North Greenwich tube station to deliver or collect passengers. [82420]

In the interests of security and pedestrian/visitor safety London Transport is not proposing to open its "Kiss and Ride" facility at North Greenwich station until 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of people, other than Millennium Dome visitors, who will use the Jubilee line tube stations of (a) Bermondsey, (b) London Bridge, and (c) North Greenwich. [82424]

London Transport estimate that the total number of people, other than those visiting the Millennium Dome, who will use (a) Bermondsey, (b) London Bridge and (c) North Greenwich on a daily basis is as follows:

• Bermondsey: 17,046
• London Bridge: 112,359
• North Greenwich: 30,806.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of people, other than Millennium Dome visitors, who will use the Jubilee line between North Greenwich tube station and (a) Stratford, (b) London Bridge, (c) Waterloo, (d) Westminster, (e) Green Park and (f) Baker Street. [82425]

The total number of people, other than Millennium Dome visitors, who London Transport estimate will travel on a daily basis between North Greenwich and (a) Stratford (b) London Bridge (c) Waterloo (d) Westminster (e) Green Park and (f) Baker Street, are as follows:

Station	To	From
(a) Stratford	4,028	3,663
(b) London Bridge	6,863	2,260
(c) Waterloo	4,890	1,679
(d) Westminster	4,200	1,298
(e) Green Park	3,461	1,145
(f) Baker Street	858	537

The figures quoted above are the number of passenger journeys made directly between North Greenwich and the named station, other than those visiting the Millennium Dome, i.e. on a daily basis, 4,028 passengers will travel to Stratford from North Greenwich and 3,663 will travel from Stratford to North Greenwich.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans have been made for the provision of car-parking for non-local commuters using the Jubilee Line. [82421]

No special provision has been made for car-parking spaces for non-local commuters using the Jubilee Line. However, there are car parks on the Jubilee Line at Stanmore, Canons Park, Wembley Park, Queensway and North Greenwich stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public money will be spent on trial sites for genetically modified crops in 1999. [83258]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is not spending any public money on the provision of trial sites of genetically modified crops. The Department is however funding two research programmes that are conducted on such trial sites.The farm-scale evaluations investigating the effect of GM crop management on farmland wildlife are being conducted on sites provided by the industry group SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative for Modified Agricultural Crops). The research, costing £233,000 in 1999, is being paid for by DETR with contributions from MAFF and the Scottish Office. Another project, costing £46,353 in 1999, is monitoring for gene flow from GM crops in field trials.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many separate trial sites there will be for genetically modified crops in the United Kingdom in 1999. [83284]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 27 April 1999, Official Report, column 88.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the scientific design of the field-scale evaluations of the ecological effects of genetically modified crops will be finalised; and if he will make a statement. [83260]

The successful contractors for the research have proposed a methodology for the ecological studies and this will be reviewed by the scientific steering committee. Fieldwork carried out this year will further help the contractors and steering committee to refine the methods to be used for subsequent years. It is envisaged that a provisional methodology will be made publicly available by the contractors and the steering committee soon after the steering group has met in early June. The final agreed methodology will be made available in the Autumn following the results of the first year's studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had about the ability of Railtrack to demonstrate the practicality of its timetable for trains on the slow lines after the Passenger Upgrade II. [83695]

Railtrack has given an undertaking to the Rail Regulator on the capacity that it is committed to provide following the implementation of the Passenger Upgrade II project. I expect the Rail Regulator to ensure that this undertaking is met.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack about its ability to demonstrate that it can meet the requirement set by the regulator to provide an extra 42 paths of the slow line of the West Coast Mainline after Passenger Upgrade II. [83694]

The Rail Regulator is discussing with Railtrack what it needs to do to demonstrate that it can meet its commitment to provide the extra 42 paths.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack about its statements relating to the needs of people travelling on the Euston to Rugby stretch of the West Coast Mainline in the company's network management statement and its capacity study. [83693]

The Rail Regulator is considering whether the plans in Railtrack's 1999 Network Management Statement adequately reflect the reasonable requirements of train operators and funding bodies, including train operators serving the Euston to Rugby route. In addition, the Franchising Director has launched an extensive consultation exercise with local authorities and other bodies on the level and type of services which the rail network should provide. This will assist the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority in forming a view on how the network should be developed, including the route between Euston and Rugby.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made on the West Coast Mainline upgrade; and if the programme is progressing (a) to schedule and (b) to budget. [83696]

The Passenger Upgrade II project is a commercial agreement between Railtrack and West Coast Trains Ltd., and as such is a matter for the parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish the timetable for the proposed development of the West Coast Mainline. [83698]

The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority will monitor Railtrack's progress with the modernisation of the West Coast Mainline, and the Rail Regulator will monitor compliance by Railtrack with its undertakings to the Regulator on additional capacity and related issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that Railtrack considers the reasonable requirements of train operators for growth on the West Coast Mainline. [83697]

Railtrack has a licence obligation, which is enforced by the Rail Regulator, to meet the reasonable requirements of train operators and funding bodies to the extent reasonably practicable, including those requirements which relate to growth on the West Coast Mainline. I understand that the Rail Regulator is considering whether the plans set out in Railtrack's 1999 Network Management Statement demonstrate compliance with this obligation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the proposed climate change levy he plans to redirect to develop energy efficiency measures with particular emphasis on small to medium sized enterprises; and what plans he has to extend the option for negotiating tradeable permits. [83704]

In his Budget Statement on 9 March 1999, Official Report, columns 173–190, the Chancellor announced as part of the climate change levy £50 million per annum package to fund schemes aimed at promoting energy efficiency directly including energy efficiency audits/advice, mechanisms to promote low carbon technologies, and additional support for renewable sources of energy. Further details will be set out in the draft UK climate change programme later this year.The Government recognise that SMEs are a key part of the economy with special needs. They have already therefore designed specific schemes and programmes to help them save energy and money and, importantly from our point of view, do their bit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. My Department's Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme provides independent advice and information on energy efficiency and support for RD&D projects. Non-domestic energy users including SMEs are an important target audience for the programme. The Department also funds grant schemes specifically for SMEs delivered through the Energy Saving Trust. The experience gained from the Energy Efficiency Best practice programme will provide a good basis for developing further energy efficiency schemes as part of the £50 million per annum package.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the long-term objectives of the proposed climate change levy; and what assessment he has made of the effect the climate change levy will have on non-intensive energy users. [83705]

The climate change levy is intended to make a significant contribution to meeting our greenhouse gas targets-an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of carbon per annum. It is one of a number of measures being developed as part of a substantial package to help the UK achieve its climate change objectives and enable the Government to continue to play a leading role in international efforts to tackle climate change.The climate change levy has been designed to be revenue neutral across the business economy as a whole. Non-intensive energy users will be expected to pay the full rate of climate change levy but, like all sectors of business, they will receive a reduction of 0.5 percentage points in their National Insurance Contributions. In line with the recommendations made by Lord Marshall in his report on "Economic Instruments and the Business Use of Energy", the Government intend to retain an incentive for all users to save energy at the margin. Firms which are non-intensive users of energy but which are labour intensive will tend to be net gainers from the budget package. The accompanying cut in employer National Insurance contributions will encourage employment opportunities, while the additional support for energy efficiency measures will help stimulate the development of new technologies.The latest forecasts from the Meteorological Office's Hadley Centre estimate that average temperatures will rise by up to 3.5 per cent. by the end of the next century. As part of the international effort to tackle climate change, the UK has signed up to a legally binding target of 12.5 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on 1990 levels by 2008–12. The Government propose to go further than this and have set a domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide—the most significant greenhouse gas—by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 January 1999, Official Report, column 212, what has been spent to date on consultancy costs for the London Underground public-private partnership. [84207]

I understand from London Transport that their expenditure on external consultants, from 20 March 1998 (the date of the Government's announcement) to 31 March 1999, for work on the PPP and restructuring London Underground was –18.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he uses to record incidents of self-harm in prison. [83593]

Incidents of self-harm are recorded when prisoners in Prison Service establishments require treatment in a health care centre, and are assessed by the clinician to have deliberately injured themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to respond to UNHCR's request that national Governments keep formalities to a minimum to speed up the evacuation of refugees from Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [83802]

The Government's priority, along with that of our European partners, remains to ensure that as far as possible, Kosovan refugees are cared for within the region so that they can return home when it is safe for them to do so. This is the refugees' overwhelming wish. We have also long made it clear that the United Kingdom stands ready to receive some thousands of refugees from the region on humanitarian grounds and on the basis of criteria agreed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We received the first formal request from the UNHCR to take refugees on 20 April and agreed it within one hour. I announced in the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir N. Fowler) on 5 May 1999, Official Report, columns 943–52, that we will be building up to taking around 1,000 refugees a week in the next few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to assist local authorities and other organisations with the funding of services required in relation to the evacuation of refugees from Kosovo to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [83801]

I made clear in the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir N. Fowler) on 5 May 1999, Official Report, columns 943-52, that local

Description	Start Date (Contract award date)	Company	Reductions in payment
IND Casework Programme	Spring 1996	Siemens Business Services	Yes
Medway Secure Training Centre (STC)	3 March 1997	Rebound ECD Limited	Yes
Rainsbrook STC	3July 1998	Rebound ECD Limited	No
Hassockfield STC	12 November 1998	Medomsley Training Services Ltd	No
Data Capture (United Kingdom Passport Agency	July 1997	Siemens Business Service	Yes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for the reception and care of unaccompanied refugee children from Kosovo who arrive in the UK. [83588]

Unaccompanied minor children are being looked after in the region as far as possible to facilitate family reunion.Children who have become separated from their parents have arrived in the United Kingdom in the company of a guardian or close adult relative. Every assistance is given in these cases to trace family in the United Kingdom, and this has been successful in at least one case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the consultation process in place in relation to the establishment of the Criminal Records Bureau; what representations he has received concerning the establishment of the Bureau; and when the Bureau will be operational. [83709]

A User Group will be established to enable the views of the users of the Criminal Records Bureau's services to be taken into account in its detailed implementation. Wider consultation on, for example, the content of the Code of Practice for bodies to be registered with the Bureau will also be undertaken.Since the Home Secretary announced the establishment of the Criminal Records Bureau in December 1998 we have received a number of representations. We estimated at that time that it would take some two years to establish the Bureau.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his current estimate of the impact on the voluntary sector of the proposed charges for criminal record checks at the Criminal Records Bureau. [83572]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 103.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each private finance initiative undertaken with his Department; if he will give the date the initiative started, the companies involved and whether any payments have been reduced to reflect performance against the contract; and if he will make a statement. [83707]

The available information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict the use of the criminal conviction certificate to employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the steps that he is taking to ensure that the availability of criminal conviction certificates will not increase recidivism. [83795]

Criminal conviction certificates will be available to individuals only on application and it will be for the individual concerned to decide to whom to provide the information contained in them. Criminal conviction certificates will give details only of unspent convictions. This is information which applicants can be asked to disclose at the moment. The criminal conviction certificate will allow employers to be sure that the information they have been given is full and accurate. We shall be consulting about guidance on the use of the certificates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if (a) the Security Service has taken over the responsibility of promoting the risk analysis methodology CRAMM from the CCTA and (b) personal data are required to be processed in order to promote the software; and if he will make a statement on how his Department will apply to provisions of the Data Protection Acts to such processing. [83798]

In 1997, the Security Service took over the management of CRAMM, but the promotion and marketing of the associated software package was undertaken by commercial organisations on its behalf. The Security Service is currently engaged in the transfer of the management responsibilities too, under Government licence, to a commercial consortium. Consequently, the Security Service holds no personal data in connection with the promotion of CRAMM.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Data Protection Registrar (a) on the application of Sections 28 and 29 of the Data Protection Act 1998 to the Security Service and (b) on provisions in Clauses 11 and 12 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. [83791]

The Data Protection Registrar wrote to me, in February this year, concerning the application of the Data Protection Act 1998 to the security and intelligence agencies when it comes into force. I replied that this was still under consideration and that no decision had been made. I said the same to my hon. Friend in my letter of 31 March. This remains the position although useful discussions between the Registrar's officials and mine have taken place.On

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the effect of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998 on the automatic right of access on request to any recorded material taped in a public place by CCTV. [83570]

We have not received any representations on this issues.The Data Protection Act 1998 provides a framework for the statutory regulation of public space Close Circuit Television (CCTV) systems. The Act builds upon the regime of the Data Protection Act 1984 but goes further in a number of respects. In particular, it provides enhanced rights for individuals in respect of personal data held about them by data controllers, including rights of subject access.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women were listed on his Department's paedophilia file on the latest date for which figures are available. [83586]

The Home Office does not maintain a "paedophilia file".However, the Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders cautioned or convicted of certain sexual offences, including certain sexual offences against children, to notify the police of their name, address and date of birth within 14 days of caution/conviction. The information is provided to the local police and stored in the Police National Computer.I understand that, as at 28 February 1999, 8,161 individuals were recorded on the Police National Computer as having notified the police in England and Wales of their details, in accordance with the 1997 Act. A breakdown of the sex of those who have notified the police of their details could, at present, be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the review of the Tote. [84050]

The Review of the Tote has been completed. I have considered the Report of the Steering Group which conducted the Review and have accepted the recommendations in it. I am most grateful to Peter Jones, the Chairman of the Tote, who chaired the Steering Group, for his skilful handling of this task. Copies of the Report have been placed in the Library.The Tote's status as a non-departmental public body has served it well in the past but has become increasingly anomalous as the Tote has become a more commercial operation and developed its non-pool betting activities through acquisition of licensed betting offices. The Review, therefore, concluded that the commercial freedom now required by the Tote would be best provided by transfer to the private sector. This will require legislation and, in view of the time this is likely to take, the Review has made no recommendation as to the precise method of sale. That will need to be determined at the time.Further work will now need to be undertaken on the various sale options, including the possibility of a sale to racing, in consultation with the Tote, the racing industry and others. The Review also recognised the need to have regard to the interests of the taxpayer, as well as other stakeholders. This means that the Government have rejected the possibility of the tote being transferred to racing without consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role her Department is taking in encouraging developing countries to reduce the production and supply of illegal drugs. [82958]

We recently published a strategy paper on illicit drugs and the development assistance programme. It stresses the need to provide effective support to poor communities that grow narcotics so that other crops offer a better life than the proceeds of narcotic production. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House and will send one to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met representatives of UK non-governmental organisations to discuss development projects in the poorest countries. [82959]

I met representatives of UK non-governmental organisations (NGO) on 29 April to discuss our proposals for new funding arrangements for UK organisations working to support development. There was a strong welcome for our new proposals which are designed to strengthen support for the development of civil society in the poorest countries, the details of which will be published by the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she is evaluating for a reconstruction and development package for Balkan countries following the cessation of hostilities. [82961]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier this afternoon to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), Official Report, column 303.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement concerning UK assistance to Kosovar refugees. [82968]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the provision of emergency aid to Kosovo. [82975]

On his recent visit to Macedonia, the Prime Minister announced an increase in British humanitarian assistance to £40 million. This is being spent on relief supplies, logistics, humanitarian experts, medical care, shelter and services in camps, information provision, and family reunification. UK objectives remain to save lives, protect the rights of refugees, encourage tolerance in host countries towards refugees, to plan for new contingencies, including access to Kosovo when the security situation allows, and to plan for refugee return.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's response to the needs of Kosovar refugees in (a) Macedonia, (b) Albania and (c) Montenegro. [82972]

We have allocated £40 million since March in response to the needs of Kosovar refugees on relief supplies, logistics, humanitarian experts, medical care, shelter and services in camps, information provision, and family reunification.Our objectives are to save lives and reduce suffering, protect the rights of refugees, encourage tolerance in host countries, and to plan for new contingencies, including the return of the refugees to Kosovo.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the preparations being made to provide assistance to Kosovar refugees over the winter. [82965]

Shelter and heating will be key issues for refugees during the cold weather, after their return to Kosovo and also for those who remain in neighbouring states. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is responsible for refugee care in this and other areas. We have offered assistance to UNHCR to help make contingency preparation for future refugee needs, and are ready to respond to requests.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will assess the benefits for the world's poorest people of the introduction of a tax on currency speculation. [82962]

The proposal to tax currency transactions is of considerable interest. It could bring benefits in two ways. It could help reduce short term currency speculation, and it could raise significant resources to reduce poverty. Unfortunately, there are serious practical difficulties which stand in the way of implementation: it is difficult to distinguish between currency speculation and necessary currency transactions, and it would be difficult to agree on a satisfactory distribution of revenues. We will continue to study this and related proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department provides for research into the Amazonian rain forest. [82963]

We are currently supporting ten projects in the Amazon basin with a significant research component. These cover research into ecosystems, biodiversity, silviculture, forest management, harvesting for timber and non-wood products, and environmental policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to strengthen the role of the United Nations in development. [82964]

Our plans are set out in a recently published paper "Working with the United Nations for International Development: Institutional Strategy Paper", a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House and which I have sent to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanism exists to ensure that the views of her Department are represented within the MISC 6 Cabinet Committee. [82966]

This matter is currently under consideration. I shall write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to strengthen the work of regional development banks. [82967]

We are working to ensure that the focus of the work of the Regional Development Banks is on poverty reduction, and we welcome recent progress on this in the Asian and African Development Banks. We are also urging increased effectiveness in the design, implementation and evaluation of their projects and programmes, and the adoption of appropriate pro-poor and financial strategies. We seek to exert influence at all levels including through contact with the Presidents of these institutions, other members of Bank management and country programme managers and their advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to involve the private sector in the promotion of sustainable development. [82969]

Globalisation is creating great wealth but its benefits are unevenly spread. The growing gap between rich and poor can create instability which increases risks for us all. It is both morally right and in business' interests that this wealth is spread more fairly.Business has a key role to play in helping developing countries achieve the economic growth they need through investment and training. We are working with the private sector to promote a fair and stable operating environment necessary to achieve this. We are also working to promote socially responsible business practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received from supporters of the Jubilee 2000 campaign on the relief of international debt. [82970]

We are in regular contact with Jubilee 2000. 1 admire the role the churches and NGOs are playing in raising awareness among the public of the effects of high levels of indebtedness on some of the world's poorest people and building support for more debt relief in the run-up to Cologne Summit in June. I receive many letters from members of the public, directly and through their Members of Parliament, indicating their support for cancelling the unpayable debt of the poorest countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met representatives of multinational companies to discuss the work of her Department. [82971]

We are developing working relationships with a wide range of businesses in pursuit of our poverty elimination objectives. On 20 April I spoke at a Symposium organised by the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum and Business in the Community on "Responsible Business in the Global Economy". The Symposium was sponsored by Diageo and BP-Amoco and was attended by over a hundred representatives from blue chip companies and non-governmental organisations. I will send a copy of the speech to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards aid to internally displaced persons in Burma. [82973]

Since 1996, we have provided almost £1 million of humanitarian assistance for Civil Society and UN agencies working with refugees and internally displaced people along the Burma-Thailand border, the Burma-China border and the Burma-Bangladesh border. We shall continue to respond to appeals for humanitarian assistance where safe and transparent delivery systems are available to ensure that assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide assistance towards sustaining the Cuban health and education systems. [82974]

We contribute to Cuba through the European Commission whose humanitarian office (ECHO), focuses on the health and social sectors.We have no plans to introduce a bilateral aid programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many projects are being financed in African countries; and if she will make a statement. [82976]

We are currently spending £406 million in African countries. We also contribute to Africa through our work in the World Bank, EU, UN and other multilateral agencies. Our country strategy papers for Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to press developing countries to increase spending on education, with particular reference to girls. [82960]

World Bank analysis demonstrates clearly that educating girls has major development impact. Our White Paper commits us to work to ensure that the international community achieves its agreed objective of securing quality primary education for all girls and boys by 2015. We have committed over £250 million to primary education partnerships with developing countries since 1997. These are designed to support and encourage these governments in prioritising spending on primary education.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many refugees and displaced persons have been driven from their homes in (i) Serbia, (ii) Kosovo, (iii) Croatia, (iv) Macedonia, (v) Montenegro, (vi) Bosnia and (vii) Slovenia since 1990 as a result of the civil wars and conflicts in former Yugoslavia; and how much development assistance and humanitarian support has been made available by the British Government to the countries of the regions. [82956]

About 2½ million people have been driven from their homes in the former Yugoslavia as a result of the conflicts since 1991 and an additional 800,000 since March this year. In response, the UK Government have provided over £247 million in humanitarian, reconstruction and development support. We have committed £40 million since March for refugees from Kosovo.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how her Department intends to respond to the signing on 5 May of a tripartite agreement on East Timor by Indonesia, Portugal and the United Nations Organisation. [84031]

We will contribute $1 million to the Trust Fund established to enable the United Nations to conduct a popular consultation and ensure an orderly transition to autonomy or independence. We will support a co-ordinated international effort, led by the United Nations, and are exploring how we might also help develop capacity in civil society.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff work for his Department and its agencies; and how many did so in 1990. [82554]

On 1 April 1990, there were 10,495 staff working in my Department and its agencies. On 1 October 1998 (the latest information available) there were 9,702 staff working in MAFF and its agencies undertaking broadly comparable functions. In addition, there are 1,549 staff working for the Meat Hygiene Service who undertake functions which were the responsibility of local authorities in 1990.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the UN Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995) with the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement. [83400]

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries is a voluntary instrument which sets out a general framework of principles and standards aimed at ensuring the responsible conservation, management and development of fisheries. It is a wide-ranging document covering the capture, processing and marketing of fish and fish products, aquaculture, fisheries research and the integration of fisheries into coastal state management. The European Community is committed to ensuring that the Common Fisheries Policy, which aims to promote responsible fisheries management and the conservation of fish stocks, is fully compatible with the relevant provisions of the Code.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many of these applications were granted. [83119]

[holding answer 10 May 1999]: For monitoring purposes, this information is collected on a calendar year basis. Information for 1997 was published last year in the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information 1997 Report. In the year ended 31 December 1998 MAFF and its agencies received 41 applications for information under the Code and granted 32 of them.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what form he proposes to implement his proposals on tax avoidance set out in Inland Revenue Press Release 35. [83371]

The proposals will be legislated in the Finance Bill 2000. They will provide a mechanism for looking through a contractual relationship, where services are provided through an intermediary, such as a company, but the underlying relationship between the worker and the client has the characteristics of employment. In those circumstances, the engagement will be treated as employment for the purpose of tax and National Insurance.The Inland Revenue is presently working with interested parties on details of the practical application of the proposals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much third world debt the UK has written off since May 1997; how much remains due to the UK; to whom this is owed; and if he will make a statement. [82957]

The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to improve existing debt relief mechanisms since May 1997. The Chancellor has called on his international colleagues to implement faster, wider and deeper debt relief.Since 1997, HM Government have written off or committed under existing debt relief mechanisms to write-off around £400 million of debt from developing countries.The total developing country debt outstanding under current debt agreements is just under £9 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 10 May; and if he will make a statement. [83973]

I attended the Economic and Finance Council-ECOFIN-of the European Union in Brussels on 10 May 1999. There was an orientation debate on the Commission's draft 1999 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines. The draft was broadly welcomed. ECOFIN will agree a text at the 25 May ECOFIN after further discussion at official level.The Presidency's draft European Employment Pact was discussed. The Pact will be discussed further at official level before being adopted by the joint meeting of ECOFIN and the Social Affairs Council on 25 May. The Employment Pact was also discussed informally over lunch with the Social Partners.The Commission presented to ECOFIN its preliminary draft budget for 2000, which it had adopted on 28 April. Discussion emphasised the need for budget discipline.The President of the Economic and Financial Committee proposed a procedure for involving ECOFIN in the formulation of Common Strategies. The proposals were agreed.I urged the Commission to speed up the disbursement of already agreed funds for the Federal Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the consultation on the national curriculum review will be launched; and if he will make a statement. [84079]

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will be carrying out the consultation on the proposed revisions to the national curriculum on my behalf. Sir William Stubbs and I will jointly launch the consultation tomorrow, 13 May. The Consultation will last for ten weeks. All schools will receive information about the consultation, and the full consultation package will also be available on the Internet, at http://qca.org.uk/ncr/ from tomorrow morning. Paper copies will also be placed in the Library tomorrow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Arts Council of England regarding the future of its commissioning budget; and if he will make a statement. [83046]

I have regular discussions with the Arts Council of England on a wide range of issues. In the case of new music, I understand that the Arts Council and regional arts boards provided £74,000 and £262,515 respectively in 1998–99 for new music commissions. The Arts Council also funds a number of organisations which support new music (the Society for the Promotion of New Music, Sonic Arts Network, London Sinfonietta and the British Music Information centre) adding a further £619,200 to the above figures. Other regularly funded organisations support new music within their grant in aid allocations, and performing groups and composers have also received support through the Arts For Everyone schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance his Department is providing for local authority administered museums which are seeking to increase and improve their visitor attractions whilst retaining free admission. [83720]

For the first time, my Department is spreading its financial support to museums beyond those which it directly funds by means of a £15 million challenge fund for Designated museums. Of the 43 Designated museums services eligible to apply, 17 are local authority managed. The first awards have also been made from the Heritage Lottery Fund's new £7 million Museums and Galleries Access Fund established to assist Museums and Galleries Commission registered museums with touring exhibitions, transport costs, and other audience development approaches. In addition, a £½ million IT Challenge Fund and a £½ million Education Challenge Fund will be available to Commission registered museums this year and next year to support access, lifelong learning and educational projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many non-determination appeals have been made to the Planning Appeals Commission for each district in Northern Ireland; how many were upheld; and in how many cases the Commission disagreed with the main recommendations of the commissioner hearing the appeal in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [82904]

The information requested in relation to non-determination appeals is included in the table. The table covers the last five years, and provides information in the format requested.

Article 33 (Non-determination) appeal statistics-1994-95 to 1998-99
District council	AL	DS	W/D	N/D	T	C
1994-95
Armagh	—	—	—	—	—	—
Belfast	—	—	—	—	—	—
Carrickfergus	—	—	—	—	—	—
Castlereagh	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cookstown	—	—	—	—	—	—
Craigavon	—	—	—	—	—	—
Coleraine	—	—	—	—	—	—
Derry	—	—	1	—	1	—
Down	—	—	—	—	—	—
Dungannon	—	—	—	—	—	—
Larne	—	—	—	—	—	—
Limavady	—	—	—	—	—	—
Lisburn	—	—	—	—	—	—
Magherafelt	—	—	—	—	—	—
Newtownabbey	—	—	—	—	—	—
North Down	—	—	—	—	—	—
Omagh	—	—	—	—	—	—
Strabane	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total	—	—	1	—	1	—