To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the impact of the Climate Change Levy on the transport industry. [94161]

As part of an ongoing process of dialogue and consultation between Government and business on the Climate Change Levy, I held a meeting with business representatives, including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, on 20 October 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the environmental non-Governmental organisations with which he has held meetings during the past 12 months to discuss the proposal to establish a World Trade Organisation agreement on forest products. [93834]

My predecessor, Ministerial colleagues from other Government Departments, officials and I myself have held numerous meetings with environmental and other non-governmental organisations over the past 12 months to discuss the proposed new Round of multilateral trade negotiations in the World Trade Organisation. Proposals for tariff reductions on forest products have been dealt with in these meetings in the context of the United Kingdom and European Union approach to trade liberalisation in a new Round.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many copies of the Europlanner disc have been created; at what cost; and how have they been distributed. [95230]

The EuroPlanner (floppy disc) is a practical, self-help tool to help businesses prepare for the euro. Over 105,000 copies of the EuroPlanner have so far been distributed by Business Links, other intermediaries, the Treasury's euro telephone line (08456 01 01 99) and my Department to business to help them prepare their euro strategy. It is also available on the internet (www.connectbestpractice.com) and on a Euro CD ROM. The development and production costs for 155,000 copies of the disc were £109,000.My Department launched the EuroPlanner on 23 February in response to requests from UK businesses and Business Support Organisations. It is important that UK firms consider the implications of the single currency and where necessary take steps to prepare. I would encourage British companies to use the EuroPlanner to help them do this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, by country, the total amount of state aid approved by the Commission since the signing of the Single European Act. [95407]

Between 1987 and 1997, the Commission approved a total of approximately 861,438 million euros in State aid throughout the EU, of which 430,240.21 million euros was paid to the manufacturing industry.These data were compiled from the Commission's surveys on aid to industry across the EU; the most recent being "The Seventh Survey on aid in the EU in the manufacturing and certain other sectors", which was published in March 1999. The Eighth Survey, covering the period 1997–98, has not yet been published. The surveys provide a broad overview on aid granted across the EU, but data on State aid to agriculture, fisheries, coal, steel, transport and the financial services sector are not broken down by country.The table sets out the total State aid to the manufacturing industry granted by each member state in millions of euro.

Millions of euro
Member state	Total state aid to industry 1987–97
Austria1	1,600.00
Belgium	13,925.00
Denmark	5,213.79
Germany	144,983.00
Greece	35,998.20
Spain	23,303.10
Finland1	1,154.00
France	54,899.80
Ireland	3,986.22
Italy	116,907.00
Luxembourg	503.18
Netherlands	9,268.99
Portugal	5,419.54
Sweden1	1,140.00
UK	25,216.60
1 Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU in 1995

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the total value of contracts awarded to date in Kosovo since the cessation of hostilities, broken down by nationality of company. [95405]

Almost all the contracts awarded to date to agencies and companies have been those to meet the immediate humanitarian needs in Kosovo. There is no central register of the multiplicity of such agencies which have won such contracts either through bilateral aid support or through that provided via other organisations such as the United Nations. However, British Trade International, the recently established joint DTI/FCO trade promotion organisation has, in conjunction with the British Office in Pristina, been asked (through the joint private sector Kosovo Taskforce established by the Secretary of State) to put together a list with details of all British companies which have won contracts in Kosovo.The most significant of these to date is the concession awarded to a British consortium led by Mott MacDonald to manage the power sector in Kosovo over the next seven months; this should help ensure that there is sufficient power to enable Kosovo to get through the forthcoming hard winter. British Trade International has put nearly £500,000 into this project; a similar amount has been provided by the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999, Official Report, column 115, what is the latest position regarding the possible lease of Sombrero Island for the purpose of launching commercial satellites. [94800]

Officials from the British National Space Centre remain in contact with the Government of Anguilla providing technical advice and assistance on the outer space aspects of the request by the US company Beal Aerospace to lease Sombrero Island for the purpose of launching commercial satellites. Officials are also helping the Anguillans to assess the probable environmental consequences of the proposed activity. ICF Kaizer have conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment on behalf of Beal and a Planning Inspector has been appointed to advise the Anguillan Government. It is hoped that a public consultation with interested parties will soon be conducted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the ECGD support for the export of the Hawk aircraft was agreed in March 1996 before the export licence was issued in November 1996. [95292]

ECGD's support for the project was conditional upon an export licence being obtained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the numbers and percentages of (a) mothers and (b) fathers who will choose to take their parental leave entitlements in each of the first five years after that rights comes into force. [95168]

We estimate that about 100,000 parents will take parental leave each year when the rights are fully established in 2004. We have not estimated how many will choose to take parental leave in each of the first five years after the rights come into force. Parental leave is a new right and we do not have enough information to make such detailed estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Minister of State's visit to Poland. [94707]

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: I visited Poland from 21 to 23 September. My visit encompassed ministerial meetings, the opening of an all-British trade fair in Warsaw, visits to British businesses, a visit to Krakow to open the new British Council Offices and to support a project run by a British company to recycle the waste from the steel mill in Krakow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to protect consumers from the effects of predatory pricing activities by low-cost airlines; and if he will make a statement. [94708]

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: Responsibility for ensuring competition laws are not broken lies with the competition authorities, the Office of Fair Trading within the UK or the European Commission for activities which affect trade between member states. I look to these bodies to ensure fair competition, and for those with concerns to put them to the competition authorities for investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set up an independent inquiry into predatory pricing activities by low-cost airlines. [94709]

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: We have no such plans. However, if my hon. Friend has any evidence of predatory pricing activities he should bring it to the attention of the competent authorities. In the UK this is the Director General of Fair Trading, and for activities which affect trade between member states it is the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement in respect of the proliferation implications of the plutonium shipment involving the Pacific Pintail and Pacific Teal. [94713]

The UK's international nuclear trade, including the export of Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, is undertaken strictly within the terms of international agreements on nuclear non proliferation, safeguards and physical protection and is entirely consistent with the UK's obligations in these areas. Very stringent physical protection and safeguards measures are applied to MOX at all time, including during transport, to prevent its theft or diversion to non-peaceful purposes. The Government are satisfied that the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation from the manufacture and use of MOX in Europe and its export to Japan is minimal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the financial allocation towards the minor and major road works programme in each roads division in the current financial year; [94451]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. C. James. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to address the problem of the long-term unemployed in Northern Ireland. [94464]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when planning application No. X/98/0820 for the Riverside Residential Development in Comber was received by his Department; if the application allows for the future construction of the next stage of the Comber by-pass road scheme; what matters are outstanding before a planning determination can be made; and if he will make a statement about the time still required before issue of that planning decision. [94377]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. H. S. McKay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) on what date the planning application for a bowling green at The Warren, Cloughey was received by his Department; how many local people have signed a petition in support of this bowling green; when a planning decision will be issued; and if he will make a statement; [94557](2) when the planning application for a bowling green at The Warren, Cloughey, Co. Down was submitted; when an environmental and heritage report was requested; when this report will become available; how many persons have signed a petition in support of this project; when the planning decision will be issued; what is the opinion of Ards borough council; and if he will make a statement. [94558]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. H. S. McKay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the volume of traffic on the Newtownards road near the cemetery in Comber; if he will assess the benefits of the provision of a pedestrian crossing at this location; how many pupils are enrolled at Comber Primary and Comber High schools; and if he will make a statement; [94370](2) what assessment he has made of traffic flow conditions at the junction of Darragh Road with the Newtownards Road in Comber; what plans he has to provide traffic lights at this junction; and if he will make a statement. [94369]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. C. James. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many planning applications for residential developments in the Carryduff area are presently being considered; and if he will make a statement; [94547]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. H. S. McKay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many qualified town planners are employed in the planning service currently; what was the level five years ago; when preparation of the Ards Area Plan will commence; when preparation of the North Down Area Plan will commence; and if he will make a statement on resources available to the Planning Service to review the Area Plan Programme. [94374]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. H. S. McKay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the hedge at the Houston Road into the plant testing station was last cut; what record there is of car accidents at this location; and if he will make a statement. [94545]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. C. James. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the location of the original Scrabo Stone from the former Kinnel Marsh and Kennedy's Bridges at Comber; if it will be saved for the construction of the next stage of the Comber Bypass; and if he will make a statement. [94368]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Road Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. C. James. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of his predecessor's special advisers travelled to New York on 6 October 1998; and if he will list the meetings which they held with members and officials of the US Government during this visit, listing the dates and locations of each meeting and the names of the US Ministers and officials at each meeting. [93948]

Mr. Nigel Warner was the only special adviser to accompany my predecessor during her visit to New York between 7 and 9 October 1998. During the visit he did not hold any official meetings with any members or officials of the US Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the terms of Directive 85/337/EEC were applied to wind farms in Northern Ireland. [94787]

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. H. S. McKay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 July 1999, Official Report, column 706, for what reason he did not state the most recent date on which (a) he and (b) the Minister for Transport used a train in the course of their duties. [94530]

As the then Minister for Transport said in her answer, Ministers travel by public transport on a regular basis on official visits and journeys to their offices. My right hon. Friend and my noble Friend last travelled by train on official business on Monday 18 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the impact that taking illegal drugs has on the driving ability of motorists; and if he will make a statement; [94511](2) what assessment he has made of the impact that taking over the counter medicines has on the driving ability of motorists; and if he will make a statement; [94512]

Some medicinal and illegal drugs can impair driving ability and its is already an offence to drive while impaired through drugs. The Association of Chief Police Officers is researching suitable training for police to recognise the outward signs of drug taking and to assess driver impairment. The Department and the Home Office are supporting that and the development of roadside screening devices to further assist the police in enforcing the law effectively. However, the effect of drugs, both medicinal and illegal, on driving ability is a very complex issue and, in contrast to alcohol, it is very difficult to correlate directly the level of consumption with impairment of driving. Research is ongoing into the extent of the problem—an essential first step in formulating suitable and effective countermeasures. The Department is also participating in European Union research projects to develop roadside devices to screen for the presence of drugs and to detect impairment in a driver.The Department is considering how the risks of driving under the influence of drugs might be publicised. The acknowledged success of the Department's drink drive campaigns was accompanied by effective enforcement and good knowledge of the way in which alcohol impairs driving. That makes such campaigns effective overall because they are authoritative, well targeted and there is a real threat of getting caught. For drugs (both illegal and medicinal), we would need to target any such campaigns towards the precise nature and extent of the problem and would need to give positive advice informed by well based knowledge.I understand from the Medicines Control Agency that the current guidelines for pharmaceutical companies dictate that all medicines must comply with European Commission Directive 92/27/EEC on the labelling of medicinal products for human use and on package leaflets. All products have a Summary of Product Characteristics which explains how the medicine acts, how it should be used and any side effects that might be experienced, including a section on the effect of the medicine on the ability to drive. Prescribers are also provided with information on the effects of medicines on the ability to drive in the British National Formulary. This also lists standard pharmacy labels which pharmacists add when dispensing medicines that may affect a patient's ability to drive. Information for patients about medicines, including the effects on the ability to drive, is also provided to patients in Patient Information Leaflets. These should now be supplied with all medicines.The information included in the Summary of Product Characteristics, including the effects on the ability to drive, is based on data supplied by pharmaceutical company at the time a product licence is applied for. This may be updated as further information becomes available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of traffic accidents which occurred within the UK as the result of illegal drug abuse from May 1997 to June 1999; [94448](2) what estimate he has made of the number of traffic accidents which occurred within the UK as the result of the use of legal over the counter medicines from May 1997 to June 1999. [94449]

The road accident statistics do not include information on drug use. The Department is undertaking research into the incidence of drugs in road accident fatalities. However, the presence of drugs, whether legal or illegal, is not of itself evidence of impairment of driver ability or accident causation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives he has launched to combat homelessness within (a) the UK and (b) Sefton since 1993. [94581]

Since taking office, the Government have strengthened the legislation to give homeless people reasonable preference in the allocation of long-term social housing. My Department has also set up a sounding board with representatives from local and central Government and the voluntary sector to consider further proposals to give effect to our Manifesto pledge to increase the protection afforded to unintentionally homeless people in priority need. We have also set up a joint liaison committee, the Youth Homelessness Action Partnership, to look specifically at issues affecting homelessness among young people.One of the first priorities the Prime Minister set for the Social Exclusion Unit was to report on Rough Sleeping. They identified that rough sleepers' problems and needs span the responsibilities of several central Government Departments. In response to this, a new Ministerial Committee on Rough Sleeping (MCRS), chaired by the Minister for Local Government and the Regions, has been established to ensure effective co-ordination of Government policy on this.The Government have also established the Rough Sleepers Unit, which has the tough target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough by two-thirds by 2002. It is directly responsible to the MCRS for progress against the target and has a budget of £145 million over three years. This money is provided from a range of departmental sources (including DETR, DoH, DSS and DfEE) and will be used as a flexible integrated budget to tackle the health, education, training and benefit, as well as housing, aspects of rough sleeping.We have also announced a £34 million funding over the next three years for over 250 projects outside London under the New Homelessness Action Programme. Sefton has received £44,034 to provide workers for two projects. Early in the New Year we will be inviting further bids for funding from voluntary organisations in the light of the forthcoming national strategy document on rough sleeping.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to reduce the number of homeless persons living (a) in Merseyside and (b) in Sefton. [94647]

We have announced that £34 million will be available under the Homelessness Action Programme over the next three years to fund voluntary agencies to address the problem of homelessness outside London. Organisations in Merseyside have been allocated £458,696 to provide youth, outreach, project and field workers for five schemes. £44,034 of this is for two projects in Sefton. We will be inviting further bids under the programme following the launch of the new national strategy on rough sleeping, which we will be launching before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are (a) the proposed duration of the Motor Insurers' Bureau uninsured drivers' agreement and (b) its termination provisions. [94409]

There is no formal termination date in Agreement. Past agreements have continued until it was clear that there was a need to revise them. There are provisions for termination of the Agreement upon either party giving a year's notice to the other.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the revised Motor Insurers' Bureau uninsured drivers' agreement was signed; and on what date it will come into effect. [94407]

The new Agreement was signed on 13 August 1999 and it came into effect on 1 October 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions since the signing of the Motor Insurers' Bureau uninsured drivers' agreement what (a) meetings have been held with (i) the insurance industry and (ii) organisations representing victims of road accidents and (b) what representations have been made by (i) and (ii); and if he will make a statement. [94408]

Since the new Agreement was signed, my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has met the Association of Personal Accident Solicitors and the Solicitors Indemnity Fund to discuss concerns they had expressed about the terms of the Agreement. I understand that the Motor Insurers' Bureau have also met Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and have arranged to meet the Motor Accident Solicitors Society. My Department stands ready to meet any of these representative organisations to discuss their concerns and, if it proves necessary, to amend the Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment of the problems of compliance with the revised Motor Insurers' Bureau uninsured drivers' agreement faced by accident victims or their representatives were made by his Department, prior to its signature; and if he will make a statement. [94406]

Representations received over the last 10 years from applicants, their legal representatives and from solicitors' organisations all pointed to a lack of clarity about the 1998 Uninsured Drivers Agreement. In particular there were several complaints about the lack of clear procedures and the absence of defined time limits. These have been addressed in the new Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions prior to the signature of the revised Motor Insurers' Bureau uninsured motorists' agreement, what (a) meetings were held by his Department with (i) the Motor Insurers' Bureau, (ii) other representatives of the insurance industry, (iii) the Law Society and (iv) organisations representing road accident victims, (b) what representations were invited and received from the above and (c) what other consultation arrangements were made; and if he will make a statement. [94405]

Representations have been received over the 10 years since the last revision from many applicants, their legal representatives and from solicitors' organisations. Representations have also been received from the European Commission. All of these are taken into consideration in the review of the Agreements. Representations were not formally invited from any of these organisations. We have recently received correspondence from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met them, in September, to discuss their concerns about the new Uninsured Drivers Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue regulations under the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 to require drivers of minicabs to carry the guide dogs of sight-impaired customers. [94692]

This is a matter which will be considered when we consult jointly with the Public Carriage Office on proposals for regulating private hire vehicle drivers in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the minimum age for a child to ride as a pillion passenger on a motor cycle; and if he will make a statement. [94686]

There is no minimum age for a child to ride as a pillion passenger on a motor cycle. The decision remains with the rider, who is legally responsible for ensuring that the child is safely supported. Existing legislation places a number of controls on the carrying of pillion passengers.These legislative requirements, by their nature, restrict the carrying of children as pillion passengers unless that can be undertaken safely.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many children have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in road traffic accidents riding pillion on motor cycles in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [94685]

The information requested is shown in the following table:

Child twmv1 pillion passengers killed or seriously injured: GB 1994–98
Casualties
	Severity
Year	Killed	Seriously injured	Total
1994	2	54	56
1995	0	46	46
1996	1	51	52
1997	3	48	51
1998	0	34	34
1 Two wheeled motor vehicles; including motorcycles combinations, mopeds and motor scooters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement in respect of maritime pollution threats involving the "Pacific Pintail", the "Pacific Teal" and the Greenpeace ship. [94714]

My Department is not aware of any incident involving the named ships that created a risk of marine pollution. However, the ships were involved in incidents in July this year that resulted in a risk to safety. Greenpeace manoeuvred inflatable boats near the ships owned by Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited. The Greenpeace ship had positioned itself in the approach channel to Barrow. Its crew did not provide information on their intentions, despite several requests that they do so. Without any clear indication of Greenpeace's intentions, there was concern that their activities could result in injury or loss of life. My Department's Maritime and Coastguard Agency therefore issued a direction requiring the MN Greenpeace to leave specified areas of the UK's territorial sea. We cancelled the direction once there was no longer a risk to safety in the UK territorial sea.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement in respect of safety issues arising from the plutonium shipment involving the "Pacific Teal" and "Pacific Pintail". [94715]

Mixed oxide fuel is transported in packages that have been approved as meeting the national regulations and international safety standards covering the transport of radioactive materials by sea.The "Pacific Pintail" and the "Pacific Teal" already meet the highest requirements of the International Maritime Organisation's "Code for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel", "Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on board Ships" ("INF Code").

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require the Health and Safety Executive to make publicly available (a) reports on rail safety hitherto treated as confidential and (b) future reports on rail safety. [94701]

The results of HSE's investigations into rail safety are already made public. This has been achieved by publishing the findings eg of train accidents, research, passenger accidents and others in the Chief Inspector of Railway's Annual Report into Railway Safety. In the last year, HSE has also made public the result of its investigation into significant incidents as these are completed. Examples include findings following the derailment at Cadoxton and the accidents of Bexley and Winsford. Within the last year, HSE has also published the results of the investigation into the management of signals passed at danger.HSE intends to make public the results of all such investigations as soon as possible after the completion of the investigation. This is illustrated by the publication of the interim findings into the recent train accident at Ladbroke Grove.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls exist to monitor the number of vessels in the Irish Sea carrying radioactive material; what requirements there are for the registration of such movements and the reporting of incidents which could endanger the public; and what was the average number of such vessels moving in the Irish Sea during the past 18 months. [94672]

UK legislation requires ship operators to provide my Department with information on dangerous and polluting cargoes, including radioactive material, carried by ships calling at UK ports. It also requires ship operators to report incidents to HM Coastguard. These requirements give effect to international rules adopted through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and to an EC directive. We cannot require ships that pass through UK waters without calling at a UK port to provide us with information except in accordance with IMO approved schemes. Any such requirement would conflict with the navigational rights and freedoms enjoyed by foreign ships according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, to which the UK is a party. Information on the number of ships passing through the Irish Sea without calling at a UK port is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 1999, Official Report, column 370, concerning the agreement signed by London Transport Underground for the future supply of power, if, under the agreement, power for London Underground will cease to be generated in London; who the owners and managers of Power PH are; to what extent the agreement transfers the responsibility for supply and distribution of electric power to appliances and live rails; what access agreements to linesides, switching equipment and sub-stations have been made with the contractors; and what transfers of personnel there will be. [94813]

The Power PFI contract transferred responsibility for the operation, maintenance, finance and renewal of London Underground's high voltage electrical supply network to SEEBOARD Powerlink (a consortium of companies consisting of SEEBOARD, BICC and ABB, owned in the following proportions: 80 per cent., 10 per cent., 10 per cent.). Under this contract, London Underground's power will be obtained from the National Grid. The day to day switching of electrical supplies to track and stations remains with London Underground.Access by the contractor to linesides, switching equipment and substations is in accordance with the same procedures and conditions imposed for London Underground staff and all contractors working on the railway.Under the terms of the Power PFI contract, the 315 London Underground staff responsible for the operation and maintenance of the generating stations at Lots Road and Greenwich, the power distribution substations and associated high voltage and control cable networks, transferred to SEEBOARD Powerlink on their existing terms and conditions of employment when the contract commenced on 16 August 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many fires there have been on the London Underground in each of the last five years. [94793]

The numbers of confirmed fire reports for the last five years are as follows

	Rolling stock	Trackside
1994–95	32	244
1995–96	37	347
1996–97	38	286
1997–98	58	327
1998–99	58	258

London Underground define a confirmed fire as any incident that activates a smoke alarm.These incidents may be as seemingly trivial as a smouldering cigarette end. London Underground advise that these confirmed fires were small in nature, with little or no combustible material available that would lead to the development of a large fire. All such incidents, however small, are treated very seriously.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 1999, Official Report, column 370, concerning revenue and costs of London Underground Limited, if he will provide a breakdown of the £248 million of other costs in 1997–98 into (a) main categories of expenditure and (b) each line or interchange expenditure; and to what purposes the gross margin of £265 million has been devoted. [94814]

(a) The breakdown of "other costs" is as follows:

Other costs	£ million
Business rates	21
Operational materials and supplies	18
Train and station cleaning	20

Other costs	£ million
Repair costs allocated from project work	25
Marketing	4
Insurance	9
EDP costs	13
Consultancy	9
Accommodation and telephone	23
Charge from LT for finance and HR services	26
PH contract costs	31
Costs of property rental collection	7
Other costs	42
Total	248

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the next meeting on the biosafety protocol will be held; by what date his Department has to make its submission for inclusion in the EU position; and if he will make a statement. [94828]

At the informal consultations on the biosafety protocol held by the President of the Extraordinary Conference of the Parties (Ex-COP), Minister Mayr, in Vienna in September, it was decided to resume the Ex-COP between 24-28 January in Montreal. The UK and the EU are considering the options arising from the informal consultations, and the EU position for the resumed negotiations will be established over the coming months. The UK is fully committed to an effective and workable Protocol which can be ratified by all countries active in biotechnology.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from the EU concerning the effects of the chemical glyphosate on (a) the environment and (b) biodiversity; and if he will make a statement. [948191

The EU has established a programme to review the safety of all pesticides which were authorised (by at least one Member State) for use in agriculture and horticulture on 25 July 1993. Glyphosate is included in the first round of this programme.The EU review process begins with an evaluation, including effects on the environment, wildlife and other non-target organisms, by a "rapporteur" Member State. Germany was appointed rapporteur for glyphosate and has delivered its assessment to the EU Commission, the UK and other Member States. This evaluation is currently subject to peer review by experts from all Member States.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will report on progress made at a meeting of the IMO sub-committee on the safety of navigation held in September on the subject of the mandatory carriage requirement for transponders; and if he will make a statement. [94603]

[holding answer 20 October 1999]: The International Maritime Organisation' s (IMO) sub-committee on the safety of navigation (NVA 45) met from 20-24 September 1999 and developed a draft regulation for the phased introduction of a mandatory carriage requirement for ship identification transponders. The draft Regulation envisages new ships being fitted by 1 July 2002, with step-by-step application to existing ships between then and 2008. The draft will be further discussed at the 72" session of the IMO safety committee in May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the M60 motorway from Denton to Middleton to open; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for opening sections of the motorway at an earlier date. [94831]

[holding answer 21 October 1999]: As this is an operational matter for the Highways Agency, I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Lawrie Haynes, to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the danger to rail travellers of the increased number of cases of broken rails since 1994–95; and what action he plans to take. [951731]

Broken rails result from a range of causes including rail age, increased traffic density and particular additional freight carriage. The general upward trend in the number of broken rails demonstrates that infrastructure maintenance, inspection and track replacement efforts must be increased. HSE's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) has recently ordered Railtrack to define an urgent action plan to improve track maintenance and inspection to significantly reduce the number of broken rails across the network. Extreme damage to rails could potentially lead to train derailment and HMRI take a strong enforcement action where there could be a safety risk. For example, a prohibition was placed on the use of the Severn Tunnel earlier this year until suitable repairs were carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list

Undertaking	Car (£)	Minibus (£)	Percentage differential	Large bus (£)	Current tolls: Percentage differential
Aldwark Bridge	0.15	0.30	100	0.80	433
Clifton Suspension Bridge	0.20	0.20	0	0.20	0
Dartford QEII Bridge	1.00	1.70	70	2.80	180
Dunham Bridge	0.20	0.20	0	0.40	100
Humber Bridge	2.30	3.30	43	12.50	443
Itchen Bridge	0.60	1.00	67	5.00	733
Rixton & Warburton Bridge	0.10	0.12	20	0.12	20
Severn Bridges (Westbound only)	4.20	8.40	100	12.50	198
Shrewsbury Bridge	0.10	0.10	0	0.10	0
Swinford Bridge	0.05	0.05	0	0.20	300
Tamar Bridge	1.00	2.50	150	5.00	400
Whitechurch Bridge	0.08	0.20	150	0.50	525
Whitney on Wye Bridge	0.50	0.50	0	1.00	100

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice his Department has given the European Commission on the Dutch Government's approval for raddicio rosso to be sold in the Netherlands without the approval of the EU. [94868]

[holding answer 21 October 1999]: Chicory (raddicio rosso) has been approved under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC for growing in the European Union for the purposes of seed production only. It is not for general cultivation, nor can it enter the food or animal feed chain under this approval.The application was submitted to the UK and the other member states via the Dutch Competent Authority in 1995. The UK together with the other member states reviewed the application dossier. The UK Competent Authority raised no objection to the product being placed on the European market. The Community's decision was that the cultivation of this particular GM crop for the purposes of seed production posed a low risk to human health and the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has commissioned regarding the long-term effects of implanting microchips in animals for the purpose of identification; and if he will make a statement. [94890]

The Dog Identification Group, which my Department set up, is considering all the issues relating to dog identification including that of micro-chipping. No decisions will be taken until we have fully considered the report of the Group.

The following list shows the current toll levels for cars and buses on toll bridges in England for which the Secretary of State has a statutory responsibility, as Highway Authority or for the determination of the level of tolls. The percentage differential between the toll level for cars and buses is shown:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to bring forward legislation on dog identification; and if he will make a statement. [94891]

A Dog Identification Working Group has been set up by my Department to produce a report to reflect a consensus view on all the available options for dog identification. No decisions will be taken until we have fully considered the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to offer dog owners a choice in the method by which they identify their animals, pursuant to the report by the Dog Identification Group. [94888]

The Dog Identification Working Group will produce a report to reflect a consensus view on all the available options for dog identification. No decisions will be taken until we have fully considered the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the report of the Dog Identification Working Group. [94889]

The Dog Identification Group has been set up by my Department to report on the available options for dog identification. The report will be made public on its completion during the course of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he received the Planning Inspector's reports on the planning application for the site of St. Mary's Hospital, Stannington, Northumberland. [95104]

The report by the Inspector who conducted the public inquiry into the called-in planning application for the site of St. Mary's Hospital, Northumberland reached Government officials on 5 February 1999.The hon. Member will know that the Secretary of State's decision to refuse the application was issued on 21 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of parish councils. [94937]

As stated in our White Paper "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014),

"Parish councils will continue to play a key role in many of our towns and villages".

In our forthcoming Rural White Paper we intend to address further how we see parish councils playing their part in rural local governance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Banbury concerning freemasonry and the Planning Inspectorate; [R] [94950](2) if he will make a statement on the policy of the Chief Planning Inspector that freemasons will not be eligible to apply for employment with the Planning Inspectorate. [R] [94943]

This policy was incorrect and has been withdrawn. However, all new appointees to the post of Planning Inspector shall have as a condition of appointment a requirement to declare membership of the freemasons (and any later membership to them).I expect to reply to the hon. Member this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make an announcement on town council status for Banbury. [94941]

The Secretary of State has made a preliminary decision for the creation of a new parish of Banbury. Cherwell District Council was notified on 8 October.We intend to consult the District Council and other interested parties shortly on a draft Order. Subject to that consultation, the intention is to make the Order before the end of 1999 with the view to first elections in May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the NATS part-privatisation on the implementation date of the Swanwick Air Traffic Control System. [95695]

The Public/Private Partnership for NATS will not have any impact on the target operational date for the Swanwick centre which is spring 2002. At present the development of the centre is proceeding well, and meeting its target milestones. It is likely that by the time the NATS PPP is established, the air traffic control system will be ready for operations, and training of controllers on the new system will be well underway.The introduction into operation of the Swanwick centre is an integral part of NATS' plans for the future control of air traffic in the UK. The NATS PPP will therefore be obliged to complete the centre and bring it into operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the issue of deaths caused by negligent or dangerous driving will form part of the proposed White Paper on Road Safety. [95111]

The forthcoming road safety strategy will cover a wide range of issues, including those related to negligent and dangerous driving. It will also set out new targets to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries on Britain's roads.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the rail freight terminals operating in each Government Office region. [95556]

Railtrack's "A Guide to Rail Freight", published in April 1999, says that there are around 1,000 active rail freight terminals connected to their network; a terminal can be any interface between rail freight services, other modes and/or storage facilities, and they vary enormously in size and scope from a simple siding through to a large distribution park.Railtrack's "A Guide to Freight Connections" (Third Edition), published in October 1998, contains at Appendix B1 a list of private siding connections and at Appendix B2 a list of freight operating company sites. Each entry includes its geographical location by Railtrack Zone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to support the establishment of new Rail Freight terminals adjacent to motorways. [95578]

The Government's freight grants scheme is designed to assist companies in moving goods from road to rail where payment is justified by the environmental benefits. Capital grants are available towards the cost of new or refurbished freight facilities, including terminals, wherever they might be located. The Highways Agency has a Memorandum of Understanding with Railtrack to facilitate effective co-operation and understanding between the two organisations, and one of the areas of mutual interest mentioned in the Memorandum is the development of opportunities for the transfer of freight from road to rail through the provision of interchange facilities with access directly or indirectly from the trunk road network, including motorways.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many injuries (a) per million passenger journeys and (b) per million train journeys there have been in each of the last 10 years. [94777]

Information about the numbers of casualties per train journey is not available. Information about numbers of casualties per passenger journey and per passenger kilometre on all railway undertakings in Great Britain is as follows:

Railway movement accidents1: passenger casualty rates
	Casualties2 per million passenger journeys	Casualties2 per million passenger kilometres
1989	1.85	0.076
1990	1.73	0.072
1991–92	1.61	0.068
1992–93	1.59	0.066
1993–94	1.52	0.064
1994–95	1.54	0.069
1995–96	1.81	0.080
1996–972	0.46	0.019
1997–98	0.47	0.020
1998–99	0.40	0.018
1 Train accidents, or accidents due to the movement of railway vehicles (eg passengers entering or alighting from trains). Accidents not connected with the movement of railway vehicles, and casualties connected with trespass and suicide, are excluded.
2 Until 1996 all accidents to passengers were required to be reported however slight their injuries. Under the Accident Reporting Regulations 1995, which came into effect on 1 April 1996, non-fatal injuries are only reported if the passenger is taken to hospital. Figures since 1996–97 are therefore not comparable with those for earlier years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the (a) Government's response to the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology on "The Management of Nuclear Waste" (HL Paper 41) published on 24 March, (b) High Level Waste and Spent Fuel Disposal Research Strategy project, (c) 1998 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory and (d) report on the UK's intentions for implementing the OSPAR strategy with regard to radioactive substances. [95881]

I have today written to Lord Tombs, Chairman of the Committee, enclosing the Government response to the Select Committee report on "The Management of Nuclear Waste". Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.The Government's paramount concern is to protect the safety of both current and future generations. The Government agree with the Select Committee that widespread public consultation must come before a final decision is reached on the most appropriate option for managing radioactive waste. The Government note the Select Committee's conclusion that deep disposal is the only solution which is ultimately sustainable. We shall, however, want to study very carefully the results of the consensus building process, initiated by the consultation which we intend to launch early next year, before coming to a final view. There are, in any case, questions to consider about when any underground repository might be needed and the period over which is should be possible to monitor and retrieve wastes placed in it. There is no need for an immediate decision at this stage.The Government response is the first stage of the process to identify, develop and implement the best possible management option for radioactive wastes—one which commands widespread public support. It sets out the Government's commitment to a comprehensive policy for long-lived radioactive wastes, developed in an open and transparent way on the basis of widespread consultation to ensure the maximum possible public acceptance. The next stage will be full consultation on the management options for radioactive waste. Subsequent steps will need to be considered in the light of the results from this consultation. There is no question at this stage of looking at the potential suitability of any particular sites. This would only be necessary if, in the light of consultation, underground disposal were the chosen option. In any case, this would be some years away.The Government have also accepted that it is possible that at least some plutonium may be declared a waste in the future. The response therefore also sets out our intention to consult with BNFL, British Energy and UKAEA on the likely future uses for the UK plutonium stockpile.I have today published a report which my Department commissioned from consultants Quantisci setting out a research and development strategy for disposing of certain radioactive materials. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.The High Level Waste and Spent Fuel Disposal Research Strategy project has identified the scale and nature of the research and development that would be required, if deep geological disposal of high-level waste and spent fuel were to be pursued. The report will inform the forthcoming consultation paper on radioactive waste management.I have also today published the 1998 UK Radioactive Waste Inventory. Copies of the summary report have been placed in the Library of the House.The Inventory was jointly commissioned by Nirex and my Department. It describes all stocks of waste held in the UK at 1 April 1998, together with predictions of wastes arising into the future. There has been an increase of around 12 per cent. in the total volume of wastes in stock since the last inventory in 1994 due to the continued accumulation of intermediate and high level wastes in the absence of disposal facilities. However, the predictions of future arising have been revised downwards since the last report (17 per cent. for high level waste; 26 per cent. for intermediate and 2 per cent. for low level waste) due to developments in waste conditioning, better estimates of volume and some changes in the scale and nature of future operations.The UK is one of the few countries where such information is made publicly available. Organisations involved with the nuclear industry, and relevant non-governmental organisations, will receive a free copy on compact disk. The summary report will also be available on the internet at www.nirex.co.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many requests there have been to his Department for placement of officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of his officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; from which countries (a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came; and which of these twinnings related to the (i) environment, (ii) transport and (iii) regional policy aspects of his Department. [93993]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz).

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many requests there have been to her Department for placement of her officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of her officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; and from which countries (a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came. [93992]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz).

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action the Government are taking to improve its handling of major IT projects. [95754]

We have recently begun a major study into the handling of Government IT projects. It will consider best practice from within Government, the private sector and overseas to produce recommendations to improve performance in this area in the future. The work of the study team will be closely integrated with that on delivering the Corporate IT Strategy announced in the Modernising Government White Paper.The study will be undertaken by officials in the Cabinet Office's Central IT Unit. It will be completed by next May. I will chair a steering committee that will oversee the study, bringing together senior figures from across Government and the private sector.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list those proposals made by her representative to the Horizontal Questions Working Group indicating the discussions on them. [95309]

Officials from my Department have made no proposals to the Horizontal Questions Working Group over the past 12 months.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if an action plan for increasing the representation of women in public life has been (a) prepared by her Department and (b) published since November 1998. [94855]

This Government are committed to the equal representation of women and men in public appointments. A plan of action has been drawn up, which includes individual departmental plans for increasing the participation of women in public life. Details of individual departments' are given in "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments, 1999–2000", published by the Cabinet Office in May 1999. Copies are in the Libraries of the House and on the internet. The plans contain specific goals and objectives for increasing the representation of women on the boards of public bodies, and are updated annually in the light of progress made.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) why undertakings contained in the letter of 7 January 1998 from the Secretary of the Civil Service Commission to Michael John Smith (prison number PR 3345) were not fulfilled; [94569](2) when Michael John Smith (prison number PR 3345) will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 10 January 1997 to the Secretary of the Security Commission; and what was the reason for the delay. [94568]

This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been to the membership of the Animal Procedures Committee. [95863]

I am pleased to be able to say that Mr. Robert McCracken, a barrister, has joined the Committee with effect from 1 September 1999. I am sorry to have to announce the departure from the Committee of Professor Colin Johnston on grounds of ill health.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional measures he plans to ensure public order and security on the night of 31 December. [95148]

Maintenance of public order is primarily a matter for chief officers of police. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has established a millennium co-ordinating committee to ensure the readiness of forces and continuity of service over the millennium period. I understand that all forces have millennium planning teams in place to ensure business continuity and contingency planning for this period. Arrangements are in place for mutual aid between forces should this become essential.The infrastructure preparedness, supply chains and business continuity plans of police forces in England and Wales have been independently assessed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary using a process based on Action 2000 methodology. All forces have been graded as blue (no identified risks of material disruption) and have millennium operating regimes in place.A police information centre will operate at Scotland Yard on 31 December, reporting to the President of ACPO. In addition, the Home Office's own millennium operating regime will ensure that Ministers are fully appraised of developments on the night.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regular police officers will be on duty at the Millennium Dome during normal opening hours. [95121]

There will be no police officers routinely on duty at the Millennium Dome, as security duties at the Dome site will be undertaken by the appointed Company, Group 4.The Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis tells me that a total of 89 additional officers will be seconded to the Greenwich Borough Operational Command Unit to undertake high visibility patrol, traffic patrol and crime investigation duties in anticipation of the increased numbers of people visiting the Dome and Greenwich. The secondment of these officers will last for the duration of the National Millennium Exhibition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds he intends to make available to the Thames Valley Police during the coming financial year; and what impact he estimates such funding will have on recruitment policy for the Thames Valley Police. [94938]

Last year the Government announced that the police service in England and Wales would receive an additional £1.24 billion over three years from 1999–2000. Our plans allow for police expenditure to increase by around 2.8 per cent. in 2000–01. No final decisions have been taken about the allocation of funding to individual forces for the coming financial year. We expect to announce provisional allocations towards the end of the year.Police recruitment is not centrally managed from the Home Office. It is a matter for individual chief constables. The Thames Valley Police will be able to bid for a share of the crime fighting fund which the Government have set up to provide for 5,000 extra recruits over three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he expects police authorities to hold concerning the membership of freemasonry among police officers; on what basis such information will be compiled; and to whom it will be available. [R] [94942]

Police authorities will hold no such information. Chief Constables in England and Wales are in the process of establishing voluntary, internal, registers of freemasonry membership in their forces. At this stage, while arrangements for its publication remain to be determined, the information disclosed will be used for internal management purposes and to provide statistical information about the extent of freemasonry membership in the police service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms he intends to be used to rehouse refugees throughout the United Kingdom; what consultations he or his Department have had with local authorities; and if there will be extra funding for local authorities to assist with the housing and other costs of accepting refugees. [94951]

The Department has been in extensive consultation with the Local Government Association, the Association of Local Government and a variety of local authorities about the new support arrangements for asylum seekers in Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Bill which are due to come into effect in April 2000, and the statutory interim arrangements in Schedule 8 of the Bill which are due to come into effect shortly after Royal Assent.For the statutory interim arrangements, the Government have invited local government to devise a voluntary dispersal scheme which will enable asylum seekers to be dispersed to cluster areas around the country so that no single local authority bears a disproportionate burden. The statutory interim arrangements will underpin this scheme. The statutory interim arrangements also include provisions which will enable dispersal to take place if there is no voluntary scheme in operation.From April 2000, the new support arrangements will enable the Department to provide support in cluster areas around the country and to disperse to those cluster areas asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute and who claim the full support package.For the period of the statutory interim arrangements, local authorities will be able to claim up to £150 per week for single adults and up to £220 per week for families who are being supported. When the new support arrangements are implemented, the Home Office will bear the costs of the provision of support (including accommodation, vouchers, cash, interpreter services and travel).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide a more severe penalty for those convicted of causing death by negligent driving. [95109]

There is no offence of causing death by negligent driving. Grossly negligent driving which results in a death could be charged as manslaughter, which attracts a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the charge of careless driving to a charge that recognises the culpability of the driver. [95108]

We have no current plans to change the definition of the offence of "careless driving" under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Research is, however, currently being conducted into the way in which cases involving "bad" driving proceed through the criminal justice system. The results of that research will help to establish whether any changes in the law are desirable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the enforcement of byelaws against demonstrating in the royal parks. [95649]

The enforcement of the byelaws is a matter for the Metropolitan Police and for the Royal Parks Police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many reparation orders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been granted by the courts to date in each of the five pilot areas; how many of those orders have been breached; and if he will make a statement; [94957]

By 30 September 1999, the latest date for which this information is readily available, the following orders had been made in the pilot areas: 122 Parenting Orders, 829 Reparation Orders, one Child Safety Order and 490 Action Plan Orders. Applying for a local child curfew is an option for local authorities to consider in light of the wider crime and disorder strategies they are developing under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. No applications have yet been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made by the courts to date under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [94954]

Information on the number of Orders made is not held centrally but we are aware of six Orders made since 1 April 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sex Offender Orders have been made by the courts to date under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [94956]

Information on the numbers of Sex Offender Orders made is not currently held centrally.We are, however, aware of 14 such orders having been granted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what meetings took place between his Department and the Metropolitan Police about the public order implications of the state visit by the President of China; [95646](2) what representations his Department made to the Metropolitan Police about the public order implications of the state visit of the President of China. [95648]

No such meetings or representations took place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the backlog of (a) immigration and asylum cases and (b) nationality cases in the Integrated Casework Directorate of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each month since 30 June. [94972]

The backlog of immigration and asylum cases, and, separately, nationality cases at the end of July, August and September is set out:

Immigration and asylum
Month	Number of cases
July	104,464
August	123,454
September	149,013

Nationality
Month	Number of cases
July	97,900
August	99,500
September	97,900

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the average daily number (a) of telephone callers to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, (b) of calls made to that directorate and (c) of calls answered by the Telephone Caller Unit, in (i) July, (ii) August and (iii) September. [94965]

The figures relating to telephone calls to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate are provided each month by British Telecom and are actuals rather than estimates. Daily averages, by month, are set out in the table:

	Number of callers	Number of calls	Calls answered
July	4,307	51,925	1,795
August	4,133	53,352	1,867
September	4,741	37,503	3,668

Since July a number of measures have been introduced to improve the service offered by the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau (INEB). Significant numbers of new staff are now available to answer calls, a support team undertakes follow-up work generated by calls, and there have been improvements in training staff in call handling techniques and the mentoring of new and existing staff. In recent weeks the service provided by INEB has improved substantially with around 4,000 calls a day being answered (75 per cent. of incoming calls). Further changes are being considered to improve performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are now held in the Central Work in Progress Store of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and how many of those cases have been outstanding for more than (a) six months, (b) one year and (c) two years. [94968]

There are 83,796 cases held in the Work in Progress Store of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. This is a reduction of over 26,000 cases since July. Of the cases held in the Work in Progress Store, 12,654 have been outstanding for more than six months, 32,206 have been outstanding for more than one year, and 38,936 have been outstanding for more than two years. A number of measures have been taken to tackle the backlog, including the creation of the After Entry Clearance Team, which has had a major impact on the backlog of the after entry case backlog.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average daily number of personal callers to each public inquiry office of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each month since 30 June. [94963]

The average daily number of callers to each public inquiry office in July, August and September is set out in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of letters to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate from (a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public are currently replied to within the target times set by Ministers. [94969]

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) defines and monitors public correspondence as set out in the Six Whitehall Standards. The Standards specifically exclude applications and casework related correspondence, that is the majority of correspondence received in IND.The latest position is that 12 per cent. of letters from hon. Members and 89 per cent. of letters from members of the public to which the Standard applies, met it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current backlog of cases at the Liverpool Office of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and how many of these cases have been outstanding for over (a) six months, (b) 12 months and (c) two years. [94966]

At 30 September 1999, the current estimated backlog of cases in the Liverpool Office stands at 97,900. 72,500 cases have been outstanding for six months; 46,900 have been outstanding for 12 months and 3,500 for two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the earliest date of unopened travel documents applications held by the Travel Documents Case Management Unit of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [94970]

The earliest date is 28 July 1999.In the past few months, the number of staff allocated to travel documents work has doubled and is set to increase still further in the next few weeks. This combined with streamlined working practices, has resulted in dramatic increases in output from averages of 120 per week during August to well over 700 last week.In addition, all applications received since 6 September have been opened within 24 hours of arrival in the section, and the majority processed within a matter of days.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average waiting time for nationality cases in (a) July, (b) August and (c) September. [94964]