To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the Highways Agency agreed to postpone the widening of the A1 Western Bypass between North Gosforth and Ponteland Road interchanges consequent upon the development of the Northern Development Area, Newcastle; who were the parties to this agreement; and what size of development will be permitted prior to widening. [95862]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the traffic flows along the A1 Western Bypass of Newcastle and Gateshead at (a) the Metrocentre interchange, (b) the Tyne River crossing, (c) the Ponteland Road interchange and (d) the North Gosforth interchange in (i) 1995, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998 and (iv) 1999; and what flows are projected for (1) 2002, (2) 2005 and (3) 2010 (x) with and (y) without, the development of the Northern Development Area, Newcastle. [95876]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to encourage the use of public transport by children travelling to and from school. [95766]

In December 1998 we established the School Travel Advisory Group (STAG) to promote best practice and develop a more coherent approach to school travel issues.STAG oversees a programme of research which includes a project, due for completion in Summer 2000, to identify good practice in increasing bus use for journeys to and from school. This will lead to the publication of a guide for local authorities and operators.STAG has also overseen the preparation of two guides published in June, one for local authorities and one for parents, teachers and school governors, which include guidance on increasing the use of public transport by children travelling to and from school. Both guides also include guidance on increasing levels of walking and cycling.I have arranged for a copy of both guides to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given the panels inspecting draft regional planning guidance reports about consulting local authorities in the relevant areas. [96108]

Draft Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) is prepared by regional planning bodies made up of the local authorities in the region, working with other stakeholders. A Panel, appointed by the Secretary of State, then holds a Public Examination into the draft guidance. Draft Planning Policy Guidance note 11: Regional Planning advises the Panel to consult local planning authorities, through the regional planning body, in drawing up the list of participants and matters selected for examination by the Panel. The Guidance also advises that the regional planning body should be represented at the public examination. Individual local authorities may also participate at the examination (as they have done at the recent examinations into draft RPG for East Anglia and the South East). Once he has considered the Panel report, the Secretary of State will publish draft changes to the regional guidance for a further short public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends (a) to publish the findings of the National Speed Policy Review and (b) to begin wider public consultation on national speed policy; what representations he has already had with regard to the national speed policy; and if he will make a statement. [96037]

The Review of Speed Policy is nearing completion and the conclusions and recommendations will be published shortly. Recommendations requiring changes to legislation will be developed into proposals, and consultation on these will take place. A large number of representations covering wide ranging interests and views has been made about the review, including more than 100 replies in response to the discussion document which was circulated by my Department during the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the introduction of bus and other priority lanes on (a) motorways and (b) trunk roads. [95999]

[holding answer 27 October 1999]: There are no immediate plans for further bus or priority lanes on national motorways: on all purpose trunk roads they will continue to be considered as an option to address transport problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would be the estimated cost of extending the current rebate on fuel duty to community transport schemes. [96170]

The term "community transport" covers a wide range of different services and organisations. The cost of extending the scope of the Fuel Duty Rebate scheme would depend on the precise definition of eligibility adopted.Changes to the scope of the scheme will shortly be considered by the Commission for Integrated Transport as part of its study of value for money for public support for bus services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost to public funds of publishing the October 1999 issue of the South East of England Development Agency's newsletter SEView; and how many copies were (a) published and (b) distributed. [96264]

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: The first eight page edition of SEEDA—South East View was published on Friday 15 October 1999, and was bound into the centre of South East Business Magazine which had a print run of 13,650 copies. Despatch to readers was by First Class post, the cost of which was met by the South East Business Magazine. An additional 3,000 copies of South East View were delivered to SEEDA of which 1,100 have been distributed so far. The total cost was £8,206.22 plus VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 13 September on behalf of his constituent, Ms Pendray. [96291]

My noble Friend the Minister for Transport replied to the right hon. Member on 26 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department plans to respond to the letter sent to him on 29 June by the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East addressed to the then Minister for the Regions on the subject of regional development agencies. [96485]

Description	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	11998–99
Local Transport2	1,031	1,242	1,140	1,088	914	842	778
Railways	2,161	1,547	-351	-1,269	-928	352	568
Office of Passenger Rail Franchising	—	2	1,799	1,703	1,847	1,438	1,255
London Transport	883	693	784	903	942	629	391
Other Transport	197	103	221	130	76	104	94
Total	4,272	3,587	3,593	2,555	2,851	3,365	3,086
1 Estimated outturn
2 Figures provided for Local Transport may include expenditure on elements other than public transport

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the amount of funding provided by local authorities (a) to the arts, (b) to museums and galleries and (c) supporting the upkeep of listed buildings in the last year for which figures are available. [95491]

English local authorities incurred a total net current expenditure of £137.7 million on museums and art galleries in 1997–98. Expenditure on

The then Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn), replied to the hon. Member on the 13 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many hours per week the hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) spent on ministerial duties in (a) September, (b) October and (c) will spend in November. [96493]

I spend, and will continue to spend, as much time as required to fulfil my Ministerial responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was spent per inhabitant on public transport (a) in the West Midlands and (b) in Greater London in each of the last seven years; and if he will make a statement. [96292]

The information is not available in the form requested.The latest figures available for DETR historic and planned expenditure, and planned spending, on all elements of Transport can be found in the Departmental Annual Report 1999. Expenditure by DETR on public transport over the last seven years is as follows:art activities and facilities and conservation of the historic environment was separately identified for the first time on the 1998–99 returns, and this information is not yet complete. However, budget information for the total net current expenditure on culture and heritage is available for 1999–2000, the figure for English local authorities being £278.5 million. This includes museums and galleries, art activities and facilities, conservation of the historic environment, and archives and records.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list by political party, the number of councillors who sit as board members of each of the Regional Development Agencies; [96012]

The eight Regional Development Agencies currently have 102 board members in all, including the Chairmen, and four vacant board positions. Four councillors were appointed to each board, affiliated as follows:

Regional Development Agency	Labour	Liberal Democrat	Conservative	Independent
Advantage West Midlands	3	0	1	0
East of England	2	1	1	0
East Midlands	3	1	0	0
North West	3	1	0	0
One NorthEast	3	0	0	1
South East	2	1	1	0
South West	2	1	1	0
Yorkshire Forward	13	1	0	0
1 Includes one former councillor who was not re-elected at the last election

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of his Department's non-departmental public body (a) employees and (b) expenditure is represented by the eight regional development agencies. [96003]

(a) Approximately 5 per cent. (using available figures of RDAs' staffing on 1 April 1999 compared with NDPBs' staffing on 1 April 1998); and

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what have been the set-up costs to date of regional development agencies. [96004]

The Regional Development Agencies spent £5.138 million in the four months before they were established on 1 April 1999. In addition to inherited resources, RDAs have £17 million this financial year to spend on administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials have had with representatives of each of the regional development agencies. [96009]

Ministers and officials have been involved in a regular, and ongoing, programme of meetings with the Regional Development Agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many regional development agency strategies he has received; and when and by what method he intends to respond to them. [96011]

Strategies for all eight Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were presented to Ministers on 26 October. We aim to formally respond to these by the end of the year. A decision on the appropriate method of response will be made after full consideration of the Strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by political party, the number of councillors who are members of each regional chamber. [96010]

The current breakdown, by political party, of the councillors who are members of the regional chambers is as follows:

	Conservative	Labour	Liberal Democrat	Other
East	11	10	5	1
East Midlands	17	37	6	8
North East	2	34	4	2
North West	15	38	10	7
South East	33	15	20	5
South West	23	19	30	8
West Midlands	7	27	6	2
Yorkshire and Humber	4	13	2	3

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Oxford Transport Strategy's impact on traffic congestion in the city. [96597]

The Oxford Transport Strategy has been implemented as a rolling programme since its adoption in 1993, supported by a specific central Government funding from 1994–95 onwards. Oxfordshire County Council has established a programme of continuous monitoring to assess the impact of the Oxford Transport Strategy. They estimate that car flows into the central area of Oxford have decreased by about 4.5 per cent. from 1991 to 1998. The Government will continue to assess the results of this monitoring as part of the Local Transport Plan funding regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the operation of the council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme for 2000–01. [96951]

The guideline for the 2000/01 scheme will be the same as last year: a 4.5 per cent. increase in council tax or such higher increase as is necessary to give the council an increase in its budget requirement equal to its full cash SSA increase. As indicated last year, the scheme will operate cumulatively. For each authority, we will use its previous year's council tax at guideline as the starting point.All other aspects of the scheme will operate on the same basis as last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he intends to make for the distribution of revenue support grant to local authorities in England. [96952]

I expect to be able to announce to the House full details of the proposed Revenue Support Grant distribution in late November. However it would be helpful both to hon. Members and local authorities to announce now what I am minded to do in terms of grant distribution, phasing in or changes, and consultation.This year, I propose to set considerable store by stability in the grant system, to help councils plan ahead. In our July 1998 White Paper, "Modern Local Government—In Touch With The People", we said that we would not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs,) except, for example, where there are changes in the functions of councils, or the financing of particular services. We said that the SSAs of individual councils would change to reflect changes in demand for their services as reflected in the data used to calculate the SSAs.The totals of SSAs will change this year to reflect the increased funding announced last July in the Comprehensive Spending Review. There will be changes to reflect new functions or financing arrangements. The £150 million from the Service Development Fund which we had put in the Education SSA total to help meet the costs of implementing the pay reforms proposed in the Teachers' Green Paper will now be paid as part of a special Grant for that purpose.Our present intention is that, subject to consultation, and approval by the House, we shall not make any changes to the method of grant distribution generally. We shall need to make some limited adjustments to SSAs to accommodate the establishment of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and related changes, most notably those arising from the alterations to the boundary of the Metropolitan Police area and the Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police areas.We intend to adopt similar rules for Central Support Protection Grant and the SSA Reduction Grant as for this year. This would mean that no authority would receive less central support in 2000–01 than in 1999–2000, and every education authority would receive at least a 1.5 per cent. increase in central support. In both cases, the comparisons must make allowance for the changes connected with the creation of the GLA. The SSA Reduction Grant would operate in the same way as in 1999–2000 but with comparisons moved on a year as necessary.I am sure that this early indication of our intentions will be welcomed by most authorities for the extra certainty which it gives them in the early stages of their budget decisions for next year.Given the degree of stability that we propose this year, I do not intend to invite local authorities to hold meetings with Ministers during consultation on the settlement. I expect authorities to put any points in writing; they will all be considered before I finalise my proposals. I shall meet the local authority associations so that they can put any points directly to me. Individual local authorities of course can channel their comments through the associations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is an exemption order for the fleet of new trains to be introduced into service by Serco Metrolink in respect of any of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; if he will list all exemption orders from the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 since 27 July; and if he will make a statement. [96954]

As my predecessor explained in her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 167, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train and tram operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.We have received an application from Serco Metrolink relating to the new trams they wish to introduce on the Manchester Metrolink extension to Eccles via Salford Quays. The exemptions, which are of a very minor nature, have been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. An exemption Order relating to the exemption of these trams has been laid in Parliament today. Copies are available from the Library.Applications for exemption from certain aspects of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 have also been received from both South West Trains Ltd. for their Class 458 rail vehicles and ScotRail Railways Ltd. for their Class 170/4 rail vehicles. The exemptions sought were also discussed with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. Exemption Orders relating to the South West Trains vehicles and the ScotRail vehicles were laid before Parliament on 3 September and 13 September respectively. Copies are also available from the Library.The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trams or trains. Indeed, we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key targets for 1999–2000 for the Chief Executive of Queen Victoria School, Dunblane. [96908]

The Chief Executive of Queen Victoria School has been set the following Key Targets for 1999–2000:

Achieve a staying on rate at School for S4 to S5 of at least 70 per cent. based on a three year trend.

Exceed by 2 per cent. the average percentage pass rate for all Scottish presentations obtaining five or more Credit awards at Standard Grade based on a three year trend.

Achieve a percentage of the presentation at Higher Grade achieving A to C grade greater than or equal to the Scottish average based on a three year trend.

To achieve a pupil per capital cost of no more than £17,415 (at 1998–99 prices) by March 2000.

To generate income to the School of at least £240,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many referrals to the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme there have been; and what research into Gulf War syndrome the programme sponsors. [96063]

At 27 October 1999 there had been 3,128 referrals to the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP). The GVMAP does not sponsor research into Gulf veterans' illnesses. Its two main purposes are:

to investigate patients' medical complaints, make a diagnosis as far as is possible, and recommend appropriate management, or provide reassurance if no illness is found;

to collate statistical information in an anonymised form as a resource for researchers.

As part of this second role, a paper on the clinical findings from the first 1,000 patients seen by the GVMAP was published in the British Medical Journal on 30 January 1999. This was the first time that the results of clinical examinations of a large number of UK Gulf veterans had been published. A paper on the clinical findings from the second 1,000 patients is in preparation and will be submitted for publication later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if employees of DERA will remain members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme consequent upon his proposals for privatisation. [93705]

Any staff transferring out of the civil service as a result of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) transaction cease to be civil servants and, as such, are no longer eligible for membership of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS). The Government Actuary's Department is responsible for certifying that any new scheme they join offers broadly comparable benefits to those offered by the PCSPS. Staff will be treated fairly and in line with the Government's Statement of Practice for Staff Transfers in the Public Sector which sets out comprehensive guidance for the treatment of staff in PPP deals, including new guidance on the protection of staff pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) the current status and (b) the future of the biological, radiological and chemical information system. [95801]

The Biological, Radiological and Chemical Information System (BRACIS) are a computer-based prediction system. If a Biological, Radiological or Chemical hazard were detected, the system would assist commanders in the field to understand the implications of the hazard, and take appropriate action.BRACIS was acquired in 1995 and is used by all three Services. An updated version of the software was acquired this year and this recently began to be used for training purposes at the Defence Nuclear, Biological & Chemical (NBC) School.A more capable system is being developed with a communications capability which will enable it to be integrated with other systems contributing towards digitisation of the battlespace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service personnel under 18 years of age have been killed in 1998 and 1999 [95630]

Between 1 January 1998 and 26 October, 1999 five UK Service personnel under 18 years of age have been killed, two in 1998 (one drowning, one fall) and three in 1999 (two road traffic accidents, one alcohol poisoning).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letters of 17 June and 1 September on behalf of his constituent, Mr. Allan. [96281]

I replied to the right hon. Member on 23 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Minister's letter of 30 August, when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a substantive reply to his letter of 10 August on behalf of his constituent, Mr. Hall. [96280]

I expect to be in a position to write to the right hon. Member soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the review of his Department's estate in London to be published. [95526]

Following on from the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) a detailed Strategic Development Plan for the Greater London area (SDP GL) is being prepared. Substantial progress has been made on this review of the Department's occupancy of its London-based estate and I expect to be able to make a statement early in the new year following our evaluation of its conclusions and recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the most recent financial year contracts valued in excess of £10,000 including the value of each for (a) London, (b) the South-East of England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland. [95352]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost. In aggregate the number and value of prime contracts valued in excess of £10,000 extant in Financial Year 1998–99 by the following locations is listed:

Location	No. of contracts	Value of contracts (£)
London	3,026	3,460,927,447
South-East England	10,734	13,130,333,195
England	34,894	54,202,614,303
Scotland	2,297	3,346,377,904
Wales	923	517,423,851
Northern Ireland	226	587,707,167

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the use of armed forces married quarters by forces personnel, after the breakdown of a marriage, during subsequent relationships. [96432]

MOD policy bans cohabitation in Family Quarters. Occupation is therefore restricted to Service personnel and their spouses, together with dependent children if applicable. While this policy is kept under review, there are currently no plans to change it.In the event of marital breakdown, the Marital Category of the Service person is changed from married to single. At this point, unless the Service person has custodial responsibilities for a child, they are no longer entitled to occupy a Family Quarter and are consequently required to move into single living accommodation. The estranged family is also required to vacate the Family Quarter, but is given a 93-day notice period in which to do so. However, individual circumstances are given consideration consistent with service requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the levels of spending on education per head of the population in each county of England in each year since 1995–96. [94313]

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The information requested is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library.Accurate information per head of population is not available for each of the years requested. Information has, therefore, been provided on the basis of expenditure per pupil. The information contained in the tables shows for each county in England, (i) total spending in primary, secondary and special schools since 1995, (ii) the total number of pupils in those schools, and (iii) the total spending per pupil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the ability of schools to provide conditions for formative emotional development. [95218]

The Government is committed to fostering children's emotional well-being and to doing everything they can to ensure that they have the emotional maturity and security necessary for effective learning. This is a key theme of the Government's booklet "Desirable Outcomes for Children's Learning" and the recently launched Early Learning Goals.We are making £21 million available through the Standards Fund for 2000–01 to support innovative work in Local Education Authorities on early identification and assessment of emotional and behavioural difficulties. A further £18 million of Standards Fund Grant is available to support implementation of the revised National Curriculum framework. Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) in the Curriculum contains provision for pupils to learn how to recognise the symptoms and address the causes of stress and depression.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional personal computers there are in schools as a result of the National Grid for Learning Initiative. [95639]

A Statistical First Release, published in August, indicated that in 1999 there was, on average, one computer for every 13 pupils in primary schools compared to every 18 pupils in 1998. Similarly in secondary schools, there was one computer for every eight pupils in 1999 compared to every nine pupils in 1998. These are the first signs of the effect of the Government's focused investment on ICT in schools through the National Grid for Learning programme and we expect to see further improvement over the next two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to assess the threat to security of school premises arising from adjacent public rights of way. [94945]

[holding answer 25 October 1999]: We treat the issue of school security very seriously and support measures which make schools a safer and more secure environment for pupils and staff. The Department's Working Group on School Security, which includes a representative from the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), has specifically highlighted public rights of way across school premises an issue to be addressed, and is aware of some local cases. The recent DETR consultation paper, Improving Public Rights of Way in England and Wales, accordingly invited views on proposals to enable highway authorities to divert or close public highways where to do so would protect the safety of the public. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, will announce decisions in the light of the consultations on this in due course. The Department also continues to provide specific grant for school security measures under the Standards Fund: a total of £22 million per year is available specifically for school security improvements, which may include security fencing and other access control measures in order to prevent intrusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects syllabuses for A/S level subjects to be available. [95868]

Draft versions of the specifications for all the new Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced level qualifications to be introduced for teaching from September 2000 are now available on the awarding bodies' websites. Synopses of the draft specifications are also available on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's website. The finalised specifications will be available to schools and colleges in January 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from the further education sector concerning the proposed changes to the funding arrangements for franchising; and if he will make a statement. [95873]

Representations were invited by the Further Education Funding Council in February 1999 on proposals to tackle the serious problems which had arisen with franchising in some colleges. 153 representations were received of which 136 were from further education colleges. A large majority supported the proposed changes for 1999–2000 which were introduced in July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many PE teachers there were in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; and what they were as a percentage of the total number of teachers in England, for each year since 1991. [95492]

The information is as follows:

PE teachers in secondary schools in England
	Academic year
	1991–92	1996–97
Number of Teachers1 teaching PE	24,000	20,000
Teachers1 teaching PE as percentage of all teachers	14	12
1 Includes teachers without a specific PE qualification

	Amount received (£)	Amount drawn down (£)	Percentage drawn down	Balance available (£)	Amount committed (£)
Arts Council of England	1,197,614,609	920,492,229	77	277,122,380	1,132,457,415
Arts Council of Northern Ireland	42,419,281	16,607,723	39	25,811,558	35,467,589
Scottish Arts Council	130,640,795	79,801,991	61	50,838,804	116,821,408
Arts Council of Wales	72,650,470	48,852,619	67	23,797,851	77,310,838
National Lottery Charities Board	1,479,051,437	834,882,356	56	644,169,081	1,384,382,465
National Heritage Memorial Fund	1,497,290,954	614,906,973	41	882,383,981	1,223,222,820
Millennium Commission	1,662,106,529	941,790,686	57	720,315,843	1,744,220,362
New Opportunities Fund	428,058,277	9,768,541	2	418,289,736	12,984,543
Sport England	1,228,733,896	760,081,000	62	468,652,896	959,416,652
Sports Council for Northern Ireland	40,784,238	25,640,265	63	15,143,973	31,634,959
Sport Scotland	131,782,828	58,540,070	44	73,242,758	84,351,394
UK Sport	6,865,190	1,839,362	27	5,025,828	1,394,723
Sports Council for Wales	73,154,628	44,518,258	61	28,636,370	46,176,789
Total	7,991,153,132	4,357,722,073	55	3,633,431,059	6,849,841,957

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 185–86, concerning class sizes (ref. 93239), when he plans to write to the hon. Member for Hertsmere. [96479]

I will be writing to the hon. Member next week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are, in respect of the revenue in the National Lottery Distributions Fund Reserve (a) the amount (1) received and (2) drawn down, (b) the percentage drawn down, (c) the balance available and (d) the amount committed for (i) the Arts Council of England, (ii) the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (iii) the Scottish Arts Council, (iv) the Arts Council of Wales, (v) the National Lottery's Charities Board, (vi) the National Heritage Memorial Fund, (vii) the Millennium Commission, (viii) the New Opportunities Fund, (ix) Sport England, (x) the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, (xi) the Scottish Sports Council, (xii) the UK Sports Council and (xiii) the Sports Council for Wales and (xiv) the total of the above. [95486]

The following table shows the figures requested, as at 30 September 1999. In addition to the figures shown here, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts has received an endowment of £200 million from the National Lottery, all of which has been drawn down from the National Lottery Distribution Fund.Figures for the amount committed are taken from the National Lottery Awards Database using information supplied by the distributors. They do not include money set aside for a specific purpose but not committed to a particular project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the percentage drawn down for National Lottery expenditure allocations (a) in the UK and (b) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [95493]

56 per cent. of the money paid into the National Lottery Distribution Fund has been drawn down for use by the National Lottery distributing bodies. A further 31 per cent. has been firmly committed but not yet drawn down.I have made no assessment of the percentages drawn down by lotteries overseas. Given the different ways in which Lottery surpluses are used around the world, I do not believe such comparisons would be helpful. For example, the surplus of many state lotteries are paid straight to the national exchequers, so the question of draw down does not arise.I am keen to ensure that National Lottery money should be put to effective use as quickly as possible. Many of the reforms that the Government have introduced—such as moving the focus of the Lottery from buildings to people and allowing distributors to delegate their functions—should help to facilitate this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delay in announcing his Department's sports strategy. [95485]

The sports policy paper will be published early next year. In order for the paper to be truly effective, it is important that there is the widest possible period in which to consult and canvass opinion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received regarding VAT on work on listed buildings; and if he will make a statement. [95489]

In the year to 26 October 1999, this Department received 13 representations from organisations and individuals on the subject of VAT on work to listed buildings.Responsibility for VAT rests with HM Treasury. There is no provision in current EC law to apply a reduced rate to all listed buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what will be the total sums for each of the next four years to be allocated to out-of-school-hours child care places from the New Opportunities Fund. [95487]

The New Opportunities Fund is required by the Policy Directions that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has issued to allocate £220 million in total to out-of-school hours child care places by 2002. There is no pre-determined annual profile for expenditure: the actual allocation of funding is a matter for the New Opportunities Fund taking into account the local child care plans drawn up by the local child care partnerships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions regarding the amount of funding provided by local authorities to (a) the arts, (b) museums and galleries and (c) supporting the upkeep of listed buildings. [95488]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on these subjects. Officials in the two departments keep in regular touch.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Education and Employment about the role of physical education and sport in the national curriculum. [95952]

Ministers and officials from DCMS and DfEE work closely together and share a common aim to improve the quality of Physical Education and sport provision in schools. DCMS was involved in the National Curriculum Review announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in September. We welcome the restoration of the PE programme of study for primary schools, to be re-introduced from September 2000.On 5 October, the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith), and I both spoke at the Sport England Conference "Education and Sport". We are also working together to develop the Active Schools Sports Co-ordinators initiative in schools. I have met with, and will continue to meet, my hon. Friend to discuss Physical Education and sport in schools.

To ask the Solicitor-General what was the cost to public funds of the prosecution of cases, subsequently discontinued, for contravention of bye-laws relating to RAF Menwith Hill; and if he will make a statement. [95745]

The prosecution costs arising from these proceedings are estimated at £700, which includes the cost of case preparation, conferences, and court attendance by a senior Crown Prosecutor at the magistrates court. The figure does not include work undertaken for the test case at the Crown Court and subsequently in the Divisional Court, neither does it include the costs incurred by the Crown Prosecution Service in discussion with the Ministry of Defence police about prosecution policy in general.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the banking industry concerning the amount of bank charges levied for the conversion to sterling from deutchmarks of sums awarded to holocaust survivors; what response he has received from the banking industry; and if he will make a statement. [94822]

I am pursuing this matter with the banking industry and will write to my hon. Friend in due course. I will place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for military, security and police exports to Tunisia have been approved by his Department in the last five years; and if he will list the nature of the equipment, together with any current applications being considered. [95098]

The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer

Standard Individual Export Licences issued for the export to Tunisia of goods on the Military List
Rating	1994	1995	1996	1 January 1997 to 1 May 1997	1998	1 January 1999 to 12 October 1999
ML1	1	2	2	1	0	0
ML2	1	1	0	0	1	1
ML3	1	1	1	0	0	0
ML4	0	0	1	1	2	0
ML5	1	0	0	0	1	1
ML7	0	2	0	0	1	0
ML9	0	0	1	0	0	0
ML10	2	0	0	0	1	2
ML11	4	2	4	1	2	1
ML13	1	0	0	0	0	0
ML15	0	0	2	1	0	0
PL5001	0	0	0	0	1	0
PL5006	0	0	1	2	0	0
PL5017	0	0	1	0	0	0
PL5027	1	0	0	0	0	0

Open Individual Export Licences issued for the export to Tunisia of goods on the Military List
Rating	1994	1995	1996	1 January 1997 to 1 May 1997	1998
ML1	1	0	0	1	1
ML2	1	0	0	0	0
ML3	1	0	0	0	0
ML4	5	0	0	1	0
ML5	4	1	2	1	0
ML6	1	0	0	0	0
ML8	6	1	0	1	1
ML9	2	0	1	1	1
ML10	14	3	2	3	2
ML11	6	2	1	1	1
ML13	1	1	0	0	1
ML14	1	1	0	0	1
ML15	1	0	0	2	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will assess the output of the resource allocation under the comprehensive spending review; and what sectors of the economy he plans to examine as part of this study. [95797]

The Department has monitoring processes in place to assess progress against the targets set in its Public Service Agreement on the basis of the CSR settlement for 1999–2001. This work covers the economy as a whole, for example through targets to narrow the productivity gap and improve performance against competitiveness indicators; there are also specific targets covering for example the small firms sector, exporters, uptake of e-commerce, energy and inward investment. Good progress is already being made; for example I have recently increased the target for the number of SMEs wired to the digital market place from 1 million to 1.5 million. Performance against all our targets will be considered in preparation for the next spending review, to set budgets to 2003–04.As my hon. Friend is aware, the Science Budget underpins all sectors of the economy and the social, health and environmental services. As a result of the science CSR settlement, successful proposals have been announced for the University Challenge and Science Enterprise Challenge initiatives, and for the first round of the now £750 million joint Infrastructure fund. As far as the additional allocations to the Research Councils are concerned, I have asked for a full report on the progress made so far as input to the current spending review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to establish a statutory register of trading names. [95787]

There are no plans to establish a statutory register of trading names.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce legislation to prevent trading and advertising of services by individuals who have been convicted for fraudulent behaviour in the provision of those services. [96470]

The Consumer White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" sets out details of the proposals to amend the Fair Trading Act 1973 to provide powers for the courts to grant injunctions against specific practices carried out by specified traders and to ban from trading for a period traders with a history of disregarding their legal obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of the EU Directive on Timeshares, which was adopted in United Kingdom law in April 1997. [R] [96318]

The EU Timeshare Directive was implemented in the United Kingdom by the Timeshare Regulations 1997, which amended the Timeshare Act 1992. The Timeshare Regulations were laid before Parliament on 25 March 1997 and came into force on 29 April 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors underlay the granting of extensions to the period of validity of standard individual export and transhipment licences for transfer to Indonesia, for a period equivalent to the duration of the EU arms embargo; and what is his Department's policy towards the renewal of the embargo after 16 January 2000. [96114]

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: By a Common Position, adopted on 16 September, EU member states decided to impose an arms embargo to Indonesia for four months. In accordance with this decision, the Government decided that all individual licences covering the export or transhipment to Indonesia of military goods or technology should be suspended for four months and that, because the embargo is time-limited, their period of validity should be extended by four months also. The UK and other EU member states are monitoring closely the situation in Indonesia and East Timor and will take whatever action becomes necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Ministers in his Department visited Belize in each year between 1990 and 1997; and what support his Department gave Belize in each year. [96211]

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: No DTI Ministers visited Belize in the period 1990–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries have (a) signed and (b) ratified the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. [96422]

(a) Forty-four States have signed protocols additional to their existing safeguards agreements: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay and Uzbekistan. In addition, Cuba has concluded an Additional Protocol which it has not yet signed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the voluntary arrangements by companies and institutions to fulfil the requirements of the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. [96416]

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was this week provided with voluntary declarations of information of the type which the UK will have to provide under Article 2 of the protocol additional to the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement once the protocol enters into force. The declarations were provided with the full co-operation of the relevant companies and institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for bringing forward ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. [96420]

In order for the Protocol additional to the 1976 safeguards agreement between the United Kingdom, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Atomic Energy Community to enter into force, primary legislation is required, the Government are considering how legislation for this purpose may best be brought forward at an early date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Government schemes and programmes that will be delivered by the Small Business Service. [96563]

The Small Business Service will provide access to a comprehensive range of information, advice, counselling and support from government, public, private and voluntary sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the national strategy for international trade development and promotion. [96906]

I am pleased to announce today, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the publication of the national strategy for international trade development and promotion.I am arranging for copies of the strategy to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the consultation on the paper, "Addressing the SME Equity Gap-Support for Regional Venture Capital Funds". [96907]

I announced to the House on 6 July 1999, Official Report, columns 454-55, that the Government were seeking views on the design and form of the support for the creation of the Regional Venture Capital element of the Enterprise Fund.During the consultation exercise over 1,000 copies of the consultation document, "Addressing the SME Equity Gap—Support for Regional Venture Capital Funds" were distributed and over 100 replies have been received. The distribution and replies covered a wide range of interested groups and individuals; entrepreneurs, small firms, Regional Development Agencies, the venture capital and finance industries, business support organisations, local authorities, academics and other interested parties.The proposals for Regional Venture Capital Funds received a significant level of support from respondents. 100 per cent. of SMEs and entrepreneurs supported the outlined proposals as appropriate methods of motivating the creation of viable, regionally based venture capital funds to invest in the equity gap. And over 89 per cent. of all respondents expressed the same view. There was widespread agreement that the lack of small scale equity finance was an inhibitor to growth, especially for SMEs. A full summary of responses to the consultation document have been placed in the Library of the House.In November, the Government will issue bidding guidance, informed by the responses to the consultation exercise, to Regional Partnerships proposing to stimulate the creation of Regional Venture Capital Funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he (a) has established and (b) published a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [94857]

My Department has no executive responsibilities. For the staff of my Department, most of whom are on secondment from the National Assembly for Wales, my office has adopted the policies of the Assembly which are identical to those of the former Welsh Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what projects are currently being undertaken under the New Deal Environmental Task Force within the Llanelli constituency. [95791]

The contract for the Environmental Task Force option in the Llanelli constituency area is held by Carmarthenshire County Council. The Council then sub contract to:

• Carmarthenshire Training—offer fencing/riverbank maintenance/stream improvement opportunities.
• Foothold Crochan—recycle white goods (cookers, fridges, etc.) and furniture at their centre in Trostre.
• Princes Trust—offer their 26 week national programme (team building/motivation/employer placement).
• National Trust—undertake fencing/planting/chainsaw/footpath maintenance providing an excellent grounding in rural and forestry skills.
• Jobforce Wales—is converting the disused Mynydd Mawr railway into a footpath and also operate a woodcraft centre.
• British Trust for Conservation Volunteers—are undertaking landscape improvement and nature conservation work at the Mynydd Mawr Woodland/Eco Park at Tumble.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money the Welsh Office spent on consultants for each of the last three years up to 7 May. [96551]

The following figures detail Welsh Office expenditure on consultants in the relevant financial years, running from 1 April to the following 31 March.

Persons1removed or departed voluntarily under port or enforcement procedures, 1996 to 1998
	1996	1997	1998
Total number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the United Kingdom	26,840	31,150	34,900
Of whom asylum2,3 applicants	4,840	7,160	6,890
Total number of persons removed or made a voluntary departure as a result of deportation action being taken against them	2,000	2,070	1,710
Of whom asylum2,3 applicants	400	450	350
1 Does not include persons who may leave the United Kingdom without informing the Immigration and Nationality Directorate
2 Asylum removals and voluntary departures excludes dependants
3 1998 figures are provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contracts have been awarded by the Welsh Office in the last year to (a) the public relations company, Good Relations and (b) the public relations company, HHCL. [96553]

Howell Henry Chauldecott Lowry (HHCL) were the advertising agency appointed on behalf of the Welsh Office by the Central Office of Information to work on the Assembly Information Campaign. That is the only contract awarded to this company in the last year.Bell Pottinger Good Relations were sub-contracted by HHCL to work on "free media", which formed a part of the Assembly Information Campaign. They were also awarded a contract directly by the Welsh Office to assist with the establishment and maintenance of a web-site for National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been deported from the UK in each of the last three years for which figures are available as (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) others whose appeals under immigration law have failed. [95444]

The total number of people who have been removed or made a voluntary departure from the United Kingdom between 1996 and 1998 is shown in the table. The table also shows the number of asylum applicants who were removed or left voluntarily in each of the three years, the number who were removed or left the United Kingdom as a result of deportation action being taken against them, and the number of people in that group who had claimed asylum at some stage. Information about the number who had appealed unsuccessfully before removal is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times Ministers in his Department have met members and officials of the United States Government since 22 February, specifying the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers

Name	Date	Location
Minister: Paul Boateng
George Dragnich, Labour Counsellor, American Embassy	18 May 1999	London
Elizabeth Fine, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Policy Development, Department of Justice	3 June 1999	Washington DC
Jeremy Travis, Director of National Institute for Justice	3 June 1999	Washington DC
Jose Cerda, Domestic Policy Adviser to the President	4 June 1999	Washington DC
Eric Holder, Deputy Attorney General	4 June 1999	Washington DC
Jim Robinson, Assistant Attorney General (Criminal Division)	4 June 1999	Washington DC
Mark Richard, Deputy Assistant Attorney General (Criminal Division)	4 June 1999	Washington DC
General Barry McCaffrey, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy	25 October 1999	London
Possible:
Lynne Battiglia, United States Attorney, District of Maryland	1 June 1999	Baltimore
Donnie Marshall, Acting Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration	1 June 1999	Washington DC
Louis Freeh, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation	2 June 1999	Washington DC
Minister: Charles Clarke
United States Attorney Journal, Ms Janet Reno	25 October 1999	United States Embassy Moscow
Officials from United States Justice Department	25 October 1999	United States Embassy Moscow
Embassy officials	25 October 1999	United States Embassy Moscow
United States Drugs Tsar, General Barry McCaffrey	25 October 1999	London
Bob Agresti—Policy Advisor	25 October 1999	London
George Dragnich—United States Embassy	25 October 1999	London

In addition, I keep in regular touch with Ms Reno both by letter and by telephone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visits to the United States on 9-10 December 1997; and if he will list the date and location of each meeting, and the names of the members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting. [93952]

When I attended the G8 Ministerial meeting, in the United States of America, in February 1997, I held one meeting with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and one meeting with the Attorney General. I keep in close and regular touch with the Attorney General by memo, by letter, and by telephone.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to widen the opportunities for the judiciary to impose suspended sentences of imprisonment. [95474]

Suspended sentences may be imposed only in "exceptional circumstances". Widening the opportunities for their use was one of the recommendations in the Home Affairs Committee's Report on Alternatives to Prison Sentences, published in 1998. As the Government's Reply to the Report noted, we are considering this issue, taking account of the Committee's views.

Information on meetings between my Ministers and members and officials of the United States Government since 22 February are listed in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 8 July regarding Mrs. Shani Green's application for British residency. [95763]

Mrs. Green has been granted 12 months leave to remain on the basis of her marriage. I wrote to the hon. Gentleman to this effect on 28 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 9 July on behalf of his constituent, Mrs. Newman. [96285]

I wrote to the right hon. Member on 28 October in response to his letter of 9 July on behalf of his constituent, Mrs. Newman. I am extremely sorry that I was unable to do so sooner, and would like, through the right hon. Member, to extend my apology to Mrs. Newman.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 5 July on behalf of his constituent, Mr. Pottinger. [96286]

I wrote to the right hon. Member on 28 October in response to his letter of 5 July on behalf of his constituent, Mr. Pottinger. I am extremely sorry that I was unable to do so sooner, and, through the right hon. Member, would like to extend my apology to Mr. Pottinger.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect replies to his letters of 6 July, 10 August, 7 September and 27 September on behalf of his constituent, Dr. N. of Stranground, Peterborough. [96284]

I wrote to the right hon. Member on 28 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to rename Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. [96028]

We have no plans to rename Armistice Day (11 November) or Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday in November).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department hold each year with (i) the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and (ii) other senior Metropolitan Police personnel on the policing of state visits to the capital; [96218](2) what discussions

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary meets regularly with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to discuss policing issues in London, and there are regular contacts with the Metropolitan Police at both Ministerial and official level. There were no specific discussions of the issues specified at my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary's meetings, prior to the Chinese State Visit nor, as far as can be ascertained, at other meetings between Ministers and officials and the Metropolitan Police. At a regular meeting between my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and the Commissioner on 27 October, the Commissioner told my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that the Metropolitan Police were conducting an internal review into the policing of the visit of the President of China.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance representatives from his Department issued to the police responsible for the policing of the visit by the Chinese President pertaining to the treatment of demonstrators. [96581]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations were made by his Department to the Royal Parks Police about the policing of the state visit of the President of China. [96490]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings were held between his Department and the Royal Parks Police about the policing of the state visit of the President of China. [96489]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how may anti-social behaviour orders have been implemented in each police authority area. [96450]