To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to a letter dated 12 October 1999 from Dr. S. L. McKee of Devisdale Road, Bowdon, regarding his decision to appoint the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. [95333]

My Office did so on Friday 22 October 1999.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 July 1999, Official Report, column 27, concerning his meeting with KLA officials on 18 May, who were the officials referred to in his answer. [95419]

At the meeting, which was held in Tirana, Albania, I was accompanied by my Foreign Affairs Private Secretary, a senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office official and an interpreter.

To ask the Prime Minister how many bodies of victims of war crimes, by nationality, have been uncovered in Kosovo. [95545]

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which is responsible for investigating alleged war crimes in Kosovo, is collating the results of forensic work undertaken over the last four months. UK forensic teams have made a major contribution to this work. Within the next few weeks, ICTY should be able to confirm the number of bodies of victims which have been uncovered. Our estimate is that at least 10,000 civilians were killed between June 1998 and June 1999. Most of the victims have been Kosovar Albanians although the bodies of some Serbs have also been recovered.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 July 1999, Official Report, column 26, what criteria are used to assess the effectiveness of the work of the Ambassadors for British Business, initiative. [95785]

The Ambassadors for British Business Initiative is a voluntary scheme in which participating business leaders make time when overseas on company business to promote the UK's wider commercial interests. The main criterion used to assess the effectiveness of the Ambassadors for British Business initiative is feedback from the Heads of our overseas posts. This has shown that the Ambassadors for Business are achieving their objectives of promoting and raising the profile of British Business

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those areas (a) the EU Presidency, (b) the Commission and (c) the Government have expressed a willingness to discuss at the forthcoming Inter governmental Conference. [95543]

Neither the Presidency nor the Commission has yet formally stated its position on the IGC. The Presidency is currently preparing a report that it will present to the Helsinki European Council in December. The Dehaene Report, published on 18 October, was commissioned to feed ideas into the Commission before the next IGC. The Commission will now consider the report and submit its formal opinion in due course.The Government, along with the other member states outlined their position at the European Council in Cologne. This called for an IGC dealing primarily with the institutional issues not resolved at Amsterdam (Commission size, vote reweighting, possible extension of QMV). The Government will issue a White Paper before the IGC begins next year.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the total number of Government Ministers on 1 January for each year since 1979. [96190]

The information is given in the table for January each year.

Date	Number of ministers
22 January 1979	109
21 January 1980	106
19 January 1981	106
18 January 1982	107
17 January 1983	107
16 January 1984	102
14 January 1985	106
20 January 1986	106
12 January 1987	107
11 January 1988	105
16 January 1989	106
15 January 1990	106
21 January 1991	108
20 January 1992	108
18 January 1993	108
11 January 1994	107
10 January 1995	109
10 January 1996	109
9 January 1997	109
13 January 1997	109
12 January 1998	113
11 January 1999	115
27 October 1999	109

To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received from pensioners on the subject of the April 2000 pensions uprating since the publication of the RPI for the year to September 1999. [96191]

Since 12 October, my Office have received approximately 800 letters about the uprating of pensions.

To ask the Prime Minister what statements he has made concerning the decisions made at the European Councils, at Cologne, and at Tampere relating to the establishment of a body to draw up the text of a draft European charter of human rights; and what action is now planned by Her Majesty's Government to implement that decision. [96500]

I refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 28 June 1999, Official Report, column 20, following the decisions of the Cologne European Council.The then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon), wrote to the Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) and the Chairman of the European Communities Committee in the Other Place (Lord Tordoff) on 7 October enclosing the Presidency's proposals for the practical arrangements governing the Charter drafting body. These were finalised and agreed by Heads of Government at Tampere, and are annexed to the Tampere conclusions, copies of which were deposited in the Libraries on 19 October. The first meeting of the drafting body is scheduled for 17 December. I will be nominating a representative shortly.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the means by which hon. Members will be selected to serve on the drafting body of the working group to establish a European Charter of Rights. [96584]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to Madam Speaker and to my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor on 19 October inviting them to nominate two hon. Members and two alternates.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the targets to be met by central Government (a) set and (b) announced by him since May 1997, indicating in each case (i) the target to be met and (ii) the date by which it is to be met. [95820]

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: The extra investment that the Government have made, particularly in our key priority areas of health and education, is conditional on achieving higher standards, improved productivity and the modernisation of all our public services. Public Service Agreements set out what departments will deliver by when in return for these additional resources.Central government itself does not have specific targets beyond those which are the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. The full list of the Government's manifesto commitments, together with a summary of progress to date on each of them, is contained in the Government's Annual Report (Cm 4401).

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Chinese President Jiang Zemin about the political future of Tibet during the State Visit this week. [94928]

[holding answer 25 October 1999]: I discussed Tibet with President Jiang Zemin at Downing Street on 21 October both during our bilateral talks, and at the lunch which followed. It is the Government's firm view that Tibetans should have a greater say in running their own affairs in Tibet. The best way to achieve this is through dialogue between the Chinese and the Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama. We take every opportunity to encourage both sides to enter into such dialogue.In his discussion with the Chinese Foreign Minister on 20 October 1999, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary again urged the Chinese to enter into dialogue with the Dalai Lama on the future of Tibet. The Chinese replied that the door for dialogue was open provided the Dalai Lama discarded his proposals for independence and recognised one China, including Taiwan as a province.

To ask the Prime Minister what communications his office had with (i) other Government departments and (ii) police forces, pertaining to the treatment of demonstrators during the state visit by the President of China. [96580]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations were made by his office to (a) the Metropolitan Police, (b) the Royal Parks Police and (c) Cambridgeshire Police about the policing of the state visit of the President of China. [96491]

[holding answer 29 October 1999]: None.

To ask the Prime Minister what additional co-operation, under paragraph 11 of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions, is intended with respect to (a) combating poverty, (b) preventing conflicts and (c) ensuring rights for women and children; what Treaty base will apply; what budget sums will be involved; and what budget line will be their source. [96576]

These issues are covered under paragraph 11 in Section AI of the Tampere Presidency Conclusions. The intention is that these issues should be pursued as part of the future work of the High Level Working Group on Asylum and Migration, whose mandate was extended by the Special European Council at Tampere.Appropriate Treaty bases and budgetary issues will be considered as implementation of the Action Plans progresses.It is unlikely that implementation could be undertaken within existing resources and the UK will give careful consideration to the financial implications of any specific measures which emerge.

To ask the Prime Minister when the name of his new Secretary for Appointments will be announced; what process was used to recruit and select the new secretary; who is the head of the department to which the secretary is responsible; and what is his job specification. [966581

The name of my new Secretary for Appointments was announced on 11 October. He is William Chapman, a career civil servant on secondment from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The selection process, including an interdepartmental trawl, was based on normal Civil Service appointment practices. My Principal Private Secretary has line management responsibility for this post. The Secretary for Appointments advises me on a wide range of Crown Appointments and on a number of appointments which I make in my own right; he also offers advice on related policy matters and undertakes duties in relation to the honours system. The Appointments Secretary also acts as Ecclesiastical Secretary to the Lord Chancellor, with overall responsibility for advising on the appointments to certain cathedral canonries and parishes.

To ask the Prime Minister what opinion research the Government have commissioned on attitudes to (a) Economic and Monetary Union and (b) the European Union, indicating the polling organisations used in each case. [96844]

The Government commissioned a survey on attitudes to Europe, which included questions on EMU, in November 1997. The contract was won by GGC/NOP following a tender process. A copy of the results was placed in the Libraries of the House in April 1998.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the pending Government contracts with French firms. [96843]

It is established practice under section 7(a) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information whose disclosure would prejudice commercial or contractural activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to hold referendums on the introduction of elected regional government in England. [95978]

We have made clear that, in time, we will allow the people to decide whether they want directly elected regional government in England, but we have not yet set a timetable for holding referendums.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what have been the set-up costs to date of the regional chambers; and from what sources they have been met. [95977]

The set-up costs of the voluntary regional chambers are a matter for their members. The Government have provided some support in-kind. In the East Midlands, a member of the Government Office staff was seconded to assist with start up arrangements and in the South East the Government Office has provided office space to the chamber.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many regional chambers have been recognised as such under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. [95979]

We have designated regional chambers under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 in all eight English regions outside London (where separate arrangements will apply).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by English region (i) the number of full-time equivalent staff employed and (ii) the annual budget for the current year and next year, for each (a) Government office, (b) regional development agency, (c) regional chamber, as designated under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 and (d) local government-based regional body which is not a Government office, regional development agency or designated regional chamber. [96006]

[holding answer 29 October 1999]: (a) Full-time equivalent staff in each Government Office, as at 1 October 1999, along with the running costs budgets (in £000s) for the current financial year, are in the table. The budgets have not yet been agreed for next year. The Government Offices' Central Unit's budget is included as some funds are held centrally.

Government office	Staff	Running costs for 1999–2000
GO-NE	227	8,219.57
GO-NW	348	12,753.60
GO-YH	230	8,632.55
GO-WM	219	9,110.85
GO-EM	203	6,855.04
GO-E	156	6,662.32
GO-SE	281	8,425.80
GO-SW	198	7,611.84
GO-L	336	13,665.43
Sub total	2,198	81,937.00
GO-CU	25	3,756.58
Total	2,223	85,693.58

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are currently employed by One North East; and what have been its administration costs since its establishment. [96733]

The number of staff currently employed by One North East is 238 which in the main reflects the number employed by the partner organisations from which it was formed. For 1999–2000, the net indicative allocation for administration costs is £9,711,000 which will be fully utilised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Urban White Paper will be published at the same time as the Rural White Paper. [95981]

There are important links to be drawn between the Urban and Rural White Papers, and work on the two White papers is proceeding in tandem. No decision has yet been taken on the timing of publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses he estimates will need to be built in Oxfordshire by 2016. [96561]

Requirements for future house building in Oxfordshire are currently under review as part of the preparation of Regional Planning Guidance for the South East. This guidance will set out housing requirements by county, including Oxfordshire, for the years 1996 to 2016. An independent Panel examined draft proposals prepared by local authorities at a Public Examination over the summer. The report setting out the conclusions of this panel has recently been received by the Secretary of State who will examine its recommendations very closely. It is anticipated that a draft version of regional planning guidance following on from this exercise will be published early in the new year, and a period of consultation on the proposals will allow interested parties to respond before full guidance is issued by the Secretary of State later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how often the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development met in 1999. [96556]

My understanding is that the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development will have met six times in plenary session during 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to publish new indicators on sustainable development. [96558]

We plan to publish within the next couple of months a report giving details and analysis of around 150 indicators of sustainable development, which underpin the Strategy "A better quality of life", published in May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how often the British Government Panel on Sustainable Development met in 1999. [96557]

My understanding is that the British Government Panel on Sustainable Development will have met six times during 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local authorities relating to the use of brown-field sites for housebuilding in areas where there is a lack of such sites; and if his target of two thirds use of brown-field sites for new housebuilding is measured by county. [96043]

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: Our draft revision of Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing provides guidance on how to accommodate housing needs in all types of areas. It is for authorities to develop their strategies in the light of that guidance. The final version of PPG3 should be published very shortly.The Government's national target is that 60 per cent. of new housing, including conversions, should be developed on previously-developed land. Local planning authorities are required to set their own recycling targets, consistent with national and regional targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if powers are currently available to local authorities to enable them to prevent repeated incursions on a particular piece of land by the same group of travellers without having to go back to the courts on each occasion; and if he will make a statement. [96711]

Section 77(3) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 makes it a criminal offence for a person who has been directed by a local authority to leave land where he is camped without permission, and to return to the same land with a vehicle within three months of the date of the direction. Persons committing an offence under section 77 are liable to a maximum fine of £1.000.In proceedings for an offence under this section, it is a defence for the accused to show that his re-entry to the land with a vehicle was due to illness, mechanical breakdown, or other emergency.We have no plans to remove the requirement in the 1994 Act for local authorities to obtain a court order before eviction can take place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list all performance targets set for his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999–2002 [Cm 4181], stating in each case (a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94984]

The Department has set out the key performance targets on which it will be judged in its PSA, and the measures of success it will use in the Output and Performance Analysis (OPA) published in March this year. A full list of the targets and target dates for Agencies and Executive NDPBs can be found annually in the Next Steps and Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies report.High-level targets not covered by the PSA include:

Target	Target date
Reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide by 80 per cent. against 1980 baselines	2010
Reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 30 per cent. against 1988 baselines	1999
Achieving air quality objectives in the UK National Air Quality Strategy	2005
Reduce road traffic casualties by a third of the average for 1981–85	2000
Improve energy efficiency on the Government estate by 20 per cent.	31 March 2000

These high-level targets are supported at operational level by numerous targets to ensure delivery by individual units.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the provision of rural rail services; and if he will make a statement. [96601]

Where services are heavily dependent on subsidy, as in rural areas, Passenger Service Requirements reflect closely the level of services operated by British Rail at the time of franchising. We have made available an additional £100 million over the next three years for a new Rail Passenger Partnership scheme aimed specifically at providing support for locally sponsored services that are not commercially viable. This is being administered by the Franchising Director.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what grants are available to disabled people to enable them to fit aids in their homes; what is the maximum total value to an individual of those grants; if they vary in value depending on the type of house; and if he will make a statement. [96695]

Disabled facilities grants, which are administered by local housing authorities, are available to disabled people to help them carry out essential adaptations to their homes. Mandatory grants, which are subject to a test of resources, are available up to a maximum of £20,000 per application, but authorities have powers to give additional grant above that level. The value of each grant depends on the cost of the works required and on the resources that the applicant is assessed to have, and is not affected by the type of house occupied by the applicant. Local housing authorities also have powers to give home repair assistance, which is not means-tested, for minor works up to a maximum of £2,000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation relating to wildlife; and if he will make a statement. [96698]

The Government are committed to introducing legislation to improve the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and to strengthen the enforcement provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. We will take action as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the comprehensive list of current planning guidance issued by his Department announced in the Modernising Planning Progress report. [96929]

I have today published a list of current planning policy guidance on the Department's website at http://www.databases.detr.gov.uk/planning/npp/. This list, which is the first of its kind, will be a useful tool for local authorities, planners, developers, academics and the general public.Besides listing the guidance contained in Departmental Circulars, Planning Policy Guidance Notes, Minerals Policy Guidance Notes and Regional Planning Guidance Notes, the list will also include key statements to Parliament, a list of research reports and best practice advice published by the Department. We shall update the list as and when new guidance is issued or existing guidance is modified. In the meantime, we are working to make as many of the documents as possible directly accessible by hypertext link from the list.This initiative is a practical demonstration of the government's policy to increase substantially the volume of business transacted by electronic means.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he will publish Design in the Planning System. [96598]

The Good Practice Guide on Design in the Planning System will be an important contribution to our commitment to achieving urban renaissance. It must therefore be right. We therefore intend to publish it once we are satisfied that it is capable of meeting our requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on West Oxfordshire District Council's revenue and capital spending of his changes to the negative housing subsidy regime. [96599]

My Department will be consulting later this Autumn on the detail of the proposals for changes in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy regime. Consideration of the outcome of that exercise will be required before any decisions are taken. It is too early to say what the impact of any changes will be. The implications for any authority will depend upon both the results of the consultation exercise and conditions pertaining nearer the time that any changes are made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what plans he has for changes to the structure of local government in England. [96689]

There are no plans at present to reform the structure of local government in England. Our programme of reform for local government is about how councils work and how they can be more in touch with the people whom they serve. This will also give the stability that local government needs in order to deliver an efficient and effective service.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what requirement there is for all parties to be (a) informed and (b) represented before a restraining order can be agreed to by the courts; and if he will make a statement. [96699]

Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, a court sentencing or otherwise dealing with a person convicted of an offence under section 2 or 4 of the Act may make a restraining order under section 5 of the Act to protect the victim of the offence (or any other person mentioned in the order) from further harassment. The defendant would be present at the time of sentence and would be entitled to be represented. The parties in a criminal trial are the prosecution and the defendant. There is no specific requirement for the court to inform the victim or any other person mentioned in the order, or for those persons to be represented at court, before the order is made. In the civil courts, an application for an injunction, the equivalent of a restraining order, would be served on the defendant before the hearing. There is no specific requirement for the defendant to be represented.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all performance targets set for the Lord Chancellor's Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999–2002 [Cm 4181], stating in each case (a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94982]

The Department has set out the key performance targets on which it will be judged in its PSA, and the measures of success it will use in the Output and Performance Analyses (OPA) published in March this year. The Lord Chancellor's Department Departmental Reports 1998–99 and 1999–2000 include targets and achievement for the Public Records Office, Her Majesty's Land Registry, and the Northern Ireland Court Service. The targets and target dates for the Court Service Agency and the Public Trust Office can be found annually in the Next Steps Report, and for the Legal Aid Board in the annual Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if an action plan for increasing the representation of women in public life has been (a) prepared by his Department and (b) published since November 1998. [94853]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999, Official Report, column 682.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the expected date on which the Equipment Approval Committee will make its final recommendation for the UK BVRAAM competition. [95347]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence hopes to reach a decision on the outcome of the competition in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimates he has made of the savings in each of the next five years through the RAF private finance initiative for the non-combat vehicle fleet management project; [95755](2) what estimate he has made of the economies of scale which could result from a tri-services private finance initiative for non-combat vehicle fleet management; and if he will make a statement. [95795]

A five year PFI contract for the RAF non-combat vehicle fleet was placed in 1996. It is expected to deliver total savings of almost £6 million in Net Present Value terms against conventional procurement methods. Five further non-combat vehicle PFI projects, covering national tri-Service requirements on a regional basis, are under way. It is not possible at this stage to quantify the savings which are expected from the five tri-Service contracts and the re-let of the RAF contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tayside North of 19 February 1998, Official Report, columns 842–43, on departmental employees, if he will provide figures for research contracts by region for the most recent financial year. [95366]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: The information requested is not available in precisely the form requested. The number and total value of extant research contracts in Financial Year 1998–99 in the following locations is as listed:

Location	Number of contracts	Value of contracts (£)
(a) London	82	11,695,303
(b) the rest of the South East of England	250	274,714,231
(c) England (including (a) and (b)	908	393,879,546
(d) Scotland	21	1,692,493
(e) Wales	1	26,019
(f) Northern Ireland	0	—

The information cannot be provided by the Regions requested as such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department's police are next due for inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. [96542]

The next inspection of the MOD Police by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is due in the year 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to ensure that his Department complies with S.I. 1997 No. 135, the Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997. [96464]

S.I. 1997 No. 135, the Health and Safety (Young Persons) Regulations 1997 have been implemented as MOD policy. The instruction was incorporated into the MOD Health and Safety Handbook, Joint Service Publication 375 Volume 2 Chapter 10 in April 1997. A copy of the Joint Service Publication is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the possible cost to his Department of retrospective claims for compensation following the ECHR ruling in the cases of Mr. Prean, Mr. Beckett, Miss Smith and Mr. Grady regarding discrimination in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [96889]

In light of the ECHR's judgment on 27 September 1999, the Secretary of State for Defence has authorised that settlement negotiations be entered into with those individuals discharged as a result of their homosexuality who have submitted Employment Tribunal applications.As these negotiations are currently underway, I am withholding disclosure of my Department's financial provision for settling these claims under Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Effective Management and Operations of the Public Service) as this information could compromise the negotiations and delay settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the net inflow/outflow figures for the Army for each month since January 1998 to date. [96121]

A breakdown of UK Trained Army Personnel inflow and outflow, in the period January 1998 to September/August 1999 (the latest date for which information is presently available), is detailed in the table:

Month	Outflow1	inflow2	Net flow
1998
January	-1,265	974	-291
February	-966	804	-162
March	-899	1,000	101
April	-932	867	-65
May	-947	673	-274
June	-921	841	-80
July	-936	892	-44
August	-961	1,042	81
September	-1,133	901	-232
October	-985	872	-113
November	-804	901	97
December	-795	593	-202
Sub Total	-11,544	10,360	-1,184

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Army recruitment and retention. [96065]

The Government inherited a shortfall on Army manning and are committed to achieving full manning by around 2005. We recognise fully that improved recruiting and retention will be key to realising this goal.In 1998–99, the Army recruited some 610 officers and 15,609 soldiers, which represents 98 per cent. of the overall recruiting target for the year. It was the best recruiting year for the Army since the beginning of the decade and there are encouraging signs that the momentum is being maintained this year. A broad range of national and regional recruiting initiatives are in hand to encourage young people to view the Army as a career of first choice.The rate at which we lose our people has been too high for too many years, and it is one of this Government's highest priorities to rectify the situation. There has been some improvement in retention in the Army in the last two years, but achieving further improvements remains a challenge. The Army has in hand a series of initiatives as part of its Human Resources Strategy. This includes a six month strategic review being undertaken by external consultants to examine the effectiveness of present Army retention policies, which includes field research and making recommendations for improvements, the results of which will inform the Army's personnel management policies. Other measures to improve retention, which have been welcomed by Army personnel, include an improved operational welfare package, life long learning, and the efforts of the Service Families Task Force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the amount of uranium dust released in Iraq during the Gulf War from depleted uranium rounds; and what action he proposed to take to manage the risk to public health. [96667]

It is assessed that over 860,000 depleted uranium-based ammunition rounds, of varying calibre, were used by Coalition Forces during the Gulf conflict.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list and summarize the specific areas of research being undertaken as part of the Army's Retention Study. [96837]

The Army Retention Study, which is being undertaken under contract by the Hay Management Group, will draw on and initiate structured quantitative and qualitative market research into retention in the Army. In addition to analysis of existing research and retention initiatives, a programme of field research will be conducted to establish a cross section of views from all ranks, and their families, to determine why people leave the Service and to identify trends. Further consultation will take place with Unit Retention Officers, Policy Staffs, and individuals who have recently joined and left the Army, among others. The Study will consider the extent to which current retention policies and initiatives are effective, and identify areas where they can be improved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the remit of the Army's Retention Study currently being undertaken by the Hay Management Group. [96834]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 October 1999, Official Report, column 705.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the (i) particular responsibilities, (ii) manner of operation and (iii) decision-making processes of the Ministerial Group, Families Forum and Working Group that make up the Service Families Task Force. [96836]

The Families Forum enables the three Service families associations to raise issues of concern to me and, in turn, allows me to inform them of the progress the Task Force is making. The Ministerial Group identifies the desired outcome to these issues and directs the Working Group of officials to progress them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many forensic teams are investigating (a) war graves and (b) sites of war crimes; and which countries they represent. [96097]

I have been asked to reply.Thirteen states have provided investigative teams including forensic experts to assist the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in Kosovo, although forensic investigations have now been scaled down with the onset of winter. They are: the UK, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. The UK was the first to send such a team. ICTY also has its own team of investigators including forensic experts working in Bosnia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what organisation is responsible for reporting on numbers of bodies found in graves in Kosovo and on evidence of war crimes committed; when it will report and to whom. [96098]

I have been asked to reply.There is no one organisation responsible for reporting on atrocities in Kosovo. However, the UN Commission for Human Rights has asked the UN High Commissioner to report on atrocities. She has produced two reports in May and September of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bodies were exhumed from the Trepca mine in Kosovo; and what forensic evidence was found that could prove claims that the Trepca mine had been a mass grave. [96096]

I have been asked to reply.The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has conducted extensive investigations at Trepca mine. No bodies have been found there to date. There is no forensic evidence to date to confirm that it was a mass grave site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts he has made to attract civilian airlines to use Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island; and if he will make a statement. [96035]

I have been asked to reply.Civil aircraft may use Wideawake Airfield only with the agreement of both the UK and US authorities.In December 1998, the UK passed to the United States authorities for consideration, a draft treaty to allow certain types of civil flights into Ascension.During the visit of my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the United States on 4-5 October 1999, the United States Government agreed in principle that the airfield should be opened to certain types of civil flights on a limited basis.We are encouraging the United States authorities to complete their internal discussions and to secure a mandate for formal negotiations to begin. British Embassy officials in Washington will soon meet State Department officials to take this issue forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy towards funding of archaeology; what (a) national and (b) EC grants are available; and if he will make a statement. [95299]

Funding for archaeological projects is provided through English Heritage's (EH) archaeology budget (£9.7 million for 1999–2000), of which £4.975 million is provided in grants to outside bodies; archaeology will also feature in other EH funded projects. Developers' contribution to archaeological costs is estimated at £30 million per annum. Although the Local Government Finance Settlement is the best one for seven years, the provision of conservation services in local authorities is kept under review, and, where necessary, EH will continue to fund a number of archaeological posts (costing £150,000 in 1999–2000). Financial assistance has been available from the EU's Raphael fund, which is due to be replaced by the Culture 2000 Framework Programme, under which archaeological projects will be eligible; projects may also qualify for funding under a range of other EU programmes.HMG is also funding a two-year project of pilot schemes in six areas of England for the voluntary recording of all archaeological finds, which started in September 1997. The Heritage Lottery Fund is funding a further six pilot schemes from early 1999, extending coverage to more than half the country. An Annual Report and website were launched on 24 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will instruct the ITC to obtain from ITV the latest figures showing (a) the change in the numbers watching news on Channel 3 since the abolition of News at Ten and (b) the change in the viewing numbers for the 10 to 10.30 p.m. weekday slot on Channel 3 since the abolition of News at Ten. [95751]

The Independent Television Commission is monitoring the performance of ITV following changes to its news provision. ITV began their new evening schedule on 8 March, replacing the bulletin at 5.40-6.00 and News at Ten with a half hour news bulletin from 6.30-7.00 and an update from 11.00-11.15. For the four weeks beginning 14 September, the latest figures available to the ITC, the average audiences who were watching news on Channel 3 and the figures for the equivalent weeks in 1999 are as follows:

	Million
1998
5.40-6.00	4.1
10.00-10.30	5.6
Total	9.7
1999
6.30-7.00	5.5
11.00-11.15	3.5
Total	9.0

During this period in 1998, 5.6 million were watching Channel 3 in the 10.00 to 10.30 pm slot and during the same period in 1999, since the rescheduling of News at Ten, this has changed to 6.8 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what was the change in the total number of jobs in tourism-related industries in the year to December 1998 in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; [95435](2) what was the change in the total number of jobs in tourism-related industries in the year to December 1998 in

The changes in the number of self-employment and employee jobs in the tourism related industries in the year to December 1998 in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) London and (f) north-west England are shown in the table.

Region	December 1997	December 1998	Change over the year (%)
England	1,510,000	1,481,000	-2
Scotland	170,000	171,000	+0.06
Wales	79,000	82,000	+4
Northern Ireland	43,000	44,000	+2
London	276,000	275,000	-0.4
North West	186,000	183,000	-2

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with (a) commercial radio broadcasters, (b) the BBC and (c) consumer groups regarding the future of analogue radio frequencies. [95126]

[holding answer 25 October 1999]: With the collaboration of the DTI's Radiocommunications Agency, my officials are considering the current use of analogue radio frequencies and the scope for new services. Representatives of the commercial radio broadcasters, the Radio Authority, the BBC and the Community Media Association have been invited to participate. One of the key requirements of the licensing process is for applicants to demonstrate consumer need within the licence area and consumer interests will be an important part of our policy consideration. We shall ensure that consumer needs are properly addressed in this review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list all performance targets set for his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999–2002 [Cm 4181], stating in each case (a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94978]

The Department has set out the key performance targets on which it will be judged in its PSA, and the measures of success it will use in the Output and Performance Analyses (OPA) published in March this year. Performance targets, where appropriate, have also been set for the Department's NDPBs and its agency through the production of annual funding agreements. These agreements have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Information on targets and their delivery can also be found in the annual reports and accounts of the agency and non-departmental public bodies. The high level targets which appear in funding agreements, the PSA and the OPA are supported at operational level by numerous targets to ensure delivery by individual units. Listing these operational targets would be inappropriate and disproportionate in terms of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy on standards in radio broadcasting. [96605]

Responsibility for the content of radio services rests with the BBC and the independent broadcasters. The BBC operates within the terms of its Charter and Agreement and undertakes to provide services which are of high general standards in all respects. Independent radio services are licensed and regulated by the Radio Authority under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. The Authority is under a general duty to facilitate the provision of licensed services which (taken as a whole) are of high quality and offer a wide range of programmes calculated to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests.The Broadcasting Standards Commission is responsible under the Broadcasting Act 1996 for producing codes of practice relating to standards and fairness in programmes, considering and adjudicating on complaints and monitoring, researching and reporting on standards and fairness in broadcasting. The BBC and Radio Authority are required, when drawing up or revising their own codes relating to principles and practice, to reflect the general effect of the Broadcasting Standards Commission's codes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [94848]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999, Official Report, column 682.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made by the World Bank in implementing the China western poverty reduction scheme. [95291]

An Inspection Panel has just returned from China after conducting an investigation into whether the World Bank violated policies and procedures with regard to the design and appraisal of the Western Poverty Reduction Project. It will now prepare a detailed report for submission to World Bank management. It is anticipated that the report, and the management response to it, will be presented to the Executive Board of the World Bank in February 2000. No disbursement of funding on the Qinghai component of the project will take place until this has happened.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many requests there have been to her 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; and from which countries (a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came. [94005]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 25 October 1999, Official Report, column 739, by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received on the reduction in the percentage of Government contributions to sexual and reproductive health projects under the new Civil Society Challenge Fund les. [96515]

We have received a number of representations about the funding arrangements for reproductive health activities under the new Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF).In the spirit of a Challenge Fund, it is important that all our partners demonstrate their commitment and the quality of their projects by raising funds within their own support based or from other donors. However, in recognition of the initial problems likely to be faced by organisations which had access to 100 per cent. funding from the JFS, I have agreed a transitional arrangement under which reproductive health activities will be eligible for 85 per cent. funding in year one of the new Fund, 70 per cent. in year two, and 50 per cent. in year three.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-Governmental organisations which are receiving 100 per cent. funding for population and reproductive health projects in 1999–2000 through the joint funding scheme. [96514]

Eleven NGOs are in receipt of 100 per cent. funding for population, reproductive and sexual health projects from the Joint Funding Scheme in the current financial year:

• Alternative for India Development
• AMREF (Africa Medical and Research Foundation)
• CARE International (UK)
• ICR (International Care and Relief)
• International Family Health
• Marie Stopes International
• The Naz Foundation
• Plan International
• Population Concern
• Population Services International
• Urban Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of UK aid is to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the current financial year; and if she will make a statement. [96708]

We hope that the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, which came into effect on 1 September, will bring an end to a war that has caused untold suffering and damage to the region. We continue to urge all parties to implement the agreement in full, but the onus of implementation lies with the parties themselves.We and our EU partners have made clear our readiness to help with rebuilding the country, providing there is tangible progress towards respect for human rights, democracy, economic reform and the rule of law. Britain was the first bilateral donor to pledge support to a World Bank managed Trust Fund intended to focus on immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation following the fall of President Mobutu. The conflict has diverted attention away from the key task of establishing the essential economic and governance reforms necessary for utilisation of the Trust Fund. It is vital that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo use the opportunity of the Lusaka Agreement to focus on these issues.In the meantime, the UK is responding to demonstrable humanitarian needs where access and security allow. So far this financial year, we have committed over £1.1 million to help both the most vulnerable groups within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the refugee populations in the surrounding countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of UK aid to Bermuda is in the current financial year; and if she will make a statement. [96707]

There are no plans for bilateral development assistance expenditure by my Department to Bermuda in the current financial year or thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1999, Official Report, column 315, if The Times industrial correspondent was briefed prior to the general press briefing at 12 noon on 22 July 1999. [94302]

Neither I nor my colleagues spoke to The Times industrial correspondent prior to the general press briefing on 22 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if offsetting arrangements were associated with UK defence sales to the Philippines in the mid-1990s. [94802]

I have been asked to reply.Offset arrangements have been associated with UK defence exports to the Philippines. Such arrangements are a matter between the contractor(s) and the Philippine Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions United Kingdom representatives have held with Commission officials over whether to categorise French Government assistance to the Société Marseillaise de Cr édit as state aid; and if he will make a statement. [95297]

The Commission has exclusive competence to determine whether an aid is compatible with the Treaty. The Commission is currently investigating the aid granted to Société Marseillaise de Crédit. If, at the end of its investigation, the Commission reaches a negative decision and finds that the aid is not compatible with the Treaty, it may order the French authorities to recover the aid paid with interest. UK representatives have not held any discussions with Commission officials regarding this case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding the proposed revision of the Brussels Convention regarding cross-border consumer contract law; and if he will make a statement. [95923]

The Department is consulting business, consumer and other organisations about the approach the Government should take towards the draft proposal put forward by the European Commission to convert the Convention into a Community Regulation. The DTI hosted a conference for this purpose on 15 October. We are extremely keen to see e-commerce flourish in the EU and our aims are to give consumers confidence and to minimise costs to business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding the advertising of alcoholic drinks; and if he will make a statement. [95925]

Alcohol advertising is subject to general legislation and other rules relating, for example, to accuracy, truthfulness and decency. In addition, there are specific rules relating to alcohol in the Codes of Practice of the principal bodies controlling advertising in the UK: the Independent Television Commission; the Radio Authority; and the Advertising Standards Authority. These rules are designed to ensure that alcohol advertising is socially responsible. Advertisements should not appeal to young people, should not show alcohol in association with dangerous activities such as driving, sports or operating machinery, and should not give the impression that alcohol improves performance.In addition, television advertising is also subject to a European Union Directive. Article 15 of the Television Without Frontiers Directive requires that television advertising for alcoholic drinks must not be aimed specifically at minors or depict minors consuming them. The regulators have reflected this in their Codes of Practice by specifically prohibiting advertisers from directing promotions for drinks containing alcohol at people under eighteen years of age.I understand that compliance with the Codes in this area is very high. Relatively few complaints are received about alcohol advertising and we have no reason to believe the system is not working well across the media. My colleagues in the Department of Health are examining the role of advertising in the context of the development of the new alcohol misuse strategy for England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the results of the Office of Science and Technology studies into the careers, conditions and salaries of young scientific researchers. [95796]

The Office of Science and Technology has not commissioned such studies. It supports the Research Careers Initiative, chaired by Sir Gareth Roberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, which expects to publish a second report in the new year, surveying progress in improving the career management and development of research staff on fixed-term contracts in universities.The first report, from October 1998, is available on the CVCP website at: www.cvcp.ac.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the level of compliance by employers with the new Working Time Regulations. [95696]

[holding answer 25 October 1999]: The level of compliance with the Working Time Regulations is difficult to assess at this early stage. When the autumn Labour Force Survey is available (early in 2000) it will provide information for some assessment of the Regulations to be made. The enforcing authorities are also collecting data, which may be indicative of compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to amend the Working Time Regulations in respect of (a) record-keeping by those who opt out of the 48-hour week and (b) extending the scope of the unmeasured working time exemption; and if he will make a statement. [96700]

Draft regulations to amend the Working Time Regulations, in respect of the requirement to keep records for workers who have opted out of the working time limit and extending the scope of the unmeasured working time exemption, were laid before Parliament on 19 October. They will be debated in both Houses before being made.The extension of the 'unmeasured working time' derogation provides greater flexibility for workers who can determine their own hours of work, but have an element of their working time predetermined. The second amendment replaces the requirement to keep records for those who opt-out of the working time limit, with a single requirement to keep a list of those who have signed an opt-out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of installing residual current devices on the incidence of fires in domestic dwellings with an electrical cause. [95265]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: The DTI has made no formal assessment of the impact of installing residual current devices (RCDs) on the incidence of fires in domestic dwellings with an electrical cause.However, the Department has undertaken research into the role and added value of RCDs in the home, including an examination of their potential for preventing fires. The report was published in October 1997 and the contractor was ERA Technology Ltd. A copy of the report "Residual Current Devices—added value for home safety" is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the amount (a) in total and (b) by country of the five nations with the highest amount of such trade, of UK (i) imports and (ii) exports of defence goods and services for the past two years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [95932]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: Information on exports of military equipment during 1997 was included in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 25 March 1999. Information for 1998 will be included in the Government's next Annual Report which is currently being prepared.Figures for exports of goods prior to 1997, imports of goods and trade in services could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are Her Majesty's Government's priorities at the Millennium Round of the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [95729]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: The Government's priorities are unchanged from those outlined in the reply given by my predecessor on 21 January 1999, Official Report, columns 548-49.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EU legislation required the introduction of the Trading Schemes (Exclusion) (Amendment) Regulations 1997/1887. [96204]

There is no such EU legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of Business Links. [96203]

The Small Business Service will develop a network of local Business Link franchises. Key stakeholders involved in existing Business Link local partnerships will be invited to submit proposals to deliver high quality coherent services under the new franchise arrangements. The number of local Business Link areas will be reduced from 81 to 45.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria will be used in determining Business Link boundaries. [96324]

On 30 June, a public consultation on the Small Business Service was launched. The Small Business Service will be given responsibility for taking forward the Business Link network.In a letter to RDA Chairs in June, RDAs were asked to consult local partners and make recommendations on the boundaries for local delivery of SBS services. The letter also set out the criteria for determining these boundaries. The underlying principle for determining SBS boundaries was the desire to have no more than 40-50. This would maximise administrative savings and provide a more effective local network for planning, funding, managing and driving up quality, while still ensuring that businesses would have good access locally to business support services.Specifically, RDAs were asked to ensure that boundaries:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be in a position to publish the results of the inquiry into Robert Maxwell. [96254]

The independent inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers plc (there is no inquiry into the late Robert Maxwell) are still carrying out their work. Consequently they have yet to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce measures in his proposed employment relations legislation to prevent the dismissal of employees involved in a lawful strike. [96173]

We intend to bring section 16 and Schedule 5 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 into force by Easter next year. These provisions will extend the right of protection for those dismissed for taking lawfully organised industrial action to complain to a tribunal of unfair dismissal. They will make it automatically unfair to dismiss workers for the first eight weeks of the action and give employees a right to claim unfair dismissal, if dismissed after the eight week period, where the employer has failed to follow all reasonable procedural steps to try to resolve the dispute. These provisions are designed to stop precipitate dismissals and to place an onus on both employers and unions to settle disputes by negotiation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received on progress towards nuclear fusion at the USA National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories in California. [96435]

My Department's contribution on nuclear fusion is managed and undertaken by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).UKAEA has received no reports on progress towards nuclear fusion at the USA National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, California, other than those presented at international fusion conferences and meetings, and reports in the scientific press.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contributions his Department is making to nuclear fusion projects in the USA and Europe; and where they are taking place. [96434]

My Department's contribution on nuclear fusion is managed and undertaken by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). UK contribution for fusion projects in Europe (including UK) is split into two parts:

the UKAEA expenditure of £14.6 million per year, including their contribution of 8 Million Euro per year as host to the Joint European Torus (JET), an EU Joint Undertaking based at Culham, Oxfordshire;

the UK's contribution to the European Union R&D; Framework Programme supporting the European fusion collaboration.

No contribution is made by my Department to fusion projects in the USA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries currently qualify for ECGD over. [96323]

This information is in the public domain, published in the Autumn 1999 issue of 'ECGD News'. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in each of the last five years, how much the Treasury has had to make available to ECGD to cover losses incurred by the ECGD. [96562]

Over the last five years, cash-flow on ECGD's trading operations has been positive:

£ million
Financial year	Cash-flow
1994–95	-8.1
1995–96	245.9
1996–97	444.9
1997–98	442.6
1998–99	353.5

As a result, over this period, ECGD has not been a charge on the Exchequer and has contributed £1.5 billion to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much revenue Her Majesty's Government have raised in selling radio wave frequencies since May 1997. [96402]

The Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 and 1998 provide for licences to be issued to establish or use stations for wireless telegraphy and to install or use wireless telegraphy apparatus. Fee income from such licences, other than for television reception, totalled £92.571m over the two financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the percentage increase in the cost of a letter stamp for Europe in (a)1998 and (b)1999; what were his reasons for authorising the increases; and if he will make a statement. [96486]

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: The cost of a stamp for a letter up to 20g to European destinations rose by an average of 4.8 per cent. on 6 April 1998 and by a further 13.33 per cent. on 25 October 1999. It is still one of the cheapest rates in Europe.The increase was prompted by increasing handling costs and is in line with the agreement, set out in the European Postal Services Directive, that prices should be geared to costs. The increases were introduced by the Post Office following consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council (POUNC).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress towards issuing licences for third generation mobile spectrum under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 and 1998. [96905]

I am delighted to announce that the Information Memorandum for the auction of licences for Third Generation mobile spectrum is being published today.The Memorandum sets out the detailed arrangements for the auction. Applications to take part in the auction are scheduled to be due on 12 January 2000. The auction itself is expected to start in March 2000. The Government expect that this will be the first auction for Third Generation licences in Europe, giving UK consumers early access to this exciting new technology, and keeping the UK at the forefront of international developments in mobile communications.I am pleased that Vodafone's and BT Cellnet's Telecommunications Act Licences were modified by consent on 22 October to provide for the negotiation of roaming agreements with any new entrants. This will help to encourage market entry and competition, so benefiting consumers.A copy of the Information Memorandum is being placed in the Library of the House and on the auction website at www.spectrumauctions.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total value of inward investment into (a) the UK and (b) the area covered by the Government Office for the North East in each year since 1995. [96732]

The following table shows the total value of the stock of inward investment into the UK for the years 1995 to 1997, the latest year for which information is available. Figures are not available for foreign investment by region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the comparative costs to SME's of 2 megabite electronic communications between central London and (a) outer London and (b) areas around London. [96657]

Several companies compete in the provision of high capacity telecommunications links in the central London area.The price which SMEs will pay for high capacity links will vary according to their length and the choice of supplier.The Government are committed to extending competition in high bandwidth communications as the best means of increasing choice to business and residential consumers.