To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research and developments have been made on in-vehicle technology to prevent law breaking. [94508]

There is a considerable quantity of research being undertaken both in Industry and Government to investigate the benefits that can be obtained from developments in in-vehicle technology to prevent law breaking. Advances in electronics and telematics promise to make measures for vehicle control (e.g. separation distance), identification and location both feasible and cost effective. One particular project sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is looking into a system of Intelligent Speed Adaptation which would be able to control the speed of vehicles automatically to prevent them exceeding speed limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will be in a position to decide on the future of the Sellafield MOX plant; [95918](2) if he will publish the outcome of the latest consultation on the Sellafield MOX plant. [95919]

The consultation on the economic case for the Sellafield MOX plant ended on 23 July 1999. An announcement of the Ministers' decisions will be made following careful consideration of all the responses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received on signals passed at danger since taking office; when they were received; and what action followed from them. [95935]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: Since taking office I have received a great deal of information on signals passed at danger. This information led me to approve the regulations recommended by the Health and Safety Commission to require the fitting of train protection systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how the remit of the new railway safety body proposed to replace Railtrack's Safety remit will differ from Railtrack's safety remit; [95936]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: We have not proposed a new railway safety body. We are considering all options for how the work of Railtrack's safety and standards directorate might best be carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he first asked for a report on signals passed at danger. [95937]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: Immediately after the last election I asked for advice on all aspects of rail safety. This was received in June 1997 and included information on measures to stop signals being passed at danger. After discussions with the Health and Safety Commission I made it clear that they should bring forward any formal proposals on (inter alia) automatic train protection that they considered necessary. I signed the resulting regulations in July. In September the HSE announced the result of their audit of the increase in signals passed at danger and 22 specific actions that they required the industry to progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he was first informed that the number of red railway signals passed at danger was increasing. [95938]

[holding answer 26 October 1999]: On 9 August the Chief Inspector of Railways informed Ministers of the provisional rail safety statistics for 1998–99, which included the 8 per cent. rise in signals passed at danger. HSE published the statistics on 12 August.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require maximum capacity limits to be set for passenger train coaches on safety grounds. [96104]

Research after the Cannon Street accident in 1991 and more recent research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirms that train overcrowding is not primarily a safety issue but one of passenger discomfort. There is no evidence to suggest that train overcrowding is in itself dangerous, or actually causes accidents. HSE is determined to ensure that, safety is not compromised, as part of improving the railways for passengers. HSE gives high priority to minimising safety concerns in the design of trains arising from congestion at stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which dates signals passed at danger statistics were received by Ministers since September 1998; and what response was given to each notification. [95985]

[holding answer 27 October 1999]: Responsibility for providing railway safety statistics (including SPADs) rests with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).The Chief Inspector of Railways at the HSE informed Ministers of the annual statistics for 1997–98 (which showed a fall in SPADs) on 7 December 1998. A departmental press notice was published on 9 December 1998 which stressed the need for the railway industry to improve the safety culture operating in the industry and looked to HSE to use their enforcement powers against companies which skimped on their safety obligations.On 9 August 1999 the Chief Inspector of Railways informed Ministers of the provisional rail safety statistics for 1998–99, which included an 8 per cent. rise in SPADs. The HSE statistics were published on 12 August. On 30 July the Deputy Prime Minister had signed regulations requiring the fitting of the train protection and warning system to cut the incidence of SPADs. The regulations were laid in the House on 10 August.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received of safety issues concerning the 20.42 Connex train to Dartford via Greenwich on 21 October; and if he will make a statement. [96852]

The HSE is aware of the incident on 21 October where the driver of the 20.42 Connex train from Charing Cross to Dartford accepted the route set by the signaller which directed his train onto the line through New Cross instead of going to Greenwich. All the signals were clear and there was therefore no risk to passengers' safety. Implications for the competencies of safety critical staff are being examined.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what reports he has received that the lunar lights on the North Kent line at Charlton are obscured by foliage; and if he will make a statement; [96854](2) what reports he has received regarding recent incidents where Connex trains from Dartford to Cannon Street have taken the wrong route; and if he will make a statement. [96853]

Although no report has been made to HSE, I understand that on 7 October a Connex train took the wrong route at Charlton because the white route indication lights on the signal were reportedly obscured by foliage. On passing the junction, the driver realised the route had been wrongly set, and under instruction from the signaller, set the train back behind the signal to allow the route to be reset correctly. HSE will now take this matter up with the train operating company.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he proposes to put in place in relation to his proposals for National Air Traffic Services to ensure that staff will be able to speak freely about issues relating to safety. [96187]

Staff of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) are already given protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Pursuant to the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order (SI 1999–1549) the CAA is prescribed as a body to which a worker may make a protected disclosure in respect of aviation safety. The CAA has nominated its Secretary and Legal Adviser to be its point of contact. He will protect the complainer's anonymity, while ensuring that the complaint is passed to the relevant regulator. A trade union official who raised safety issues as part of his duties would also enjoy additional protection through the Employment Rights Act 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the number of special areas of conservation designated under the Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement. [96106]

None at this time. The UK is currently participating with eight other countries in Atlantic biogeographic region moderation meetings to consider the lists of sites put forward. Following this moderation process the Commission will indicate to member states where modifications to lists are required.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the National Walking Strategy. [96194]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to implement the National Walking Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [96555]

The Government are keen to make it safer and easier for people who choose to walk. A strategy will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the recommendations contained in the Royal National Institute for the Blind's report, "Rights of Way". [96201]

This Report provides a useful overview of the transport needs of visually impaired people. My Department has been working with blind and partially sighted people over many years to improve their independent mobility. It is clear that we are already tackling many of the issues which the Report highlights.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the proposed National Minimum Concessionary Fares Scheme for pensioners to blind and partially sighted people. [96199]

We have no plans at present to extend the scope of the proposed national minimum standard scheme for people of pensionable age. Local authorities already have powers to provide concessionary travel for people who are blind and partially sighted and many do so. The decision on whether to allow concessionary travel for that group of people will remain a matter for individual local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) evidence he assessed and (b) advice he received which underlay his statement that he was minded to relieve Railtrack of its Safety and Standards Directorate. [95939]

[holding answer 27 October 1999]: The report from the Health & Safety Commission reviewing SSD, dated 30 September 1999, a copy of which is now in the House Library. Unanimous advice was received from the Transport Select Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what central records are kept by (i) his Department and (ii) the CAA of (a) Air Accident Investigation Bureau recommendations and (b) the resultant actions; and if he will make a statement; [96322](2) who is responsible for ensuring that the follow-up action recommended in the CAA flight safety report CAA Occurrence Number 98/04954, (Operator Brintel, AAIB report Bulletin 5/99, CAA factor number F18/99), is implemented. [96321]

Under the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations any undertaking or authority to which a safety recommendation is addressed is required to take the recommendation into consideration without delay and, where appropriate, act upon it. They are also required to provide the Secretary of State with full details of how they intend to implement the recommendation or a full explanation of why they do not intend to implement it. The recommendations referred to were addressed to the US Federal Aviation Administration as the State of Design for the aircraft type in question and we await their response.Both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accident Investigation Branch keep a record of all recommendations. The AAIB also keeps details of all responses to safety recommendations. In addition, the CAA publishes an annual progress report on recommendations addressed to both the CAA and the Department. It has now been agreed that this progress report will be expanded to include action on all AAIB recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the public-private partnership for London Underground to be signed for each of the separate groupings of underground lines; and if he will make a statement. [96315]

The PPP contracts for London Underground will be signed when they are ready. We have learned the lessons of rail privatisation and will not impose a politically driven timetable at the expense of ensuring that the resulting deal is right.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what immediate action is planned to combat congestion on London Underground trains and in station corridors. [96686]

[holding answer 1 November 1999]: This is an operational matter for London Underground. However, London Underground carefully considers customer safety and discomfort from overcrowding in its assessment of investment priorities. Much investment and management effort is focused on reducing delays and improving reliability of the service, which helps reduce congestion both on trains and through stations and provides a safer, more comfortable environment. Examples of investment projects that will combat congestion are: the Jubilee Line Extension; increasing services on the Central and Northern lines; projects at Knightsbridge, Leicester Square, Brixton and Russell Square. In addition, London Underground is focusing on reducing station congestion through better signing and passenger flow management at the busiest stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who is responsible for enforcing London Underground safety rules to combat congestion in trains and corridors. [96688]

[holding answer 1 November 1999]: Responsibility for managing congestion on London Underground rests with London Underground Ltd. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Railways is informed of any breakdown of congestion management, investigates incidents of serious congestion and monitors general performance in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety rules are in operation to prevent overcrowding of (a) trains on the London Underground and (b) London Underground station corridors. [96687]

[holding answer 1 November 1999]: This is an operational matter for London Underground. However, I understand that as part of London Underground's safety management system, comprehensive crowd control plans and measures to implement them are regularly used by London Underground staff when the level of passengers using the system exceeds the system's capacity to deal with them. These safety risk controls are exercised by line controllers and station supervisors. They work in co-operation with each other to ensure that levels of crowding do not exceed safe levels. Staff involved in the implementation of these controls are fully trained. Safety plans are updated annually and regular emergency exercises are held to test the effectiveness of the arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) by how much the area covered by the National Forest has expanded since 1 May 1997; [96559](2) what area was covered by the National Forest on 30 September. [96560]

There has been no change to the designated area of the National Forest since it was established in 1995; 777 hectares of trees have been planted since 1 May 1997. As at 30 September total tree cover in the National Forest amounted to some 5,128 hectares.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many refusals to grant planning consent for large out of town supermarkets during the past 18 months which were the subject of an appeal have had the refusal upheld. [96314]

The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received about the availability of bus services over the Millennium period; [96539](2) what discussions he has had with transport providers about the availability of bus services over the Millennium period. [96540]

I have received very few representations about the availability of bus services. My officials are in touch with the Confederation of Passenger Transport about provision of services, and I understand that their members will be announcing their intended levels of Millennium services outside London in the middle of November. It would be for local authorities to decide whether they wish to supplement commercial provision of services with subsidised services.The provision of bus services in London is the responsibility of London Transport Buses (LTB). I understand that LTB have formulated a strategy for the Millennium period, which they are discussing with bus operators. It is proposed that on both New Millennium Eve and New Millennium day bus services will broadly operate to Sunday service pattern across London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish a revised PPG17 on Sports and Recreation. [96878]

I hope to publish a consultation draft before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date each local authority in Greater Manchester completed its unitary development plans; and when he finally confirmed each plan. [96874]

Local planning authorities are responsible for the preparation and adoption of unitary development plans. In Greater Manchester the local planning authorities adopted their unitary development plans on the dates listed in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the annual financial impact on West Oxfordshire District Council of his changes to the negative housing subsidy regime. [96619]

My Department will be consulting later this Autumn on the detail of the proposals for changes in the Housing Revenue Account 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 financial impact of any changes will be. The financial 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 public funding the Campaign for a Northern Assembly has received. [96618]

The Campaign for a Northern Assembly has received no public funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received, broken down by region, supporting the introduction of elected regional Government in England. [96008]

[holding answer 29 October 1999]: Ministers receive representations in a wide variety of ways——including questions in Parliament, at conferences and during visits and meetings, as well as in writing——and no comprehensive record is kept of all these.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what methods of depreciation his Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [97047]

The Department will apply, in the current financial year, the same method of depreciation as that applied in the 1998–99 financial year dry run resource accounts which is the straight line method. The method applied is commonly used in the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish detailed proposals for early voting at Greater London Authority elections. [96690]

[holding answer 1 November 1999]: The Government Office for London wrote to the London Boroughs and the Common Council in August seeking initial comments on outline proposals for a system of early voting at the GLA elections. I have placed a copy of the letter in the House Library. We are considering the responses received, and I hope to write with further detailed proposals shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what requests he has received from Thamesmead Town Ltd. for its rented housing stock to be transferred to a registered social landlord or landlords; and if he will make a statement. [96856]

I understand that Thamesmead Town have now applied to the Housing Corporation for registration of the housing association to be established as part of their restructuring proposals as a Registered Social Landlord. The Secretary of State has no plans to make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what requests he has received for changes to the structure of Thamesmead Town Ltd.; and if he will make a statement [96855]

The Secretary of State has just received a formal request to consent to changes to the structure of Thamesmead Town Ltd. which he will be considering in the coming weeks. He has no plans to make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he intends to take to ensure that the ban on the international trade in whale products is not lifted at the next meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Nairobi in April 2000; and if he will make a statement. [96335]

The Government have been consulted recently on two draft downlisting proposals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), from Norway and Japan, relating respectively to the Northeast Atlantic and North Atlantic Central Stocks, and to the Southern Hemisphere Stocks of Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). We have replied to both countries making clear our objections and underscoring our opposition to any CITES downlisting proposals which might undermine the moratorium on commercial whaling under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the United Kingdom has gained from the agreement made this summer to allow Fedex fifth freedom rights at Prestwick Airport. [97082]

The decision to grant fifth freedom rights at Prestwick to US air cargo carriers will deliver a range of economic benefits to the airport and to the region. In granting these rights at a single UK airport we have made it clear to the US government that the granting of similar rights at other UK airports is contingent upon the adoption by the US of policies which would afford UK air cargo carriers new opportunities in the US.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how he proposes to ensure better provision of general customer information at cycle facilities provided by Railtrack and rail operators; [97075](2) what measures he proposes to ensure that cycles can be carried on trains; [97074](3) what plans he has to ensure that secure and weatherproof cycle lockers are introduced at railway stations. [97073]

The provision of cycling facilities on trains and at stations is a matter for individual operators. Paragraph 31 of the Instructions and Guidance which we issued to the Franchising Director on 29 September requires him to promote the use of bicycles by seeking the provision of reasonable facilities on board new rolling stock and at stations. A copy is available in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has made to the European Commission on his plans to retain UK responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements; and if he will make a statement; [97079](2) what increase in the EU responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements the Government have agreed since 1 May 1997; [97081](3) if it is the Government's policy to retain responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements indefinitely; [97080](4) what representations he has received from the European Commission concerning his Department's present responsibility for bilateral negotiations with third countries on civil aviation agreements; and if he will make a statement. [97078]

The European Commission presented a proposal to open aviation negotiations with the US at Community level in 1997, but to date the Transport Council has not agreed to the proposal. The Commission has brought infraction proceedings in the European Court of Justice against the UK, alleging that the ownership and control clause contained in the UK's bilateral aviation agreement with the US (Bermuda II) breaches the EC Treaty. Similar proceedings have been brought against seven other member states. In common with these other member states, the UK is contesting the case.The Government believe that the benefits of a Community-wide approach to negotiating air service agreements with third countries need to be considered on a case by case basis and that any decision to grant the Commission a mandate should be justified by reference to the added value of a collective approach.To date, the Commission has obtained mandates from the Council for three sets of aviation negotiations with third countries: with Norway and Sweden (which were subsequently subsumed by the agreement establishing the European Economic Area and, in the case of Sweden, its accession to the Community); with Switzerland; and with ten Central and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia). Each of these mandates was granted before 1 May 1997. The Commission has recently made a proposal for a Council decision authorising it to open negotiations with Cyprus.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions his Department has held with its US counterparts concerning the future of US/UK civil aviation agreements; who was present at such meetings; what were the agendas and the conclusions of the meetings; and if he will make a statement. [97076]

My officials held exploratory talks on 18 and 19 October with a delegation from the US State Department, the Department of Transportation, the US Embassy and the FAA. The Director of International Aviation Negotiations led the team of DETR and FCO officials. The primary focus of the meeting was the possible liberalisation of air cargo arrangements, although the delegations also renewed their dialogue on the overall liberalisation of the bilateral aviation relationship. In addition, the US delegation raised the subject of direct air links between Pittsburgh and London. The two sides agreed to consider how further progress may be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from United Kingdom airlines concerning the future of UK/US civil aviation agreements. [97077]

I have received representations from a number of airlines and from other bodies concerning UK/US civil aviation agreements. These representations do not reveal a consensus as to the most appropriate way forward for our bilateral discussions, with the Government being pressed by different parties to adopt mutually inconsistent policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the bids made by each local authority in their Provisional Local Transport Plan for the years 2000–01 and 2001–02 for projected local transport capital expenditure on (a) maintenance of principal highways, (b) maintenance, assessment and strengthening of bridges, (c) individual schemes costing more than £5 million and (d) individual schemes and groups of related schemes costing less than £5 million. [97087]

I have placed a copy of the information requested in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority the submissions given in their Provisional Local Transport Plans for 2000–01 with regard to the targets required under the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997. [97088]

We received 85 provisional Local Transport Plans covering 116 English local traffic authorities and 33 interim transport plans from London Boroughs. Authorities were required to include interim non-statutory road traffic reduction reports in their plans. Local authorities have made these plans publicly available.The reports took a variety of positions on the question of whether, and at what level, to set targets for reducing the level of traffic, or its rate of growth, on local roads. A review of the content of these reports has been carried out as part of the work currently in progress for the Government's first report under the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998 at the end of this year. The results of that review will be made publicly available in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority the proposals for bypasses and other major road schemes made in their provisional local transport plan. [97071]

We have received 85 provisional local transport plans covering 116 local highway authorities in England, excluding London. Specific proposals for major road schemes costing more than £5 million with potential start dates within the five year local transport plan period (2000–1 to 2004–5) are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is Government policy to make quality contracts subject to ministerial consent; and if he will make a statement. [97072]

Government procurement policy is to award contracts on the basis of best value for money, which is the optimum combination of whole life cost and quality. The vast majority of contracting decisions are taken by DETR officials without reference to Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is towards disposal of land held by local authorities under the Green Belts (London and Home Counties) Act 1938 and towards the treatment of any proceeds. [97206]

I will approve the disposal of land only where it will continue to fulfil the purposes of including land in Green Belts as set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2 (PPG2). Any capital receipt arising from a disposal should be treated according to the local government capital finance system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he will make available to authorities that have been reorganised on 1 April 1997 and 1998 for reorganisation costs incurred by them in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [97208]

On 16 July I invited authorities that reorganised on 1 April 1997 and 1 April 1998 to submit estimates of the amount of expenditure they expect to incur on transitional costs of reorganisation in 1999–2000. On the basis of the information provided by authorities, I have decided the revised maximum amounts that it would be appropriate to allocate towards such costs in 1999–2000.The amounts are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment is currently available that would detect from a low-flying aircraft the likely presence of (a) a shallow grave containing human remains, (b) buried arms or munitions and (c) an underground tunnel of less than 15 foot depth; how many such devices and at what cost have been purchased by HM forces; and how these devices have been deployed in the past 12 months. [94627]

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The MOD has a number of surveillance sensors that can be mounted on low-flying aircraft. These are designated to provide intelligence information on surface features and activities. They would, in some circumstances, be capable of detecting recently disturbed earth but they could not directly detect the likely presence of buried remains, arms of munitions. There is, however, ongoing research both in the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and in the private sector into the development of ground penetrating radar for airborne applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected in-service date is for the Type 42 replacement ships; and if he will make a statement. [94781]

[holding answer 20 October 1999]: The requirement to replace the Royal Navy's Type 42 Destroyers will now be met by the Type 45 destroyer programme. On current plans, the first of the Type 45 destroyers will enter service in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the practicability of the Principal Anti-Air Missile system to surplus Batch 2 Type 22 frigates pending the introduction of the Type 45 destroyer; and if he will make a statement. [96034]

No assessment has been conducted into the practicality of integrating the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) into Type 22 Batch 2 frigates. The timescale of the PAAMS procurement programme means that it could not be ready for service on a type 22 (or any other vessel) before the Type 45's entry into service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the practicability of incorporating the US Mk 41 vertical launcher in the Type 45 destroyer; and if he will make a statement. [96033]

An assessment was made of both the French SYLVER Vertical Launch System (VLS) and the Lockheed Martin Mk41 (Tactical length) VLS for the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) requirement. The French SYLVER was competitively selected, in preference to the Lockheed Martin Mk41. While the assessment concluded that both options would meet the PAAMS requirement and technically could be incorporated into the Type 45, the PAAMS package which offered the SYLVER launcher was chosen on the grounds of overall affordability and value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances his Department will pay the legal costs of armed forces personnel in divorce proceedings; and for what ranks. [96431]

Divorce is considered to be a personal and private issue between the individuals concerned. It is not considered appropriate, therefore, that such costs should be borne by the public purse. However, Armed Forces personnel serving in Northern Ireland or overseas can obtain free legal advice on procedure from the Army Legal Service. Similarly, their spouses can receive free advice from the RAF Legal Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of the missiles being loaned to Turkey; and how long the missiles are being loaned for. [96472]

The value of the missiles that the MOD plans to loan to Turkey is approximately £1.2 million; the missiles are being loaned for a period of approximately three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Governments of countries which possess nuclear weapons about management of weapons systems in relation to millennium compliance. [96549]

We have been assured by all the other Nuclear Weapon States (US, Russia, France and China) that their nuclear weapons will be unaffected by the Year 2000 problem, and that robust command and control arrangements are in place. We have provided similar assurances in respect of our own nuclear deterrent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will institute a full public inquiry into the health and safety, environmental and pollution aspects of the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston and Burghfield; [96671](2) what action in the past year he has caused to be taken to reduce the risk of a nuclear accident at Aldermaston. [96670]

[holding answer 1 November 1999]: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the amount of uranium dust in Kosovo from depleted uranium rounds; and what action he proposes to take to manage the risk to public health. [96668]

[holding answer 1 November 1999]: Depleted uranium based munitions have not been used by British forces in Kosovo and the Government have not commissioned any assessment of the amount of uranium dust in Kosovo. I am, however, very much aware of the concerns that have been expressed about the use of depleted uranium in ammunition and have commissioned advice from officials within the MOD on how we might improve our knowledge of how depleted uranium in ammunition behaves in the natural environment. I have also asked for a review of any health effects of depleted uranium.The joint UN Environment Programme/UN Commission on Human Settlements issued its report "The Kosovo Conflict: Consequences for the Environment" on 5 October 1999. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if legislation would be required in order to lift the ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces. [96891]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage serviceability target in 1999 for equipment being required to be available within 12 hours for (a) RAF aircraft, (b) army tanks and (c) other battle vehicles. [95965]

The Army do not set serviceability targets for equipment being required to be available within 12 hours. The percentage serviceability target in 1999 for equipment being required to be available within 24 hours is 90 per cent. for main battle tanks and an average of 80 per cent. across the range of other armoured vehicles.The information requested on RAF aircraft is not held centrally but is being collated. I will write to the right hon. and learned Member when it is available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the establishment strength of (a) Tornado GR1/4, (b) Tornado F3, (c) Harrier, (d) Jaguar, (e) Nimrod, (f) Sentry, (g) Tristar, (h) Puma, (i) Sea King and (j) Chinook; how many were (i) allocated to front-line units, (ii) fully serviceable, (iii) unserviceable 1 line, (iv) unserviceable 2 line, (v) unserviceable 3 line, (vi) unserviceable 4 line and (vii) held in reserve use on 1 October; and what percentage of the establishment strength this represents for each category. [95967]

I will write to the right hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the establishment strength of (a) Warrior variants, (b) Challenger 1, (c) Challenger 2, (d) Saxon variants, (e) AVF 430 variants, (f) Sabre, (g) Striker, (h) Scimitar, (i) Spartan, (j) Sultan, (k) Samaritan and (l) Samson; how many were (i) allocated to front-line units, (ii) fully operational, (iii) unserviceable-fully operational in 24 hours, (iv) unserviceable-fully operational in seven days and (v) unserviceable-fully operational in more than seven days on 1 October; and what percentage of the establishment strength this represents for each category. [95966]

Information on the availability state of armoured vehicles in the form requested, specifically the numbers of vehicles held by frontline units together with the numbers that are operational, is classified. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Defence, Security and International Relations). Information on availability of armoured vehicles allocated to frontline Army units by percentage of establishment strength is however, unclassified. The following table shows availability in this form on 30 September 1999, the most recent date for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of Article 3 (d) of the new ILO convention on child labour on his Department's employment and deployment practices; and if he will make a statement. [96014]

The new ILO Convention 182 explicitly mentions the "forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict" at Article 3(a). Article 3(d) therefore has no application to military service in the UK. The recruitment practices referred to in ILO Convention 182 are an unacceptable form of child labour. The recruitment of genuine volunteers, as for example undertaken in the UK, is entirely different from the abusive, exploitative, forced or coercive involvement of children in armed conflict as members of militia or para-military forces around the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of serving military personnel in (a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF are (i) single, (ii) married without children, (iii) married with children, (iv) divorced without children and (v) divorced with children. [95959]

Due to differences in the data held by the services, the answer has been split by office and servicemen/women.As at 1 October, the latest date for which figures are available, the percentages are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the number of military personnel stationed at each base, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, of (a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF; which of these bases have an officer in charge of families; and what recreational, social, medical and educational facilities are available at each base for forces families; [95960](2) if he will list the organisations dedicated to service family welfare and support for

I will write to the right hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of military personnel leaving (a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF for reasons of (i) premature voluntary release, (ii) redundancy, (iii) retirement and (iv) other, for each year between and including 1989 and the current financial year indicating what percentage of each category were (1) single, (2) married without children, (3) married with children, (4) divorced without children and (5) divorced with children. [95961]

The available information is contained in the tables: