To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) if he will estimate construction expenditure on the Parliamentary Estate in each of the past five years; [100032](2) how much the refurbishment of the Parliamentary Estate has cost in each of the past five years; [100034](3) if he will estimate expenditure on Portcullis House

These are matters for the Director of Parliamentary Works; I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

To ask the Prime Minister if he has appointed a representative to serve on the body to draft a European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, as agreed at the European Council in Tampere; and what guidance he plans to issue to that person. [99444]

Lord Goldsmith will be my representative on the Charter drafting body. The Government's view is that the charter should make the fundamental rights which already exist, and which are applicable at Union level, more visible to the Union's citizens. It should take the form of a political statement, rather than a legal text to be incorporated into the Treaties.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with (a) France and (b) Russia on the operations of KFOR designed to protect the remaining Serb populations in Kosovo. [99436]

[holding answer 24 November 1999]: NATO Allies and Russia discuss all aspects of KFOR operations on a regular basis and Kosovo was discussed at the Ministerial Anglo/French Summit on 25 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the review of the information available on the chemical warfare mental incapacitants known as Agent 15. [100910]

In accordance with the undertakings given by the then Secretary of State for Defence on 9 February 1998 and by my predecessor on 22 April 1998, a review of the research on glycollates (of which Agent 15 is an example) and related compounds carried out at CBD Porton Down has been completed. A copy of the unclassified summary of this review has been placed in the Library of the House. The report explains that Agent 15 has been used in animal studies at Porton Down, but not in any work involving humans. Research on related compounds (glycollates and benzilates) involving human volunteers found that all the observed effects of the compounds were resolved within four days.A more extensive research programme involving human volunteers was undertaken at the time of the CBD research in the United States. Follow-up studies in 1980 led to the conclusion that subjects exposed to anticholinergic agents (glycollates) reported no differences in their current health status compared to control groups. However, the methods and the group sizes used were such that only large effects were likely to be uncovered.There is no evidence that UK troops were exposed to Agent 15, nor that Iraq used Agent 15. There are therefore no plans for further research into this agent at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed on Project Capital. [100286]

Following roll-out and proving of the Departmental Financial Management System, Project Capital was formally closed in October 1999. Accounting, in-year management and Planning and budgeting—using the Capital systems—are now largely integrated with teams working on cash management systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made as a result of the management review of the Clyde Base. [100287]

Following a scoping study at the Clyde Base in 1997, Ministers decided to retain work in-house through a joint Management/Trades Union proposal to establish Neptune Services Direct, which is successfully delivering hotel and related services increasingly efficiently. In addition, a rationalisation programme was set in hand to optimise the use of resources and skills in the Engineering and Facilities Support departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that his Department's land is not used by the US Government for purposes which breach international treaties signed by that Government. [99884]

Her Majesty's Government retains legal possession of and control over all sites made available for use by the United States Visiting Forces. The interpretation of an international treaty is a matter for the parties to that treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests were applied to clear each target engaged by British forces according to international law during the Kosovo conflict from March to June. [98563]

UK air operations were conducted in strict compliance with the requirements of international law, including the UK's obligations under international humanitarian law, and targeting decisions took the legal considerations fully into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total replacement value of the ordnance expended by British forces during the Kosovo crisis to the end of August. [98566]

The indicative cost of ordnance consumed during the period of offensive operations in Kosovo is some £45 million. This is an estimate, based on a set of average historical prices for the ordnance in question, and does not represent actual expenditure. Final decisions on the replenishment of ordnance consumed during the campaign have yet to be taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date DRA Boscombe Down carried out electron-magnetic interference testing during the airworthiness proving trials on Chinook HC2; and if recommendations were made as a result of that testing. [100144]

A full electron-magnetic interference assessment of the Chinook Mk2 was completed by Boscombe Down in January 1994. Recommendations were made concerning the introduction and use in flight of UHF on-board transmitters and walk-on equipment, and High Intensity Radio Transmission Avoidance Areas (HIRTA) within the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time equivalent MOD police officers were employed at AWE Aldermaston in each month from November 1998 to November 1999. [100682]

I am withholding this information in accordance with exemption 1 (a) (national security) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has issued to the MOD police in respect of overtime worked by officers at AWE Aldermaston. [100686]

No specific guidance has been issued to the MOD police at AWE Aldermaston in respect of overtime. It is force policy to minimise the use of overtime commensurate with meeting the operational requirement. All overtime working is voluntary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of days sickness leave taken among MOD police officers at AWE Aldermaston in each month from November 1998 to November 1999. [100685]

The information requested is not collected in days, but rather in hours. The table records the average number of hours of sickness, per officer, per month at AWE Aldermaston.

Month	Average number of sickness hours, per officer, per day
November 1998	10.2
December 1998	9.6
January 1999	13.6
February 1999	10.4
March 1999	11.5
April 1999	10.4
May 1999	11.9
June 1999	12.5
July 1999	10.0
August 1999	10.5
September 1999	9.1
October 1999	11.6

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average amount of overtime worked by MOD police officers at AWE Aldermaston in each month from November 1998 to November 1999. [100683]

The information requested is shown in the table.

Month	Overtime hours per officer/month
November 1998	38.0
December 1998	30.2
January 1999	31.7
February 1999	32.4
March 1999	40.4
April 1999	39.4
May 1999	38.0
June 1999	42.4
July 1999	38.9
August 1999	39.4
September 1999	42.9
October 1999	31.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions (a) the United Kingdom and (b) all other NATO countries have exercised a national veto on proposed actions during a NATO operation since 1989. [99466]

Decisions at NATO are taken by consensus. During operations and deployments, procedures allow national commanders to satisfy themselves that a proposed course of action complies with the basis on which the operation was approved, consulting national authorities as required. Neither the UK nor NATO maintains records of how many times these procedures have been used since 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for (a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99551]

My Department and its agencies have no functions which directly provide business for (a) Crown post offices or (b) other post offices. It is not likely that this situation will change in the future. However, we have significant business with both Royal Mail and Parcelforce, who provide the bulk of our mail collection and delivery services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what projections his Department has made of the number of households with digital television in 2006 (a) with a digital licence fee supplement as proposed by the Independent Review Panel into the future funding of the BBC and (b) without such a supplement. [100046]

We do not have these specific figures at present. However, DCMS commissioned an independent report from Nera in 1998, which suggested between 13.8 million and 18.5 million households would have digital capability by 2008. The potential impact of a digital licence supplement on take up of digital television is something we are considering in reaching our conclusions on the independent review panel's recommendations. As part of that process, we will look at all the available evidence on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sports are recognised by the Sports Councils within the United Kingdom. [100292]

The Sports Councils do not 'recognise' sports, but there are 112 sports that are eligible for funding and other support. These are:

Aikido, American Football, Angling, Archery, Arm Wrestling, Association Football, Athletics, Australian Rules Football, Badminton, Ballooning, Baseball, Basketball, Baton Twirling, Biathlon, Bicycle Polo, Billiards and Snooker, Bobsleigh, Boccia, Bowls, Boxing, Camogie, Canoeing, Caving, Chinese Martial Arts, Cricket, Croquet, Crossbow, Curling, Cycling, Disability Sport, Dragon Boat Racing, Equestrian, Fencing, Fives, Flying, Gaelic Football, Gliding, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hang/Para Gliding, Highland Games, Hockey, Horse Racing, Hovering, Hurling, Ice Hockey, Ice Skating, Jet Skiing, Ju Jitsu, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Kendo, Korfball, Lacrosse, Lawn Tennis, Life Saving, Luge, Modem Pentathlon, Motor Cycling, Motor Sports, Mountaineering, Movement, Dance and Fitness, Netball, Orienteering, Parachuting, Pentaque, Polo, Pony Trekking, Pool, Quoits, Racketball, Rackets, Racquetball, Rambling, Real Tennis, Roller Hockey, Roller Skating, Rounders, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Sailing, Sand/Land Yachting, Shinty, Shooting, Skateboarding, Skiing, Skipping, Snowboarding, Softball, Sombo Wrestling, Squash, Skater/Street Hockey, Sub-Aqua, Surf Life Saving, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Tenpin Bowling, Trampolining, Triathlon, Tug Of War, Unihoc, Volleyball, Water Skiing, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Yoga.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the amount of funding given by the National Lottery to disabled projects for disabled people in England and Wales during the last 12 months. [100443]

National Lottery projects are designed to benefit all sections of society, including people with disabilities. Since November 1998, around £280 million has been awarded to over 4,000 projects designed primarily to benefit people with disabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government financial grants have been made available to the Royal Opera House modernisation programme. [100441]

No grants have been made directly from Government to the Royal Opera House for its redevelopment. The Arts Council's National Lottery capital programme awarded the Royal Opera House £78.5 million for the restoration, refurbishment and extension of the Covent Garden site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his estimate is of the value of land, property and heritage assets (a) in Scotland, (b) in England and (c) in total (i) owned by or (ii) under the responsibility of his Department. [99827]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: The Department is at present implementing resource accounting and values have been derived from audited accounting information. The first year of published resource accounts will be in respect of 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons the Bournemouth Sinfonietta's funding has been ended. [100791]

The Arts Council announced on 13 October its plans for giving the subsidised orchestras a fresh start backed by at least £10 million to enable them to move to a more flexible way of working and to enable them to have scope to offer a more imaginative repertoire to audiences. The Council made it clear at the time of the announcement that they would be in immediate discussions with Bournemouth about a new model for their work. Out of those discussions has come the decision by the Bournemouth Orchestra's Board to close the Sinfonietta as a regrettable preliminary to securing the long-term future for orchestral provision in the South and South-West.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the Legal Aid Board's policy is on seeking possession of vacant properties when an outstanding debt to the Board is secured against the property. [100123]

The Legal Aid Board secures debts against property in a number of circumstances.Where an assisted person wins his or her case but some costs are outstanding, section 16 of the Legal Aid Act 1988 allows the Board to recover them from the property that was in dispute, through the "statutory charge". Where the assisted person's home was in dispute, or the winnings in the case are to be used to purchase a home for the assisted person, enforcement can be postponed and the Board will register a charge against the home. In those circumstances the property in question is not vacant. Should it become vacant, the Board will expect the property to be sold and the statutory charge paid off immediately.The other circumstances are: where the court has made a costs order in favour of an assisted person, and the Board is seeking costs from the other side; where the assisted person has failed to make the required contributions towards the cost of their legal aid; where a legal aid certificate has been revoked, in which case the full cost of the help given has to be repaid; and where an assisted person has been granted an emergency certificate but has not been given a full certificate. In all these circumstances the Board can secure debts owed to it on any property, including vacant property, and will be in the same position as any other secured creditor.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average length of time between debts to the Legal Aid Board being secured against domestic property and being settled. [100124]

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the value is of debts to the Legal Aid Board that are secured against (a) domestic property and (b) vacant domestic property. [100125]

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As at 31 March 1999, the principle value of all debts to the Legal Aid Board that are secured by way of the statutory charge was £206,792,000. The total value of other secured debts to the Board, in respect of liabilities such as unpaid contributions, costs owned under revoked certificates, or costs awards in favour of assisted persons, is not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what statistics are collected (a) nationally and (b) by region, on the time it takes to process housing benefit; [99865](2) which national organisation monitors and investigates performance in processing housing benefit claims within target periods. [99867]

The Audit Commission in England and Wales, and the Accounts Commission in Scotland, collect and publish data annually for all local authorities administering housing benefit. This includes data on the number of claims determined within 14 days. Data are also collected and monitored by this Department. The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate is responsible for reporting to the Secretary of State on the administration of housing benefit by local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to bring the housing benefit service within the Best Value Framework. [99868]

A comprehensive range of best value performance indicators for the delivery of housing benefit was included in the recent joint Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and Audit Commission consultation exercise ("Performance Indicators for 2000–01"). Indicators will be finalised by the end of 1999 and will cover the key aspects of local authorities' performance in delivering housing benefit. We are committed to driving forward improvements in the benefit services authorities provide so that they are faster, more accurate and more secure while also achieving value for money and taking account of the views and needs of local people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to introduce measures to reform housing benefit. [99011]

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the timetable for bringing forward his proposals for housing benefit reform. [99901]

We intend to publish a Housing Green Paper in due course. This will present proposals for housing benefit within the overall strategy for housing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what benefits are available to students who are (a) pregnant and (b) single mothers; [100121](2) what recent representations he has received on the incomes of students and their ineligibility to receive benefits; and if he will make a statement. [100036]

Most full time students are not eligible to claim income-related benefits—their primary source of financial support comes from the education system. However, certain students in vulnerable groups, for example lone parents or disabled students, can claim these benefits.A full time student is not eligible to claim an income-related benefit on the grounds of her pregnancy. However, students who are also working and earning at least £66 a week may qualify for Statutory Maternity pay from her employer, or Maternity Allowance from the Benefits Agency.If she or her partner were in receipt of Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Working Families Tax Credit or the Disabled Person's Tax Credit she would be able to claim a Social Fund Maternity Grant payment.During the last three months we have received a small number of letters concerning students, their incomes and benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what his estimate is of the value of land and property held by his core Department (a) in Scotland and (b) in total; [99820](2) what his estimate is of the value of land and property

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: In early 1998 all of the Department's land and property throughout the UK, both freehold and leasehold, was transferred to the private sector under two separate Private Finance Initiative contracts. We now no longer own nor hold any land or property. Instead serviced office accommodation is purchased from our two private sector partners, Trillium and the Newcastle Estate Partnership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how frequently the inter-departmental group that met to advise on the report from his Department, "Opportunity for All, Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion" (Cm 4455), will meet in future, with representatives of which Departments, under what terms of reference, and with what involvement of representatives of voluntary and community organisations. [100724]

In preparing "Opportunity for All", our first annual report on its strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion, all relevant Government Departments met frequently to discuss the report. We are currently considering the terms of reference and membership for the inter-departmental group that will steer the second report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow people with severe and enduring mental illness, who have been discharged from hospital and whose circumstances remain unchanged, to claim Disability Living Allowance and severe disablement premium without having to complete any additional forms. [99877]

Scope already exists for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants discharged from hospital on a long-term or indefinite basis to have their benefit reinstated on a weekly basis, providing they notify the DLA unit of their discharge, and providing there is no change to their care and mobility needs. Reinstatement cannot however be automatic; much will depend on the circumstances of the individual case. For example, a person who has been discharged from hospital may have greater or lesser care needs than they had before they were admitted and this could alter the rate of benefit to which they are entitled.We recognise the special problems that people with mental health problems face when dealing with the benefits system. We are currently looking at different ways of gathering information necessary to deal with claims for DLA that will place less reliance on lengthy forms, allow more face to face contact with claimants, and develop a system which is more sensitive to the needs of individual disabled people. As part of this, we have been working with organisations representing people with mental health problems to address particular concerns about DLA periodic inquiries. Discussions have been constructive, and are being taken forward in a revised approach, which we believe should lead to an improved service for such people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of invalid carer's allowance are estimated to have earnings per week of (a) 0–£10, (b) £10–£20, (c) £20–£30, (d) £30–£40 and (e) £40–£50; and how many carers who would otherwise be entitled to invalid carer's allowance are estimated to have earnings per week of (i) £50–£60, (ii) £60–£70, (iii) £70–£80, (iv) £80–£90 and (v) £90–£100 or earnings in other ranges for which estimates are available. [99921]

The information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to improve the representation of pensioners on the trustee boards of pension schemes. [99999]

We believe that member trustees add value to pension schemes, and want to increase their coverage.Our priority is to ensure that schemes have member-nominated trustees, and that members have a fair say in determining the arrangements for appointing them.The consultation document, "Strengthening the Pensions Framework", which was issued in December 1998, made a number of proposals on member-nominated trustees, including a proposal that large mature schemes should be required to reserve a place on the trustee board for a pensioner member. Responses showed widespread support for the principle of member trustees, but concern about the practical implications of some of the proposals, including that for a reserved place for a pensioner member in large mature schemes.In the light of the concerns, we set up a working group with the pensions industry and other representative bodies to review the proposals. A further consultation document with revised proposals was issued on 7 October 1999.The changes we are proposing do not require schemes to have a pensioner trustee, but will ensure that pensioners are given a fair say in the procedures.Responses to the revised proposals were mostly very encouraging, and we plan to legislate in the forthcoming child support, pensions and social security Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow unmarried members of personal pension schemes to buy annuities where the rate is determined on the member's life only. [99891]

All members of personal pension schemes are already able to choose to purchase a single life annuity with their entire fund, provided that the pension contains no element of protected rights.Members of appropriate personal pension schemes, which consist wholly or partly of protected rights, are required to purchase a joint life annuity with the protected rights element of the accumulated fund which accrued before 6 April 1997. Unmarried members may use all of the rights accrued from 6 April 1997 to purchase a single life annuity.We are considering whether a further change should be made to the legislation in respect of the requirement to purchase a joint life annuity for pre-6 April 1997 protected rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have called the National Benefit Fraud Hotline in each of the 12 weeks for which he has the most recent data. [100694]

The information is in the table.

Numbers of people who have called the national benefit fraud hotline in the most recent 12 week period, 30 August-19 November 1999
Week commencing	Calls answered
30 August	2,311
6 September	2,902
13 September	2,669
20 September	2,619
27 September	2,470
4 October	2,371
11 October	2,445
18 October	2,336
25 October	2,139
1 November	2,749
8 November	3,060
15 November	4,367
Total	32,438

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to respond to the report of the Social Security Select Committee, the 1999 Child Support White Paper [HC 798]. [101124]

The Government's response to the Committee's report has been laid before Parliament today, Cm 4536.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what purposes his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be provided by (a) employees, (b) contractors and those applying for employment and contracts and (c) other persons. [99332]

My Department requires those applying for employment to provide either a birth certificate, passport, or driving licence in order to prove identify. Contractors, potential contractors, and other persons are not required to provide their birth certificates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department issues to health authorities who have a blanket policy not to offer gender reassignment surgery on the National Health Service. [98632]

Our advice is that each case should be considered on its individual merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Chief Medical Officer's investigation into the post-mortem removal and retention of organs at children's hospitals, with particular reference to Alder Hey, will be completed; and if it will be made public. [98625]

The Chief Medical Officer's investigation will look at what has happened not only at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Alder Hey) but in the country generally and at the implications for the National Health Service. He hopes to complete his investigation by summer 2000 and will publish the results.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a minimum time ban for registered nurses struck off the national register held by the UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting. [98471]

Decisions on the length of time before which a practitioner who has been removed from the register may reapply are a matter for the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the plans being made to cope with the expected extra demand placed on emergency services during the millennium celebrations. [99560]

Preparations for the millennium began well in advance. All National Health Service organisations, including Ambulance Trusts, were assessed as presenting no risk of material disruption to services due to the millennium bug. Ambulance services have detailed plans and robust contingency arrangements in place to cope with expected extra demand over this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each health authority are awaiting (a) heart transplants and (b) other organ transplants; and if he will make a statement. [99763]

Copies of the information requested have been placed in the Library.We are concerned about the shortage of organs for transplantation and that was why we launched the organ donor publicity campaign in October 1998, reinforced in February by a campaign targeting the south Asian community. We shall continue to build on these campaigns to encourage people to join the National Health Service organ donor register, to carry the donor card at all times and most importantly make their wishes known to their family and friends.We shall be developing a further campaign to inform the medical profession about best practice in requesting organ donation.Additionally, in line with the drive to improve the quality of care for all users of the NHS, we shall seek to ensure that best practice is adopted in all units involved in donation and transplantation. We shall also support best practice in live donation, which has increased significantly over the last few years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are in place in each health authority area to provide a specialised service to patients with epilepsy. [99759]

The information is not available in the format requested. Regional specialised commissioning groups are accountable for ensuring that effective arrangements for commissioning specialised services are in place in each region, including those specialised services required for the treatment of complex epilepsy.Under the present system it is, of course, for health authorities and primary care groups to plan and arrange the services available to people in their care. They are closest to the patients and best placed to respond sensitively to their needs.The Clinical Standards Advisory Group (Epilepsy Committee) has undertaken a study to investigate standards of clinical care for, and access and availability of services to, patients with epilepsy. The aim of this research is to review the services that are currently available. We have recently received this report and are currently considering its conclusions and recommendations and the implications they have for epilepsy services and for the National Health Service as a whole. We hope to publish the report within the prescribed 90 days, together with the Government's response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the research on which the consultation document, "Fit for the Future?", was based. [99850]

Details of the reference material used by the Centre for Policy on Ageing (CPA) and the Advisory Group in formulating their proposals for national standards are set out in the consultation document, "Fit for the Future?", along with details of the CPA's consultation process and the membership of the Advisory Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the standard spending assessment for social services in each health authority area in (a) the last year for which figures are available and (b) 1997. [99913]

Information on standard spending assessments by health authority area are not available. Details of the standard spending assessment for social services in each local authority in 2000–01, the latest year for which figures are available, and 1997–98, are given in the table.

Personal social services standard spending assessments 1997–98 and 2000–01
£ million
	PSS SSA
	1997–98	2000–01
Inner London
City of London	1.561	2.235
Camden	61.539	65.514
Greenwich	53.365	62.961
Hackney	75.700	75.201
Hammersmith and Fulham	46.983	49.839
Islington	61.641	67.978
Kensington and Chelsea	40.373	46.555
Lambeth	86.801	90.889
Lewisham	69.408	75.348
Southwark	73.657	85.608
Tower Hamlets	59.032	73.568
Wandsworth	66.987	73.669
Westminster	57.804	67.916
Total Inner London	754.851	837.281
Outer London
Barking and Dagenham	30.899	42.402
Barnet	51.638	60.393
Bexley	27.410	36.592
Brent	57.553	60.340
Bromley	39.743	47.489
Croydon	51.948	59.903
Ealing	57.287	65.432
Enfield	43.305	54.127
Haringey	58.229	59.422
Harrow	30.748	37.674
Havering	28.742	36.345
Hillingdon	35.322	42.248
Hounslow	38.979	44.092
Kingston Upon Thames	19.135	22.461
Merton	28.333	34.075
Newham	60.752	66.500
Redbridge	35.115	43.807
Richmond Upon Thames	25.255	29.178
Sutton	25.415	30.160
Waltham Forest	48.411	56.133
Total Outer London	794.220	928.773
Total London Boroughs	1,549.071	1,766.054
Metropolitan Districts
Barnsley	36.429	42.926
Birmingham	191.972	225.012
Bolton	40.229	49.321
Bradford	75.447	87.681
Bury	24.157	29.599
Calderdale	28.077	32.336
Coventry	43.305	57.366
Doncaster	42.686	51.369
Dudley	40.206	51.788
Gateshead	34.634	41.824
Kirklees	56.626	64.763

Personal social services standard spending assessments 1997–98 and 2000–01
£ million
	PSS SSA
	1997–98	2000–01
Knowsley	25.670	37.973
Leeds	114.303	129.248
Liverpool	88.990	117.144
Manchester	97.719	110.582
Newcastle Upon Tyne	51.633	61.709
North Tyneside	32.743	39.622
Oldham	34.744	41.299
Rochdale	32.480	39.794
Rotherham	38.936	48.236
Salford	43.219	52.505
Sandwell	52.882	65.532
Sefton	43.411	56.079
Sheffield	95.829	111.761
Solihull	22.140	29.077
South Tyneside	28.062	35.478
St. Helen	25.361	34.018
Stockport	34.842	45.480
Sunderland	49.391	60.395
Tameside	33.526	41.735
Trafford	30.056	35.724
Wakefield	45.645	56.499
Walsall	43.629	51.672
Wigan	42.069	54.070
Wirral	50.170	64.099
Wolverhampton	40.783	51.322
Total Districts	1,812.001	2,205.040
Shire Counties
Bedfordshire	42.201	49.329
Berkshire1	91.439	n/a
Buckinghamshire	50.856	57.694
Cambridgeshire1	82.510	71.051
Cheshire1	117.590	93.808
Cornwall	66.035	80.833
Cumbria	62.999	77.302
Derbyshire	93.704	113.478
Devon1	150.872	107.139
Dorset	49.460	58.202
Durham	79.015	93.748
East Sussex	76.306	86.702
Essex1	206.992	196.593
Gloucestershire	66.678	78.881
Hampshire	137.052	153.061
Hereford and Worcester1	84.392	n/a
Hertfordshire	134.650	154.619
Kent1	208.470	207.259
Lancashire1	200.097	182.804
Leicestershire	59.501	72.569
Lincolnshire	80.602	91.628
Norfolk	105.747	121.769
North Yorkshire	70.297	75.996
Northamptonshire	71.409	85.391
Northumberland	43.653	48.531
Nottinghamshire1	146.546	110.286
Oxfordshire	70.860	78.168
Shropshire1	52.074	40.695
Somerset	62.493	72.150
Staffordshire	91.191	109.971
Suffolk	83.259	97.914
Surrey	130.363	143.522
Warwickshire	57.743	70.602
West Sussex	102.060	112.675
Wiltshire	48.547	53.766
Worcestershire	n/a	74.424
Total Counties	3,277.661	3,322.562

Personal social services standard spending assessments 1997–98 and 2000–01
£ million
	PSS SSA
	1997–98	2000–01
Shire Unitary Authorities
Isles of Scilly	0.282	0.249
Isle of Wight	18.798	23.070
Bath and North East Somerset	21.229	24.671
Blackburn	n/a	26.184
Blackpool	n/a	31.264
Bournemouth	29.672	32.681
Bracknell Forest	n/a	14.130
Brighton and Hove	47.223	52.088
Bristol	63.766	74.797
Darlington	14.800	17.272
Derby	35.075	41.732
East Riding of Yorkshire	35.546	42.357
Halton	n/a	22.517
Hartlepool	14.219	17.661
Herefordshire	n/a	24.383
Kingston upon Hull	49.478	57.422
Leicester	54.311	59.978
Luton	23.984	29.898
Medway Town	n/a	33.434
Middlesbrough	24.171	29.166
Milton Keynes	22.638	27.961
North East Lincolnshire	21.940	26.857
North Lincolnshire	19.306	23.024
North Somerset	23.346	27.391
Nottingham	n/a	62.419
Peterbrough	n/a	24.682
Plymouth	n/a	44.878
Poole	17.612	22.060
Portsmouth	31.254	35.662
Reading	n/a	23.110
Redcar and Cleveland	21.095	24.851
Rutland	3.377	3.702
Slough	n/a	21.683
South Gloucestershire	21.661	27.605
Southampton	35.513	40.959
Southend-on-Sea	n/a	34.311
Stockton-on-Tees	23.313	29.341
Stoke-on-Trent	38.102	49.075
Telford and the Wrekin	n/a	23.335
Thamesdown	20.113	24.565
Thurrock	n/a	22.689
Torbay	n/a	26.333
Warrington	n/a	27.880
West Berkshire	n/a	15.583
Windsor and Maidenhead	n/a	17.636
Wokingham	n/a	12.170
York	21.562	25.031
Total Unitaries	753.385	1,399.745
Total Shire Areas	4,031.046	4,722.307
Total England	7,392.117	8,693.400
1 These shire counties were reorganised on 1 April 1998 and therefore figures for the two years are not comparable

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he proposes to announce his response to the Consultation Document on National Care Homes Standards. [99989]

The consultation document "Fit for the Future?—National Required Standards for Residential and Nursing Homes for Older People" was issued for formal consultation nationally on 8 September. The consultation period ends on 21 January 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many physiotherapist posts are unfilled in the NHS at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many physiotherapists (a) left and (b) joined the NHS during the latest full year for which figures are available. [99995]

The available information is given in the tables. The Department's Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies survey collected data on the numbers of unfilled posts in NHS trusts in England as a 31 March 1999. Information is not collected centrally on the numbers of physiotherapists joining and leaving the NHS, but the annual non-medical workforce census gives total numbers of physiotherapists at 30 September each year.

Physiotherapist vacancies in NHS trusts in England at 31 March 1999
	Total vacancies (whole time equivalents)
Physiotherapists	990

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the EU directive on pharmaceutical packaging, which came into force on 1 January, has had on the availability and cost of generic drugs to the NHS. [99994]

Although it does not require them to do so, many manufacturers of generic medicines have decided in the light of European Community Directive 92/27, and other considerations, to change their production from bulk supplies to patient packs. It is likely that this change has contributed to recent problems in the availability of generic medicines and their increasing cost to the NHS. It is, however, only one factor and not, in our view, the most significant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to public funds in the last year for which information is available of publishing NHS Magazine. [99894]

NHS Magazine was first published in June 1995. The net cost of publishing four issues of NHS Magazine in 1998 was £161,311.48. This averages a cost of £1.04 per copy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government have a long-term target figure for the percentage of gross domestic product that it wishes to see devoted to health care spending. [100006]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department has provided to the Patients Association in each of the last five years. [99990]

The main source of Departmental funding for voluntary organisations is the Section 64 General Scheme of Grants. Over the last five years the Patients Association has received the following Section 64 funding:

	£
1995–96	14,000
1996–97	6,000
1997–98	25,000
1998–99	20,000
1999–2000	15,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of serving NHS consultants intending to retire (a) before the age of 65 years and (b) before reaching the age of 60 years. [99888]

Information about the number of consultants in the National Health Service intending to retire is not collected centrally. For workforce planning purposes, we use data provided by the Medical Royal Colleges, where available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a task force to monitor the number of patients who wait on trolleys for treatment in A and E departments. [99998]

Earlier this year we announced a £115 million programme to modernise, expand and update accident and emergency departments. At the same time we announced that we were setting up a team to spearhead improvements in services and to set standards of care in accident and emergency departments, including the care provided for people awaiting admission to hospital. The team is led by Mr. Mike Lambert, an experienced accident and emergency consultant, and draws upon the expertise of professionals in all relevant fields. Their report will be presented to Ministers next spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) effect to date and (b) likely effect during the remainder of the current financial year of primary care group budget overspends on the prescribing patterns of those primary care groups. [99991]

Current pressures do not justify a reduction or withdrawal of services to patients. Primary Care Groups should monitor all aspects of their prescribing and continue their efforts to reduce wasteful and inappropriate prescribing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for (a) 12, (b) 18 and (c) 24 months for hospital treatment; and how many people were waiting for hospital treatment on 1 March in each year from 1990 to 1999 in the North Staffordshire Hospital Trust area. [99881]

The following table contains data for 31 March figures each year. Data are only available from March 1994 for North Staffordshire Hospital Trust as it exists today. However, the table supplies data for North Staffordshire District Health Authority before this time. Please note that this information will not be directly comparable with later years as it may not cover exactly the same area as the current trust.

	Total	12 months plus	18 months plus	24 months plus
31 March 1999	7,051	519	0	0
31 March 1998	9,877	392	0	0
31 March 1997	6,988	93	0	0
31 March 1996	7,307	0	0	0
31 March 1995	8,486	8	0	0
31 March 1994	9,170	0	0	0
31 March 1993	8,206	3	0	0
31 March 1992	7,254	251		5
31 March 1991	8,026	952		565
31 March 1990	10,019	1,170		1,282

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the voluntary organisations which received section 64 financial support in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, indicating the amount of each award and the number of years each organisation has been funded through section 64. [100495]

The available information has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many vacant posts there are for Community Dental Service dentists; [100501](2) how many dentists have been employed in the Community Dental Service over each of the last five years; [100500](3) what was the budget for the Community Dental Service for each of the past five years. [100502]

There is no overall community dental service (CDS) budget. The level of investment in the CDS is a matter for individual health authorities to decide in the light of local need and priorities. Funding comes from health authority baseline allocations. Information about spending on CDS, recruitment and vacancies are matters for health authorities and data are not collected centrally. Overall CDS workforce statistics are given in the table.

Staff in the community dental service (England): all figures as at 30 September
	Head count
Year	Full-time	Part-time	Honorary	Total	Whole time equiv. (wte)
1994	740	560	0	1,300	1,030
1995	760	560	—	1,320	1,040
1996	750	630	0	1,380	1,060
1997	740	630	—	1,380	1,090
1998	690	690	0	1,380	1,030

To ask the Secretary of State for Health where the new dental phone-and-go schemes will be based. [100503]

Two phone-and-go dental access centres have already opened in Cornwall and Shropshire. A further six will begin to open from the autumn in Wolverhampton, Bromley, Gloucester, Swindon, Worcester, and Manchester. Expressions of interest for further dental access centres are currently being considered and an announcement will be made shortly. Those that are successful will be given financial support to help them work up a full business case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died of new variant CJD in each month since 1 May 1997. [99467]

The information requested is given in the table:

Year and month	Number of deaths
1997
May	2
June	1
July	1
August	0
September	0
October	1
November	0
December	1
1998
January	1
February	0
March	1
April	1
May	1
June	0
July	0
August	2
September	0
October	5
November	3
December	3

Year and month	Number of deaths
1999
January	1
February	3
March	0
April	0
May	0
June	0
July	1
August	2
September	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when phase 1B of the redevelopment of Barnet General Hospital will be open. [100217]

Work on Phase 1B development at Barnet Hospital is progressing well. The private finance initiative agreement states that construction work should be completed within 38 months of its signing, that is, by April 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the advice he gave to health trusts on fundraising activities, indicating what controls he has put in place. [100138]

The Charity Commission, as the regulator of charities, is responsible for issuing guidance to trustees, including National Health Service trustees. It has issued specific guidance to NHS bodies in the form of a manual, "NHS Charities a Guide" which provides advice on fundraising.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Department's latest advice on electro-convulsive treatment. [100797]

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has issued guidance on the use of electro-convulsive therapy. A joint letter from the Chief Medical Officer and the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in September 1998 was sent to all consultant psychiatrists, health authorities and NHS trusts indicating that it was expected that clinical governance arrangements would ensure compliance with this guidance in ECT clinics.ECT is an effective treatment particularly for patients with very severe generally psychotic depression which is life threatening if left untreated. People who are this severely depressed may refuse or be unable to eat and drink, with a consequent high mortality, as well as being at very high risk of suicide. ECT produces a faster onset of therapeutic action in such cases than is the case with drug treatment.ECT also has a more limited place in the treatment of other disorders such as mania and schizophrenia. Its role in these latter conditions is generally when drug treatments have proved ineffective or for some reason inadvisable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rules cover the sale of non-moulded hearing aids in retail outlets. [98619]

[holding answer 19 November 1999]: I have been asked to reply as the Minister responsible for the Hearing Aid Council Act 1968, which regulates the supply of hearing aids, whether moulded or non-moulded. The Act requires that the dispensers of hearing aids must be registered as such with the Hearing Aid Council in order to supply hearing aids. The standard of competence for registration of dispensers is contained in the Hearing Aid Council's Code of Practice, copies of which will be placed shortly in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who has awarded the contract to conduct the research into stipendiary and lay magistrates by the Lord Chancellor's Department. [101120]

A contract was signed on 22 November on behalf of Professor Rod Morgan of the University of Bristol, who will lead a team consisting of colleagues in the Faculty of Law at the University of Bristol, researchers from Taylor Nelson Sofres (covering the fieldwork), and CRG Consultants (for the cost-benefit analysis).The team will undertake research commissioned jointly by the Hone Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department, to assess the relative costs, effectiveness and other benefits or disadvantages of stipendiary and lay magistrates, taking into account all related costs including those of other agencies. It will be used to assess whether the current balance between the use of lay magistrates and stipendiaries is satisfactory; whether each set of magistrates is deployed in the most effective way; and the weight of arguments that are heard for and against the use of lay and stipendiary magistrates in particular circumstances.The research is due to be completed in September 2000. The report will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what objectives he will be determining for policing in 2000–01. [101121]

The Police Act 1996 allows me to set objectives, or ministerial priorities, for policing. The objectives for 2000–01 are:

to reduce local problems of crime and disorder in partnership with local authorities, other local agencies and the public; and

to increase trust and confidence in policing among minority ethnic communities.

I have reduced the number of priorities from four to two as I believe this helps focus attention on two key areas of policing—reducing crime and rising to the challenges of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the achievements of staff in the immigration and nationality directorate over the past year. [101122]

Staff in the immigration and nationality directorate (IND)—both at the ports and at headquarters—have faced greatly increased workloads during 1999 as a result of the large increase in the number of asylum applicants. Much has been achieved, but much more remains to be done and staff will face a continuing challenge next year. In addition, staff are now taking on new responsibilities to make asylum procedures operate more effectively.I have, therefore, authorised a special payment of £150 for all staff, except members of the IND board. This recognises the extra duties and responsibilities of IND staff in this period of change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attacks by motorists against other motorists have been reported during 1999; how many people have been charged as a result of such reports; and how many such people have been (a) sent to prison, (b) fined and (c) acquitted. [99527]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions incapacitant sprays have been used in each month in each Metropolitan Police division in the past 12 months; and what records are maintained of each use of the spray. [99601]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has provided the following information on the use of CS spray by borough operational command units (OCUs) for each quarter of the last 12 months.

	1998	1999
Borough OCU	4th Qtr	1st Qtr	2nd Qtr	3rd Qtr
City of Westminster	4	8	1	3
Hammersmith and Fulham	8	0	5	1
Kensington and Chelsea	0	3	2	1
Barking and Dagenham	5	0	5	3
Barnet	0	5	2	3
Brent	5	5	8	5
Camden	6	2	6	3
Ealing	9	8	6	9
Enfield	1	0	1	0
Hackney	2	4	2	2
Haringey	2	3	3	2
Harrow	3	4	2	5
Havering	3	2	6	7
Hillingdon	8	6	5	9
Islington	5	1	0	1
Newham	5	3	3	3
Redbridge	2	4	2	0
Tower Hamlets	3	3	4	1
Waltham Forest	2	5	5	1
Bexley	1	2	0	1
Bromley	5	4	3	2
Croydon	2	3	5	6
Greenwich	5	8	5	8
Hounslow	5	2	2	5

	1998	1999
Borough OCU	4th Qtr	1st Qtr	2nd Qtr	3rd Qtr
Kingston upon Thames	6	4	3	5
Lambeth	6	4	7	11
Lewisham	6	4	3	13
Merton	6	0	3	2
Richmond upon Thames	0	1	1	3
Southwark	7	5	6	7
Spelthorne	1	1	2	0
Sutton	4	6	4	11
Wandsworth	0	2	2	2
Totals	127	112	114	135

The Commissioner tells me that a monthly breakdown for each borough OCU is not readily available.Reasons for, and the circumstances of, each use of CS spray are recorded in the arresting officer's notes; if no arrest is made, a local record is kept. Each time CS spray is used, details are copied to the relevant Metropolitan Police policy branch and, in many cases, to OCU and area senior management.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules, guidelines or other instructions are given to officers of the Metropolitan Police concerning the circumstances in which they may use incapacitant sprays; and what precautions officers must take to avoid danger to (a) members of the public, (b) the person being targeted and (c) fellow officers. [99602]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that training in the use of CS spray for his officers is based on principles contained in the Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines on police use of incapacitant spray.Metropolitan Police officers are taught that CS spray is a tactical option when the use of force is justified, but it must be used lawfully. Where any use of force is contemplated, officers are trained to take full account of the circumstances and any likely dangers before deciding which tactical option to use. Their training explains the effects of CS spray on the person being sprayed and on others; they are also trained in aftercare procedures for persons sprayed. Custody officers have specific guidance on how to deal with those arrested following the use of CS spray.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received in the last year concerning the use of incapacitant sprays by the Metropolitan Police; on how many occasions disciplinary action has been taken against officers for misuse or other incidents involving an incapacitant spray; how many officers charged with such an offence were disciplined; and what sanctions were applied. [99603]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that between 1 November 1998 and 31 October 1999 there were 38 public complaints by members of the public concerning the use of incapacitant sprays. These complaints involved 41 specific allegations. Of these, 16 have been investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. The remaining 25 allegations are still being investigated.No disciplinary action relating to the use of CS spray has been taken against any Metropolitan Police officer during the same 12-month period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date divisions of the Metropolitan police were issued with incapacitant spray; what type of spray is available to them; how many canisters have been purchased and at what cost; how many officers have been trained in the use of spray; how many hours of such training are set as the minimum training for an officer; and how many officers routinely carry canisters. [99604]

The Metropolitan police Commissioner tells me that the date of issue of CS spray varies between divisions because of the lead-in time necessary to train officers. All officers receive four hours initial training before being issued with CS spray; competence in its use is checked at least once a year thereafter. By March 1998, most divisional officers had been issued with CS spray.The Metropolitan police do not record centrally the number of officers trained in the use of CS spray, nor the number who routinely carry it, but the Commissioner tells me that the majority of operational officers would routinely carry it.The CS incapacitant spray issued by the Metropolitan police is manufactured by SAE Alsetex in France and supplied in the United Kingdom by Primetake Ltd. This spray contains a 5 per cent. solution of CS in the solvent MIBK (Methyl iso butyl ketone) and the propellant used is nitrogen. Since September 1997, the Metropolitan police has purchased 30,200 canisters at the cost of £196,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total costs were of policing the England v Scotland Euro 2000 play-offs match at Wembley on 17 November. [99528]

The Metropolitan Police advise that the total cost for policing around Wembley Stadium and in Central London was £525,777. Policing costs inside the stadium were met by Wembley plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to police officers on effecting an arrest on board a bus, and what factors must be taken into account by the arresting officers. [99605]

Police officer training is an operational matter for individual chief officers.The Commissioner tells me that during Metropolitan police officers probationer continuation training, they receive a session on public transport disputes and legislation. This covers assaults on bus crews and the conduct of passengers. This complements training on issues such as the handling of assaults in public places, powers of arrest and public order offences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the past year and in what circumstances police have been called to deal with incidents on buses in the police district covering Hackney; on how many occasions police have made an arrest; and what offences were alleged to have been committed by those arrested. [99600]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that between 1 October 1998 and 1 October 1999, 283 allegations of crime on bus routes in Hackney borough were recorded. These break down as follows:

	Number
Theft (from the person)	116
Theft (other)	63
Violence against the person	51
Robbery	27
Indecent Assault	5
Other offences	21

The Commissioner tells me that statistics on the number of occasions the police have been called to deal with incidents on buses in Hackney borough, and related arrests, are not recorded specifically.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been instigated under the Human Fertilisation Act 1990 on embryos experimented on in advance of 14 days. [99749]

From 1991 to 1998 inclusive, the Home Office court proceedings database shows no defendants proceeded against under the Act for this offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers and boats were available to the Metropolitan Police Thames Division (a) at the time of the Marchioness disaster and (b) in 1999. [99623]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that in 1989 there were 146 police officers attached to Thames Division, and 23 boats were deployed from five bases along the length of the River Thames. Today there are 89 police officers and 18 boats all operating out of central headquarters at Wapping, where activity is focused on river traffic monitoring, central London security patrol and emergency response. The fleet has been substantially modernised since 1989 and an additional two boats are due to be delivered before the end of the year. A more diverse range of specialist resources is also now available to Thames Division than in 1989, including digital marine radio, inflatable pathways and vessel tracking.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 1998. [98565]

The number of nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom in 1998 was 870. Other information on nationals from the former Yugoslavia was published in Table 6.1 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1998", a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what staffing levels will be in operation in each of the police stations within the Metropolitan Police Service Hillingdon division on (a) 25 December, (b) 26 December, (c) 31 December, (d) 1 January 2000 and (e) 2 January 2000. [99610]

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that planning is taking place to ensure there are sufficient officers on duty to meet the demands over the Millennium period. The planning process has taken into account the need to retain operational flexibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in the implementation of Part V of the Police Act 1997. [99597]

The project to set up the Criminal Records Bureau to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 is being managed within the framework of a Public-Private Partnership. A business prospectus was issued on 8 October and a bidders conference was held on 14 October. Bids were received on 19 November and are under evaluation. I have been reviewing the timetable and delivery of the project and I shall announce the outcome shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers over the problems caused by rogue burglar alarms in commercial properties. [100796]

None. I am not aware of any representations to the Home Office on that matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what reason no regulatory impact study of the financial and other effects of the Representation of the People Bill has been issued by his Department in advance of the publication of the Bill; [100673](2) when his Department intends to issue a regulatory impact study of the financial and other effects of the Representation of the People Bill; [100674]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to (a) business and (b) other organisations of proposals in the Representation of the People Bill to limit the commercial availability of the electoral register; and for what reason no regulatory impact statement has been produced. [100399]

A regulatory impact statement relating to the Representation of the People Bill was placed in the Library on 18 November to coincide with the Bill's introduction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that use of the full electoral register by commercial and charitable groups should become a criminal offence. [100675]

The Representation of the People Bill allows regulations to be made prescribing those persons who may purchase or be supplied with the full electoral register and for what purpose. Prohibitions or restrictions may be imposed as to the extent to which information from the full register may be used for purposes other than those for which it was supplied, and it can be made an offence to contravene those prohibitions or restrictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what position will be taken by the Government when the European Commission's proposal to transfer to the Commission competence over the implementing provisions of the Eurodac Regulations is discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 2 and 3 December. [100798]

A copy of an explanatory memorandum has been sent to the scrutiny committees setting out the Government's position on the draft regulation. A copy will be available in the Library of the House. On implementing powers, we will judge at the Council itself what is in the United Kingdom's best interests in the light of all the proposals then under discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Fearn) of 24 November 1999, Official Report, column 125W, if he will place in the Library details of the options regarding passport fee levels which have been submitted for consideration. [100799]