To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997. [99475]

[holding answer 24 November 1999]: The Department's Public Service Agreement (PSA) sets out the Department's own targets in respect of local government. Details of any targets agreed with local government are not held centrally, although the Secretary of State will specify performance indicators and targets covering the broad range of local government functions under the best value provisions set out in Part I of the Local Government Act 1999. These indicators and targets will be introduced by Order by the end of 1999, and will apply from April 2000.

Total estimates of drink drive fatalities
	1981–851	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
(i) Built-up roads
Motor vehicle drivers	170	90	90	80	110	100
Two-wheel motor vehicle riders	170	40	50	30	40	50
Motor vehicle passengers	140	60	50	70	80	60
Others	120	40	40	30	40	30
(ii) Non-built-up roads
Motor vehicle drivers	350	190	190	200	220	190
Two-wheel motor vehicle riders	100	30	30	40	30	30
Motor vehicle passengers	170	90	70	90	70	80
Others	40	10	10	10	10	10
1 Average

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will describe the nature of the unacceptable effects on the environment which he would consider sufficient to prevent commercial exploitation of GM crops. [99907]

Before any release of a GMO can take place, the regulatory authority must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to avoid any adverse effects on human health and the environment which might arise. Assessment of adverse effects is carried out on a case-by-case basis, looking at such things as gene transfer to wild relatives, toxicity of gene products, allergenicity,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information has been provided for local residents on the proposed reduction in rail services between Nunhead and Victoria. [99586]

The changes which will affect Victoria to Nunhead services from the start of the new year are currently shown in the timetable information available at stations, as these form part of the winter 1999–2000 timetable which came into effect on 26 September 1999. Since that timetable was agreed, Connex have reinstated the two trains per hour to Victoria, and will provide an hourly service from Victoria.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) drivers, (b) riders, (c) passengers and (d) others have been killed in crashes where one or more driver or rider has exceeded the legal alcohol limit in each of the past five years, for (i) urban and (ii) rural areas; what the average figures were for 1981 to 1985; and if he will make a statement. [100041]

The numbers of fatalities in road accidents where one or more driver or rider was over the legal alcohol limit are not available for urban and rural areas; however, estimates can be made by the speed limit of the road on which the accident occurred. The estimates in the table, shown rounded to the nearest 10, are for built-up roads with a speed limit of 40 mph or less and for non-built-up roads with a speed limit of more than 40 mph, for the last five years for which figures are available.invasiveness and persistence of the plant as a weed, etc. The statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has been set up to advise ministers on these issues and has published the guidance note "The Regulation and Control of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms" on the risk assessment procedure.In the case of the farm-scale evaluations of GM oil seed rape and fodder maize currently underway, ACRE has already advised on the risks to the environment of the GM plants themselves. In addition, the independent scientific steering committee will also be able to advise Government on the significance, and therefore the acceptability, of any impacts on farmland wildlife associated with the management of the crops as compared with equivalent non-GM crops, such as a reduction in invertebrate or weed numbers.In the light of the results and the advice from the committees, decisions will be made on the commercialisation of the GM crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he is currently undertaking into the role that the cauliflower mosaic viral promoter may play in enhancing horizontal gene transfer. [100169]

The statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has recently been asked to consider this issue and will be advising shortly. ACRE's advice will be published, and if the committee considers it necessary, appropriate scientific research will be commissioned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Cornwall. [100231]

It is for Kerrier District Council to explain its decision to close the sports hall and swimming pool at Carn Brea and to justify any alternative proposals in its Best Value Performance Plans, which must be completed by 31 March 2000. In the meantime, I would expect the Council to do everything it can to keep the facilities open.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the production of bio-diesel to help the UK achieve its target of 20 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gases; and if he will make a statement. [100240]

Many alternative road fuels have the potential to offer significant environmental benefits, and the Government are keen to encourage their wider use wherever it is cost-effective to do so. Bio-diesel has the potential to offer reduced CO₂ emissions compared with ordinary diesel. We will continue to keep under review bio-diesel's potential for cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from road transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the countries in which tolls have been imposed on road use on roads which had existed free of use, for at least five years prior to tolling. [99926]

[holding answer 26 November 1999]: We are aware that charges have been applied to previously free roads in many parts of the world, for example in Singapore, Norway and the United States, and will shortly be introduced on roads in Rome and Melbourne. However, comprehensive information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to produce guidance for planning authorities on the handling of public health concerns that arise from proposals to site mobile phone base stations in residential areas; [100264](2) what plans he has to amend planning guidance for telecommunications permitted development in order to allow planning authorities to apply a precautionary principle in sensitive areas until the full non-thermal health effects of mobile phone radiation have been established. [100267]

The Government are aware of public concern about mobile phone systems and health and have set up an independent expert group to advise on possible risks to public health. The group, chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS, FRSE, is currently holding open meetings around the UK to take views.My Department issued for consultation the draft of a joint circular with the Department of Health on land use planning and electro-magnetic fields (EMFs). The draft circular provides advice to local planning authorities in deciding applications for development giving rise to EMFs, such as telecommunications base stations. The guidance will be finalised as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in the last six months regarding (a) the conduct of mobile phone companies, (b) their applications for new mast sites and (c) such applications by Orange PCS. [100266]

My Department has received correspondence concerning the amenity and health aspects of the siting of telecommunications masts proposed by the different mobile phone operators, including Orange plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of mobile phone masts erected in the United Kingdom in the last 24 months have been shared by licence holders. [100263]

The Department's Circular 4/99, "Planning for Telecommunications", makes clear the Government's expectation that developers should provide the local planning authority (LPA) with clear evidence that they have fully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast. If this evidence is not considered satisfactory, the LPA may be justified in refusing approval of the mast's siting. The information on shared masts is not available in the form requested. However, the mobile operators have told us that one third of existing masts owned by them are shared.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of funding West London Dial-a-Ride has received from his Department in each of the last five years. [100192]

The Government provide grant funding to London Transport for London Dial-a-Ride services, but the distribution of the grant between the six regional Dial-a-Ride companies is a matter for London Transport. Government funding for Dial-a-Ride services in London over the last five years is as follows:

Year	£ million
1994–95	11.3
1995–96	10.4
1996–97	10.1
1997–98	10.6
1998–99	11.5

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list in respect of each local authority area in England and Wales the projected yield of the Uniform Business Rate in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 1999–2000. [100741]

The information requested on Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.For England, the information requested on the projected yield of the Uniform Business Rate is not yet available. However, I have today placed in the Library of the House a table which shows the projected contribution to the Business Rate Pool for each local authority in England for 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for introducing democratically elected regional chambers in England. [100520]

We have said that, in time, we will introduce legislation to allow people, region by region, to decide whether they want directly elected regional government. We remain committed to this. Finding the right solution may take time, just as the arrangements for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London have taken time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what involvement Regional Development Agencies will have in monitoring social exclusion in the regions. [100518]

The Government have developed a set of 9 core "State of the Region" indicators which the RDAs used to inform the development of their strategies. These include an indicator entitled "Percentage of the population with above average living conditions" which is based on the standardised mortality ratio. In their strategies, RDAs have also developed, or have given a commitment to develop, further indicators which address the specific features of their region. These will include indicators covering some key social issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many signals passed at danger were recorded for each train operating company since 1990. [100662]

The information is not available. Incidents of signals passed at danger (SPADs) have been reportable under statute only since April 1996. At present, SPAD incidents are reported by the seven regional Railtrack zones and are not broken down into train operating companies. The Health and Safety Executive's 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 annual reports on railway safety contain details of SPADs listed by Railtrack zone. Copies are available in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the construction of the rail link between the Land Rover plant in Solihull and the west coast main line; and if he will make a statement. [100521]

The Rover Group Ltd. applied on 18 November to the Secretary of State for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to authorise this rail link. The period by which objections or other representations should be lodged ends on 14 January 2000. The Secretary of State will then consider whether a public inquiry should be held into the proposal.The application will be considered on its merits in the light of relevant policies. These include, on the one hand, our policy of encouraging the movement of freight by rail rather than road where appropriate and, on the other, the restrictive planning policies that apply to development in the Green Belt. These issues and any others raised by interested parties will be carefully considered by the Secretary of State in deciding whether or not to make the Order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which countries are eligible for the increase in funds in Trans-European Networks, following the Cologne Summit; what is the amount of the increase in funds; if the UK share has been allocated; and if he will make a statement. [100995]

Regulation (EC) No 1655/99 of 19 July 1999, which amended the 1995 trans-European network (TEN) financing Regulation (2236/95), established a financial framework of euro 4,600 million (about £2,890 million at current exchange rates) for TENs in the fields of transport, telecommunications and energy for the period 2000–2006. The financial framework for the period 1995–1999 was 2,345 million ECU. Any member state, or body within a member state, is entitled to bid for TEN funds to support a project of common interest. The decision to grant aid to a project rests with the Commission, with assistance from a Committee of representatives of member states for each TEN sector. There is no provision for sharing out the budget between the member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of renegotiation of the Trans-European Networks. [100884]

The transport trans-European network (TEN) guidelines (Decision No. 1692/96/EC) required the Commission, before 1 July 1999, to submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council indicating whether the guidelines should be adapted. The production of that report has been delayed and its publication is not now anticipated before Easter 2000. The Commission has indicated that, should the report suggest that the guidelines do need to be adapted, it expects to come forward with formal proposals before the end of 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will name the schemes which the Government will propose for Trans-European Network funding; and if he will make a statement. [100887]

Bids for funds from the 2000 transport trans-European network (TEN) budget must be with the Commission by 10 January 2000. Our officials have received a number of proposals and are currently considering which of these should be submitted to the Commission. Ministers will make a decision on the bids later this year. At this stage, it is possible to confirm only that we will submit bids for support for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and for the West Coast Main Line modernisation, as we indicated in our 1998 White Paper on the Future of Transport (Cm 3950).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recommendation of the EU to ban lindane; and if he will publish the scientific evidence which he has received on lindane. [101067]

The recommendation to suspend the use of lindane as an agricultural pesticide was contained in a report that the Austrian authorities, as rapporteur, submitted to the European Commission as part of the EU review of pesticides. The Commission has yet to reach a decision on the future European status of lindane.A "review report", which includes the rapporteur's monograph, together with reports of the peer review meetings and a summary cover report, will be made available after a final decision has been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect of Daylight Saving on the numbers of road (a) injuries and (b) deaths of children in each year since 1990. [100116]

The Department commissioned research into the likely benefits of changing British Summertime to increase the safety benefits of daylight hours. The report by TRL published in 1998 looked essentially at potential casualty reductions if the clocks were set one hour forward in Winter (October to March) and two hours forward in Summer (March to October). This would in effect mean that throughout the year it would be lighter in the evenings and darker in the mornings.The conclusion was that this might save over 100 deaths per year, and taken together with serious injuries save well over 400 casualties. There are no separate figures pertaining to children.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tests (a) train drivers and (b) drivers of public service vehicles are required to take to determine their ability to distinguish between colours; and how often they are required to take them. [101167]

Train drivers are required to pass a medical which includes a test for colour blindness, using the Ishihara Plates Test. Train drivers are also required to meet certain visual acuity requirements. The period between medical assessments is determined by the age of the train drivers; those aged less than 56 are medically assessed every five years, those aged 56 to 62 every two years, and train drivers over 62 every 12 months.Drivers of passenger carrying vehicles (PCV's) are not tested specifically for colour blindness but do need to meet certain visual acuity requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further consultations he proposes on the detail of his proposals to reform local authority housing finance. [101417]

Improving local authority financial accounting is an important part of our agenda to modernise local government. As part of our plan to introduce resource accounting to local authority housing finance, we intend to remove rent rebates from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Today I have published a consultation paper asking for views on the details of how this could be done. Removing rent rebates from the HRA will make councils housing finances simpler and more transparent. It will be easier for local residents to see how money is being spent, increasing openness and accountability. Copies of the new consultation paper have been placed in the Library of the House. We published two other consultation papers earlier in the month on other aspects of improving local authority housing finance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he is proposing further designations of nitrate vulnerable zones in England; and if he will make a statement. [101592]

Following a reference to the European Court of Justice, the Government have now widened their interpretation of the EU Nitrates Directive, beyond monitoring nitrate levels in drinking water sources, to include monitoring in non-drinking water freshwaters. It is expected that this extended testing will lead to the designation of new Nitrate-vulnerable Zones, in which Action Programme measures will help to reduce nitrate levels in water. Nitrate levels in non-drinking surface waters are already being monitored by the Environment Agency and parallel work will be undertaken to establish nitrate levels in groundwater not used as a source of drinking water.Technical assessment of the extended monitoring as a result of this change is already under way, and completion of the associated mapping of areas proposed for designation is expected next year. The Government will then publish a consultation paper, detailing their designation proposals, which will set out the exact number and location of the new Nitrate-vulnerable Zones. It is expected that, as with existing Nitrate-vulnerable Zones, the majority of any new designations will be in central and eastern England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when Lord Justice Clarke's interim report on safety on the River Thames will be published. [101593]

Lord Justice Clarke's interim report has been published today (CM 4530). The report deals with safety on the River Thames and is the first product of the Thames Safety Inquiry, which the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 18 August this year. I am glad to receive this welcome and thorough report, which is helpful as we approach the Millennium celebrations. Lord Justice Clarke has asked for any comments on the report by 10 December, and I will be very interested to see all the reactions to his recommendations.I will, of course, review the report in detail and have already asked the Department for an action plan to be submitted to Ministers before Christmas. I have the following immediate announcements:As to Millennium Night celebrations on the river:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the bidding guidelines for forces to follow when bidding for a share of the Crime Fighting Fund for police recruits. [101472]

I have today placed a copy of the Bidding Guidelines, together with a copy of the form which forces and police authorities should use to apply for a share of the fund, in the Library.Copies of the Guidelines and the form were sent to all Chief Constables and Chairmen of police authorities today. Those wishing to bid should complete the form and return it to the Home Office by 10 January 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make available the latest revisions of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's country assessments. [101473]

Revised country assessments were made available to caseworkers during September 1999. They will be made publicly available on the Home Office internet site within the next few weeks and copies have been placed in the Library. The assessments are all sourced to information obtained from independent external sources and from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.A list of the countries for which assessments are prepared was previously set out in a reply from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Twigg) on 13 May 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent, under the proposed new arrangements for support of asylum seekers, it will be possible for voluntary or charitable bodies to supplement in cash or in kind the support provided from public funds without a corresponding reduction in that support. [99941]

Under the new Asylum Support Arrangements, it is intended that the National Asylum Support Service may take into account support from voluntary and charitable organisations when assessing the amount of support it will provide. This will not apply to emergency assistance provided while an application for support is being considered. This proposal is included in a consultation document which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in a reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor) on 25 November 1999, Official report, column 176W. The closing date for comments on these proposals is 14 January 2000 and we shall finalise our policy after that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the cost of fees incurred by the Air, Army and Sea Cadets in using the Criminal Records Bureau will be met by his Department; and if he will he make a statement. [100610]

The Cadet Forces will be required to pay for their use of the Criminal Records Bureau. I understand that the fee is likely to be around £10 per inquiry. We would expect such costs to be met from within existing resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions RAF flights serving the Falkland Islands have been delayed by mechanical or other failures since September; and if he will make a statement. [100899]

Since September, there have been 42 flights to and from the Falkland Islands (21 outbound and 21 return). Of these, eight flights were delayed for aircraft serviceability or availability reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available to the public (a) Major-General Spacie's report, "Welfare in the Army", (b) the Army's Retention Study and (c) the Continuous Attitude Surveys for service leavers produced by DASA; and if he will make a statement. [100219]

The purpose of all three reports is to inform the Army's personnel management policies and there are currently no plans to publish the findings externally. Major-General (Retired) Spacie's report, "Welfare in the Army" and the Army's Retention Study were commissioned to study Welfare provision and personnel policies across the Army. The Continuous Attitude Survey aims to determine the attitude of serving personnel, their families and Service leavers; this highlights trends which are useful in the development of sound personnel and training policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on force levels in East Timor. [101476]

There are now over 10,000 troops in the international force in East Timor (INTERFET) and the Australian Force Commander has agreed that circumstances now enable the withdrawal of British forces.The UK currently has some 290 service personnel in East Timor. Lead elements of the contingent from 2

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the review of compensation arrangements for members of the armed forces. [101477]

I am considering draft proposals from the review of compensation arrangements and hope to publish a consultation document early next year. The review represents the first comprehensive look at compensation arrangements since the War Pensions Scheme was introduced over fifty years ago. It is a highly complex subject. The review has examined from first principles the way in which service men and women and their dependants are compensated when they suffer illness, injury or death due to service. I am determined that we should provide our service men and women with a compensation package which will give them the reassurance that they will be provided for when facing the challenges and risks associated with service life.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many shelter kits have been sent to Kosovo for relief aid; and what is the cost of the kits. [100750]

I have been asked to reply.Over 100,000 houses in Kosovo suffered damage in the conflict, of which half are beyond repair. This situation affects over 700,000 people. Emergency shelter is co-ordinated by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 57,100 emergency repair kits are being provided through United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and Office For Disaster Assistance / USAID, in order to create dry shelter in repairable houses, on the basis of one room per family. According to the latest available figures, over 60 per cent. had been distributed by 15 November. UNHCR and OFDA/USAID are also distributing some 10,000 extended roofing kits which aim to provide shelter for several families within a single less-damaged dwelling.ECHO have committed 16.5 million euros for NGO programmes focusing on shelter. The EC Task Force have separately committed 14 million euros. OFDA spend $33.4 million on shelter in the last US fiscal year (ending September 1999), and have so far spent $12 million this fiscal year. Figures for UNHCR are not currently available.The Department for International Development's (DFID) chief contributions to winterisation complement shelter initiatives. Through DFID's Emergency Infrastructure Engineering Unit we aim to get essential work done on utilities, particularly power and water supply, before the winter becomes too severe. We have committed £19 million for these works. Pristina airport is crucial to emergency rehabilitation as an alternative supply route to the congested Blace crossing. DFID has committed up to £3 million to carry out emergency works to keep it open for 24-hour civilian air operations through the winter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many goats have been killed as a result of experiments conducted on them in the last six months by the MoD. [100748]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the future of RAF Ash. [100291]

None. RAF Ash was sold on 24 July 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel went as part of the British Army recruiting team to Fiji. [100756]

A total of 26 personnel, military and civilian, have been involved in the Army selection visit to Fiji. One military officer visited prior to deployment to brief the Fijian Prime Minister. The team that subsequently deployed consisted of 25 personnel. Of these, two have already returned to the UK. The purpose of the visit was not recruitment, but to process applications to the British Army already received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers are participating in the British Army Himalayan Kayak Expedition. [100749]

Adventurous Training Exercise Himalayan Encounter Finn was a tri-Service kayaking expedition conducted in Nepal by 42 British Service personnel between 23 September and 6 November 1999. Thirty-three of the participants were Army personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets he has for the recruitment of ethnic minorities into Her Majesty's forces. [100570]

The recruiting goal for this financial year is for 3 per cent. of all new recruits to be drawn from ethnic minorities. The goal, first set in 1998–99 at 2 per cent., rises annually by 1 per cent. to a goal of 5 per cent. by 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the value of surplus land disposals for the Army for each of the last three years; [100883](2) what is the value of surplus land disposals by the Royal Navy in each of the last three years; [100747](3) what was the value of surplus land disposals for the Royal Air Force in each of the last three years. [101196]

The information requested is not held centrally. However, I will write to the hon. Member once 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 if he will assess the benefits of issuing a campaign medal to service personnel who served in the Suez Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954. [100335]

My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces, when Under-Secretary of State for Defence, reviewed the matter of a medal for those who served in the Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954 last year. He concluded that he could find no grounds for reopening the case to award a medal for service in the Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954. He saw no new evidence that he believed would enable him to persuade the Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals to overturn their policy of non-retrospection, or revoke any of the decisions made at the time or following the various reviews since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent on ministerial transport in each of the last two years. [98709]

Ministers in the Department of Trade and Industry are required—under the terms of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers—to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. For Information on spend on the Government Car Service, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 1 December 1999, Official Report, columns 255–56W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the post offices that have opened in England and Wales in the last 12 months. [99606]

I understand from the Post Office that 9 new post offices have opened in England and Wales and a further 136 offices have reopened since October 1998. I have arranged for a list of these offices, prepared by the Post Office, to be placed in the Library of the House. The Post Office definition of a reopened post office includes offices which have relocated and those to which a new subpostmaster/subpostmistress has been appointed, as well as offices which reopen after a period of closure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives his Department is undertaking to test the medicinal benefits of cannabis. [99646]

[holding answer 25 November 1999]: The Medical Research Council (MRC) has invited a number of research proposals on the potential therapeutic uses of cannabinoids. A funding decision is expected in December on a clinical trial concerning the therapeutic uses of cannabinoids/cannabis in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Two further trials of its use in post-operative pain will be considered next year.The MRC currently co-funds a "Realising Our Potential Awards" (ROPA) grant with Zeneca at the University of Manchester. This study investigates the effects of cannabinoids on brain cell degeneration. MRC have contributed £97,260.Also, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) supports two individual projects/grants investigating the medicinal effects of cannabis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the number of new mobile phone masts to be erected in the United Kingdom in each of the next three years. [100265]

No estimate has been made, and I do not have the commercial information available to enable me to make one. However, it is Government policy to limit the number of masts where possible through mast sharing. The Telecommunications Act 1984 licences of the mobile network operators therefore require that before they erect a new mast they investigate the possibility of using an existing mast belonging to themselves or another licensee; of replacing an existing mast belonging to themselves or another licensee with a mast for joint use; and of erecting, in co-operation with any other telecommunications operator, a mast for their joint use. This is reinforced by the Government's planning policy, which is to encourage mast and site sharing where appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the regulations with which a company manufacturing refrigerators and employing 1,500 people has to comply. [100482]

The following regulations apply specifically to a refrigerator manufacturer, employing 1,500 people:

The Energy Information (Refrigerators and Freezers) Regulation SI 3076, 1994

The Energy Efficiency (Refrigerators and Freezers) Regulation SI 1941, 1997

Environmental Protection (Control of Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) SI 506, 1996.

In addition, a refrigerator manufacturer will need to meet other regulations including those deriving from company law, taxation, employment, health and safety, land planning requirements and environmental legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential IT benefits from fundamental research at CCLRC; and what steps he is taking to mobilise UK enterprise to maximise the opportunities. [100241]

IT is intrinsic to CCLRC's research activities, not just those of the computer science and engineering and IT departments. Its benefits are continuously assessed by the other Research Councils, which are its primary customers.CCLRC is actively involved in programmes to disseminate knowledge and technology to the wider business community. These include regional initiatives to provide access for SMEs to the skills base, and participation in a programme on behalf of the EU to involve industry in future developments of the worldwide web.It is also active in encouraging development of start-up companies on CCLRC sites, where the business development offices at Daresbury and Rutherford encourage technology transfer and act as 'incubators' in the initial growth phase. A particular success story is that of Bookham Technology Ltd., founded in 1989, and located at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory from 1992–97.The company designs and manufactures silicon integrated optical devices for the next generation of fibre-optic cable. It has raised $90 million of investment to date from such firms as Intel, Cisco, and 3I, and now employs 210 staff on sites in the UK, USA, and Japan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact upon the competitiveness of businesses in England and Wales of the increase in business rates for 2000–01. [100742]

The purpose of the revaluation of non-domestic properties on 1 April 2000 is solely to update rateable values in line with changes in the property market since the previous revaluation in 1995 and to ensure they accurately reflect the relative rental value of properties. Although the total rateable value for England will increase—reflecting the improved state of the economy since the 1995 revaluation—the National Rate Multiplier will be reduced for the first time since it was introduced in 1990. Overall, the total amount collected in rates will be broadly the same in real terms as in 1999–2000.A consultation exercise was undertaken on the need to introduce transitional arrangements to mitigate the impact of the 2000 revaluation of the rates bills of individual businesses. In their responses to the consultation paper—which included a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment—the vast majority of businesses supported the need, under the present arrangements, for a transitional relief scheme. The scheme announced on 25 November will place tight limits on the amounts that individual bills can rise as a result of the revaluation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to meet representatives of the textile sector to discuss job losses in the industry. [101058]

I met the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, which includes representatives of textiles and clothing manufacturers, trade associations, unions, retailers and academia, to discuss issues affecting the industry on 13 October. Other DTI ministers are planning to meet representatives of the industry to discuss these issues further before Christmas

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the (a) Knitting Industry Federation and (b) National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades about the textile industry; and if he will make a statement. [101057]

The Department has received a number of representations about the textiles industry, including representations from the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades.I appreciate the widespread concern in the industry about the number and rate of job losses in the sector and I am keeping a close eye on developments. In particular, I am looking forward to seeing the report from the industry-led Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, which will contain recommendations for action to address a number of the issues currently affecting the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) capital and (b) revenue financial assistance he has given to the textile sector in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000. [101059]

The Government offer support for capital investment under the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) scheme. RSA offered to the textiles and clothing industry in Great Britain in recent years was as follows:

Year	£
1996–97	12,505,000
1997–98	5,863,000
1998–99	4,175,000

In addition to capital support, the textiles and clothing industries have benefited from a wide range of government assistance in areas such as trade promotion, training, research and technical development, supply chain development, spreading best practice and support for design.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the extent to which first class mail is delivered the next day by the Post Office. [100927]

The latest statistics published by the Post Office show that nationally, for the July-September quarter 1999, 92.1 per cent. of first class mail was delivered on the next working day following posting against a target of 92.5 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what end-user undertakings were given with regard to arms exports to the Channel Islands between 1 January and 31 December 1998 regarding the permanent OIELs issued under summary classifications 14 and 333 and the SIELs issued under classifications ML1, ML2, ML3 and ML4; and if he will make a statement. [100112]

In almost all circumstances, applications for a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) must be supported by an appropriate end-user undertaking. Where the intended consignee is a Government body, and the application is not for a licence to export chemicals listed in Schedule 2 or 3 to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to a state which has not ratified the CWC, a copy of the official purchase order or a copy of the relevant part of the contract covering the order is normally sufficient.An Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) is specific to an individual exporter and covers multiple shipments of specified goods to specified destinations and/or, in some cases, specified consignees. The exporter must obtain from each consignee an appropriate end-user undertaking for each export before the export takes place, or not later than one month after the date of exportation.Under arrangements between the DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO) and Jersey and Guernsey Customs and Excise Departments, the latter send ECO all applications for a licence to export arms or other goods controlled for strategic reasons from the Channel Islands. ECO then circulates these applications to OGDs for advice in line with their policy requirements as determined by them, before giving advice to the relevant Channel Islands licensing authority. Copies of licences issued for the export of such goods to the Channel Islands are sent to the Channel Islands authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on arms exports to the Channel Islands, with specific reference to Clauses 5(a), 11(a) and 11(d) of the criteria used in considering conventional arms export licence applications. [100114]

All applications for a licence to export to the Channel Islands any goods subject to control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended (commonly known as the Military List), are considered against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29, and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. Copies of licences issued for the export of such goods to the Channel Islands are sent to the Channel Islands authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 the export licensing authorities of the Channel Islands have consulted his Department with regard to the re-export of arms originally exported to the Channel Islands under licence from his Department; what the outcome was of these consultations; and if he will make a statement. [100115]

Under arrangements between the DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO) and Jersey and Guernsey Customs and Excise Departments, the latter send ECO all applications for a licence to export arms or other goods controlled for strategic reasons from the Channel Islands. ECO then circulates these applications to OGDs for advice in line with their policy requirements as determined by them, before giving advice to the relevant Channel Islands licensing authority. Copies of all licences issued for the export of such goods to the Channel Islands are sent to the Channel Islands authorities.While ECO do not maintain a central record of the number of times that the Channel Islands authorities have requested advice, I understand that all decisions taken by the latter have been in line with the advice they have been given, whether or not the goods concerned were originally exported to the Channel Islands from the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on the provision of milk tokens to (a) pregnant students and (b) all women on a low income. [100037]

We have received no recent representations on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of allowing pensioners who become carers to receive the carer's premium in income support; how many new claimants he estimates would become eligible each year; and how long their entitlement would last on average. [100042]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

It is estimated that the extension of carer premium entitlement to those becoming carers aged 65 or over would cost £15 million in Income Support in the year 2000–01, with 20,000 gainers, together with a much smaller sum of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Information to estimate how long entitlement would last is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people receive the carer's premium in income support; how many of these are pensioners; and at what ages these pensioners first became entitled to the benefit. [99920]

As at August 1999 there were 193,000 Income Support claimants with a carer premium, of which 11,000 were aged 65 or over. The table provides information on the age of the claimant when they first became entitled to Income Support. They may have been in receipt of the carer premium then or subsequently.

Income Support claimants aged 65 and over with the carer premium by age at the start of their current claim to Income Support, August 1999
Age of claimants	Number of claimants
All claimants	11,000
Aged under 59	3,000
60 to 64	5,000
65 and over	3,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the estimated loss to his Department as a result of benefit fraud during the last 12 months. [100440]

Previous estimates have shown that £2 billion a year has definitely been lost through fraud. A further £3 billion may have been lost in cases where fraud is strongly suspected and a further £2 billion where there is some suspicion of fraud.We are now measuring the level of fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance, the two most vulnerable benefits, thoroughly investigating a monthly random sample of cases in each Benefits Agency area. Staff error is measured separately by a special team within the Benefits Agency. The latest period for which figures are available is the 12 months ending September 1998 where the level of fraud and error in these benefits was £1.4 billion or 9 per cent. of the total benefit paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Scotland are in receipt of industrial injuries benefit. [100256]

The number of assessments for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit in payment for Scotland was 27,000 on 4 April 1998, the latest date for which statistics are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the targets and performance indicators for his Department's policies. [100916]

The Department has set out the key performance targets on which it will be judged in its PSA, and the measures of success it will use in the Output and Performance Analysis (OPA) published in March this year.In addition, the Secretary of State sets annual targets for the Department's agencies. These targets are announced to Parliament by means of a written parliamentary answer. A full list of the targets and target dates for the Department's agencies can be found in the Next Steps Report and in individual agency Business Plans. Performance against targets is also reported in agencies' Annual Reports. Copies of these documents can be found in the Library.These high level targets are supported at operational level by numerous other internal targets in order to ensure delivery by individual units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of NIRS2 problems for the implementation of stakeholder pensions in April 2001. [100646]

IT support is one of a number of key issues we are addressing in the development of our implementation plans for stakeholder pensions. We are ensuring those plans take account of the difficulties so far experienced with NIRS2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to have eliminated all remaining delays in payment of retirement pensions resulting from the transfer to the NIRS2 computer system; and if he will estimate (a) the total number of such payments still outstanding, (b) the total amount still outstanding, (c) the total number of pensioners who have been affected since the problem first occurred and (d) the likely total cost of compensation. [101141]

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many recipients of SERPS are receiving payments which have been estimated rather than calculated precisely because of NIRS2 problems; [100648](2) what provisions the Government have made to ensure that pensioners are not living in undue hardship because of the NIRS2 computer problems and benefit payment backlog; [100650](3) how much the Government have so far paid in compensation for NIRS2 delays; how much they expect to pay in future; and on what basis compensation is calculated; [100645](4) how many pensioners are suffering unreasonable delays in receiving contributory benefits as a result of the NIRS2 problems; [100649](5) how much money the Government still owes pensioners affected by the problems with NIRS2 in

We have long-standing contingency arrangements to ensure that pensioners do not suffer undue hardship in the event that computer problems arise. Where NIRS2 cannot provide the information required to finalise a claim, clerical calculations are undertaken. Additional resources have been made available for processing the clerical calculations, of both additional pension and the increase earned by people who have deferred receipt of their pension beyond minimum State Pension age.A National Insurance benefit task force was set up to assist people who experience difficulties or who have queries about the problems arising from NIRS2.As at 31 October 1999 we have paid £2.113 million in compensation for NIRS2 delays to benefit recipients. Of this £1.986 million relates to the flat-rate £10 compensation payments and £0.127 million to payments made under the normal rules of the Department's Special Payments Scheme. It is not possible at this time to estimate how much more compensation will be paid because of NIRS2 delays.The Department operates a long-standing non-statutory compensation scheme, the terms of which have been agreed by the Parliamentary Ombudsman and his predecessors. Under the terms of the scheme compensation is calculated using the "Retail Shares and Deposit Average Rate" provided by the Building Societies Commission. Compensation may be provided for any period of delay beyond normal processing time (referred to as the "indicator of delay") for the benefit concerned. The rate currently in use is 3.872 per cent. Where a person would be due more than £10 under the terms of that scheme he or she is paid the balance in addition to the £10 outlined above.As at 1 November 1999 the Inland Revenue estimate the cost of additional payments to Pension Providers, in respect of individual scheme members, for the delay in the payment of Age Related Rebates, was £36.2 million.Up to the time that NIRS2 began providing Retirement Pension calculations on 6 January 1999, it was estimated that 285,000 pensioners had been affected by NIRS2 problems. Of these there remain about 40,000 cases to be reviewed. Not all of these will be in receipt of an incorrect amount of benefit.Since 6 January NIRS2 has not been able to provide the amount of additional pension (SERPS) in about 10 per cent. of the cases in which it is known SERPS entitlement exists. For these estimated 60,000 claims a year the Benefits Agency is carrying out clerical calculations, with a view to ensuring that all new pensioners are receiving their full entitlement by the date of their retirement. In total, therefore, the maximum estimated number of new pensioners affected by NIRS2 problems to the end of 1999 will be 345,000.Information about the full amount of Retirement Pension which has been underpaid because of the delayed implementation of the NIRS2 computer, and the compensation payable, will not be available until recovery action is complete. This is expected to be during next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the advice given to pension and benefit recipients about whether they can choose to collect their payments in their local post office. [101069]

All pension and benefit recipients receive advice on all the available methods of payments including collecting their payments in their local post office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated value of the notional amount included in family credit to compensate for non-entitlement to free school meals. [101144]

When the Family Credit scheme was introduced in 1988, provision was made to replace the value of entitlement to free school meals (and free milk/vitamins for the under-fives). This was done by adding £2.55 a week to each child credit. The total child credit has since been uprated annually by the Rossi index.Working Families' Tax Credit was introduced from 5 October 1999. It is more generous than the Family Credit it replaces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners aged over 75 years live with adults of below pension age; and what proportion that is of all pensioners aged over 75 years. [99397]

I have been asked to reply.An estimated 0.4 million pensioners aged 75 or over live with adults below state pension age. This represents approximately 12 per cent. of all pensioners aged 75 years or over.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial aid was given by her Department to Kenya in the last year for which figures are available, indicating the projects for which aid was given. [99585]

UK aid to Kenya in 1998–99 totalled approximately £29 million, including £23.7 million from Technical Co-operation funds, £1.3 million Financial Aid, and £4 million Emergency Aid.Projects over £1 million funded from Technical Co-operation and Emergency allocations and their expenditure in 1998–99 were as follows:

£000
Project	Expenditure
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute	2,274
Association for Better Land Husbandry	744
Smallholder Dairy Project	258
FarmAfrica Goat and Animal Health Project	121
Kwale Rural Support Programme	160
Wajir Pastoral Development Programme	125
ActionAid Capacity-building Programme	95
Wedco Microfinance, western Kenya	743
Kenya Women Finance Trust	214
Business Deregulation Project	287
Faulu Microfinance Project	885
Civil Society Umbrella Project (civil and political rights)	236
Support to 1999 Population Census	400
Primary Schools Management Project	1,118

£000
Project	Expenditure
Strengthening of Primary Education	1,486
Family Health Project	1,802
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project	2,047
Family Planning Interim Support Project	162
Emergency Provision of Malaria Drugs	799
Social Marketing of Condoms	975
Oxfam Floods Emergency Project	1,608
Eradication of Polio	2,879
Bomb Blast
Re-equipping Kenya National Examinations Council	967
Re-equipping Co-operative Bank	994

Financial Aid in 1998–99 consisted of:

£000
Project	Expenditure
Molo-Litein Road Improvement	589
Pension1	726
1 Financial aid allocations include expenditure on the pre-independence element of pensions of former colonial public service officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what amounts were paid by her Department to the British Council in respect of work carried out overseas in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and what is the estimated figure for the current financial period. [100054]

The Department for International Development's payments to the British Council in respect of work carried out overseas from 1997 to the current financial period are as follows:

	£million
1997–98	44.8
1998–99	40.4
1999–2000	132.8
1 figure for the financial year 1999–2000 is the current total to date

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is given by her Department to British companies to win contracts from Governments in receipt of aid from her Department. [100050]

None. The Department for International Development is responsible for promoting development and the reduction of poverty. British companies are assisted by British Trade International to win business overseas.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her support (a) for traditional medicine in treatment and management of HIV/AIDS and malaria in developing countries and (b) for the work of the Commonwealth Working Group on traditional and complementary health systems. [100726]

We will look with interest at any conclusions which bear upon improving the health of poor people in developing countries. The Working Group promises a comprehensive review of the contribution which traditional and complementary medicine can make towards better health.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact on the provision of (a) DFID and (b) joint DFID/US funded overseas family planning projects of the US Administration's decision to prohibit funding of foreign non-Governmental organisations which take part in public discussions on abortion in their own countries. [100476]

The US Administration's decision makes no difference to the commitment of this Government to helping poor people access good quality family planning and reproductive health services. It will not have a significant impact on jointly funded programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the financial impact that (a) the national minimum wage, (b) the working time directive and (c) the increase in registration fees will have on nursing and residential homes. [99050]

The Low Pay Commission has been asked to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the national minimum wage. The Commission has undertaken a consultation and fact-finding exercise during which it paid particular attention to the effect on low-paying sectors, including social care. The Government are due to receive the Commission's report in December and will then carefully consider its findings.A regulatory impact appraisal on the costs and benefits for business generally resulting from the implementation of the Working Times Regulations was made, copies of which are available in the Library.We will carefully consider the financial impact of increases in regulatory fees on residential and nursing homes before implementing any increase.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the prevalence of epilepsy is in each health authority area. [99839]

The information is not available in the format requested.Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder, affecting between 400,000 and 420,000 people—one in 200 of the United Kingdom population, including 100,000 children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the basis for his policy for free prescriptions for those, not otherwise exempt, with certain medical conditions. [100014]

Entitlement to free prescription for those not otherwise exempt is based on the principle that those who can afford to contribute should do so, while those who are likely to have difficulty in paying should be protected.The extensive exemption and charge remission arrangements are intended to ensure that no-one need be deterred from obtaining any necessary medication on financial grounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which dental practices in Stoke-on-Trent, North are currently accepting new NHS patients. [100182]

We understand that two dental practices in Stoke-on-Trent, North are currently accepting new National Health Service patients and another practice in the area will also be accepting new NHS patients from January following the appointment of a vocational trainee.In addition, a practice in Stoke-on-Trent, North has had Investing In Dentistry moneys approved and it is anticipated that an additional surgery and the acceptance of new NHS patients will commence in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the waiting time between registration of new NHS patients and earliest appointment in Stoke-on-Trent, North; and if he will make a statement. [100183]

Specific data on waiting times between registration with a National Health Service dentist and earliest appointment in Stoke-on-Trent, North are not collected centrally. However, North Staffordshire Health Authority report that in Stoke-on-Trent, North new patients registering with an NHS dentist requiring urgent treatment will be seen within a week, while new dental patients requiring an extensive examination will be required to wait for a period of four to six weeks on average.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure emergency NHS dental services are available in Stoke-on-Trent, North. [100184]

Emergency National Health Service dental services are provided as part of the General Dental Service contract to all patients registered with a NHS dental practitioner. North Staffordshire dentists operate an out-of-hours emergency rota which provides advice and care as appropriate to registered and unregistered individuals.There is a salaried dental service located at Basford House, Stoke-on-Trent which provides access to dental care Monday to Friday for those unable to access general dental services. In addition, an emergency dental clinic also operates at Basford House every Saturday and Sunday, including Bank Holidays.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reason optometrists do not have a place as of right on the boards of primary care groups in England; [100492](2) what discussions he has held with the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly on the

The differing professional representation on primary care groups and local health groups reflects the differing roles of and expectations which we and the Welsh Assembly have of the two organisations. We feel that, in England, primary care groups can achieve high quality eye care by consulting both local optical committees and individual optometrists as appropriate. We will, however, be watching developments in Wales with interest to see what lessons can be learned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review his policy on whether an optometric adviser should be appointed to each health authority in line with those persons already appointed to advise on general practice, dentistry and pharmacy. [100494]

This is for individual health authorities to decide, but we will be pointing out to them the highly worthwhile contribution which optometric advisers can make to both the development of primary eye care and the probity of general ophthalmic services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Primary Care Act pilots (1) were planned by the previous Government; and how many have been developed; [100196](2) have been planned by the present Government; and how many have

No Primary Care Act pilots were initiated by the previous Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to reduce prejudice against and misunderstanding of the clinical needs of Down's Syndrome patients within the NHS. [100194]

We have already published good practice guidance on health services for people with learning disabilities: "Signposts for Success" (on commissioning and providing health services for people with learning disabilities) and "Once a Day" (for primary health care teams). We propose to build on these by ensuring that the clinical needs of people with Down's Syndrome are fully considered in our work to develop the new Government Learning Disability Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the nature and scope of the proposed forthcoming recommendations from the European Commission for possible amendments to EU Directive 75/318 relating to herbal remedies; and if he will make a statement. [100252]

The Commission Directive 99/83 EC, adopted in September 1999, amends the Annexe to Directive 75/318 EC. This new Directive provides additional guidance on the data required to meet efficacy and safety requirements where a company seeking marketing authorisation wishes to use bibliographical data for the purposes of establishing that the product has a well established use. We will shortly be bringing forward an amendment to the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994 to incorporate the change into United Kingdom legislation.It has become evident recently that there is uncertainty among a number of European Union member states on how to interpret 99/83 EC. We wish to provide stability and certainty for business. Accordingly, the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is currently raising the issue with the European Medicines Evaluation Agency and the European Commission with a view to achieving greater clarity over interpretation. The MCA will also be discussing this question with our statutory advisory bodies, the Medicines Commission and the Committee on Safety of Medicines.In on-going discussions in the EU over the interpretation of Directive 99/83 EC, and over the possible creation of an additional category of traditionally used medicines, our objective for herbal remedies will be to achieve proportionate regulatory arrangements, effectively balancing consumer choice and public safety. In working towards this objective, the MCA will continue its programme of informal dialogue with the UK natural health sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to update the list of specified or toxic herbs which are subject to restrictions on sale and supply set out in the Schedule to the Medicines (Retail Sale or Supply of Herbal Remedies) Order 1977. [100253]

At Ministers' request, the Medicines Control Agency has considered the need to update the lists of herbs which are subject to restrictions on sale and supply set out in the Schedule to the Medicines (Retail Sale or Supply of Herbal Remedies) Order 1977. The agency believes that the protection of public health will be best served by updating the lists, and work is in progress to that end. Any proposals will be subject to public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has evaluated regarding the role of paramedics currently involved in conveying people to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983; and what training will be provided to enable the police to convey people appropriately. [100780]

We know of no research on the role of paramedics involved in conveying people to hospital under the Mental Health Act. It is for individual chief constables to consider their forces' training needs in specific areas of work. National police training includes some formal training on mental illness, supplemented by practical role play exercises, during the course of the fifteen-week residential phase of the probationer training programme undertaken by all recruits to police forces other than the Metropolitan Police (which has its own training programme, including training on mental illness).

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage other police forces to adopt the arrangements which exist between the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service regarding the transport to hospital of people with excited delirium and people detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. [100781]

The Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice encourages the development of local protocols by all the agencies involved in the operation of section 136 of the Mental Health Act. This section gives the police power to remove to a place of safety mentally disordered people found in a place to which the public have access and who are considered to be in immediate need of care or control. I understand that, in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service are currently discussing a draft procedure to be followed on the transport to hospital of people who have been arrested under s136 of the Act. Once finalised, this will supplement existing guidance on admitting mentally ill patients to hospital and I would expect that both authorities would be willing to make it available to other organisations with an interest in these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what right NHS patients have to access to information on the length of consultants' waiting lists before they are referred for treatment by their general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [100643]

Patients are entitled to ask their general practitioner about the length of the hospital consultants' waiting lists in their area before being referred to a consultant. Most National Health Service trusts routinely send information to local GPs on waiting times for their consultants, and patients can access this information by phoning the Health Information Service on freephone 0800 66 55 44.The Department also publishes data on the Internet on how long patients have waited for outpatient appointments and how long people are waiting on in-patient lists by speciality and by NHS trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that legislation affecting the rights of the child is available in a language and format suitable for children. [100906]

Information about children's rights is increasingly available in a language and format suitable for children.The Department has published summaries of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, some of which are available in minority languages, and leaflets on the Children Act 1989. Major child care voluntary organisations have also produced valuable materials for use in schools and other settings, some of which have been funded by central government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the possible adverse reactions to Prozac (Fluoixtine), including reported cases of depression and suicide. [99940]

As with all medicines the safety of Prozac is continually monitored by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and the independent expert advisory body, the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM). The possible association of suicidal thoughts and hostile behaviour with Prozac was reviewed by the MCA and CSM in 1990. The available evidence did not suggest an increased risk with Prozac.It is well known that suicidal ideation is associated with depression. Features of depression, including suicidal behaviour, can worsen after introduction of any antidepressant prior to its beneficial effects being apparent and therefore reports of suicide attempts associated with Prozac are not unexpected. The Summary of Product Characteristics for Prozac warns that the possibility of a suicide attempt may persist until significant remission of depression occurs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received opposed to the extension of free prescriptions to adults with cystic fibrosis. [100111]

No such extension has been proposed. We have therefore received no representations opposed to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the development of a core employee opinion survey for use by NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [100938]

All National Health Service employers are required under the NHS human resources framework, "Working Together", to have conducted an annual staff attitude survey by April 2000.Guidance for NHS employers on good practice in designing, administering and acting upon the results of employee opinion surveys will be issued shortly. It will describe core areas which all NHS employers should cover in their surveys.There are no current plans to develop a core employee opinion survey for use by all NHS trusts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the question tabled on 8 October by the hon. Member for Thurrock concerning the cottage hospital at Epsom was not answered. [100935]

I apologise to my hon. Friend that he did not receive a reply to his earlier question. This was due to an administrative error.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services are provided at the cottage hospital in the vicinity of Horton Country Park, Epsom. [100940]

The New Epsom and Ewell Cottage Hospital which is part of Epsom and St. Helier National Health Service Trust is a 20-bedded general practitioner hospital. It takes patients with any diagnosis i.e. medical, post-surgery and the terminally ill but not the mentally ill.It has an outpatient department covering a range of services from general medicine, general surgery, dermatology, rheumatology, ear, nose and throat, audiology and plastic surgery. GPs do minor operation sessions there.The hospital is also a base for nurse-led clinics for stoma, breast and urology. It is also a base for a district nursing service, health visitors for the elderly and a continence advisory service. There is also a rehabilitation team, comprising occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, chiropodists and the hospital at home team.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for additional funding for winter pressures for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [100936]

There are no plans to provide additional money for winter pressures in 1999–2000. The 5.1 per cent. over and above inflation increase in National Health Service expenditure awarded by the Government is allowing health authorities to plan more effectively for the health and social needs of their populations, including the provision of services throughout the winter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the current level of Government funding for Leicestershire on education in the county. [99355]

Leicestershire will be getting an extra £12.8 million for 2000–01. It is very important that this extra funding is delivered to education by the county. They did not do so last year—I hope they will do it this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of (a) girls and (b) boys who take A-levels obtain at least one science A-level. [99359]

Of A-level candidates in 1998, 48 per cent. of boys and 32 per cent. of girls passed at least one science subject. However, more girls than boys taking a science A-level gained a pass.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the New Deal for Lone Parents. [99360]

The programme is working well. Since October 1998, 93,690 lone parents have voluntarily agreed to have at least an initial interview with a personal adviser and 89 per cent. of those have agreed to participate further. 23,000 have found jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the destination of those young people in Sussex who have completed the New Deal programme without securing long-term employment. [99361]

We know that over 1,100 young people left New Deal in Sussex for sustained work. Over 750 did not tell the Employment Service their reason for leaving but a recent survey suggests that over half of them will have found work. A further 850 left for a variety of destinations including education, training and sickness or other benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent on all aspects of promotion of the New Deal. [99362]

A sum of £19,657,565 has been spent on promoting New Deal to employers and unemployed people. This has resulted in high levels of awareness of New Deal and positive attitudes towards it among employers and unemployed people. It helped ensure that large numbers of employers offered good quality job vacancies to those on New Deal and it demonstrably improved the motivation of unemployed people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal for the unemployed. [99377]

The New Deal for young unemployed people continues to make good progress towards our manifesto target of moving 250,000 young people into work, which we expect to meet next year. By the end of September 1999 over 155,500 young people had found work through the New Deal, and more than 101,000 young people had benefited from training or work experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government are taking to improve access to financial services for people on the New Deal. [99345]

I am pleased that earlier this year we signed an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland that allows New Deal participants easier access to banking facilities. I expect other banks will follow this lead.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the level of staff turnover among personal advisers in the New Deal programme since its inception in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Greater London and (c) Leaside District; and if he will make a statement. [99641]