To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish an inter-departmental task force on problems facing the farming industry in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [100057]

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of the correlation between the geographical locations of industry and of universities; [100644](2) how many students, normally domiciled in Northern Ireland, are enrolled in full-time first degree university courses; and how many full-time first degree places are available in Northern Ireland. [100660]

Country	Project/programme title	Total commitment	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	Expenditure for last five years
Ghana	ATP Kotoka Airport Rehab.	8,585	1	—	—	—	—	1
Ghana	Kumasi Waste Disposal	1,085	13	0	—	—	—	13
Ghana	Junior Secondary Schools	2,436	13	—	—	—	—	13
Ghana	Monitoring (Kotoka Rehab.)	1,278	9	16	—	—	—	25
Ghana	Kotoka Rehab. TC Services	1,595	183	—	—	—	—	183
Ghana	Civil Service Reform Project	2,986	151	37	6	2	11	208
Ghana	Cocoa Research (CRIG)	3,841	163	118	—	—	—	281
Ghana	Social Dimensions of Adj	1,156	91	108	101	20	4	324
Ghana	Village Hand Dug Wells	1,020	151	—	115	103	—	368
Ghana	Accra Waste Project	1,700	—	6	13	148	247	415
Ghana	Education Sector Support	51,800	—	—	—	—	445	445
Ghana	Power V ATP	7,281	391	125	—	—	—	516
Ghana	Management of Vertisols	1,528	325	329	93	35	6	776
Ghana	WSIP Water Sector Improvement Sector	4,065	—	—	—	245	570	815
Ghana	Literacy and Functional Skills project	936	144	202	328	163	—	837
	Contraceptive Procurement for
Ghana	National Planning	1,035	—	1,033	2	—	—	1,035
Ghana	SE Districts Water	9,830	—	41	2,931	1,423	743	5,138
	Wenchi Farming Systems
Ghana	Development and Training	1,528	283	231	329	267	168	1,279
Ghana	Two regions water supply	1,620	73	95	345	438	398	1,349
Ghana	Value Added Tax Implementation	1,870	750	303	4	41	375	1,472
Ghana	Small Enterprise Dev. Project	2,400	305	225	393	366	305	1,595
Ghana	Public Enterprise Reform	2,103	315	250	471	444	192	1,672
Ghana	UNICEF—Vaccines and Drugs	1,761	—	—	1,750	11	—	1,761

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many research contracts have been let by his Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included (a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100154]

The Law Officers' Departments comprising the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office, have let no research contracts since May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid projects supported by her Department in (a) Morocco and (b) Ghana, in each of the last five years, indicating those which also received ECGD assistance. [100248]

The following lists all projects undertaken in the last five financial years at costs greater than £1 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the (a) nature and (b) destination of the 250 million euros aid voted in the European Council for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Central America. [101109]

Following the European Council's approval of 250 million euros in post-Mitch reconstruction aid for Central America in May 1999, the European Commission developed a programme of reconstruction, which was agreed by member states in November. The programme will provide Honduras (119 million euros), Nicaragua (84 million euros), El Salvador (28.5 million euros) and Guatemala (18.5 million euros) in three areas:

reinstating, improving and extending infrastructure and equipment in the education, public health, environmental sanitation and housing sectors;

strengthening educational, public health and sanitation services, including the management capacity of the relevant government institutions, in order to improve efficiency, quality and access, for the most vulnerable sections of the population;

strengthening local government and civil society by providing support for the drafting and implementation of rehabilitation and development plans and for the preparation of a framework for risk prevention and to lessen the impact of this type of natural disaster.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many research contracts have been let by her Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included (a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100162]

The number of research contracts let since May 1997 is very large, running into hundreds. Recording them and listing the value of each would involve disproportionate cost. The Department for International Development's (DFID) net expenditure on research was estimated at £112 million in 1997–98 and £116 million in 1998–99.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make it his policy to prohibit the provision of accommodation to civil servants at Portcullis House. [99863]

[holding answer 29 November 1999]: In accordance with the Resolution of the House when it approved the brief for the project, Portcullis House will provide office accommodation for 210 hon. Members and for a similar number of their staff. The question of offering any of the space to Government Departments for use by civil servants does not arise.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what categories of persons it is proposed will be allocated accommodation at Portcullis House. [99883]

[holding answer 29 November 1999]: The office space in Portcullis House will be occupied by 210 hon. Members and their staff. The only exceptions are two offices to be used by the Clerks Department to provide support services for Select Committees using the adjacent Select Committee rooms, and by the office services and maintenance management staff responsible for the building.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on works within the Parliamentary Estate since 1 May 1997; what further sums are anticipated to be spent; and if he will list the amounts broken down by project, indicating the original estimated budget per project. [100504]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: Expenditure against the Works Votes of both Houses including rents, rates, fuel and overheads but excluding Portcullis House has been as follows:

£
year	Voted sums	Outturn
1997–98	49,017,000	148,852,000
1998–99	51,013,000	50,002,000
1999–2000 (forecast expenditure)	55,088,000	253,652,0O0
2000–01 (forecast expenditure)	357,876,000	357,876,OO0
1 Excluding legal fees
2Forecast
3Estimate

These sums covered 510 projects in 1997–98 and 419 projects in 1998–99. The number of projects planned for 1999–2000 is 422. The larger projects during this period were:

£
Project description	Original estimate	Outturn
Norman Shaw North PDVN Lower Floors	1,150,000	1,180,333
Norman Shaw North PDVN Upper Floors	1,654,600	1,854,600
Refreshment Department Members and Strangers Cafeteria	7,042,800	6,776,428
Refreshment Department Stores and Changing Rooms	9,070,000	8,974,800
Fire Compartmentation 1997–98	1,400,000	1,376,844
Fire Compartmentation 1998–99	1,300,000	1,173,447
Fire Compartmentation 1999–2000	1,250,000	1,250,000
Basement Fire Alarm	2,300,000	2,299,553
PDVN Phase 3 1997–98	5,000,000	5,001,857
PDVN Phase 4 1998–99	5,120,000	5,975,000
PDVN Phase 5 1999–2000	7,000,000	6,625,565
Committee Room Refurbishment Phase I	861,668	872,600
Committee Room Refurbishment Phase II	1,343,000	1,122,339
Royal Gallery Roof Overhaul	4,125,660	3,783,021

For Portcullis House the total expenditure to April 1999 was £149 million. The remaining forecast expenditure and contingency is £86 million, so the project is expected to be completed at least £15 million below budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to (a) ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98722]

Ministers and MOD civilians are paid the same Motor Mileage Rates if they use their private vehicles for official duty. Reimbursement for motor mileage for official travel in private vehicles is paid at different levels. The higher (Standard) rate is restricted to journeys that would be impracticable by public transport, taking into account the overall cost to the Department. It reflects the full cost of travel by car. The lower (Public Transport) rate is set at a level which reflects the average cost of travel by public transport and is paid for all other official travel by car.The rates applicable in the current tax year are as follows:

Standard rates of motor mileage allowance
Pence per mile
Car engine capacity	Up to 4,000	Over 4,000
Up to 1000cc	28	17
1001cc-1500cc	35	20
1501cc-2000cc	45	25
2001cc and over	63	36
Public transport rate of motor mileage allowance
All cars		26.5

Details of Motor Mileage Allowance payments to Ministers are not held separately from those paid to MOD civilians and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total costs of Motor Mileage Allowance claims paid to MOD civilians, including Ministers, are:

£
Financial year	Actual cost
1994–95	11,500,000
1995–96	12,200,000
1996–97	12,700,000
1997–98	12,100,000
1998–99	11,800,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has received about the safety of Kapton wiring in military aircraft; and what actions he has taken. [100924]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, column 197W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for increasing the number of Gurkhas serving in the UK armed forces. [101334]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen), on 1 December 1999, Official Report, column 191W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) advice and (b) help is given to civilians in Yugoslavia who might have been exposed to contamination by the radioactive dust left by depleted uranium munitions. [99719]

We are not aware of any civilians in Yugoslavia who might have been exposed to contamination by the radioactive dust left by depleted uranium munitions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what protection and advice is provided for British ordnance officers engaged in dealing with depleted uranium munitions in Yugoslavia. [99718]

No British personnel are currently engaged in dealing with depleted uranium munitions in Yugoslavia. However, as a precaution, Service personnel are given appropriate guidance during Kosovo pre-deployment training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many posts have been civilianised in the Directorate of Naval Resources during the last 12 months. [100290]

Arising from the reorganisation of the Central Staff, the Directorate of Naval Resources and Plans was formed on 2 August 1999 comprising elements of the Directorate of Resources and Programmes (Navy), staffed by 17 civilian personnel, and the Directorate of Navy Plans, staffed by 18 military and four civilian personnel. The new Directorate has 20 staff, 11 military and nine civilian personnel overall. One military post was civilianised as the new organisation was formed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed at the Defence Estates Agency HQ at Sutton Coldfield. [100289]

The number of Defence Estates staff employed at Sutton Coldfield as of 1 December 1999 is 392, consisting of 162 Head Office staff and 230 Central Business Unit staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of work put out to consultants working on Project Capital in each of the last three years. [100285]

PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed the Project Capital Accounting System Integrators in 1996. As such, they act as project managers, systems developers, implementers and advisers.Total payments made on these activities over the last three years were as follows:

	£
1996–97	10,725,000
1997–98	28,242,000
1998–99	40,279,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances service men in HM forces may receive Income Support. [100336]

Service personnel are eligible to receive social security benefits paid by the DSS on the same basis as civilians. It is, however, unlikely that any service personnel would be eligible for Income Support, given the qualifying criterion requiring a claimant to be working for less than 16 hours per week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first vessel of the Type-45 destroyer programme will be delivered; and when he expects the last one to be completed. [100757]

On current plans, the first Type-45 destroyer will enter into service with the Royal Navy in 2007 and we expect that the last will enter service in 2014.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many, and what kind of, strike aircraft were redirected from combat air patrols to offensive operations as a result of the deployment of the HMS Invincible Task Group to the Kosovo theatre of operations. [98564]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Sea Harriers based aboard HMS Invincible conducted 102 combat air patrols. As a result, it was possible for multi-role aircraft which might otherwise have been tasked with such duties to be switched to alternative missions. Given the size and complexity of the operation, however, it is not possible to quantify precisely how many aircraft and planned missions were directly affected in this way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discussions taking place, and the countries concerned, regarding the St. Malo declaration. [100835]

At St. Malo in December 1998, the UK and France launched a major initiative aimed at building European security and defence. In conjunction with the member states of the European Union, NATO and the Western European Union, we are continuing to make good progress both in defining the improvements in capabilities needed and the necessary consultation and decision-making arrangements for responding to crises. The UK and France made a joint declaration on 25 November calling for a further decisive step to be taken at the Helsinki European Council on 10–11 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a minister from his Department last visited RAF Menwith Hill. [101132]

Since 1 May 1997, no Minister of this Department has visited RAF Menwith Hill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are under way through the Common Foreign and Security Policy consequential to the Cologne Summit to (a) modify and (b) unify European capabilities in (i) intelligence, (ii) strategic transport, (iii) command and control and (iv) defence industries; and if he will make a statement. [100999]

We are committed to strengthening Europe's military capabilities such that European nations are able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain the right mix of armed forces for specific NATO or EU-led operations.We believe that European nations, co-operating together, should be able to undertake the most demanding crisis management operations up to Corps level. At the UK/French Summit in November 1999, we called on European member states to commit themselves to this goal at the Helsinki European Council. Additionally, we called for capability goals to be set and established in the fields of command and control, intelligence and strategic lift, and announced some bilateral measures to enhance our capabilities in these areas.We also reaffirmed our conviction that strengthened European defence capabilities need to be supported by a strong and competitive European defence industry and technology.Further discussions on these issues will be held by the EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki on 10–11 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future membership and remit of the (a) political and security and (b) military committees, established at the Cologne summit. [101001]

At the Cologne European Council, Heads of State and Government approved a report by the German Presidency which noted that, to support defence decision making, the EU might require a Political and Security Committee and a Military Committee.The membership and role of these bodies will be discussed by the EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki on 10–11 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the establishment of an EU (i) situation centre, (ii) satellite centre and (iii) Institute for Security Studies, with reference to (a) function, (b) budget and (c) security clearance rating. [101002]

At the Cologne European Council, Heads of State and Government approved a report by the German Presidency which noted that, to support defence decision making, the EU might require a situation centre, a satellite centre and an Institute for Security Studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the development of a central intelligence and analysis agency for the EU consequential to the Cologne Summit. [101105]

We are committed to strengthening Europe's military capabilities so that European nations are able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain the right mix of armed forces for specific NATO or EU-led operations.The EU must be able to draw on intelligence and analysis capabilities in order to undertake a crisis management operation. We are discussing with our Allies and Partners, both in NATO and in the European Union, the best way of achieving this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the appropriate decision-making bodies referred to in section 2 of the Cologne Presidency report on Strengthening of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. [101000]

The decision-making bodies referred to in section 2 of the Cologne Presidency Report are detailed in section 3 of the same Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have agreed to contribute to the European Union Rapid Reaction Force; and what each nation will make available in terms of (a) personnel, (b) logistics, (c) ships, (d) aircraft, (e) artillery, (f) main battle tanks, (g) other armoured vehicles and (h) intelligence and surveillance capability. [101101]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the UK units for tagged service within an EU framework, consequential to the Cologne Summit. [101104]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: At the recent UK/French Summit, we called on EU member states to commit themselves to being able to undertake, co-operating together, crisis management operations up to Corps level. In particular, this will mean developing the capabilities of existing national forces, from which such a deployment could be drawn case-by-case for specific NATO or EU operations. We are not creating a standing European Rapid Reaction Force.This proposal will be discussed by EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki on 10–11 December. EU member states have not identified any national contributions that might be made available for EU-led operations if they agree this aim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been identified with the cooking facilities and supply of hot water on HMS Ocean. [100879]

No significant problems have been identified with the cooking facilities or supply of hot water on HMS Ocean.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects HMS Ocean to be in full working order; and if he will make a statement. [100878]

HMS Ocean has been in operational service since 12 March 1999. While the ship has experienced some equipment difficulties, this is not unexpected in the early period of operational life. The Department, the shipbuilder and the equipment manufacturers are working together to improve reliability. This ship has met her busy operational programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of repairs and alterations to HMS Ocean carried out since she was handed over to his Department. [100880]

This information is not readily available and I will write to the hon. Member. A copy of my reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the future of (a) HMS Collingwood, (b) HMS Centurion, (c) HMS Dryad and (d) HMS Sultan; and if he will make a statement. [100876]

My Department has no plans which might affect HMS Collingwood, HMS Dryad, HMS Sultan and the Centurion site in the immediate future. With specific regard to Collingwood, Dryad and Sultan, these Naval training establishments form part of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency, whose Chief Executive is under a constant remit to review his estate usage to ensure efficiency targets are achieved. Accordingly, the Chief Executive has commissioned an internal strategic review to develop a number of innovative, imaginative, and far reaching options for the future of naval training and to propose the size and shape of the Agency for the future. In Portsmouth, HMS Collingwood, HMS Sultan, HMS Dryad and HMS Excellent are all being considered as part of this review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent in each of the last three years on (a) HMS Collingwood, (b) HMS Centurion, (c) HMS Dryad and (d) HMS Sultan; and if he will make a statement. [100877]

The amount of money spent on HMS Dryad, HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan over the last three years is as follows:

£ million
	Financial Year 1996–97	Financial Year 1997–98	Financial Year 1998–99
HMS
Collingwood	27.395	27.472	26.978
HMS Dryad	23.402	22.255	23.632
HMS Sultan	40.350	35.404	36.460

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will report progress on the securing of new premises for the sea, army and air cadets who parade at the TAVR centre in Haslucks Green Road in Shirley, Solihull. [101062]

An alternative site nearby has been identified for the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Sea Cadet Corps detachments currently based at the Territorial Army Centre, Haslucks Green Road, Shirley. A joint facility will be constructed on this site for the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps and a separate facility on the same site will be constructed for the Sea Cadet Corps. It is hoped that the new accommodation for the cadets will be completed by April 2001, and I can confirm that all three units will continue to parade at their present location until then. The Secretary of the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association will continue to keep the hon. Member informed of progress on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the continuing involvement of the Air Accident Investigation Branch in the 1994 RAF Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre. [101195]

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch are available for consultation by my officials as the need arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the contract for the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-air Missile; [101331](2) what account he has taken of the use and sales abroad of the Eurofighter in determining his decision on supplying the contract for the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-air Missile. [101332]

We are currently evaluating the Best and Final Offers we have received in response to the BVRAAM competition. The evaluation will take fully into account the implications for potential sales of Eurofighter of the different proposals received, together with all other relevant factors such as missile performance, cost, industrial impact and overall value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library reports he has received from the United States authorities relating to the US Army Chinook CH-47 barrel roll incident in 1998. [101400]

No. The information that we received from the US Army Authorities about the incident was provided in confidence. I am therefore withholding it under Exemption 1c (information received in confidence from foreign governments) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he or his officials have had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about the extension of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site boundaries into the Salisbury Plain training area, including Robin Hood's Ball. [101399]

My officials have not had direct discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the proposed extension of the World Heritage Site (WHS). However members of Defence Estate, Land Command and DCMS staff sit on various working groups run by English Heritage connected with the Stonehenge World Heritage Site (WHS) Management and Master Plans. A number of these groups have considered the boundaries of the World Heritage Site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how long HMS Glasgow will continue with its current deployment as part of the UN mission in East Timor; [101297](2) what role HMS Glasgow and her crew have played in the humanitarian effort in East Timor. [101296]

HMS Glasgow sailed to East Timor on 18 September as part of the combined Task Group, and carried-out escort duties in the initial stages of the INTERFET deployment. She landed a working party to assist the Gurkhas with humanitarian aid tasks on 25 September. The ship's medical company also came ashore to assist in the setting up of a clinic. HMS Glasgow left East Timor on 30 September, and arrived home in Portsmouth on 10 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of sickness hours, per officer, per month, among MOD police as a whole in each of the last 12 months. [101639]

The average number of sickness hours per Ministry of Defence police per officer per month is shown in the following table:

Month	Hours
November 1998	10.1
December 1998	9.8
January 1999	10.4
February 1999	9.6
March 1999	10.1
April 1999	8.6
May 1999	8.5
June 1999	9.7
July 1999	10.0
August 1999	10.0
September 1999	10.2
October 1999	10.8

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average length of employment at AWE Aldermaston of MOD police officers whose service there ended in the last five years. [101640]

This information is held in files that have been archived and so I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House when it is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of MOD police at Aldermaston left their job (a) by retirement with immediate pension rights, (b) voluntarily, but without immediate pension rights and (c) compulsorily during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [101641]

The information requested is shown in the table:

	1997	1998	1999
Percentage of officers that left their job with immediate pension rights	2.97	3.56	3.38
Percentage of officers that left their job voluntarily but without immediate pension rights	0	1.98	1.35
Percentage of officers that left compulsorily	0	0	0

The figures do not include officers that were posted away from AWE Aldermaston to other MOD police stations.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of Meat Hygiene Service charges. [101638]

On 1 December, the Government announced that Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) hygiene inspection charges for the whole of 1999–2000 would be held at the levels set for 1998–99. This will result in a saving to the meat industry of some £7 million in charges in 1999–2000. The Government have also given a commitment that the rates of MHS hygiene inspection charges in 2000–02 should not rise by more than the level of inflation above the levels charged in 1999–2000.This will bring benefits across the livestock industry and demonstrates the Government's commitment to helping the sector through its present difficulties.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many research contracts have been let by his Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included (a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100148]

The number of research projects placed since May 1997 is 1,317. The total value of these projects is approximately £254 million. Detailed information is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Written agreements, contracts or memoranda of understanding cover all projects. The Department's policy is to encourage its contractors to make the results of research available to the public, to industry, and the wider research community, including through peer-reviewed scientific papers and a range of other routes. The Ministry's approach is that information should be released, save where disclosure would not be in the public interest. We publish details of MAFF-sponsored R & D projects on our website (www.maff.gov.uk) and copies of scientific reports are normally available on request. Overall policy on the release of Government information is set out in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. There is no requirement that contractors incorporate departmental amendments to their research results though final reports are sometimes discussed with contractors as necessary.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE have been confirmed in each of the last 12 months (a) in each of the Government office regions and (b) in total. [99845]

The following table gives figures for confirmed BSE cases by month of confirmation for the last 12 months for the State Veterinary Service (SVS) regions in England together with the regional totals. For Scotland and Wales, figures are given to the end of June 1999. From 1 July 1999, provision of figures for those countries became the responsibility of the devolved administrations, so no further details or totals can be supplied.The total number of BSE cases confirmed in Great Britain for the year ended 31 October 1999 was 3,274.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to the European Commission calling for French and Belgian beef imports to be labelled with the country of origin as a guide to consumers. [99753]

The European Commission has recently put forward proposals for an EU scheme for compulsory origin labelling of beef. These are under discussion with European partners. In principle, compulsory labelling of beef will benefit consumers but will have a cost implication for the supply chain. The Government will consider the UK position on the proposals in the light of negotiations, but in principle we see advantages in labelling.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to use his powers to revoke any national list entries in respect of GM varieties as a result of the farm-scale GM evaluations; [99986]

(2) what estimate he has made of the compensatory payments to which maintainers of GM varieties on the national list may be entitled upon revocation of their listing after farm-scale evaluations. [99987]

There are no genetically modified plant varieties on the UK National List at present, so the questions do not arise.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the level of food surpluses in storage in each member state of the European Union, broken down by country and quantity involved. [100836]

	Cereals 21.11.1999	Beef 31.7.1999	SMP 25.11.1999	Butter 25.11.1999	Olive Oil 11.10.1999	Wine (hectolitres) 31.10.1999
Belgium	131,924	147	6,392	2,000	—	—
Denmark	255,035	1,023	—	—	—	—
Germany	6,059,985	117,727	35,849	7,953	—	—
Greece	—	—	—	—	11,974	3,994
Spain	703,246	17,126	1,150	11,781	10,876	524,799
Ireland	35,551	26,690	63,751	13,908	—	—
France	4,487,758	46,811	2,276	—	—	433,106
Italy	15,998	6,407	—	3,200	2,591	957,482
Luxembourg	5,275	—	—	—	—	—
Netherlands	—	836	10,913	—	—	—
Austria	16,623	4,024	—	—	—	—
Portugal	—	434	—	3,364	—	48,000
Finland	41,297	—	2,212	1,368	—	—
Sweden	250,352	—	11,643	—	—	—
UK	395,502	50,154	64,765	6,870	—	—
Totals	12,398,546	271,377	199,401	50,444	25,441	1,967,381

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a Government health warning will be issued on the risk of E. Coli and salmonella poisoning from eating French turkeys without adequate precautions. [101078]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: The risk of food poisoning from poultry can be avoided by observing the simple rules of food hygiene, in accordance with on-going Government advice. We have no evidence to indicate that turkeys from France pose any greater risk than turkeys from elsewhere.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of turkey meat has been imported from France in each of the past three years; and what is the estimate for 1999. [101075]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: Official Overseas Trade Statistics show that UK imports of turkey carcase meat, offal and meat and offal preparations from France during 1996–98 and January to August 1999 were as shown in the table.

Tonnes
Turkey imports from France	1996	1997	1998	11999
Carcase meat (whole birds and cuts)	27,370	25,453	19,175	7,766
Meat and offal preparations	384	747	746	407
Offal	161	389	196	120
Total	27,915	26,588	20,117	8,293
1 January-August

It is not possible to make an accurate forecast of 1999 imports, since the September to December period accounts for a major, but not constant, proportion of annual imports (over 60 per cent. in 1998). However,

The latest figures where available, for intervention stocks for each member state, are broken down as follows (figures quoted in tonnes unless otherwise stated):overall turkey imports from France during January to August 1999 were nearly 5 per cent. higher than for the same period in 1998.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are made on the welfare standards of turkeys imported from France. [101077]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: It is for the French authorities to check the welfare standards under which turkeys are reared in France against any relevant standards set by French law. The welfare of turkeys and all animals during transport is protected by the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EEC. This Directive is implemented in Great Britain by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 and enforced by local authorities.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the EU on measures to offer price or income support to British pig farmers. [101068]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: None, as direct payments and similar supports to producers are not part of the CAP pigmeat regime. However, we have pressed the European Commission to reopen the aids to private storage of pigmeat scheme and to reinstate special refunds on exports of fresh and frozen pig carcases and cuts to Russia. Officials in the Department have also discussed with the European Commission the costs faced by British pig producers because of BSE and the possibility of introducing a pig offal disposal scheme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the effect of the suspension of the use of zinc bacitracin in animal feed on the incidence of necrotic enteritis and choloangiohepatitis in poultry. [98445]

There are three authorised antimicrobial growth promoters still available for use in poultry production, with similar effects on the gut flora of poultry to that of bacitracin. Necrotic enteritis and choloangiohepatitis are not notifiable diseases and therefore statistics on their incidence cannot be provided.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has (a) initiated and (b) received concerning the obstacles to developing farm-based tourism; what action he is taking as a result of these studies; and what funds are available to him to support such action. [100271]

No such studies have been initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Government's Tourism Strategy "Tomorrow's Tourism", launched earlier this year, recognises tourism's role in maintaining the viability of farm businesses. The European Council Rural Development Regulation (1257/1999), which applies from 2000, enables member states to support projects to encourage tourist and craft activities, among other things. A decision on the implementation of the Regulation will be made shortly. Schemes to provide advice and support for those farmers contemplating farm-based tourism have been supported through Objective 5b Schemes. These close at the end of the year.

To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will appoint a Minister for Youth. [99468]

While I keep ministerial responsibilities under regular review, I have no current plans to do so. Ministers in several Departments have responsibilities in this area, and work together on cross-departmental policies for young people.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the gifts received by Her Majesty the Queen and registered as Government property since 1969. [100327]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 January 1998, Official Report, column 722W.

To ask the Prime Minister if the Home Office has been given an exemption from his instruction to all Departments to undertake and publish a regulatory impact study of the financial and other effects of all proposed Government legislation, with particular reference to the Representation of the People Bill. [100676]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: No. 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 Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 24 November 1999, Official Report, columns 613–14, who gave the advice to him and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which he referred and which led them to instruct the Bank of England to sell more than half of Britain's gold reserves. [100523]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Bank of England provided technical advice on the portfolio risks associated with gold and other assets, and the various techniques for selling gold.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the exchanges held with the President of the European Parliament at the Cologne Council. [101018]

The then President of the European Parliament, Jose Maria Gil-Robles, addressed the first session of the Cologne European Council, setting out the European Parliament's views on the main issues for discussion.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the form of changes required in work organisation and working time for the creation of jobs, as stated in section 10 of the Presidency Conclusions of the Cologne Summit. [101022]

The Presidency Conclusions of the Cologne European Council

"invited the Commission and the member states to examine whether and how to … make changes in work organisation and working time help generate new jobs",

as well as examining other areas. The Finnish Presidency held a conference on working time and work organisation in Helsinki on 11–12 October.The Government believe that companies themselves are best placed to achieve changes in the organisation of work within the framework of minimum standards established by Government. The Government support fair minimum standards on working time, but we do not believe that there is a fixed amount of work in the economy and, therefore, do not consider that reducing working time for individuals will increase employment as a whole.The Government are promoting a family friendly employment rights agenda which will help both women and men to combine work with family commitments. In turn, this will help employers to attract a diverse range of people who can fit the different working patterns required for the modern economy.

To ask the Prime Minister when the European Council will release to the public, pursuant to section 36 of the Cologne Presidency Conclusions, a report on global year 2000 preventative measures. [101014]

As a result of the Cologne European Council the European Commission set up a High Level Working Group to look at cross border Y2K issues. The group has met regularly and has discussed a wide range of issues. The Commission issued a report on 26 November (COM 1999 639 final), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Prime Minister in connection (1) with what areas the Government expects extension of qualified majority voting will be raised during the forthcoming intergovernmental conference; and what is his Government's policy thereon; [101024](2) in what areas the Government support an extension of qualified majority voting at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference. [101025]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 November 1999, Official Report, column 486W.

To ask the Prime Minister what measures are planned under the three pillars of the European Employment Pact; if Parliament will be consulted; and what budget lines and finances will be available. [101019]

The European Employment Pact agreed at the Cologne European Council on 3–4 June 1999 brought together three processes. Two of these were the existing Luxembourg employment process and the Cardiff economic reform process. The third, new element was the macro-economic dialogue, termed the "Cologne process". The dialogue takes place biannually among social partners and fiscal and employment policy makers from existing institutions and considers the interaction between economic and employment policies.All elements of the Pact are subject to the usual Parliamentary Scrutiny procedures. The Pact is an amalgam of three processes and therefore there are no new budget lines.

To ask the Prime Minister what is his Government's policy towards developing EU action, pursuant to the memorandum, "Youth and Europe—Our Future"; and what type of projects are envisaged. [101020]

The memorandum "Youth and Europe—Our Future" was produced during the German Presidency of the Council of Ministers. It described a number of measures which, in the Presidency's view, would contribute to increasing the employability of young people in Europe. The Government welcomed this initiative and would consider on their merits any proposals for EU action that the European Commission or members states might put forward.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names of those present at the discussions at No. 10 Downing street on the evening of 21 October 1997. [101207]

As with previous Governments, it is not my practice to provide details of private meetings.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of servicing the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee in the last year for which figures are available. [101211]

No separate costs for the servicing of the Joint Consultative Committee are identified.

To ask the Prime Minister what rules of confidentiality apply to non-ministerial members of the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee concerning discussions in that forum. [101213]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 January 1999, Official Report, column 485W.

To ask the Prime Minister who sits on the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee. [101210]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Clarke) on 21 October 1998, Official Report, columns 1123–35W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the timetable for the handover of Commissioner portfolios from the temporary incumbents. [101017]

The new Commission was sworn in on 17 September.

To ask the Prime Minister if he has received the review of the Social Exclusion Unit; and if he will make a statement. [101681]

To ask the Prime Minister what reviews have taken place of the work of the Social Exclusion unit since its inception; and what decisions have been taken on the long-term future of the unit. [100696]

I established the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) in December 1997. Its remit is to help improve Government action to reduce social exclusion by producing

"joined up solutions to joined up problems".

Most of its work is on specific projects, chosen by me following consultation with other Ministers and suggestions from interested groups.Since its inception, the unit has focused on the following priorities: truancy and school exclusion, rough sleeping, poor neighbourhoods, teenage pregnancy and 16–18-year-olds not in employment, education or training. The unit has reported to me on each, with a full analysis of the problem and concrete recommendations for action, all of which I have accepted. These are now Government policy and are being implemented.I announced in December 1998 that, as the unit was set up on a time-limited basis, its success would be reviewed in the summer 1999, and a decision announced about its longer term future and work programme.During the summer, this review was undertaken by KPMG, working with members of the SEU. The review took evidence and opinions in writing and face to face with a large number of individuals and organisations with an interest in the work of the unit. The review has now reported to me and the full review report will be published to coincide with this announcement.The consultation showed that there is overwhelming support for the continued existence of the SEU, and a widespread belief that it has been a success in terms of operation and its effect on wider Government policy, although it is too early to judge the impact of the SEU on the ground.In particular, the quality of the unit's reports was considered exceptional and its working practices, with a mix of civil service and external staff, was seen as a strength. The approach could be used more widely across the whole of Government. It is also clear that the unit's work has done much to raise the profile of social exclusion as a policy issue within and outside Government.It is clear from both from the quality of the unit's work and its impact so far that there is a role for it to play for some years to come. I have therefore decided that it will continue in existence, and be reviewed again at the end of 2002.In the short term, I have set the unit the following new priorities as a result of this review. They are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department takes the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners into account before granting export licences for oversize cuffs, jumbo cuffs and other restraining equipment. [98542]

[holding answer 22 November 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 23 November 1999, Official Report, columns 84–85W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total number of jobs (a) created and (b) safeguarded by inward investment projects in the areas covered by each of the Government Offices for the Regions in each year since 1996. [100463]

The figures in the table are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest in the UK. They are based on the companies' best estimate, at that time, of the number of jobs to be created/safeguarded by the investment in its first three years.There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, the relevant Regional Development Agency in England or the Government Office were involved or which have come to their notice.

Region	Number of projects	Total new jobs	Total safe jobs	Total associated jobs
1996–97
East	9	925	470	1,395
East Midlands	23	1,343	4,770	6,113
London	40	2,711	1,205	3,916
North East	46	3,089	4,529	7,618

Region	Number of projects	Total new jobs	Total safe jobs	Total associated jobs
North West	46	1,556	3,032	4,588
South East	46	3,775	2,756	6,531
South West	30	2,504	8,922	11,232
West
Midlands	76	4,350	15,351	19,701
Yorkshire and the Humber	36	1,887	3,503	5,390
Total	306	22,140	44,538	33,378
1997–98
East	33	935	17,744	18,679
East Midlands	18	1,686	758	2,444
London	62	2,898	444	3,342
North East	47	2,649	9,890	12,539
North West	71	4,944	7,277	12,221
South East	57	5,534	7,482	13,016
South West	40	3,205	1,735	4,940
UK	3	175	0	175
West
Midlands	81	5,641	12,546	18,187
Yorkshire and the Humber	65	2,874	15,131	18,005
Total	477	30,541	73,007	103,548
1998–99
East	41	1,411	2,575	3,986
East Midlands	19	2,096	730	2,826
London	100	4,025	1,796	5,821
North East	35	2,304	6,953	9,257
North West	66	3,249	9,123	12,372
South East	74	4,597	13,957	18,554
South West	34	7,908	1,417	4,423
UK	2	50	5,800	5,850
West
Midlands	71	5,478	9,323	14,801
Yorkshire and the Humber	84	3,543	18,372	21,915
Total	526	34,661	70,046	104,707

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed at each of the Government Offices for the Regions; and what are their annual administration costs. [100465]

The number of staff in post in each Government Office at 1 November 1999 and their administrative costs for the 1998–99 financial year are as follows:

	Staff	Administrative costs (£000)
South East	245	8,561
South West	213	6,985
London	378	13,238
North East	254	8,619
North West	407	13,702
East Midlands	229	6,754

	Staff	Administrative costs (£000)
West Midlands	268	9,474
East of England	190	6,269
Yorkshire and the Humber	266	8,684

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices were closed or relocated in (a) the Vale of Glamorgan and (b) Wales in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [100475]

I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of post offices closed or relocated in Wales since 1997 are as follows:

	Closed	Relocated
1997	23	12
1998	27	8
1999 to date	24	1

The Post Office tell me that they do not hold such information on a Parliamentary constituency basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of the financial costs to Her Majesty's Government of promoting or providing financial cover for arms exports for the current financial year. [100581]