To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the outcome of the recent quinquennial Prior Options Review of the War Pensions Agency. [102323]

A Prior Options Review of the administration of the war pensions scheme was recently undertaken to examine whether further improvements in customer service and value for money could be made.Part of that review involved an evaluation of the performance of the War Pensions Agency since its creation in April 1994. The Evaluation Report has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library. The Report recognises that, after a difficult start because of very high workloads, the management focus provided by agency status helped bring about steadily improving standards of performance over the last five years.We have now considered the Review Team's recommendations. These take account of a number of detailed submissions from national and local user representative organisations. I am grateful to all those who participated in the review.The review has recognised that over the past five years the War Pensions Agency has dedicated itself to serving a very special group of people, those who have suffered injury or bereavement in defence of their country. The main conclusions of the review, which I support, are that the War Pensions Agency should remain a Next Steps Agency within the Civil Service responsible, as now, for administering the existing war pensions scheme.The review recognises the significant improvements in customer service and efficiency which the Agency has achieved since its inception in 1994. These reflect great efforts by the Chief Executive and his staff. The review's recommendations are designed to build on this work and will be supported by the Agency's programme of change which is aimed at improving its decision-making and appeals processes. This will be done through extended use of information technology and closer working with other government departments and voluntary sector bodies.We will shortly publish a reviewed Framework Document confirming the Agency's responsibilities for the next five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to raise the level of earnings disregard for the calculation of invalid care allowance. [101352]

[holding answer 6 December 1999]: The National Carers strategy committed the Government to keeping financial support for carers under review, which we are doing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what levels of take-up of Income Support for pensioners are assumed in current forecasts of expenditure. [99942]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: Estimates of take-up levels are difficult to forecast. Our current estimates are derived from the Family Resource Survey and show that for 1997–98 between 71 per cent. and 85 per cent. of pensioners by expenditure claimed the Income Support to which they are entitled. Current caseload forecasts assume that an additional 43,000 pensioners will take up their entitlement during the forecasting period. This estimate will need to be reviewed in the light of our plans for a national programme to increase pensioner take-up.

To ask the President of the Council who will be Parliament's representative on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights drafting body. [102231]

My hon. Friend the Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) and Lord Bowness will be the Westminster delegates on the Charter drafting body. The hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Chidgey) and Baroness Howells of St. Davids will be the alternates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ban gamma hydroxy butyrate; and if he will make a statement. [101518]

Gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB) is not controlled under the international drug Conventions nor under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 but its importation, manufacture, sale and supply fall within the scope of the medicines legislation. The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) investigates reports of the unlawful manufacture, advertising and sale of GHB in the United Kingdom.The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which advises the Government on drug misuse issues, has considered the misuse of GHB on three occasions—in 1994, 1996 and in May 1998. It found that GHB could cause acute health problems particularly if taken with alcohol or other drugs. The Council concluded that GHB misuse was not widespread and did not present a sufficient social problem—the criterion for controlling substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971—to be brought under the 1971 Act's control.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions there were for the possession of child pornography in the last three years for which figures are available. [101653]

Available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at whose discretion it is for an officer facing a discipline hearing to be represented by both a Police Federation lawyer or representative and by a person from the Black Police Association. [101599]

An officer may be represented by another officer chosen by him, or he may opt to be legally represented in cases where it is judged that the punishments of reduction in rank, requirement to resign or dismissal should be available. The Police (Discipline) Regulations 1985, which cover incidents occurring before 1 April 1999, provide that in such cases the legal representative may be assisted at the hearing by a member of a police force. The Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999, for incidents after 1 April 1999, provide that in addition to having his case conducted by a legal representative the officer may be accompanied at the hearing by a member of the police force.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been applied for and granted within the Easington District Council area. [101423]

I am informed that Easington District Council has made no applications for anti-social behaviour orders to date, but I am pleased to hear that they have recently established a committee to consider their use.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last reviewed the working of legislation on gaming; what plans he has for further reviews; and if he will make a statement. [101427]

Much of the law on gambling is more than 30 years old. Social attitudes have changed markedly in these three decades and the law is fast being overtaken by technological developments.The Gaming Board for Great Britain and the Deregulation Committees of the House of Commons and the House of Lords have recommended reform.There is therefore a good case for a wide-ranging review to design a new structure of regulation for the gambling industry and to test public perception.This will not be a simple task. The main controls are laid down in three major Acts of Parliament—the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and Amusement Act 1976, together with associated secondary legislation. Reform will raise important issues. The social and economic impact of any change will have to be carefully assessed.I intend to set up an independent review body next year, bringing together a wide range of relevant expertise. It will be asked to report to me within 12 months on proposals for reform.The Government will not be asking the review body to consider changes to the National Lottery, although the review will clearly need to address the impact on the Lottery of changes proposed for the regulation of gambling generally.We will announce the full terms of reference shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Quinquennial Review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service will be launched; and if he will make a statement. [102155]

The Northern Ireland Prison Service will have completed five years of operation as an executive agency on 31 March 2000 and, therefore, is subject, like other agencies, to a Quinquennial Review. I am announcing the review today and intend that it should be brought to completion by July 2000.The review will be directed by a Steering Group under the Chairmanship of the Prison Service Fraser Figure and inclusive of an independent element.The Steering Group will be supported by a Project Team led by a member of the Senior Civil Service from outside the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The leader of the Project Team will report to the Steering Group on a regular basis.The review process will provide extensive opportunities for consultation with internal and external stakeholders and will follow the procedures recommended in the Guidance on the review of Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies published by the Cabinet Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the inquiry by the Independent Commission for Police Complaints into the circumstances of the death of Robert Hamill; when he expects the Commission to complete its investigation; and if he will make a statement. [101855]

The Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) have advised that on 16 January 1998 they issued a Statement expressing their view that the criminal investigation into a complaint, that police had witnessed the attack on the late Robert Hamill but had failed to intervene as promptly as possible, had been conducted to its satisfaction. This investigation was conducted under the close supervision of the ICPC by a senior CID officer of the RUC who had no connection with the Portadown district. The Northern Ireland Director of Public Prosecutions subsequently directed no criminal prosecution against any police officer involved. The ICPC is currently supervising the police investigation into the disciplinary issues relating to the complaint made and this process is at an advanced stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he will take to increase the ability of museums and galleries to make acquisitions. [101851]

[holding answer 7 December 1999]: There are already several methods by which the Government enable museums and galleries to make acquisitions. Acceptance in Lieu and Private Treaty Sale schemes continue to provide owners with an incentive to offer outstanding works of art to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax. Through the Museums and Galleries Commission, the Department provides funds for the PRISM Fund (71 grants worth £292,567 in 1998–99) and the V&A Purchase Grant Fund (227 grants worth £1 million) thus assisting regional museums to acquire objects for their collections. In addition, the Heritage Lottery Fund has doubled its acquisition budget from £5 million to £10 million. It has recently supported the acquisition of Botticelli's The Virgin adoring the Christ child (£7.69 million) and has helped regional museums and galleries to acquire objects which will significantly enhance their collections, provide educational benefits, and encourage local support and interest. Under this Government, grant-in-aid to the national museums and galleries has been increased: it is for Trustees to decide their spending priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he has taken to promote participation in cricket in schools within the last year. [101350]

[holding answer 6 December 1999]: We have been working in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board's Development Department and Sport England to promote participation in cricket at schools and clubs for all young people. Cricket is supported by Sport England's Active Schools initiatives, which include the Youth Sports Trust, TOP sports, the Activemark and Sportsmark award schemes, and Coaching for Teachers. In addition, Sport England provides support to governing bodies' junior development initiatives, including Kwik Cricket in primary schools. Kwik Cricket has helped boost the number of primary school pupils playing the game and, working with initiatives for older school children, has helped the number of young people playing cricket in schools and clubs, according to ECB figures, grow to 2.4 million last year. To continue to take this forward, the ECB are in consultation to help design a game specifically for secondary schools, "Intercricket", which will be launched next year. I have attended a number of cricket matches aimed at widening the support for cricket in schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase involvement in (a) rugby, (b) football, (c) cricket and (d) hockey in schools. [101429]

Sport in schools provides the foundation for our sporting future, and contributes to the education and health of young people. All four of these sports are already supported by Sport England's Active Schools initiatives, which includes the Youth Sports Trust TOP sports, the Activemark and Sportsmark award schemes, and Coaching for Teachers. The first School Sports Co-ordinators will be appointed in September 2000, and will provide a real boost for coaching and competition in a wide range of sports, including team games. In addition, Sport England provides support to governing bodies' junior development initiatives, including Rugby Football Union Development Officers and Kwik Cricket in primary schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Ministers and officials from his Department were represented at the World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle. [101679]

None. However, in preparing the European Union's negotiating position for the WTO Ministerial Conference, my Department was fully involved, at both Government and Community level, to ensure that the UK's audiovisual interests were taken into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement regarding the proposed closure of Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Cornwall. [100230]

I want to ensure that all communities have access to quality sports facilities and the opportunities to participate in sporting activities. The Government place great importance on community sports facilities such as Carn Brea, and I am therefore very concerned about its proposed closure.The Government also place great importance on the teaching of young people to swim, and swimming remains a statutory element of the primary National Curriculum. It is vital, therefore, that the local council do everything it can to keep the facilities at Carn Brea open to the many thousands that benefit from their use.The Chairman of Sport England and I have both written to the Chairman of Kerrier District Council making clear our concerns and urging the Council to maintain Carn Brea.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [100147]

[holding answer 6 December 1999]: There have been 20 Contracts let between 1 May 1997 and 30 November 1999 which contain an element of research. Details are given in the table.

Research contracts	Value1(£)	(a)	(b)	(c)
1	30,500	yes	yes	yes
2	69,500	yes	yes	no
3	320,000	yes	no	no
4	17,800	yes	no	no
5	1,375	n/a	n/a	n/a
6	20,000	n/a	n/a	n/a
7	2,100	n/a	n/a	n/a
8	78,300	yes	yes	no

To ask the Solicitor-General when the Crown Prosecution Service will make a decision on prosecutions in respect of the death of Mr. Roger Sylvester; and if he will make a statement. [101407]

The investigation report of the Essex Police is being carefully considered by the Crown Prosecution Service in accordance with the tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The CPS has met with the investigating officers from Essex Police and with the Police Complaints Authority to discuss the case. The CPS has requested the police to undertake additional inquiries and a further meeting with the police is arranged for later this month. The advice of Treasury Counsel will be sought. In the meantime, the CPS has kept in touch with the family's solicitors. A decision on whether or not any criminal charges should be brought will be taken as soon as possible after the evidence has been fully reviewed.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many sentences have been referred to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient and which have resulted in an increase in the sentences. [101604]

In 1998, the Law Officers referred the sentences imposed on 95 offenders to the Court of Appeal for their sentences to be reviewed under the provisions of section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Of the References that have been heard, sentences have been increased in respect of 68 offenders. Ten References were withdraw. Three References are yet to be heard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to answer parliamentary questions on the Echelon system; and if he will make a statement. [100839]

As my hon. Friend is aware, it is long-standing practice not to respond to speculation on alleged intelligence operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to implement his Department's pledge to support the DETR/DTI Joint Environmental Markets Unit on behalf of UK exporters. [101645]

The Foreign Office is providing direct support to the work of the Joint Environmental Markets (JEMU) through the training on global environment issues now offered to all staff across the Foreign Office. Support is also available through the FCO environmental programmes to enable posts to work with local governments and NGOs in promoting good environmental practice.Exporters from all sectors also benefit from the establishment of the joint FCO/DTI British Trade International. They include those promoting UK environmental products and services as part of their company portfolio. British Trade International maintains a close liaison with sector specific bodies such as JEMU. Ministerial support for the sector was most recently evident in the JEMU trade mission to the Czech Republic from 18–19 October, led by the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle), and supported by British Trade International.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what location fee was paid to (a) the British Embassy in Istanbul and (b) MI6 by the producers of the film, "The World is not Enough". [101648]

No filming of "The World is not Enough" took place on either the premises of the British Consulate-General in Istanbul or the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service. The question of a location fee did not therefore arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the decommissioning of Soviet-designed nuclear reactors in the countries of eastern Europe as part of the negotiations relating to those countries' applications for membership of the European Union. [101890]

We strongly support G7 and EU efforts to improve nuclear safety in Central and Eastern Europe. The EU accession process provides an important opportunity to achieve early closure of reactors which cannot be upgraded to international safety standards. At the (EU) Vienna European Council in December 1998 the EU agreed to use the accession process as a lever to encourage nuclear safety and, in particular, the early closure of the oldest Soviet design reactors which safety experts assess cannot be upgraded to international standards. We fully support the Commission's efforts to persuade the applicant countries concerned—Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia—to put in place credible closure plans for the relevant reactors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the (a) Kosovo Albanians and (b) Serbs reported murdered between KFOR's deployment on 12 June and mid-October are believed to be murdered by (i) Kosovo Albanians, (ii) Kosovo Serbs and (iii) others. [101415]

[holding answer 7 December 1999]: There are no statistics available giving the ethnic background of the persons responsible for the reported murders of Kosovo Albanians and Serbs since KFOR's deployment on 12 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action KFOR is taking in Kosovo to prevent ethnic cleansing of Serbs and the destruction of their monasteries. [99857]

[holding answer 7 December 1999]: Protection of the Kosovo Serbs and other minorities is a top priority for KFOR and UNMIK. KFOR devotes around half of its resources at present to maintaining a presence in minority areas. In the UK-led sector, there are KFOR soldiers present in every Serb town or village, as well as soldiers deployed to protect individual homes and farms. KFOR conducts patrols and escorts individuals to school and to work.Protection of patrimonial sites (monasteries, cathedrals and Orthodox churches) is also a priority. In the British sector alone almost 300 troops are on permanent guard of 35 churches and other patrimonial sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the imposition of UN sanctions in relation to Afghanistan. [102230]

On 15 October, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1267 which demanded that the Taliban turn over Usama Bin Laden, indicted in the US for the 1998 bombings of the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, to appropriate authorities in order for him to be brought to justice and decided that, unless that demand was met by 14 November, UN member states would impose a flight ban and freeze on funds in relation to the Taliban.The demand has not been met. The measures came into force on 14 November. A UN Sanctions Committee will be established to designate the aircraft and funds or other financial resources to which the measures will apply. Humanitarian exemptions are provided for, in respect of both measures. The Sanctions Committee is tasked to decide on the granting of a further exemption in respect of the payment by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to the aeronautical authority of Afghanistan on behalf of international airlines for air traffic control services.Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946 came into force on 26 November to implement the measures in the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.EU member states have agreed to implement the Security Council resolution collectively. On 15 November, the Council of the European Union adopted a Common Position (1999/727/CFSP) concerning restrictive measures against the Taliban.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will put measures in place to ensure that honey produced around the farm-scale trials for genetically modified crops will not contain genetically modified pollen. [99535]

The crops in the farm-scale evaluations are being grown in the open and will be visited by bees from nearby hives. Traces of GM pollen may therefore occur in honey from such hives, although in any event honey only contains very small amounts of pollen. The Government, as advised by ACRE and the ACNFP, do not consider the presence in honey of pollen from GM crops to pose a risk to health. Therefore no special measures are being put in place to prevent bees from visiting crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the compensatory payments to which GM consent holders and national list maintainers may be entitled upon revocation of their consents and licences after the farm-scale evaluations. [100001]

No estimate has been made of whether compensatory payments would be payable to GM consent holders on revocation of a consent. There are no genetically modified plant varieties on the UK National List at present, therefore the question is not relevant to national list maintainers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the advice he has received from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment in response to applications for marketing consent under EU Directive 90/220 for (a) Plant Genetics Systems oil seed rape C/BE/96/01, (b) LF Trifolium A/S, Monsanto Europe, SA Danisco Seed fodder beet C/DK/97/01 and (c) Hoechst Schering, AgrEvo GmbH oilseed rape C/DE/96/5; and when the final decision will be made by the EU. [100000]

The advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) for these applications, and on all applications to release GMOs, is contained in the statutory public register held in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.A decision on whether or not to approve these products is scheduled to be taken at the next meeting of the Regulatory Committee for Directive 90/220/EEC to be held on 9 March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect the horizontal spread of antibiotic resistant marker genes from GM crops will have on the treatment of life-threatening infectious diseases. [100165]

Although there is little evidence that antibiotic resistant marker genes can escape from crop plants under field conditions; the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE), and the Advisory Committee for Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), always consider the likely consequences of the horizontal spread of antibiotic resistant marker genes from genetically modified (GM) crops, were it to be possible. If horizontal gene transfer from a particular GM plant is judged to be harmful to human health or the environment, then the release would not be allowed.The Committees consider that the use of antibiotic resistance markers should be discouraged and that their use will become unnecessary as genetic modification techniques are developed further. Their use should therefore be phased out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the specific restrictions placed on the cultivation of GM crops. [99916]

No GM crops may be released in England without specific approval from the Secretary of State for the Environment, acting jointly with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, or from the devolved Administrations for releases in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.Each consent lists the specific limitations and conditions applying to the release. This information is available on the statutory public register held in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will explain the difference between GM farm-scale evaluations and other GM field-scale plantings. [99904]

The farm-scale evaluations of GM crops are part of a programme designed primarily to assess the effect of the management of particular GM herbicide tolerant crops, together with the relevant herbicide, on the abundance and diversity of farmland wildlife compared with conventionally managed equivalent non-GM crops.The evaluations are funded by Government, with the industry group SCIMAC providing and managing the crops. Proposals by SCIMAC for any other large areas or field-scale plantings of these GM crops, would be outside the farm-scale evaluation programme and will be decided by the Scientific Steering Committee, taking into account the relevance of the proposals to biodiversity. This arrangement is part of the agreement between the Government and SCIMAC, announced in November 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations in the UK where Class C Consent for GM crop planting has been given. [100226]

A Part C consent for cultivation of a GM crop, issued under EU Directive 90/220, permits growing anywhere within the geographical region specified in the consent. The regulatory authorities do not have to be notified of the locations where the crop is grown.At present three types of GM maize have Part C consents which include the UK within their scope for cultivation. However, under the recently announced voluntary agreement with SCIMAC, these crops will only be grown in accordance with the terms of that agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many suicides have taken place on the London Underground in each of the last 10 years. [100624]

Safety of passengers and staff on its network is the responsibility of London Underground Ltd. (LUL), which has explained that it is not possible to distinguish between fatalities on London Underground due to accidents and those where a person may have taken their own life. LUL has, however, provided in the table information on the number of fatalities arising from a person striking a train on the London Underground.

Year	Number of fatalities
1991	40
1992	31
1993	45
1994	39
1995	18
1996	32
1997	28
1998	25
1999 (to date)	22

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the London Borough of Enfield will receive compensation for the loss of a cedar tree in Pymmes Park as part of the compulsory purchase relating to the A406; what steps he will take to ensure that the Highways Agency pays compensation; and if he will make a statement. [100821]

Compensation negotiations between the District Valuer, acting for the Highway's Agency and the London Borough of Enfield are continuing. The Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, will write to my hon. Friend with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of properties in the Greater London area that are leasehold. [101042]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) on 10 November 1999, Official Report, column 610W. The estimates provided were for households rather than properties, since estimates on the latter basis are not available. It is probable that the figure for properties in London would be only slightly smaller than for households.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the titles of (a) research studies, (b) audits and (c) surveys (i) in progress and (ii) commissioned for completion in the next 12 months, stating in each case when the results are due to be published. [100888]

Information about research commissioned by the Department is made widely available. It includes overview material on the DETR website and details of individual programmes and projects—again on the website and through hard copy reports, Compendia and Newsletters. Details of each project are not held centrally but a list of the Department's research projects will be prepared and placed in the Library of the House within two weeks. Other bodies sponsored by the Department, including the Highways Agency, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Environment Agency, also fund their own research programmes and publish separate information on these.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the DfEE about student housing provision for university students. [101053]

This is a matter primarily for liaison between local authorities and the universities and other higher education institutions. The DfEE, through the Higher Education Funding Councils, does not make financial provision to the universities for student residential accommodation. It is also a matter for individual students to choose the type of accommodation they wish to occupy.My Department will continue to discuss with the DfEE whether halls of residence and other university owned, managed or leased accommodation should be exempt from our proposed licensing system for houses in multiple occupation.We are also considering carefully Recommendation 33 of Policy Action Team 7's report on Unpopular Housing: that my Department should discuss with DfEE and the Department of Health an agreed approach to the use of existing stock to meet demand for student housing and housing for medical staff before new developments take place in areas of low demand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from which local authorities about extending licensing of houses of multiple occupation. [101052]

Manchester City Council, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, and a number of other authorities, mainly in the north-east and north-west of England, have made a variety of proposals for extending licensing, or the power to licence, to other private rented sector housing. The Local Government Association have also suggested that future legislation should be framed to enable licensing to be extended.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend licensing of houses of multiple occupation. [101051]

We are committed to the introduction of mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). While we recognise that there are problems of poor physical and management standards elsewhere in the private rented sector, and are considering whether further measures would be appropriate to deal with these, we have no plans to extend mandatory licensing beyond the HMO sub-sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report recently published by the Corporation of London on Crossrail; and if he will make a statement. [101291]

Crossrail will be a matter for the new Mayor to consider in formulating an integrated transport strategy for London. Ministers will be happy to discuss the project with any new Mayor who wants to broker a viable deal to build it.I welcome the addition to the Crossrail debate provided by the results of the Corporation of London's review of the project, and their proposals on how it might be taken forward.Additionally, the scheme and the Corporation's report will be among the many items to be considered by Sir Alastair Morton and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority as part of their detailed study of capacity issues on the lines running out from the west of London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many purchases of tropical timber have been made by the Environment Agency since 1998; what were the timber species; and for what purpose they were specified. [101292]

The Environment Agency uses timber for two main purposes, civil engineering and furniture. The Agency does not purchase any furniture containing tropical hardwood. Civil engineering works are predominately for flood defence projects. As the majority of these are contracted out, the Agency cannot readily provide figures on individual purchases of timber or other materials. Tender documentation seeks to ensure that works meet the highest environmental standards. For example, clauses are incorporated to ensure that new timber from all sources is provided from a managed renewable source. Also, the specification for groynes and piles states that

"the timber used, including tropical hardwoods, shall he obtained from sustainably managed forests and plantations."

Further details on the Agency's procurement policies are available on the Environment Agency website.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the Government's draft waste strategy for England and Wales, "A Way with Waste". [101317]

The Government published for consultation their draft waste strategy for England and Wales, "A Way With Waste", on 30 June 1999. We have received over 500 substantive submissions from a wide range of interested parties, and over 20,000 postcards urging higher recycling targets from members of the public. These views will also be taken into consideration as we develop the final strategy.The final version of our sustainable waste management strategy—which we will publish early next year—will be a long-term strategy for handling the waste generated by businesses, service providers and households. The Government are committed to introducing and promoting sustainable waste management across the UK. This means using materials and resources efficiently, to cut down on the amount of waste we produce, and where waste is produced, dealing with it in a way that actively contributes to the economic, social and environmental goals of sustainable development.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack and the train operating companies on re-opening the Burscough Curves railway line between Southport and Preston. [101160]

None. However, the sSRA is engaged in discussions with Railtrack on service improvements to be delivered during its next charging period, 2001 to 2006. Re-opening Burscough Curve has been raised for consideration by Merseytravel. The sSRA will be sending to Railtrack shortly details of improvements it wishes them to cost in their next Network Management Statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to commission research on the provision of temporary accommodation for and the resettlement support needs of young pregnant women and single parents. [101187]

DETR has no plans to commission such research, but the research programme for the coming year has not been finalised yet.The Teenage Pregnancy Unit in the Department of Health, which has been set up in light of the Social Exclusion Unit's report "Teenage Pregnancy", is in the early stages of drafting its research strategy and cannot say whether it will include anything on support for teenage mothers.Following publication of the SEU's report, the Housing Corporation has invited bids from Registered Social Landlords to develop around 15 pilots to test alternative approaches to the provision of supported accommodation for 16–18 year old lone parents. Research, in the form of evaluation of both the pilots and existing projects providing supervised accommodation, will be initiated once the pilots are established.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many adjudications on the closure or diversion of footpaths he was called upon to make for each relevant authority in the last year for which figures are available; and in how many of these cases the local authority's view was overturned. [101152]

The number of decisions made by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the closure and diversion of footpaths for each relevant authority between the periods 1 November 1998 and 31 October 1999 are as follows:

Order making authority	Number of closures/diversions	Number of orders not confirmed1
Ashford Borough Council	3	0
Babergh District Council	2	0
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council	1	0
Bath and North East Somerset Council	1	0
Bedfordshire County Council	5	0
Bolsover District Council	1	0
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council	1	1
Broxbourne Borough Council	2	2
Buckingham County Council	1	0
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council	1	0
Cambridgeshire County Council	3	0
Cherwell District Council	1	0
Chichester District Council	1	0
Cornwall County Council	4	2
Cumbria County Council	2	0
Darlington County Council	6	0
Derbyshire County Council	1	0
Devon County Council	4	2
Durham County Council	2	0
East Cambridgeshire District Council	1	0
East Northants District Council	1	0
East Riding of Yorkshire Council	1	0
Epping Forest District Council	1	1
Gloucestershire County Council	1	1
Hampshire County Council	1	0
Harborough District Council	1	0
High Peak Borough Council	1	1
Kent County Council	6	0
Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council	1	0
Lake District Special Planning Board	4	0
Leeds City Council	2	2
Lincoln City Council	2	2
London Borough of Bromley	1	1
London Borough of Hillingham	1	0
London Borough of Newham	2	1
Manchester City Council	1	0
Mendip District Council	1	1
Mid-Bedfordshire District Council	2	1
Mid-Suffolk District Council	1	0
North East Derbyshire District Council	3	2
North Norfolk District Council	1	1
North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council	4	0
North Yorkshire County Council	8	1
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council	2	1
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council	2	1
Oxfordshire County Council	1	0
Pendle Borough Council	1	0
Plymouth City Council	1	0
Portsmouth District Council	1	1
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council	1	0
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council	1	0
Rossendale Borough Council	1	0
Rotherham Borough Council	l	0
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead	l	0
Runnymede Borough Council	l	0
Sedgemoor District Council	l	0
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council	l	0
Shropshire County Council	3	1
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council	2	1
South Bedfordshire District Council	3	3
South Cambridgeshire District Council	1	0
South Gloucestershire Council	1	0
South Kesteven District Council	2	1
South Norfolk District Council	2	1
South Northants District Council	3	0
South Somerset District Council	2	0
St. Edmundsbury Borough Council	2	0
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council	1	1
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council	1	1
Stroud District Council	1	0
Surrey County Council	4	1
Swale Borough Council	1	0
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council	1	0
Taunton Deane Borough Council	2	0
The Wrekin District Council	1	0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the smallest district council area which will be covered by the proposed cabinet structure for local government. [101284]

The Local Government Bill, which was read a Second time in the other place on 6 December, includes provision for all district councils, including Watford Borough Council which has the smallest area among such councils, to adopt new constitutions including a separate executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his proposed timetable is for the introduction of cabinet government into district councils. [101286]

Subject to Parliament enacting the Local Government Bill, all councils will be required to put forward proposals for new constitutions, including their proposed timetable for implementation. As our White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014) made clear, should there be any cases where progress is not being made, it will be open to the Secretary of State to use his reserve power to intervene.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what exemptions he proposes from the planned cabinet government structure for district councils; and whether the criteria for exemption will include (a) size of district, (b) population and (c) number of councils. [101285]

The Local Government Bill provides that all district councils shall have a duty to bring forward proposals to move to one of the new forms of constitution involving a separate executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has given local authorities which wish to introduce new local government structures before the Local Government Bill is enacted. [101978]

In March, we published the paper "Local leadership, local choice" (Cm 4298), which set out proposals for more efficient, transparent and accountable constitutions for councils and which included a checklist of steps that councils could take before legislation. The paper made clear that any new structure a council adopted should be what its local people wanted and therefore the council must consult its local community widely on all available options before making any change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the Health and Safety Executive has investigated the Central Trains service between Shrewsbury and Birmingham; and if he will make a statement. [101161]

The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) carries out routine inspection of the activities carried out by Central Trains. This includes the services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham, but HMRI has no record of specific inspections of these services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that areas of outstanding natural beauty receive central support for their management and conservation. [101208]

The Government have provided the Countryside Agency with an additional £2.5 million this year to be spent on the management and conservation of designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). That more than doubles the amount previously available. We expect to announce shortly a number of further measures to assist in the conservation and management of AONBs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the Landscape Institute concerning the possible introduction of landscape policy guidance notes; and if he will make a statement. [101209]

Ministers and officials have various contacts with the Landscape Institute. My hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for housing, planning and construction attended the Landscape Institute awards on 18 November and on 25 November DETR officials met representatives of the Landscape Institute to discuss a number of points of common interest. I am not aware of any discussions concerning the possible introduction of landscape policy guidance notes, although the Institute has advised its intention to update its Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what recent guidance he has given to Railtrack regarding trespass on railway lines; [101325]

As an infrastructure controller, Railtrack is required under the Railway Safety (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1997 to take reasonably practicable steps to prevent unauthorised access to its infrastructure. Breaches of this duty are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate.The Health and Safety Commission's Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC), of which Railtrack is a member, has been active in promoting industry-wide action against trespass and vandalism. In December last year RIAC produced a booklet "Prevention of Trespass and Vandalism on Railways—A Good Practice Guide" (a copy of which is in the House Library).The action to be taken following severe disruption to train services following acts of trespass is an operational matter for Railtrack and the train operating companies. However, it is expected that their aim would be to restore normal services as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the stations which have been awarded Secure Station status. [101496]

As at 2 December, there were 28 stations accredited under the Secure Stations Scheme. They are as follows:

Train operator	Station
Chiltern Railways	Marylebone rail
Connex Rail	Belvedere
	Hither Green
Eurostar (UK)	Ashford International
	Waterloo International
LTS Rail	Basildon
	Fenchurch Street
London Underground Ltd.	Marylebone LUL
Midland Mainline	Derby
	Leicester
	Market Harborough
Railtrack plc	Charing Cross rail
	Glasgow Central High Level
	Kings Cross rail
	Manchester Piccadilly
	Victoria rail
Silverlink Trains	Kew Gardens
South West Trains	Kingston
	Richmond
Thameslink Rail	City Thameslink
	Haydons Road
	Morden South
	South Merton
	St. Helier
	Sutton Common
	Wimbledon Chase
Wales and West	Gloucester
	Weston-super-Mare

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the concessionary fares scheme in Merseyside; and if he will make a statement. [101693]

I have not received any representations about the concessionary fares scheme on Merseyside.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the freehold system as it applies to council tenants purchasing their council flat. [101603]

When council tenants buy their flat, they buy a long lease, not the freehold. Leaseholders have the right to purchase the freehold of their block in certain cases. However, the right can only be exercised by a majority of residents. As most council blocks are occupied mainly by secure tenants, rather than leaseholders, many cannot meet this requirement.The Government last year announced proposals to reform the leasehold system and to introduce commonhold. Commonhold will allow flats to be owned absolutely, but there will be rules to regulate the relations between flat owners to enable proper management of the block as a whole. Leasehold reform will, among other things, make it easier for leaseholders to buy a share of the freehold of their block. However, the right will still require a majority to exercise it.The Government have taken a number of steps to help those who have bought a council flat, including allowing—and in some cases requiring—landlords to reduce high charges, and giving council and other leaseholders an easier way to challenge unreasonable charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on water companies contracting out their network maintenance services. [101432]

Water undertakers are required to carry out their duties consistent with Sections 37 and 38 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Sewerage undertakers have similar responsibilities under Sections 94 and 95 of the Act. It is for the relevant companies to consider how best to meet these obligations.The Director General of Water Services publishes an annual "Report on levels of service for the water industry in England and Wales", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has made to the Court of Appeal decision to allow judicial review of the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. [101642]

The Secretary of State has appointed Counsel to defend the Government's position at the Court of Appeal hearing on 8 and 9 December. We believe that the Order is within the scope and purpose of the enabling power under section 31 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and that the Secretary of State did not act unreasonably in deciding to make the Order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the Housing Corporation has approved a contractual purchase sale on terms better than the statutory terms. [101451]

The Housing Corporation is required under section 9 of the Housing Act 1996 to approve all disposals of properties by Registered Social Landlords. Where the disposals are to tenants of the properties it is the Housing Corporation's policy not to allow disposals on terms better than the statutory terms.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance Ministers have given to the Housing Corporation relating to approval of contractual purchase sales on terms better than the statutory terms. [101450]

My Department has not issued guidance to the Housing Corporation relating to the approval of contractual purchase sales, known as "voluntary sales", on terms better than the statutory terms. The Corporation's consent is required under section 9 of the Housing Act 1996 to disposals and I understand that it is the policy of the Corporation not to grant consents in the case of voluntary sales to tenants on terms which exceed those under the Right to Buy scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of introducing renewal area status for self-contained groups of fewer than 300 dwellings. [101413]

My Department is currently considering a number of issues relating to policy on private sector housing renewal, which includes policy on renewal areas. The housing Green Paper, which will be published shortly, will provide an opportunity for us to set out our thinking on these and other housing issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the mapping of open countryside in England and Wales to be completed; and if the exercise is being carried out in stages according to the nature of the terrain. [101483]

The Countryside Agency and Countryside Council for Wales will be responsible for producing maps showing land to which the new statutory right of access will apply. They are currently undertaking preliminary work, the results of which will help determine the best approach to mapping, and enable a timetable to be established for the production of consultation maps.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake a comparison between the audit process for small parish councils and those for (a) charities and (b) businesses of similar financial size. [101488]

As recognised by statute, the audit processes for local authorities, including parish councils, are not comparable with those of the private sector or charitable bodies, reflecting that authorities largely obtain their funds through taxation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to exempt parking places at (a) police premises and (b) prisons from workplace parking charges. [101837]

[holding answer 7 December 1999]: The Transport Bill currently before Parliament allows the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales to require workplace parking levy schemes to include exemptions for particular types of premises. Local authorities will also be able to include their own exemptions. Our consultation paper "Breaking the Logjam" sought views on a range of possible exemptions. A detailed response to the consultation exercise will be published in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the Skeletons of Argument for the Crown in R v. Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and Regions ex parte Factortane (a) in the Court of Appeal and (b) in the House of Lords. [101137]

I have been asked to reply.A skeleton argument is drafted by Counsel in the course of litigation for the assistance of the court, or as appropriate in the House of Lords. In the present case the Government have no objection to placing copies of these skeleton arguments in the Library and this has now been done.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in the last six months on the performance of the Meat Hygiene Service. [99291]

In the last six months, my Department has received several hundred representations from Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, industry organisations, individual meat plant operators, farmers, consumers and others about the performance of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), and in particular the extent of veterinary supervision in meat plants, and about proposals to increase MHS inspection charges. Representations have also been made about the need to use fully qualified veterinarians by the MHS.The Government have listened to these concerns about the future of the slaughtering sector. Following fresh advice obtained from the European Commission, published on 13 October, low throughput slaughterhouses will not be required to have full-time supervision by a vet during post-mortem inspection. The MHS is now reviewing its levels of inspections in individual low throughput premises. Moreover, as the Minister announced on 1 December, the MHS hygiene inspection charges for the whole of 1999–2000 are being held at the levels set for 1998–99. The Government have also given a commitment that the rates of MHS hygiene inspection charges in 2000–01 should not rise by more than the rate of inflation above the levels charged in 1999–2000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the freehold sale price by English region of grade 1 agricultural land for the most recent year for which figures are available. [100579]

The average prices of freehold sales of agricultural properties are shown in the following table.

Average price of Grade 1 agricultural land sold in 1998, by English region
Government Office region	£000 per hectare
North East	1—
North West	8.1
Yorkshire and Humberside	8.5
East Midlands	6.0
West Midlands	1—
Eastern	7.0
South East	7.3
South West	7.1
England	6.9
1 Denotes insufficient sales to give an average price

The average prices in most cases are based on a very low number of actual sales and hence are not a reliable indicator of regional differences. As details are reported up to three years after the sale date, these estimates are provisional.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the total value to Leicestershire farmers of all CAP payments for (a) the last year for which figures are available and (b) 2000–01. [101061]

The following schedule shows approved payments to Leicestershire farmers for both the 1998 calendar year and the 1998–99 financial year. Farmers in Leicestershire will also have benefited from CAP schemes supporting market prices which do not involve payments made directly to them.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of agri-environment or general agricultural support expended, in the most recent period for which figures are available, on SSSI land in England; and if he will break down the figure in different types of expenditures. [101290]

In 1998–99 total payments in respect of SSSI land under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme amounted to £6.4 million. Figures are not available in the form requested for the other agri-environment schemes or for general agricultural support.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk will receive a reply to her letter of 25 November on arable area payments. [101859]

I assume the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk is referring to her letter of 25 October to which I replied on 3 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the status of Project Aquatrine. [102324]

Project Aquatrine will provide, for the first time, strategic management of water and sewerage services across more than 3,000 Ministry of Defence sites in Great Britain. The Department aims to achieve this through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and has today launched a market consultation paper to explore private sector interest in the project. The PPP will lead to greater value for money, investment in the defence infrastructure and enable responsibility for the provision of water and sewerage services to rest with those best able to deal with it while meeting the Department's on-going environmental responsibilities.The market consultation follows successful pathfinder projects at Tidworth and Lyneham; the outcome will inform the decision on the next phase of the project.The current plan is to advertise Project Aquatrine in the

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the incidents of uncommanded flying control movements in helicopters reported by RAF pilots, broken down by helicopter type since 1994. [101652]

Uncommanded movements are defined as unusual movement of flying controls or rotors that are not caused by pilot inputs. These include those unusual movements found during pre-flight checks.The table lists the incidents of uncommanded flying control movements in helicopters reported by RAF pilots, broken down by helicopter type since 1994.

Uncommanded flying control movements
Year	Occurrences
Chinook
1994	6
1995	5
1996	6
1997	5
1998	7
1999	6
Total	35
Gazelle
1994	1
1995	1
Total	2
Griffin
1997	2
1998	3
1999	1
Total	6

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of land mines in the Falkland Islands. [101822]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) on 30 November 1999, Official Report, column 159W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role he proposes following the 22 UK/French Summit for Anglo-French co-ordination in relation to the UK commitment to the defence of the Falkland Islands. [R] [101420]

None. The security of the Falkland Islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom Government alone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure that foreign military forces stationed in the United Kingdom do not store land mines in the United Kingdom. [98594]

The UK is fully committed to the Ottawa Convention which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines (APMs). The last of the UK's operational stocks of APMs were destroyed on 19 October 1999—three years ahead of the timeframe laid down in the Convention. Allies who have forces stationed in the UK are well aware of the Ottawa Convention's obligations which include the prohibition of the stockpiling of APMs on UK territory. The only APMs stored in the UK are the small amount (some 4,000) that the UK's armed forces hold for training and testing in de-mining techniques, as permitted under Article 3 of the Ottawa Convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the recruitment campaign for the Royal Army Medical Corps; and if he will make a statement. [100722]

The Royal Army Medical Corps undertakes recruiting on a continuous basis, utilising a wide variety of media and the Army Recruiting network. Recruitment into training is good, but it is more difficult to attract already qualified medical personnel. The tri-Service campaign in February and March 1999 aimed at the direct recruitment of qualified personnel has resulted, to date, in one doctor and four nurses entering the Army, with a further six nurses in the recruitment process. Additionally, a major recruiting campaign for the Territorial Army Medical Services was launched in September 1999. It is too early to predict the success of this campaign but early responses seem promising.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the longest amount of overtime worked by any MOD police officer at AWE Aldermaston in any period of (a) two weeks, (b) one month and (c) six months, since November 1998. [100684]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: The largest number of overtime hours worked by a MOD Police officer at AWE Aldermaston during a one-month period since November 1998 was 120 hours and a six-month period was 532 hours. The MDP do not routinely record overtime worked in two-week periods and this information could only be provided by manually searching through all the individual police pay records at AWE Aldermaston, incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Defence Police Federation in respect of overtime worked by officers at AWE Aldermaston. [100687]

[holding answer 30 November 1999]: I understand that concerns have been expressed by the local Defence Police Federation at AWE Aldermaston about the levels of overtime worked at that location.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1993 in which deceased aircrew have been found guilty of gross negligence in accidents involving military aircraft which were not fitted with cockpit voice recorders or flight data recorders. [101497]

The information requested is as follows:

Date	Aircraft type	Service	Location
2 June 1994	Chinook HC2	RAF	Mull of Kintyre, Scotland