To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the storage on private land of nuclear weapons by companies involved in their manufacture. [102524]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 December 1999, Official Report, column 457W. Nuclear weapons are constructed on Ministry of Defence land and remain in the ownership of the Ministry of Defence at all times.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what briefing the United Kingdom Government have received from the US Government on their sub-critical nuclear test programme. [102128]

Under the auspices of the 1958 UK/US Mutual Defence Agreement the UK and the US have regular exchanges on aspects of nuclear warhead stockpile stewardship. These have included briefings on the scope and outcome of US sub-critical experiments carried out at the nevada Test Site. Precise details of these exchanges are being withheld under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects (a) the first Apache helicopter to be flying in the United Kingdom and (b) the first squadron to be available for deployment on operations. [101861]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The first WAH-64 Apache helicopter flew in the UK on 26 August 1999. Several trial flights have been conducted since. The nine aircraft required to equip the first squadron are expected to be delivered by December 2000. There will then follow a period of training after which the squadron will be ready for deployment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which NATO multiple-role aircraft took part in both combat air patrols and ground attack missions over Kosovo. [102248]

No Royal Navy or Royal Air Force aircraft were dual-roled for combat air patrols and ground attack missions during the Kosovo air campaign.Although I can confirm that a number of NATO aircraft committed to Op Allied Force did have a multi-role capability, given the size and complexity of the operation it is not possible to provide details of which NATO multiple role aircraft took part in both combat air patrols and ground attack missions over Kosovo.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what qualifications or experience each of the senior managers of London River Services have relating to the provision of leisure and tourism services on the River Thames; [102117](2) what independent economic studies have been undertaken to assess the impact on the leisure and tourism industry of the reintroduction of river bus services on the River Thames. [102120]

The promotion of the River Thames for tourism and leisure purposes is an important part of our objective of improving and enhancing the use of the river. London Transport's subsidiary, London River Services Ltd. (LRS), has done excellent work in taking forward this objective and I am confident that it fully shares our appreciation of the role of the importance of continuing to provide high quality services for tourists. In this context my hon. Friend may wish to note that LRS is now seeking membership of the London Tourist Board in its own right.The management team of LRS has extensive experience and expertise in the tourism and leisure markets and LRS is also able to draw on London Transport's experience and specialist staff.It is for LRS to decide whether it needs independent advice on the implications of individual licence applications for new services. However, I understand that it has in place measures to evaluate the impact on existing operations before new licences are awarded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the Housing Green Paper. [102030]

We intend to publish a Housing Policy Green Paper in due course. The Green Paper will build on our achievements in housing to ensure that everyone is offered the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by (a) name, (b) local authority and (c) political party those local council leaders who have been (i) charged with and (ii) convicted of criminal offences since 1997. [101966]

This information is not held centrally. We have introduced in the other place a Bill to set up a new tough ethical regime, complimenting the criminal justice system, which will ensure the highest standards of conduct in local government in England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) ministerial and (b) official visits to Ghana have been undertaken by his Department in each of the last five years. [101973]

[holding answer 9 December 1999]: There have been four such visits:In May 1995, two officials visited Ghana for Air Services Talks;In 1996, one official undertook a visit to assess how the host state was assisting UK carriers in meeting their security obligations;In May 1997, two officials visited Ghana for Air Services Talks;In September 1999 the Minister for the Environment and two officials attended the North-South Environment Ministers meeting at Elmina.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of houses constructed in the last five years which contain solar heating panels; and if he will make a statement. [102353]

Detailed information of this kind is not held centrally. We understand that, in total, around 2,000 solar heating systems per year are typically being installed throughout the UK. My Department's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, in encouraging good building design, advocates the incorporation of solar heating in appropriate cases. And the Department of Trade and Industry is working closely with the Solar Trade Association and others to promote good practice, to disseminate well-informed advice about solar heating and to support appropriate training.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to require bus companies to run services on public holidays; and if he will make a statement. [102178]

The Secretary of State has no such powers. The majority of bus services outside London are operated commercially by private bus operators. Levels of service are partly a matter for operators, subject to the requirement that local bus services must be registered in advance with the Traffic Commissioner; he can take action against any operators who fail to run their services as registered. However, local authorities have the powers to let subsidy contracts for the provision of services which are not being provided commercially (on public holidays or otherwise) but which they judge to be socially necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the reason is for the length of time taken to respond to Singapore Airlines' request for fifth freedom rights from London Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement. [102686]

At the bilateral negotiations which took place in February 1999 my officials confirmed that we would review Singapore's request for transatlantic fifth freedom rights either when we had liberalised the air services arrangements between the UK and the United States or in January 2000, whichever was the sooner. Bilateral negotiations concerning air services are scheduled to take place with Singapore next month when their request for transatlantic fifth freedom rights will be discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government will introduce legislation to restrict the height to which (a) leylandii trees and (b) hedges will be allowed to grow next to the boundaries of properties. [102705]

We are currently consulting on possible solutions to the problems caused by leylandii and other high hedges. These include both voluntary and statutory action. We hope as many people as possible will let us have their views, to help us decide whether more should be done to relieve this source of long-running and distressing neighbourhood disputes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what guidelines and regulations are in place to regulate the disposal of sewage sludge; [102571](2) what advice he has given to water companies on the disposal of sewage sludge since the banning of such waste disposal at sea. [102572]

Government guidance in "Raising the Quality", which was published in September 1998 as part of the Periodic Review of water industry price limits in England and Wales between 2000–05, stated that recovering value from sewage sludge through spreading on agricultural land is the best practicable environmental option for sludge in most circumstances.It is for individual water companies to decide their strategy for sewage sludge recycling, recovery and disposal, taking account of the costs and environmental requirements and benefits, in discussion with the Department, the Environment Agency and the Director General of Water Services. The Director General's final determinations of water company prices for the period 2000–05, issued on 25 November 1999, take account of the environmental requirements agreed with the Government. The final determinations expect improvements in the disposal of sewage sludge, including the disposal of additional sludge due to the ban on disposal at sea in December 1998. This will cost a total of £800 million between 2000–105.The following regulations and guidelines are in place in England and Wales to regulate the disposal of sewage sludge:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to strengthen legislation protecting wild bird species (a) in general and (b) with particular reference to the species hard hit by the illegal trade to Malta; [102250](2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the illegal wild caught bird trade on British bird species; what steps are currently being taken to protect British species; and if he will make a statement. [102251]

The UK's obligations to conserve wild birds under the EC Wild Birds Directive are fulfilled by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Section 1 of the Act makes it an offence to take birds from the wild and to possess a native species of bird unless it can be shown to be legally acquired. Furthermore, section 6 of the Act strengthens these controls making it an offence to sell, offer for sale, possess or transport for sale, any wild bird.All illegal trade in wildlife is a matter of concern. The Countryside Amenity and Conservation Bill will give extra powers for the prosecution of all wildlife criminals and wildlife law enforcement will be boosted by tougher measures such as custodial sentences. In addition, we are actively discussing with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee what further measures might be appropriate to protect threatened species, including points arising from the review of the schedules affording protection to species under the Act.The most recent information on levels of bird-related crime is the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' report "Birdcrime 1998". This report shows that incidents reported to the RSPB of illegal trapping, sale and possession of both bird of prey species and other bird species have declined in the last five years. Of the incidents concerning non-bird of prey species, the majority concerned finches.In view of reports of illegal trade in wild birds, namely finches, to Malta the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which is responsible for providing export health certificates, has introduced new inspection procedures to help prevent future smuggling of "caught" wild birds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy for the forthcoming wildlife and countryside Bill to cover aquatic animals; and if he will make a statement. [102253]

The Countryside Amenity and Conservation Bill will include provisions to protect Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and on Wildlife Enforcement, both of which will significantly improve species protection, although not aimed specifically at aquatic species. Wildlife crime, including crime relating to aquatic species, will be punishable by tougher measures such as custodial sentences.In addition to these provisions we are actively discussing with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee what further measures might be appropriate to protect threatened species including aquatic species. Work is under way on proposals, including points arising from the review of the schedules affording protection to species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with a view to issuing a consultation document next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to assess the impact of small, fast, personal watercraft on the behaviour and welfare of small cetaceans; and if he will make a statement. [102254]

The issue of the use of personal watercraft was covered in the report of the Inter-Departmental Working Party on the Review of Byelaw Powers for the Coast, published by DETR in October 1998. This discussion paper highlighted a number of gaps in the coverage of existing byelaw powers, most notably with regard to protecting the environment. The working party recommended that local authorities should be given a general power to regulate coastal recreation activities which are outside the responsibility of other relevant authorities, for the purpose of protecting the wider environment. In addition, harbour authorities are able to seek harbour revision orders for environmental purposes. We have given a long-term commitment to introduce legislation to take forward those recommendations in the review which require changes to the law.Since 1990 the UK has funded the UK Cetaceans Strandings Investigation Project, under which post mortems are carried out on stranded cetaceans to determine cause of death. There is no indication that collision with personal watercraft is a significant cause of death of cetaceans. However the Government are aware that recreational activities, including the use of personal watercraft, has the potential for disturbing cetaceans. As a result of this the Government published in March 1999 the guidelines "Minimising disturbance to cetaceans from recreation at sea". As highlighted in the species action plans for the harbour porpoise and for small dolphins, these guidelines are scheduled for review next year, and account will be taken of the increased use of personal watercraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the changes made each year in determining Standard Spending Assessments for shire district councils since their inception, including changes made in the weighting given to different factors; [102426](2)if he will list the changes made each year in determining Standard Spending Assessments for shire counties since their inception, including changes made in the weighting given to different factors. [102427]

Changes in the method of determining Standard Spending Assessments are summarised in the relevant editions of the "Standard Spending Assessments Handbook", "Standard Spending Assessments Authority by Authority", and "Standard Spending Assessments Guide to Methodology", copies of which are in the Library. For the most recent years, the information is contained in circular letters to local authorities, dated 2 December 1997, 2 December 1998 and 25 November 1999, copies of which are in the Library. For convenience, copies of the relevant extracts have been placed in the Library. The Standard Spending Assessments formulae, including the weightings given to the factors, are set out in the relevant "Revenue Support Grant Distribution (Amendment) Report (England)" or "The Local Government Finance Report (England)".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Standard Spending Assessment per head of population in (a) the local authority area containing the constituency of North-East Derbyshire and (b) the City of Westminster; and what are the estimated figures for 2000–01. [102431]

(a) The Standard Spending Assessment per head of population figures for authorities which fall partly or wholly within the constituency of North-East Derbyshire are as follows:

£
	1999–2000	Provisional 2000–01
Chesterfield	95	99
North East Derbyshire	76	79
Derbyshire CC	640	673
Derbyshire Police	53	54

It is not possible to calculate an area figure for any parliamentary constituency unless its boundary corresponds exactly with a local authority district boundary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the percentage changes in (a) standard spending assessments and (b) revenue support grant for (i) shire counties and (ii) shire districts between the settlement for 1999–2000 and his proposed settlement for 2000–01, ranked and numbered in descending order; [102428](2) if he will list for 2000–01 the value per head of population of the proposed

Tables showing these figures have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the revenue support grant per head of population in (a) the local authority area containing the constituency of North East Derbyshire and (b) the City of Westminster; and what are the estimated figures for 2000–01. [102430]

(a) The revenue support grant per head of population figures for authorities which fall partly or wholly within the constituency of North East Derbyshire are as follows:

£
	1999–2000	2000–011
Chesterfield	35	34
North East Derbyshire	15	13
Derbyshire CC	247	241
Derbyshire Police	16	14
1Provisional

It is not possible to calculate an area figure for any parliamentary constituency unless its boundary corresponds exactly with a local authority district boundary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes will be made to the standard spending assessments of each shire district council in 2000–01 as a result of their enhanced population figures; and if he will rank and number the changes in descending order. [102387]

The information requested will be calculated and placed in the Library of the House shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the standard spending assessment for 2000–01 for each shire county local education authority divided by the number of pupils and ranked and numbered in descending order. [102721]

The following table shows the ranked education standard spending assessment per pupil figures for shire counties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities private police forces in (a) ports and (b) airports have under airports and aviation security laws. [102435]

In the main, airport authorities employ either their own staff or, more usually, contract security companies to carry out security duties at airports required by the Department under the Aviation Security Act 1982, as amended by the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (AMSA). However, Belfast International Airport employs its own police force, numbering about 50. Police officers' duties include perimeter security, patrolling the airport restricted zone and controlling access at one staff checkpoint to the restricted zone. In addition, they will respond to any incidents.The ports of Belfast, Larne, Liverpool, Bristol, Dover and Tilbury, covered by the AMSA legislation, have private police forces. Each port makes its own arrangements for the use of Ports police, and these vary between the ports.In addition, Felixstowe, which is not covered by the AMSA legislation, employs private ports police to carry out its own security functions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the letter of engagement was signed and when the completed work was delivered for the PricewaterhouseCoopers report, "London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP". [102644]

PricewaterhouseCoopers was formally appointed by London Transport to provide financial advice to LT and Government with respect to the London Underground Public Private Partnership on 18 August 1998. Its report, "London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP", was completed in December 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what fee is payable to PricewaterhouseCoopers for its report, "London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP", which was deposited in the Library on 8 December; [102673](2) how many chargeable hours were incurred by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the preparation of its report, "London Underground: Bond Financing

PricewaterhouseCoopers generated this report as a small part of its standard advisory work on the Public Private Partnership. It is not possible to identify separately the costs involved, but they can accordingly be expected to be small.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide the detailed assumptions and calculations used by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the preparation of its report, "London Underground: Bond Financing vs The PPP", which was deposited in the Library on 8 December. [102671]

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report already includes notes explaining the basis for its assumptions and calculations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much has been spent on legal fees relating to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and National Bus Pension Fund by (a) his Department and (b) the Government as a whole; [102645](2) when the members of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and National Bus Pension Fund are likely to receive the £356 million which he announced on 15 June would be returned to them; what the reasons are for the delay in making the payments; and if he will make a statement; [102646](3) when the £356 million which the Government are returning to the members of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust and National Bus Pension Fund was handed over to the trustees for eventual distribution. [102647]

The previous Government decided to fund litigation by the National Bus Company pension trustees following a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman. This litigation was concluded with the approval by the High Court on 30 July of the terms of a negotiated settlement. Expenditure by my Department on legal and other costs related to the litigation has been £1,965,000. Of this, costs incurred by the trustees were £1,723,000 and the Department's costs were £242,000. These figures cover the costs of the litigation. I do not have information on any costs incurred by other Government Departments in connection with the NBC issue.The Government paid the settlement sum—£355.7 million—over to the trustees on the day of the High Court's decision.Responsibility for deciding on, and implementing, the distribution of the settlement amongst those eligible to receive a share of it must remain entirely with the NBC pension trustees. This is a substantial and complex task. However I am sure the trustees will be seeking to complete it as quickly as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to identify potential health hazards to civilian aircraft flight officers, cabin crews and passengers from exposure to organophosphate lubricants, in relation to the incident involving a BAe 146 aircraft in Sweden on 12 November; what steps have been taken by the Health and Safety Executive to improve precautions against such exposure since August; and if he will make a statement. [102802]

The incident referred to involved an American manufactured engine on a Swedish registered aircraft. The UK authorities are not therefore involved in the investigation of the incident. A fault was identified with the engine which has now been returned to the United States for examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in conjunction with the manufacturer and British Aerospace. It is far too early to say whether this incident involved an oil leak or any exposure to organophosphate contamination.I have nothing further to add to the statement on Organophosphates in aircraft engine lubricants made by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions, the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson) on 6 May 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the decapitalisation rates to be used in non-domestic rates for the 2000 revaluation. [102849]

In August we published in a consultation paper our proposals on the decapitalisation rates to be used in non-domestic rates for the 2000 revaluation. The proposal to prescribe the rates was widely supported and, after considering the points made to us, we have decided to retain the current rates of 5.5 per cent. for most properties and 3.67 per cent. for educational, health care and Ministry of Defence properties.However, many respondents felt that the proposal to prescribe rates for only certain types of properties could lead to increased uncertainty. As a result, the benefits of the prescribed rates could be lost. Therefore, after reconsidering this, we have decided that the prescribed rates should apply to all properties assessed on the contractors basis of valuation. This continues the arrangements currently in force for the 1995 rating list.Regulations implementing this decision will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish guidance to best value authorities on how they might meet the requirements of Part I of the Local Government Act 1999; and if he will make a statement. [102850]

I am publishing today statutory guidance under the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of the Local Government Act 1999 and other guidance on how authorities should carry out their responsibilities under part I of the Act.Best Value has a key role to play in modernising local government. It will drive up standards, encourage innovation and promote competition. It will make a vital difference to the quality and effectiveness of local services and put local people first. The guidance will help local authorities implement Best Value, beginning with the publication of their Best Value Performance Plans on 31 March 2000. It follows widespread consultation with local government, the Trades Union Congress, the Confederation of British Industry and other key partners.Copies of this guidance, DETR Circular 10–99, are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses, together with a list of the respondents.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to replace the housing fitness standard with a health and safety based rating system. [102881]

The Government remain committed to developing a rating system as a replacement for the current housing fitness standard. The basic principles of the system are now well established and have received widespread support. Additional piloting with local authorities is being carried out and the consultants' report is now expected in February or March. If we are satisfied that the system will be both robust and practical we will aim to roll it out from next Spring. This would allow time for a training programme for environmental health officers to be set up and enable local authorities to adopt the principles of the new system in parallel with the existing fitness regime. Enforcement action based on the new system would require primary legislation. I hope to bring forward legislation at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish new guidance on the preparation of development plans. [102904]

Following the public consultation on a draft earlier this year, I have today published a revision of Planning Policy Guidance note 12—Development Plans (PPG12). This sets out new procedures to improve the delivery of development plans in England. PPG12 provides a strategic overview of the role and importance of development plans within the planning system. It stresses the need for plans to be prepared and up-dated more quickly and efficiently; emphasises that plans should be clear and succinct; and highlights the importance of integrating sustainable development and transport with land-use policies in development plans.As a further measure to improve the delivery of development plans, Town and Country Planning (Development Plan) (England) Regulations 1999 have been laid before Parliament today, and are due to come into force on 4 January. These regulations will provide a statutory framework for the new development plan procedures. In addition, my Department has published two new codes of practice for the public explaining the procedures for both structure plans, and for local plans and Unitary Development Plans.This package of measures to improve the delivery of development plans confirms the Government's commitment to the plan led system and is an important step towards our objective of modernising planning. I have arranged for copies of PPG12 and the codes of practice to be placed in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the forthcoming Finance Management and Policy Review of the Housing Corporation. [102973]

As part of the Government's programme of regular five-yearly finance, management and policy reviews of non-departmental public bodies my Department will conduct a thorough review of the Housing Corporation beginning today. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study. This will assess the extent to which the Housing Corporation's functions are necessary for the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for contracting out or transferring all or part of its functions to another body.The progress made by the Housing Corporation since the previous review in 1995 will be examined and the results of that examination and of the prior options study will inform a detailed review of the Housing Corporation's policy and financial management systems. The review will look particularly at the effectiveness of the Corporation's regulatory framework for registered social landlords, its arrangements for making informed decisions on investment in social housing and ways of stimulating improved performance in the registered social landlord sector.To minimise the uncertainty the prior options study will cause, I expect that study will be completed in April 2000 and the conclusions published shortly afterwards. The time required for the more detailed review cannot be foreseen, but I would expect it to be complete by autumn 2000 followed by publication of the conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the number of reported incidents there were of drink driving in the last 12 months, broken down by region; [101916](2) what recent assessment he has made of the increased incidence of drink driving over recent Christmas and new year holiday periods. [101917]

I have been asked to reply.Statistics of screening breath tests and the number positive or refused are published annually in "British Test Statistics, England and Wales", a Home Office Statistical Bulletin. The 1998 edition, Issue 16/99, was published on 9 September 1999, and contains figures for each police force area. Figures for each month of the year are also shown, December being the nearest to the Christmas and the new year period in the statistics held centrally. (The Association of Chief Police Officers has continued to monitor this period, but in recent years only in terms of tests given after collisions).Figures for 1999 are not yet available.A copy of the bulletin referred to is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when the consultants' review on the impact of the introduction of the changes to Council Tax Benefit Regulations will be published; and if he will make a statement; [101040](2) if he will list the local authorities which have taken part in the consultants' review of the impact of the changes to Council Tax Benefit Regulations. [101039]

In March 1999 we commissioned independent researchers to monitor the effects of the Council Tax Benefit (CTB) restriction introduced in April 1998. Because of the complexities of the research involving a small, tightly specified group of CTB claims and their corresponding council tax accounts and the interrogation of two IT systems, we began with a feasibility study. In July 1999 we decided that there was just enough evidence to suggest that local authorities (LAs) would be able to provide us with the required information to assess whether the research was practical.We originally approached 55 local authorities with a view of obtaining data from 40. However, so far we have only received data from 22 authorities, and in some cases these are partial data. On the whole, participating LAs have sought to co-operate but have encountered difficulties and delays in extracting usable data. Currently we do not have enough data of sufficient quality to carry out reliable analyses. Therefore, we are planning to write again to the 33 local authorities who have not yet provided data to ask them to help us. At this stage, therefore, we cannot be precise about the research and publication details.Participation in social research conducted on behalf of the Department is entirely voluntary; this applies to individuals and organisations. In order to encourage involvement and ensure as representative a picture as possible, we protect the confidentiality of respondents. As we provide a contractual assurance that participants, including local authorities in this case, will not be identified, we cannot list the names of authorities which have taken part in the review of the impact of changes to the Council Tax Benefit Regulations. However, individual local authorities may choose to indicate they have participated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his proposals to reform Housing Benefit. [102094]

We are committed to driving forward improvements in the benefit services authorities provide, so that they are faster, more accurate and more secure, while also achieving value for money and taking account of the views and needs of local people.We are already working towards this aim. For example we have introduced a regime which requires more rigorous verification and checking, (including a legal requirement which involves establishing a person's identity). In addition, over 200 local authorities have already joined the Royal Mail "Do Not Redirect" scheme, to prevent fraudulent claimants submitting benefit claims from false addresses.From next April the Best Value regime will be introduced. This will drive up standards of service delivery in local authorities through a series of challenging targets against key areas of performance.We will present further proposals for reform of the Housing Benefit scheme in a Green Paper in due course. This will further tackle the weaknesses of the system we inherited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow personal pension fund holders to purchase fixed-term annuities as an alternative to life annuities. [102188]

There are no plans to allow personal pension fund holders to purchase fixed term annuities as an alternative to life annuities. An essential feature of a pension is that it provides a guaranteed income for the rest of the pensioner's life. A fixed term annuity would not achieve this and would run the risk of leaving pensioners without any source of income in their later years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the entitlement period for family credit payments; and if payments are made (i) in arrears or (ii) in advance of an entitlement period. [102493]

Family Credit benefit weeks run from Tuesday to Monday. If the date of the claim is a Tuesday, entitlement begins then. Otherwise, entitlement begins on the first Tuesday following the date of claim. The entitlement period is for 26 weeks. There are two main methods of payment, Automated Credit Transfer (ACT) and order book.ACT payment is made in arrears on the last working day in each four-week period for the duration of the 26 week period. Payment by order book payment is made weekly in arrears each Tuesday.Working Families Tax Credit, which is administered by the Inland Revenue, replaced Family Credit from 5 October 1999. It has the same entitlement period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the appointment of members of the Benefits Agency Standards Committee has been completed. [102907]

I am pleased to announce that membership of the Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Peter Lehmann has been agreed.The Committee's independence has been assured by the appointment of seven independent non-executive members alongside two operational executives from the Benefits Agency. The membership reflects a diversity of background and experience. The full list of members together with short pen pictures of each has been placed in the Library.The Committee will report directly to the Benefits Agency Chief Executive providing him with independent assurance on standards of decision making in the Agency, as well as making recommendations for continuous improvement in the quality of that decision making.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1999, Official Report, column 58W, on asbestos-related disease, if he will publish the advice he received from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on awards for bilateral diffuse pleural thickening. [101621]

The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Report "Asbestos Related Diseases" (Cm 3467), was published in November 1996. A copy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what responsibilities he retains in relation to the oversight of (a) security of airports in Northern Ireland and (b) management of the Northern Ireland Airport Police; and what responsibilities are devolved. [102440]

As policing and security are reserved matters for administration by this Government, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has retained all of his current responsibilities for the oversight of security at Northern Ireland airports and management of the Northern Ireland Airport Police. None of these responsibilities are being devolved at this time to the new Northern Ireland Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what undertakings were given by the purchasers at the time of the privatisation of the Northern Ireland International Airport in relation to the future management and independence of the Northern Ireland Airport Police; and what scrutiny has been conducted since as to the performance of these undertakings. [102441]

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 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the annual running costs in the last year for which figures are available of (a) the United Kingdom's embassies in the EU, (b) the British Embassy in Washington DC, (c) the British Consulate General in San Francisco and (d) the British embassies and consulates in the USA in total. [102444]

The running costs (in pounds sterling) for 1998–99 are as follows:

Countries	£
(a)Embassies in the EU
Austria	1,624,989
Belgium	1,613,336
Denmark	1,979,145
Eire	2,021,151
Finland	1,622,182
France	8,311,896
Germany	5,334,710
Greece	3,020,542
Italy	5,689,673
Luxembourg	904,600
Netherlands	2,377,494
Portugal	2,223,375
Spain	5,850,231
Sweden	1,917,642
Total	44,490,966
(b) British Embassy Washington DC	14,288,628
(c) Consulate General San Francisco	634,434
(d) USA in Total USA Total	20,720,979

The costs of the Embassies include spend, incurred at post, on behalf of their subordinate posts.The figures given are purely the cash element charged to the posts in question.No support costs have been included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Under-Secretary of State for Home Department, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) will reply to the hon. Member for New Forest, West's letter of 7 October regarding Mr. Dahunsi. [102423]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The hon. Member for New Forest, West's letter of 7 October, addressed to Mr. O'Brien at the Home Office, was forwarded to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for reply and was received in the Visa Correspondence Unit on 25 October. The Unit replied to the hon. Member on 8 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the status of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on the question of Hong Kong after the Joint Liaison Group ceases to meet on 1 January; and if he will make a statement. [102905]

The Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong is a treaty registered at the United Nations which creates international rights and obligations for both parties to it. The Joint Declaration has no termination date, although China has made an explicit commitment that its basic policies on Hong Kong, which include maintaining Hong Kong's capitalist system and way of life, will remain unchanged for 50 years from 1 July 1997. Under paragraph 7 of the Joint Declaration, China committed herself to abide by all her commitments in the Joint Declaration.Her Majesty's Government will continue to take a close interest in developments in Hong Kong and to report to Parliament on the implementation of the Joint Declaration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the proposed export of electrical firing cable to the HALO Trust in Kosovo. [102906]

The Government have granted a licence for the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of 7 x 500m lengths of electrical firing cable for use by the HALO Trust, an organisation engaged in humanitarian demining activities in Kosovo on behalf of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). These goods are on the UK's Military List.UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1160 imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that in UNSCR 1244, which provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for use by the international civil and security presence in Kosovo. We have notified the UN Sanctions Committee of this export and they have raised no objection. The export of the equipment required for demining purposes is not prohibited by the EU arms embargo.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to encourage the Government of Russia to negotiate with the Government of Chechnya; and if he will list the names of those who are able to represent Chechnya. [102258]

In all our contacts with the Russian Government we have pressed them to pursue a negotiated solution with the elected Chechen authorities, including Chechen President Maskhadov, and to use the good offices of the OSCE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to Spain about the incident on 29 November when a Gibraltarian was prevented entry into Spain on the basis that as a British passport holder he could not drive a Gibraltar-registered car; what undertakings have been received from Spain that similar actions will not occur again; and if he will make a statement. [102434]

We are aware of the incident at the border on 29 November and understand that a report was made to the Royal Gibraltar Police. We understand that the individual concerned was able to cross the border into Spain.We regularly make clear to the Spanish authorities their obligations to operate the border in a way consistent with their EC obligations on free movement of persons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the changes in charges since 1997 for visas for orphans visiting the UK for holidays from the former Republic of Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [102464]

The fee for a single entry visitor's visa has remained unchanged since 1995 when it was set at its current level of £33.There are no special charging arrangements for visitors from the former Republic of Yugoslavia.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the current work programme of the Performance and Innovation Unit including (a) the titles of all reports in preparation and their expected publication dates and (b) any further subjects due to be examined by the unit during the period 2000 to 2002. [101180]

[holding answer 6 December 1999]: The Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) is currently undertaking the following studies:

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the research work carried out or being carried out since 1 May 1997 on behalf of the Government by the Institute of Public Policy Research. [101730]

The information requested is not held centrally. However, it is a requirement that all such contracts are let in accordance with the Treasury procurement guidelines.

To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements he has put in place for the taking and keeping of minutes of meetings with people outside his Office. [102368]

Decisions on the format of records of meetings normally depend on the nature of the discussion.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the role and responsibilities of Geoffrey Norris in his Office's Policy Unit. [102480]

Mr. Norris has responsibility for Trade and Industry, and Regional and Planning Policy.

To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons governors general of Commonwealth states of which Her Majesty the Queen is Head of State are not invited to make State Visits to the United Kingdom. [101406]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: Inward State Visits are made only by foreign and commonwealth Heads of State. It would not be appropriate for the Queen's representative in one of Her Majesty's other Realms to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to upgrade the Direct Access Government Internet Service which provides business with a one-stop shop for regulatory guidance and forms. [102967]

I am pleased to announce that an improved version of the service is being launched today. As well as providing business with easier access to regulatory information they will be able to register which areas of regulation they are interested in and receive e-mailed links to the latest document releases on a daily basis. The new service can be accessed at http://www.dag-business.gov.uk and will be incorporated as part of the Small Business Service from next April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made by his Department towards a binding commitment on tariff-free and quota-free access for exports from the poorest 48 countries in the world. [102301]

Under the UK Presidency of the European Union in 1998, the EU agreed to provide duty free access for essentially all products from the Least Developed Countries by 2005. We will be pressing the EU to fulfil this commitment as soon as possible. More generally, we will continue to call for zero tariffs to be applied to all goods from the Least Developed Countries, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister promised in his speech at Mansion House on 22 November.In addition, and notwithstanding the fact that the WTO Seattle Ministerial conference was suspended without agreement between member Governments on a new multilateral market access initiative for the Least Developed Countries, we will continue to urge other developed countries to match the EU's commitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the European Commission's response to the proposal for state aid to Rover; and if a revised proposal is being considered. [102204]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The UK officially notified its intention to provide aid for Longbridge at the end of August 1999. A number of questions were raised by the European Commission and these questions have been fully answered. We now anticipate that the Commission may open an Article 88(2) procedure on this case. An announcement is expected shortly. Such a procedure is normal practice and allows the European Commission to consider the views of third parties. We remain hopeful of a positive outcome to the investigation.We are not considering a revised proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his latest estimate of the cost of the proposed state aid to Rover. [102205]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The offer of aid to Rover/BMW remains the same as that announced by the Secretary of State on 23 June 1999: a support package of £152 million, made up of £129 million Regional Selective Assistance (RSA), with the balance being made up by the local partners. The offer remains subject to clearance by the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export credit guarantees were made in respect of exports to Ghana in each of the last five years; how many of the guarantees have now lapsed; and how many payments have been made by the ECGD in respect of these guarantees. [101971]

[holding answer 9 December 1999]: The number and value of ECGD guarantees made in respect of exports to Ghana in each of the last five years are detailed in the following table along with the payments made by ECGD in respect of these guarantees:

Year	Number of guarantees issued	Value of guarantees £ million	Payments made in each year £ million
1994–95	9	132.48	0
1995–96	4	71.43	0
1996–97	9	108.92	0
1997–98	2	20.17	2.32
1998–99	3	17.65	0.059
1999–20001	1	1.01	3.85
1To 30 November

Of the total value of claims paid of £6.23 million, £3.84 remains outstanding. Five of these guarantees have now lapsed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the documentation on the (a) business objectives, (b) rollout timetable, (c) costs and (d) partners of the Horizon project; and if the costs of implementation will be met by Her Majesty's Treasury or the Post Office. [101379]

The information requested is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on 7 December; and if he will make a statement. [102348]

I represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Brussels on 7 December.There were discussions on the new Single Market Strategy, the Joint Presidency Work Programme and the Commission's Single Market Scoreboard. There was general support from the Council, although some member states, including the UK, were unable to endorse all the Target Actions in the Single Market Strategy. The Council agreed Conclusions on Distance Marketing of Financial Services and on the Community Customs Code.The Council reached political agreement on Electronic Commerce (with Belgium abstaining). The Directive sets out a legal framework for electronic commerce in the internal market, based on the principle that the legislation of the service provider's home state applies. The Council reached unanimous political agreement on amendments to a number of directives concerning mutual recognition of qualifications, and political agreement on three food Directives harmonising labelling and compositional requirements for sugar, preserved milk and fruit juice (sugar agreed by unanimity, milk by qualified majority with Belgium against, and fruit juices by qualified majority with Belgium against and Netherlands abstaining).The UK reported in the context of a discussion on the Takeovers Directive that talks with Spain on a general settlement of the issue of communications between Gibraltar competent authorities and counterparts in other member states were making progress.The Commission reported progress on public procurement, Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market (SLIM) and exhaustion of trademark rights. The Council took note of reports on the Copyright Directive, the EU Data Protection Directive, the review of chemical policy and the follow-up to the Council Resolution on standardisation.There was no decision on the proposed Directive on Artists' Resale Rights; although a large majority supported the Presidency proposal there was a willingness to consider alternative solutions. The Presidency, the Commission and most member states are now pressing for agreement before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish the guidance he has given to the Food Standards Agency regarding the impact on its work of the World Trade Organisation Seattle round; [101650](2) what representations he has received from the Food Standards Agency concerning the implications for its remit of the World Trade Organisation Seattle round. [101651]

The Food Standards Agency will be formally established in spring 2000. It will be fully consulted on any changes which may be proposed to the WTO SPS Agreement (which sets out rules for trade measures to protect food safety, animal and plant health), or other WTO agreements which may have a bearing on its responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many parking fines were incurred by Parcelforce vehicles in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998; and how many Parcelforce vehicles there are currently. [101680]

Parcelforce does not keep records of parking fines centrally, and this information could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.The Road Traffic Act Regulation 1984 gives local authorities the power to make traffic regulation orders to restrict parking. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions issue guidance to local authorities to give exemptions to the Post Office when carrying out statutory duties using licensed Royal Mail liveried vehicles engaged in the collection and delivery of letters in accordance with the statutory duty of the Post Office for the conveyance of letters. There is no similar guidance for Parcelforce vehicles. Parking fines are being incurred by Parcelforce drivers while on delivery as a result of vehicles which are parked illegally.Parcelforce Worldwide currently operates a total fleet of around 7,000 operational vehicles, the main types are:

Quantity	Vehicle type
500	Articulated motive units
600	Trailers
3,000	35 tonne vans
1,000	75 tonne trucks
120	Car derived vans

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of significant numbers of child benefit claimants switching from cash to direct bank account payments on the rural post office network; and if he will make a statement. [101328]

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the impact on (a) post office incomes and (b) the viability of post offices of paying social security benefits directly into claimants' bank accounts; and if he will make a statement; [101373](2) what estimate he has made of the number of post offices which would close in

There will be no change before 2003 to existing methods of paying social security benefits, under which recipients can choose between payment by order book at a post office and payment direct to a bank account using the automated credit transfer system (ACT). Some 54 per cent. of new child benefit recipients and 47 per cent. of new pensioners currently choose to have their benefits/pensions paid by ACT. The Horizon counters automation project will equip all post offices with a modern, on-line IT platform by 2001, and will enable the Post Office to extend its existing arrangements with the high street banks under which customers of those banks—including benefit recipients—can access their accounts at post offices. This project, to which the Government have made a significant financial contribution, represents a major investment in the future of the post office network to which the Government remain fully committed. It will ensure that all benefit recipients who wish to do so will be able to access their benefits in cash at post offices. It will also offer other bank customers the benefits of wider availability of banking services, especially in rural areas.For the longer-term future, the Prime Minister has asked the Performance and Innovation Unit within the Cabinet Office to undertake a study of the contribution which post offices make to their local communities, and how the network can best contribute to Government objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost per tonne of fuel delivered of the retired miners' concessionary fuel scheme. [102394]

The cost per tonne of fuel delivered under the retired miners' concessionary fuel scheme varies considerably between different types of fuel and different parts of the country. The weighted average cost per tonne of fuel delivered between April 1999 and November 1999, including VAT at 5 per cent., was £160.00.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the (a) total cost of the retired miners' concessionary fuel scheme and (b) the total number of retired miners eligible for it, in the last quarter for which figures are available. [102400]

British Coal's former employees and their dependants are eligible to benefits under the retired miners' concessionary fuel scheme in two forms, solid fuel and cash in lieu of solid fuel. In the three months September to November 1999 the total cost of the scheme was:

(a)	£million
Fuel	14.7
Cash in lieu	5.4
Total	20.1

The number of beneficiaries eligible was:
(b)	Number
Fuel	79,752
Cash in lieu	78,701
Total	158,453

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the level of entitlement to retired miners concessionary fuel for each of the client groups entitled to receive it. [102402]

The level of entitlement is set out in Fuel Agreements which were negotiated between British Coal (BC) and the various mining unions. The entitlements can be taken in either solid fuel or cash in lieu. The amount of solid fuel a former employee of BC, or their dependant, can receive each year varies according to the types of solid fuel, the householder status, age and location of the beneficiary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the involvement of private finance in the Export Credits Guarantee Department. [102236]

The Review of the Mission and Status of ECGD, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced in the House on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 305–06W, is still in progress and it is important not to pre-judge the outcome. Once Ministers have decided what ECGD's future functions and direction should be, we will start to consider how ECGD's services can best be delivered and whether any change in its status would be required. This will include an assessment of whether all, or any part, of ECGD's operations should be privatised or contracted out. ECGD does, of course, already work closely with the private sector by issuing guarantees to banks providing finance to UK exporters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people were employed in Britain's clothing industry (a) in each of the past 20 years, (b) in June 1997 and (c) at the most recent date for which figures are available. [102425]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: The information is available in the table.

Great Britain employee jobs—annual (June of each year)
SIC(92)18 Wearing apparel
1979	297.0
1980	270.3
1981	234.7
1982	220.4
1983	212.7
1984	216.2
1985	218.3
1986	219.9
1987	217.1
1988	218.6
1989	210.3
1990	193.4
1991	159.1
1992	152.2
1993	154.1
1994	148.4
1995	144.5
1996	139.5
1997	138.3
1998	129.4
1999	107.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which staff grades at the (a) Daresbury Laboratory and (b) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory have been directly involved in the design of the Diamond project. [102717]

It is not possible to define staff positions at the Daresbury Laboratory who will have a key role in the design and construction of the synchrotron facility. The project is a partnership involving the Wellcome Trust and the French Government and the deployment of staff has not been agreed. We recognise the expertise of the CCLRC staff and they will be involved in all stages of the project as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will define those staff positions at the Daresbury Laboratory which will have a key role in the design and construction of the Diamond project. [102718]

It is not practical to break down the effort by staff grades at the laboratories. The majority (greater than 99 per cent.) of the staff involved to date in the Diamond project are mobile grades based at the Daresbury Laboratory.

To ask the Advocate-General what estimate she has made of the additional costs expected for the legal system in Scotland as a result of the decision in the Starrs case. [101244]

I have not made an estimate of these costs, as the matter does not fall within my responsibility. Administration of justice in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

To ask the Advocate-General when she last met the Scottish Executive's Law Officers to discuss the implications of the European Court on human rights judgment relating to temporary sheriffs. [101246]

The Question of temporary sheriffs has not been the subject of a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights. It has been the subject of a judgment by the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland. The matter is sub judice and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

To ask the Advocate-General if she will make a statement on her functions and responsibilities relating to devolution issues under the Scotland Act 1998. [101247]

Under the Scotland Act devolution issues are defined in Schedule 6. They relate to questions about the competence of Acts of the Scottish Parliament or things done by the Scottish Executive. For example they may be about compatibility with the Scotland Act itself, or with European Community Law or rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.I have powers to bring or defend proceedings raising devolution issues in the Scottish Courts or the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. If other people raise devolution issues in court proceedings in Scotland they must give notice to the Advocate-General.The Advocate-General also, like the Lord Advocate and the Attorney-General, has the right to refer Bills of the Scottish Parliament, before they are finally enacted, to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council so that they can decide whether a Bill or any provision of it is competent. The main provisions are set out in Section 32, 33 and 34 of the Scotland Act 1998.

To ask the Advocate-General on how many occasions devolution issues have been raised with her since her appointment; and what matters were covered. [101248]

I have received over 200 notices of devolution issues. All have concerned alleged incompatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights.

To ask the Advocate-General what role she has had in assessing the legal implications of moves by the Scottish Parliament to abolish tuition fees in relation to the position of non-Scottish domiciled students. [101249]

There is a long standing convention, followed by successive Governments, that neither the substance of Law Officers' advice, nor the fact that they have been consulted is disclosed outside Government. I see no reason for departure from that Convention on this occasion.

To ask the Advocate-General what recent discussions she has had with the Lord Advocate concerning matters relating to the implementation in Scotland of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. [101250]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart), Official Report, column 138.

To ask the President of the Council what assessment she has made of the experiment of the House sitting in Westminster Hall. [101271]

The experiment began on 30 November, and it is too early to make a firm assessment. However, debates in Westminster Hall have been as lively and well attended as those in the Chamber, and the new forum already appears to offer Members increased opportunities for debate. The Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons has agreed to

"evaluate the experiment as a whole before the end of the session"

as well as keeping a "watching brief' on proceedings.

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the modernisation of the procedures of the House which have been introduced since 1997. [101273]

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on her plans to implement the recommendations of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons. [101276]

Forty-seven of the 54 recommendations of the Modernisation Committee directed at Government have already been implemented. The House has adopted a range of measures to improve the scrutiny of legislation; Thursday sittings have been brought forward; the scrutiny of European business has been reformed and sittings in Westminster Hall have begun.

To ask the President of the Council what further plans she has for modernising the legislative process. [101278]

As the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons recommended, the Government are using a variety of procedures for legislation. We have had the first carryover of a public Bill and the use of a Special Standing Committee for the Asylum and Immigration Bill, we have published six Bills in draft and set up ad hoc Committees of this House and ad hoc joint Committees to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny.

To ask the President of the Council if she will take steps to establish a Select Committee on Iraq. [101274]

We have no plans to do so. The Foreign Affairs Committee is already able to conduct inquiries into this.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans the Commission has to develop a workplace nursery in the Palace of Westminster. [101275]

None.

To ask the President of the Council what arrangements she has made for the functioning of Government over the millennium holiday period. [101277]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman), Official Report, columns 148–49.

To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to establish a system of parliamentary debate on the exercise of executive functions by the Privy Council. [101279]

There are no plans to introduce such a system.

To ask the President of the Council what assessment she has made of the impact of the United Kingdom's public information programme on the millennium bug. [101280]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman), Official Report, column 147.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what estimate he has made of the costs of maintaining and repairing the Palace of Westminster in the current financial year. [101266]

Repair and maintenance costs exclusively charged to the Palace of Westminster are forecast to be some £27 million this financial year.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the progress made in refurbishing the Shrewsbury county court. [101256]

Plans to refurbish Shrewsbury county court are now well advanced. The only matter, which remains to be resolved, is the arrangements for payment of the agreed contribution of £40,000 to the Court Service by the local authorities.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received regarding McKenzie friends. [101257]

I have received representations from Families Need Fathers, the Equal Parenting Party and from 10 Members of this House.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the total number of magistrates in England and Wales. [101258]

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the oral answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson).

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what actions his Department is taking to ensure that the magistracy reflects the socio-economic balance of the community it serves. [101261]

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor requires his local Advisory Committees to do more than simply reflect the socio-economic balance of the community. He wishes to ensure that benches broadly reflect the communities they serve in terms of social background, gender, ethnic origin, geographical spread and occupation. Social background is currently defined in terms of political affiliation, which is unsatisfactory, and an alternative is being sought.