To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made towards achieving the target of publishing a Corporate IT Strategy by March. [110300]

As part of our Modernising Governing commitment to publish a Corporate IT Strategy in March, we have published a draft of the strategy for comment on the Information Age Government website at www.iagchampions.gov.uk and have placed copies in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of the individuals involved in undertaking the review of the Parades Commission. [110049]

No. This was an internal review carried out by officials of the Northern Ireland Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a list of individuals and organisations who (a) have been invited to make submissions, (b) have made written submissions and (c) have made oral submissions to the review of the Parades Commission. [110048]

We invited, through a press release, comments from anyone who felt they had a contribution to make. It is not Government practice to publish lists of contributors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons he is to conduct a second review of the Parades Commission. [110042]

There are no plans to conduct any review of the Parades Commission other than that announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam) on 8 October last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the report of the review of the Parades Commission; and if he will make a statement. [110047]

In accordance with the undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam), the Secretary of State will make an announcement on the outcome of the review. There are no plans to publish the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the current review of the Parades Commission will be completed prior to the appointment of new members and a new Chairman to the Commission. [110046]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will simultaneously announce the outcome of both the review and the competitions to appoint new members and a new Chairman to the Commission later in the week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the costs incurred by each local authority in England in preparing provisional local transport plans. [109700]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: The move to a five-year planning cycle will produce administrative savings for local authorities (by offering greater certainty of future funding and removing the need to prepare plans annually). The wider public participation, more effective partnership working and better monitoring associated with local transport plans will lead to some additional costs, but we have no information on which to base an estimate of their scale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 January 2000, Official Report, column 278W, on driving licences, if he will state (a) what details, confirmed by the Immigration and Nationality Department are accepted as identification for driving licence application purposes and (b) in what form such confirmation would be acceptable. [108007]

My officials have recently reached agreement with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) on a scheme under which original documents (passports or birth certificates) held by them will be returned for a limited period on request to those awaiting processing to allow them to make an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for a driving licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if when an application for a driving licence is made by someone whose papers are awaiting processing by the Immigration Service, DVLA will consider accepting as proof of identity the standard acknowledgement letter issued by the Immigration Service. [108431]

DVLA was advised by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) in August last year that Standard Acknowledgement Letters are not evidence of identity and should not be accepted in support of an application for a driving licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to (a) encourage less frequent use of cars and (b) allow local authorities to levy workplace car parking charges, in the west midlands. [109565]

Our integrated transport White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", set out a new approach to meeting local transport needs and reducing dependency on the car by improving alternative modes of transport and providing greater transport choice.The Transport Bill currently before Parliament will enable local authorities to levy a charge on workplace parking to tackle traffic congestion as part of a Local Transport Plan. Local authorities in the West Midlands, with the exception of Coventry and Solihull, have joined our Charging Development Partnership and are actively considering a workplace parking levy scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with other EU Ministers about exchanging information on good practice regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement. [110005]

EU Environment Ministers regularly discuss the importance of introducing effective national, co-ordinated and Community level policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In October 1999, the Council agreed that it was essential for further common and co-ordinated policies and measures to be implemented rapidly and asked the Commission to put forward a priority list as early as possible in 2000. Discussion on any new measures proposed will be informed by best practice in Member States.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have taken place within the Council of Ministers regarding meeting the legally-binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions by 2010; and if he will make a statement. [110006]

The Council regularly discusses climate change issues and restates its determination to delivering the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to which the European Community and its Member States are committed under the Kyoto Protocol.The revised Council Decision on monitoring emissions of greenhouse gases requires the Commission to prepare annual assessments of the progress of the Community and its Member States towards delivering the Kyoto targets and to report to the Council and the European Parliament. The Commission is due to produce its first report in October, providing an opportunity for further Council discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the names of the members of the Road Haulage Forum with the names of the organisations and regions they represent; and if he will make a statement. [110112]

The Road Haulage Forum was established in March 1999. Its current membership is:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the consultation document on the regulatory changes required to implement the Basic Safety Standards Directive 96/29/ on Euratom. [110303]

After consultation with interested parties last year, I have today published the proposals on the regulatory changes required to implement aspects of the Basic Safety Standards Directive 96/29/Euratom concerned with the control of radioactive waste. The proposals involve the minimum of change to the existing regulatory framework under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 93) and fulfil the Government's commitment that implementation of the Directive would not lead to a weakening of existing controls. Copies of the document, entitled "The Proposals for the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (England and Wales) Direction 2000" can now be found in the Library.The proposed Regulations made under Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 will provide controls on the disposal of certain types of old clocks and watches using radioactive luminising material, which are currently exempt from regulation. The proposed Direction to the Environment Agency made under Section 40 of the Environment Act 1995 will put a number of their existing administrative practices, in discharging their duties under RSA 93, into legally binding obligations.Parallel measures are to be taken in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which will be the subject of separate consultations in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council tax payable in Amber Valley for bands A-H for the last five years. [110077]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110187]

The FSC label is accepted by buyers as demonstrating that timber and timber products have come from sustainably managed sources. However, it is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by the Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because this might discriminate against any equally valid schemes and therefore be against public procurement rules. It might also result in us failing to meet our full requirements as currently only a tiny percentage of timber products are FSC certified. This is why DETR's Greening Operations policy statement suggests that evidence of sustainability might take the form of a certificate issued under a credible, preferably independent, verification scheme; or other documents which demonstrate the operation of an environmental management system incorporating forest management criteria that conform with internationally recognised principles such as the Helsinki Guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council tax payable in the area of Derbyshire Dales District Council for bands A-H for the last five years. [110078]

The table shows the gross council tax liability on properties in the bands A-H over the last five years.

The table shows the gross council tax liability on properties in the bands A-H over the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110186]

Among the key aims of DETR's Greening Operations policy statement are: to conserve resources and minimise waste by reducing our reliance on virgin materials and ensuring that any products derived from wildlife—such as paper and timber—are from sustainable sources and comply with EU and international trading rules such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The Department's policy statement also requires the purchase of 100 per cent. recycled paper for non-specialist use comprising at least 80 per cent. genuine post consumer waste with any virgin pulp coming from sustainably managed woodlands. It also promotes the purchase of sustainably produced timber and timber products by, for example, requiring buyers to specify in orders and contracts that:

"suppliers provide documentary evidence (which has been, or if necessary can be, independently verified) that the timber has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their biodiversity, productivity and vitality, and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest-dependent people".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of 19 July, 1 September, 6 October, 3 November, 30 November, 4 January and 8 February relating to Mrs. Antonia Skielharn, a constituent. [109960]

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State replied to the hon. Member for Broxbourne's letters on 10 February, expressing his apologies for the delay in so doing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will issue the Government's response to the consultation paper entitled "Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of those Lost at Sea", published on 23 July 1998; and if he will make a statement. [109567]

The analysis of the responses to the consultation paper was published on 9 February 1999. The Government's response to the paper has been delayed because we are awaiting the results of Roger Clarke's investigation into why no search was made for the fishing trawler Gaul, following her disappearance in 1974. Mr. Clarke's investigation examines a number of issues raised in the consultation paper and we wish to take his findings into account before we issue the response.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the allocations made under the marine freight facilities grant over the last five years, (b) their amount and (c) to whom the awards were made. [109566]

Inland Waterway Freight Facilities Grants awarded under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981 and section 140 of the Railways Act 1993 over the past five years are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Highways Agency will publish its annual report and accounts for 1998–99. [110403]

The Highways Agency annual report and accounts 1998–99 will be published tomorrow by the Stationery Office and copies placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies will also be available from the Vote Office for Members.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he intends to take to ensure that those non-profit organisations which currently benefit from the Energy Saving Trust's successful lightswitch scheme will be assisted by the proposed climate change levy energy efficiency fund in order that they can install energy efficient lighting. [108720]

We have invited comments on the scope of the proposed energy efficiency fund through our document "Consultation on Energy Efficiency Measures Under the Climate Change Levy Package". The consultation period closed on 4 February.Following evaluation of the responses, it is anticipated that the Chancellor will make further announcements in the 2000 Budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tonnes of carbon equivalent were released into the environment as a result of the use by the UK industry of (a) kerosene and (b) gas oil in the last year for which figures are available. [108713]

The last available figures are in the 1997 National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. In 1997 the combustion of kerosene in UK industry generated 2,473 kilotonnes of carbon equivalent, while the combustion of gas oil in UK industry generated 10,472 kilotonnes of carbon equivalent. The UK total emission was 684,510 kilotonnes of carbon equivalent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the contribution to UK emissions of pollutants covered by the air quality strategy by the industrial use of (a) kerosene and (b) gas oil. [108714]

The contribution to UK emissions of pollutants covered by the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the industrial use of (a) kerosene and (b) gas oil is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will write to the hon. Member for Doncaster, Central about the results of his investigation into the supplying by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of drivers' names and addresses to wheel clamping companies. [107304]

[holding answer 7 February 2000]: The Agency has conducted a review of the circumstances in which vehicle keeper details can be released from the register. This has identified a number of areas where a tighter interpretation might be applied to the regulations providing for the release of information, including certain aspects of car parking enforcement. In view of the sensitivities of the issues further legal advice has been sought. Once this has been considered, I will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take into account the HFC emissions forecasts contained in the 1998 United Nations Environment Programme report in his own forecasts for United Kingdom emissions of HFCs to be included in the Government's revised Climate Change Strategy. [109330]

In 1998 the United Nations Environment Programme published a report relevant to HFC use globally and this has been taken into account in developing the UK projections of HFC emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the DVLA to prosecute drivers who are found to have no tax disc on their cars; and if he will make a statement. [109368]

Where vehicles are used or kept unlicensed on the public road, the detection is carried out by police and traffic wardens, who pass offence reports to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for enforcement action.Last year, DVLA took successful action against 475,000 evaders, bringing in £57.9 million in fines and penalties from out of court settlements or prosecution. A further 125,000 evaders or potential evaders relicensed their vehicles as a direct result of this enforcement activity, bringing in a further £15 million which would not otherwise have been paid. There are indications that for the first time the level of VED evasion is starting to fall.We have significantly increased the number of joint DVLA/police campaigns against VED evaders. In addition the scheme to wheelclamp and impound unlicensed vehicles is now operating nationwide. A new pilot scheme to use automated number plate readers to detect and deter VED evaders will start this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what restrictions there are on sitting councillors serving on regional development agencies. [109436]

Although RDA boards are business led, they also need the effective involvement of local government. To that end, appointments to four of the twelve board positions are made from local councillors in the region. In order to maintain this balance, where the four positions reserved for councillors are already filled, sitting councillors will not normally be appointed to posts reserved for the business sector and other groups active in the region. There are no other restrictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will (a) list the publicly funded studies into repetitive strain injury published in the last 10 years and (b) place such reports in the Library. [109299]

The following studies of upper limb disorders (the preferred term for the group of conditions that includes "repetitive strain injury"), funded by the Health and Safety Executive, have been published in the last 10 years:

To ask Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the M4 corridor study; and when he will make an announcement on the outcome of the study. [109688]

Consultants will be appointed in February 2000, with an announcement on the outcome due in late 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the impact on council house rental levels in Wakefield of the negative housing subsidy regime. [109768]

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council is not affected by negative housing subsidy.

To ask the Prime Minister further to his statement on 4 February 2000, that the Government intend to promote the installation of cash machines at rural post offices, how franchises for these will be awarded; and what estimate he has made of the cost per transaction for the use of such machines. [109377]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: Decisions on the installation of cash machines at post offices are an operational and commercial matter for the Post Office. They are currently in the process of assessing all existing post office outlets for the suitability of a cash machine. Cost estimates are a commercial issue for the Post Office in conjunction with its partners and are currently being developed.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000, Official Report, column 5W, for what reason he is not prepared to place a synopsis of Mr. Liddle's speech in the Library. [109511]

I have nothing further to add to my previous answers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105795]

In my Department, smoking is permitted in designated areas. Advice and guidance is available to any staff who wish to give up smoking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the regional investment fund for the north-east has been temporarily closed for applications; and if he will make a statement. [108506]

[holding answer 7 February 2000]: The Regional Investment Fund for the north-east has not yet been opened. Preparations are underway for the launch of the fund in March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if enterprises in (a) the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, (b) Tweedmouth, and (c) Spittal will be eligible to apply to the regional investment fund for the north-east. [108504]

[holding answer 7 February 2000]: The north-east regional investment fund has been supported by European funding as part of the region's Objective 2 Programme for 1997–99. As the Berwick-upon-Tweed area did not have Objective 2 status under this programme, enterprises in that part of the region can not qualify for assistance. However, the area will enjoy Objective 2 status under the Programme for 2000–06. It will be for the north-east regional partnership to determine whether a similar project should be included in the new Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) international and (b) national quality assurance standards British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. have received from independent accreditation agencies; when each of these standards was awarded; which plants or processes were awarded these standards; which accreditation agencies awarded the standards; which accreditations have now lapsed; when and at which plants; and under which standards corrective action is currently being implemented. [109334]

These are matters for BNFL. I have asked the Company Secretary of BNFL to write to my hon. Friend with the information he requires and will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received a copy of the report by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd. on British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.'s MOX demonstration facility; and if he will place a copy of that report in the Library. [109337]

I have not received a copy of the report. This is a matter between BNFL and Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what modifications BNFL is planning to make to the MOX Demonstration Facility as a result of recommendations made by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd.; what will be the cost of those modifications; and if any of these modifications will also be required in the Sellafield MOX Plant. [109335]

I understand that BNFL are implementing a programme of remedial action which will be verified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance in further visits. The details are a matter between BNFL and Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received regarding the falsification and manipulation of fuel quality control data in respect of BNFL MOX fuel supplied to Switzerland; and if he will make a statement. [106711]

[holding answer 1 February 2000]: I understand from BNFL that, since the falsification of quality control data relating to Japanese fuel was discovered, BNFL have investigated all quality data for MOX fuel supplied to Switzerland. A data anomaly affecting one lot of fuel pellets supplied in February 1997 was identified but a further investigation by BNFL and its customers concluded that the fuel met the required specification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage in (a) Coventry, South, (b) the west midlands and (c) the United Kingdom. [109553]

We asked the independent Low Pay Commission to report on the impact of the introduction of the minimum wage and the Commission's report, with the Government's response, will be published shortly. Definitive estimates of the number of people who had benefited from the national minimum wage are not yet available. But the latest Office for National Statistics figures indicate that at least 700,000 employees in the United Kingdom, 70,000 of them in the west midlands, had already had their pay raised above the national minimum wage rates in spring last year. However, these data were gathered before the full effect of the new law had been felt (March-May 1999).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the level of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [109576]

I have made no decision on future changes to the level of the national minimum wage. The Government have always made it clear that there would be no automatic uprating mechanism for the national minimum wage. Any future changes to the national minimum wage rates will be made sensibly, taking account of the prevailing economic circumstances and feedback on the effects of the new law since April 1999. The Low Pay Commission's second report, which the Government will publish shortly, considers its impact in great detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received in the last 12 months asking him to uprate the minimum wage annually in April. [109687]

We have received 11 representations in the past year requesting that the national minimum wage be uprated annually in April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage the regulator to examine the gas industry in the north-west. [109577]

I have no plans to do so but, under the terms of the Gas Act 1996, the Director General for Gas Supply may investigate any matter that is drawn to his attention by those with interests in the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when a medical test centre for Vibration White Finger will be established to meet the needs of ex-miners in north Staffordshire. [109922]

A Vibration White Finger test centre will be established in Hanley on 1 March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made, in mega watts and kilowatt hours, of the amount of gas-powered electricity generating capacity which has not been proceeded with as a result of the introduction of the moratorium on the approval of licences for new gas-powered generating stations. [109359]

15 proposals amounting to some 6 GW of new gas-fired capacity have been refused clearance under the stricter consents policy. It is not possible to say for certain how many of these proposals would have proceeded to construction had consent been granted, nor how much electricity would have been generated by them.If all the proposals had proceeded to development and expected to reach 80 per cent. load factor, then they would have produced some 42,000 million kilowatt hours per year once they reached full operation. This is about the maximum output these proposals could have produced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidelines have been given to officials regarding the issuing of export licences for defence equipment to Pakistan. [109731]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 20 January 2000, Official Report, column 578W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken to stop the dumping of Polish coal on the UK market; and if he will make a statement. [109020]

The UK coal industry have made representations to the Government about the imports of Polish coal at prices that appear to be below the cost of production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the establishment of the Coalfields Enterprise Fund. [108730]

I have been asked to reply. The Coalfields Task Force Report "Making the Difference" set out a programme of actions to combat the deprivation now faced by the coalfield communities. One of the recommendations was the creation of a fund to provide loans and equity investment to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with high growth potential in the coalfields.On 1 December 1998, at a Coalfields Conference in Peterlee, County Durham, the Deputy Prime Minister agreed to this recommendation and set aside £15 million to invest in the Coalfields Enterprise Fund.The development of the Fund, by English Partnerships on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is well advanced and the target is for the Fund to be operational in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the economic impact on business associated with (a) the Deregulation (Wireless Telegraphy) Order 1996 (S.I., 1996, No. 1864) and (b) the Contracting Out (Functions in Relation to the Management of Crown Lands) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 215). [108807]

[holding answer 7 February 2000]: I have been asked to reply in view of my Department's responsibility for the two statutory instruments in question. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 27 January 2000, Official Report, columns 301–02W, the 1996 Order was estimated to have saved TV dealers £10,000 a year each. The impact on business in general of the 1998 Order has not been estimated, but will have been negligible; the benefits to Exchequer funding by grant-in-aid is however estimated to be a saving of £7 million per year.

To ask the Solicitor-General if the CPS will advertise all temporary acting-up posts of more than four weeks duration. [109374]

On 31 January 2000 the Employment Tribunal promulgated its decision on the remedy in the case of Bamieh v. Crown Prosecution Service (Case number 2202655/98). The Tribunal recommended that with effect from one month after the promulgation of its decision and for a period of 12 months, all temporary acting-up posts as Prosecution Team Leader of more than four weeks' duration (i.e. not simply covering on holidays) should be advertised by the CPS by notice or circular letter to all staff who might be qualified as candidates. The CPS is considering how this recommendation should be met.In the meantime, absences of more than three months will be covered by temporary promotion arrangements in which expressions of interest will be sought from staff in response to details circulated by management. A panel will be convened to decide who should be appointed.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the decision in the case of Bamieh v. Crown Prosecution Service (Case No. 2202655/98) in the Employment Tribunal, on 31 January. [109375]

The Tribunal decided that Ms Bamieh was entitled to compensation totalling £38,358.22 for the loss of opportunity for promotion, injury to feelings (including an element of aggravated damages) and interest. Arrangements are in hand for the payment to be made.The Tribunal also recommended that with effect from one month after promulgation of this decision and for a period of 12 months, all temporary acting-up posts as Prosecution Team Leader of more than four weeks' duration (i.e. not simply covering on holidays) should be advertised by the CPS by notice or circular letter to all staff who might be qualified as candidates.A revised CPS temporary promotion procedure came into effect on 31 January 2000. The CPS is considering how the Tribunal's recommendation can be met and whether further changes to that procedure should be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what will be the total cost to his Department of redundancy and associated entitlement moneys paid to servicemen from the Non-Regular Permanent Staff of the Territorial Army made redundant under the terms of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement; [101921](2) how many members of the Non-Regular Permanent Staff of the Territorial Army are due to be made redundant under the terms of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement. [101922]

[holding answer 13 December 1999]: A total of 449 Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS) posts have been removed from the Territorial Army as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. Some incumbents of these posts will be found other jobs but the sizeable remainder will regrettably be made redundant. As at 1 February, 321 NRPS have been made redundant at a total cost of approximately £8.8 million. The total redundancy bill will only be known when all those affected have left because payments are calculated on an individual basis, depending on length of service and rate of pay on discharge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Nimrod aircraft are (a) serviceable and (b) unserviceable; [107047](2) how many Tornado aircraft are

The information requested is set out in the table. This represents a snapshot in time at 8 a.m. on 26 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado GR/4's have a fully operational TIALD system; what percentage of the GR/4 fleet this represents; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the TIALD system; and if he will make a statement. [107546]

[holding answer 2 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the cost of the works for making safe The Keep, Imphal Barracks. [109443]

The Keep is currently unoccupied, although some basement rooms are used for storage. It is safe for the light foot traffic that the building is restricted to, and therefore needs no additional work other than routine maintenance. As for the cost of maintaining the building, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 7 February 2000, Official Report, column 29W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the feasibility study carried out on behalf of his Department for the provision of married quarters at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. [110043]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 February 2000, Official Report, column 164W, to the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the contract awarded to Waldwin Ltd. under the PFI scheme for the provision of married quarters at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. [110044]

The contract for the provision of married quarters at Lisburn has not yet been signed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to sell off land within Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn for (a) public and (b) private housing development. [110045]

There are no plans to sell off land within Thiepval Barracks for public or private housing development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Territorial Army Voluntary Reserve rifle range at Altcar is Crown property. [106450]

The West Lancashire Territorial Association purchased Altcar Ranges in July 1912. The Reserve Forces are considered an integral part of MOD, therefore the land owned and occupied by TAVRA and used for military purposes is regarded as Crown land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which member states, associate member states, associate partner states and observer states of the Western European Union are parties to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. [109760]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2000, Official Report, column 590W, on computers, what type of classified information was accessed by his Department's staff in each hacking incident; and what grades or type of staff would normally have access to this information. [109458]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: Internal hacking incidents are categorised into eight different types of misuse and the classification of the information involved may not be relevant to the type of incident. During the past two years, none of the internal hacking incidents involved the theft or disclosure of classified information. Access to classified information is determined by the post held by the staff member and also on a need to know basis. The grade of the staff member is not relevant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2000, Official Report, column 590W, on computers, what action has been taken to reduce the number of internal incursions into computer files containing classified information. [109457]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: My Department is continuously reviewing, and seeking ways to improve, both the procedural and electronic security of its systems. Electronic measures include the identification and authentication of users and audit of user activities. Before any IT system is allowed to operate it must obtain a security approval known as accreditation. All MOD staff are required to read and agree to comply with the Security Operating System for the system that they will use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2000, Official Report, column 590W, on computers, how many of his Department's staff have been disciplined for hacking incidents; and what disciplinary action was taken in each case. [109456]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: The incident recording system in use for the past five years does not carry details of disciplinary action taken. The recording system has however recently been modified to record when disciplinary action has been initiated but not the precise details of that action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of cost-efficiency comparisons between conventional build and PFI contracts for the planned junior ratings accommodation in HMS Nelson [109475]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: I have not yet received advice on any rebuild of junior ratings single living accommodation in HMS Nelson.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the standard of accommodation provided for junior ratings and other ranks in Her Majesty's Royal Naval Shore Establishments in the retention of these personnel in the Royal Navy. [109473]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: We are conscious that dissatisfaction with living accommodation may have an effect on retention and so we have in place a programme of improvements to single living accommodation for all service personnel, including naval ratings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the condition and fitness for purpose of accommodation provided for junior ratings in each of Her Majesty's Royal Naval Shore Establishments. [109500]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: The Strategic Defence Review recognised that the Armed Forces' single living accommodation estate should be improved. As a result, all junior naval ratings single living accommodation has been assessed against a common standard in order to determine what improvements are needed and in what order of priority the improvements should be addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a new accommodation project for junior ratings at HMS Nelson was first approved; and when contracts for construction, operation and maintenance will be let. [109476]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: The junior ratings single living accommodation forms part of the establishment of HMS Nelson, which incorporates a number of wider functions as a Fleet Accommodation Centre. My Department is currently undertaking a study into the means of delivery of a number of functions in HMS Nelson, including the junior ratings accommodation. The further prospect of a wider PFI within the Naval Base as a whole is also a consideration. I have yet to receive advice on this work and no decisions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which warships are currently deployed in the South Atlantic; and what plans he has to replace them at the end of their tour of duty. [109865]

The Type 23 Frigate HMS Somerset is currently returning from the South Atlantic via the West African coast. Her replacement as the Falkland Islands Guardship is the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Southampton, which will arrive in Falkland Islands waters shortly.The ice patrol ship HMS Endurance and the Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Dumbarton Castle are currently deployed in the South Atlantic. HMS Endurance will return to the UK at the end of the austral summer, as is normal practice, and will redeploy to the South Atlantic in austral summer 2000–01. HMS Dumbarton Castle is scheduled to remain in the South Atlantic until 2001 when she will be relieved by her sister ship HMS Leeds Castle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of naval manpower is deployed in the South Atlantic. [109863]

The proportion of naval manpower currently deployed in the South Atlantic represents less than 1 per cent. of the Naval Service Trained Strength.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total annual cost is of maintaining and manning the Falkland Islands military base. [109862]

The cost to the Ministry of Defence of the Falkland Islands Garrison in financial year 1999–2000 is expected to be approximately £73 million.This figure relates to the costs incurred by the Commander British Forces Falkland Islands only. It does not include the costs of the RAF airbridge to the Falkland Islands, nor the cost of naval deployments to the South Atlantic. These costs fall to other budgets and are not separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact the new Lloyd's Register rules will have on the readiness and functioning of Royal Navy ships; and if he will make a statement. [109674]

The Ministry of Defence has operated Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ships in an appropriate Lloyd's Register Class for many years with no significant impact on the required readiness and functioning of these ships. The new Lloyd's Naval Ship Rules, developed in full consultation with the Ministry of Defence, provide planned and monitored standards for Royal Navy warships that will ensure availability, functionality and sustained readiness. Care has been taken to ensure that Lloyd's Rules are at least as effective as current MOD Naval Standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was to his Department of participating in the multinational peacekeeping exercise in January 2000 in Nepal; which units took part and for how long; and if he will make a statement. [109800]

My Department did not participate directly in Exercise Shanti Prayas, the South Asian multinational peacekeeping exercise held in Nepal from 16 to 30 January 2000.However, at the invitation of the Nepalese Army, the Ministry of Defence sent two observers to part of the exercise at an additional cost of around £500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bilateral meetings were held between his Department and its Austrian counterpart in each of the last five years; and what was discussed at each meeting since May 1997. [109874]

Since 1995 the following senior-level bilateral meetings were held between representatives of the Ministry of Defence and its Austrian counterpart:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of profit his Department permits contractors to make on non-competitive contracts; and if he will make a statement. [109967]

The level of profit included in prices negotiated for non-competitive government contracts is calculated in accordance with the Government Profit Formula. Copies of the Reports on the Annual Reviews and triennial General Reviews of the Government Profit Formula for Non-Competitive Contracts, produced by the Review Board for Government Contracts (a non-departmental public body), are available in the Library of the House. These advise on the appropriate calculation of profit on non-competitive contracts for the year in which the contract is priced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-competitive contracts, to what aggregate value, were let during the last year for which records are available; and if he will make a statement. [109966]

The total number of contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence during Financial Year 1998–99 was 55,496, of which 8,616 were non-competitive. The total value of the contracts was £7.09 billion, of which the non-competitive element was worth £2.3 billion. These figures exclude Local Purchase Orders, the average value of which is less than £500.Making the best use of competition at prime and sub-contract level, is the MOD's preferred means of supplier selection, for achieving value for money in the delivery of defence capability. Where competition is not practicable, or is dispensed with on value for money grounds, contract placement is normally accompanied by price agreement at the outset.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of capability working groups in the defence procurement system. [109968]

Capability working groups are being established as part of our Smart Procurement reforms. Such groups bring together key stakeholders to develop the broad strategy for the capability area concerned, and to assess options to meet capability gaps. The groups thus inform and support the work of the Defence Procurement Agency teams responsible for managing equipment projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each country where HM forces are deployed (a) the nature of the deployment, (b) the numbers deployed, by service, and (c) the numbers of civil servants, their dependants and the civilian dependants of service personnel who may be tried under the service discipline Acts. [110009]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Declaration of Principles he signed with the US Secretary for Defense on 5 February. [109732]

A copy of the UK/US Declaration of Principles has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money, and over what time scale, he intends to save by purchasing a new track for Challenger 2; and if he will make a statement. [109734]

The whole-life costs of all weapons systems are being examined as part of the Department's Smart Procurement initiative. Challenger 2, which only entered service in June 1998, is no exception. It is too early to say with absolute accuracy what savings will be achieved from on-going studies into the running costs of the vehicle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the recent changes to the US Army budget plan will have on the TRACER/Future Scout and Cavalry System; and if he will make a statement. [109733]

The UK and USA have entered into a joint Project Definition phase for TRACER/FSCS under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding. This commits both nations to an equal share of the cost of this stage of the project. There is no commitment, by either nation, to proceed beyond the Project Definition phase and, therefore, no agreement to fund any further development beyond this stage. The UK contribution to the cost of the collaborative Project Definition contracts for TRACER is some £90 million. My officials are in close touch with their US counterparts over the TRACER/FSCS programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the official establishments of each of the armed forces legal branches. [110007]

The Royal Navy does not have a legal branch but there are 21 established legal posts. The establishments of the Army and Royal Air Force legal branches are 100 and 37 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are (a) the official establishment figures for the Royal Military Police, (b) the current manpower and (c) forecast manpower levels for the next three years. [110008]

As at 1 February 2000, the RMP currently has 1,961 serving personnel and has a manpower planning target of 2,007. The current manpower planning target is not expected to change significantly in the next three years. That target includes the small number of posts that will be needed to meet the provisions of the Armed Forces Discipline Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what stage in the Smart Procurement process the defence industry will become involved; what impact such involvement will have on the policy of competitive procurement; and if he will make a statement. [109690]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: Under Smart Procurement, the industry is involved in procurement projects from the outset. However, the nature and level of its involvement will vary according to the stage of the project, from initial studies, procurement, through-life support and disposal. This does not affect MOD policy on competition. Making the best use of competition at prime and sub-contract level remains the MOD's preferred means of supplier selection for defence requirements and achieving value for money. Industry understands this principle.

To ask the President of the Council how many parliamentary questions have been tabled by right hon. and hon. Members, pursuing delays on the part of Government departments in replying to correspondence since May 1997; and if she will indicate how many were tabled by (a) Conservative, (b) Labour and (c) other hon. Members. [110079]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Responsibility for replying to parliamentary questions and correspondence from hon. Members lies with the relevant Minister.