To ask the Prime Minister which fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised and will be raised from each of these fees from 1989–90 to 2001–05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure. [107974]

For the purposes of this question, this answer includes my Office and the Cabinet Office, together with its agencies and associated public bodies. A fee is a charge made under legislative authority. My Office, the Cabinet Office, its agencies and associated public bodies collect no fees.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answers of 7 February 2000, Official Report, columns 3–4W, (1) which judges have served on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, who were nominated on the advice of a head of Government of another Commonwealth country in the past twenty years; [109383](2) if he will list the people from other countries of the Commonwealth who have been accorded membership of the Privy Council in the past 20 years; which of these were eligible for membership of the Judicial Committee; and which served on the Judicial Committee subsequently. [109384]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: I understand that of those persons appointed to the Privy Council in the last 20 years the following have actually served on the Judicial Committee by virtue of holding or having held judicial office in a superior court outside the United Kingdom:

Privy Councillor
Sir Gordon Bisson	New Zealand Court of Appeal
Sir Maurice Casey	New Zealand Court of Appeal
Sir Thomas Eichelbaum	New Zealand Court of Appeal
Sir Thomas Floissac	East Caribbean Supreme Court
Thomas Gault	New Zealand Court of Appeal
Telford Georges	Bahamas Court of Appeal
Sir Michael Hardie Boys	New Zealand Court of Appeal
John Henry	New Zealand Court of Appeal
Sir Duncan McMullin	New Zealand Court of Appeal
Edward Zacca	Supreme Court of Jamaica

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the previously planned meetings, and their subject, between him and the Prime Minister of Austria which have been cancelled since the formation of the new Austrian Government. [109868]

I had no previously planned meeting with the Chancellor of Austria before the measures of the 14 member states were implemented.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter of 8 February to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, if he will set out the conditions which Iraq must fulfil to have made real progress on disarmament. [109601]

[holding answer 14 February 2000]: Security Council Resolution 1284 sets out the conditions which Iraq must fulfil. The Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC and the Director General of the IAEA will identify the key remaining disarmament tasks to be completed by Iraq. The resolution states that what is required of Iraq for the implementation of each task should be clearly defined and precise.

To ask the Prime Minister when the Performance and Innovation Unit's report on the role of central Government at regional and local level will be published. [110419]

The Performance and Innovation Unit's report "Reaching out: the role of central Government at regional and local level" is being published tomorrow.Copies will be available from the Vote Office.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the report and recommendations of the Review Body on Senior Salaries. [110420]

The 2000 report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, which makes recommendations about the pay of the senior civil service, senior military personnel and the judiciary, together with the annual uprating of Parliamentary salaries, is being published today. Copies are available from the Vote Office. I am grateful to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for their work.The main recommendations of the Review Body are:

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to bring forward proposals for reform of the House of Lords; and on what timescale. [110336]

The Government have made it clear that they wish to give proper consideration to the recommendations of the Royal Commission. That process is still continuing.

To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to hold a referendum on whether proportional representation should be introduced for elections to the United Kingdom Parliament. [110335]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the Leader of the Opposition in the House on 12 January 2000, Official Report, column 274.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria relating to minor criminal records will govern entry into the proposed Police Service for Northern Ireland; what class of criminal conviction is a barrier to recruitment to the RUC; and what plans he has to change the criteria. [107815]

A note setting out the current criminal convictions criteria has been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Royal Ulster Constabulary's website.The criteria will be reviewed in light of the recommendations on recruitment in the Patten Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Hull, North of 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 5W, if he will list the responsibilities of the Chief Constable of the RUC when he was a detective superintendent at RUC Headquarters. [108429]

[holding answer 8 February 2000]: While I was content to answer the previous question from my hon. Friend for Hull, North, I do not consider it appropriate to answer questions relating to the operational responsibilities of individual members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance his Department gives to aid the development of the construction industry. [107848]

The Department operates a sponsorship programme to support the technical and commercial development of the construction industry.We invest approximately £25 million a year in research and dissemination of best practice to help and encourage the industry to improve its competitiveness and its performance on such issues as sustainability, diversity, health and safety, training etc. This includes over £8 million to support collaborative research with industry.

£000
Financial year	1998–99	1999–2000
Movement for Innovation
M4I Board/Local Government Taskforce/Change the Face of Construction/other publicity and conferences	110	615
Housing Forum	0	100
Construction Industry Board (including National Construction Week)	140	155
Construction Best Practice Programme	1,300	2,000

Please note that because a number of expenditures are expected to arise at around the turn of the financial year, out-turns for the current financial year may vary from the above estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the availability of suitable housing to the elderly. [109247]

Over the lifetime of this Parliament, we are providing nearly £5 billion of extra resources for investment in housing in England. Most of these resources are being directed through local authorities who are key to the delivery of our housing policies. £2.1 billion has been allocated to local authorities in 2000–01, through the Housing Investment Programme—48 per cent. more than was available in the current year.We believe that local authorities are best placed to decide on the needs and priorities of their areas and their investment decisions for these additional resources should be based on robust local assessments of the housing needs of all groups within the community, including addressing the needs of the elderly.In particular, grants are available through local authorities, to help elderly and disabled people to carry out adaptions and improvements that enable them to remain in comfort and safety in their own homes. Provision for disabled facilities grants is due to increase by a quarter over the current expenditure period, and this is expected to pay for over 10,000 additional adaptations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding he has provided to support the (a) Movement for Innovation, (b) Construction Industry Training Board, (c) Construction Best Practice programme and (d) Housing Forum for the years (i) 1998–99 and (ii) 1999–2000. [R] [108707]

DETR funding has been as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many regional development agency boards have more than one member with expertise in rural matters. [109810]

All RDA boards have at least one member with rural expertise. Yorkshire Forward and the East of England RDA have two board members with rural expertise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many brownfield sites his Department has identified in (a) rural and (b) urban areas; and what is the total area of such sites in each category. [109766]

Provisional results from the first phase of the National Land Use Database (NLUD), published in May last year estimated that, in 1998, there were about 33,000 hectares of previously developed vacant and derelict land in England. An additional 23,000 hectares of land are potentially available through reuse of vacant commercial buildings, land currently in use but allocated in plans for redevelopment or with planning permission for housing, and other sites expected to become available for redevelopment. These results were compiled from information on more than 30,000 previously developed sites.This information is not available for urban and rural areas separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish a list of brownfield sites in England. [110235]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt) on 28 January 2000, Official Report, column 357W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the United Kingdom is on target to meet the level of carbon dioxide reduction agreed at Kyoto. [109575]

The UK has a legally binding target under the Kyoto Protocol of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–12. Our emissions of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol fell by almost 9 per cent. between 1990 and 1997 and is on target to meet our commitment. The Government will shortly be publishing a draft UK climate change programme for consultation. The draft programme will show how the UK plans to meet its legally binding Kyoto target and move towards the domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [109872]

Any records of bilateral meeting between the DETR (or the former DOE or DOT) and its Austrian counterpart are not held centrally. It would therefore involve a disproportionate cost in trying to retrieve the information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those previously planned meetings and their subject, between his Department and its Austrian counterpart which have been cancelled since the formation of the new Austrian Government. [109899]

There were no previously planned meetings between DETR and its Austrian counterpart when the new Austrian Government was formulated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the outcome of his review of the proposal by Croydon Council to fell trees at Gravel Hill, Croydon. [109510]

The Secretary of State received on 12 January a request to make a tree preservation order in respect of trees at Gravel Hill, Croydon. This request and subsequent submissions are currently being considered. I will write to the hon. Member when a decision has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is (a) the value of borrowing by housing associations to finance investments in housing stock and (b) the average length of the term for repayment. [109545]

According to information from the Housing Corporation at 31 March 1998 committed loan facilities of £13.5 billion had been arranged by housing associations and other registered social landlords, of which £10.6 billion had been drawndown. Whilst the vast majority of this funding was to finance the purchase, development or improvement of housing stock, it is not possible to identify separately that element which was raised to meet other costs.The average length of term for repayment is not available. Typically long term funding may be for periods of 25 to 35 years. Short-term funding may be up to five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will announce his decision on the planning application for the cement works at Holborough, Kent; [109551](2) when he will announce his decision on the planning application for Stone Lodge Park, Dartford; and if he will make a statement. [109550]

On the Holborough application, we are considering the Inspector's report and will issue a decision as soon as possible.On the Stone Lodge application, it was necessary to seek further representations from the parties on the question of need for the facilities proposed. We are analysing the responses and will issue a decision shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance is being given to those responsible for implementing the provisions of the Single Programming Documents for Objective 1 funding in (a) Merseyside, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) Cornwall, with regard to issuing draft programme Complement and Guidelines in advance of the final approval of the SPD, to enable project sponsors to move ahead with their projects without delay. [109556]

My Department has issued guidance to programme managers on the implementation of Objective 1 programmes. This will be updated as new policy and other developments arise. We are very keen to avoid any delay in the implementation of these programmes, to enable partners to maximise the opportunities afforded by the new programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received on whether biodiversity action planning should be placed on a statutory footing; [109991](2) what plans he has to provide a statutory basis for biodiversity action planning. [109992]

A number of representations on whether the biodiversity action plan process should be placed on a statutory footing have been received since the announcement, in the Queen's Speech, of a Bill to give people greater access to the countryside and improved protection for wildlife. This issue and representations received on many others are currently being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications for the national biodiversity action planning process of the Countryside Council for Wales's decision not to work on biodiversity action plans. [109990]

The implications of the Countryside Council for Wales's decision are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the titles of (a) research studies, (b) audits and (c) surveys he commissioned for completion in the last 12 months, stating in each case when the results were published. [109944]

I refer to the answer that I gave on 8 December 1999, Official Report, column 544W, on Departmental Research, when I explained that details of each project are not held centrally. As on that occasion, a list of research projects will be prepared and placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each (a) unitary, (b) shire county, (c) shire district, (d) metropolitan district and (e) London borough council (i) the real terms cash and percentage increase in standard spending assessment between 1997–98 and 2000–01, (ii) the real terms cash and percentage increase in revenue support grant between 1997–98 and 2000–01, (iii) the real terms cash and percentage increase in total external support between 1997–98 and 2000–01 and (iv) the real terms cash and percentage increase in aggregate external finance between 1997–98 and 2000–01. [109600]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: The information requested, to the extent that it is available, has been placed in the library. It is not possible to provide the increase in aggregate external finance to 2000–01 as the latest available figures relate to budgets for 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy that hon. Members should have the opportunity to make oral representations at the examination in public concerning the development plan policies relating to their constituencies. [109975]

Existing policy on the selection of participants in Structure Plan examinations in public (EIPs) is set out in Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and in the booklet "Structure Plans—A Guide to Procedures" published by my Department in December 1999. There are currently no plans to alter this policy. The purpose of an EIP is to provide the local structure planning authority with more information, through public discussion of certain issues, before reaching decisions on the plan. It is not intended that all those who have made objections or representations on an issue selected for discussion should be invited to take part.Primary legislation gives responsibility to the EIP panel and the local planning authority for selecting participants. The basic criterion will be the significance of the contribution which they can be expected to make to the discussion of the matters to be examined. The aim will be to select participants (whether statutory bodies, interest groups or individuals) who between them represent a broad range of viewpoints and have a relevant contribution to make.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of amending planning and public inquiry rules and legislation to give hon. Members the right to make oral representations at the examinations in public on the development plan policies concerning their constituencies.[109977]

None. However, my right hon. Friend, the then Minister for Planning, indicated in "Modernising Planning—A Progress Report", published by my Department in April 1999, that while a number of improvements had already been achieved, we would continue to consider proposals for further changes to make the planning system more efficient and effective. A summary report on research into the Operation and Effectiveness of Structure Planning System was also published in April 1999, and indicated that the Department intended to carry out a short-term review of the structure planning process in England. That review will commence shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to (a) reduce noise levels and (b) improve safety at small airports outside London; [109797](2) if he will make a statement on the safety and age of aircraft using small airports. [109798]

Our policy on noise is the same for small and large airports—reduction of noise at source, and airport specific measures where necessary. The Government continue to work for international agreement on higher certification standards and on phasing out noisier aircraft. Apart from the designated London airports, where the Secretary of State has direct responsibility, measures to reduce operational noise are the responsibility of the airport management, working in consultation with local interests. We shall shortly consult on the details of proposed legislation to strengthen aerodromes' powers to establish and enforce noise amelioration schemes, and to enable the Secretary of State to designate an aerodrome requiring it to agree such a scheme with an appropriate local authority.All United Kingdom airports are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and must be operated safely, regardless of their size or location. Similarly there is no necessary correlation between the age of aircraft and their safety: what is important is that the aircraft are maintained properly. Commercial aircraft must be maintained to an approved maintenance programme by qualified engineers working for an approved maintenance organisation. The age of the aircraft will be taken into account in determining the maintenance programme. Similar arrangements apply to aircraft with a private category certificate of airworthiness.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what levels of payment have been made to local authorities to recompense them through the premium support grant for the 50 per cent. council tax discount given to (a) second homes and (b) other domestic properties entitled to the 50 per cent. discount, in each of the last three years; [110203](2) what recompense has been paid to local authorities through the revenue support grant for the loss of income due to the 50 per cent. council tax discount for second homes,

There is no distinct element of the Revenue Support Grant to recompense authorities for council tax discounts they are required to give. However, the definition of the tax base used in the calculation of Revenue Support Grant normally has the effect of increasing an authority's grant by an amount broadly similar to the discounts. It will not be exactly the same as the discounts because the taxbase is based on information available before the year in which the discounts are given, the tax base is based on 100 per cent. collection, and the grant calculation uses a national tax rate rather than the actual tax rate.The Department does not have information distinguishing 50 per cent. discounts on second homes and 50 per cent. discounts for other reasons. We will place tables in the Library shortly based on all 50 per cent. discounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the European Council Directive 96/29/Euratom on radiation protection, with particular reference to the treatment of nuclear waste. [110248]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) on 14 February 2000, Official Report, columns 356–57W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce enhanced single vehicle approval tests. [110247]

Changes to the single vehicle approval scheme were the subject of public consultation last October, when it was envisaged that an enhanced test would be introduced this March for certain classes of passenger car and light goods vehicle. In the light of responses, including observations from the European Commission, we are reviewing the proposals. This will mean the existing arrangements will continue for the time being. A further announcement will be made as soon as we have decided how best to proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 18 to 24-year-olds have entered the New Deal in Shrewsbury and Atcham; what the destinations of the leavers were; and if he will make a statement. [105525]

In the period to the end of October 1999, 299 young people started the New Deal in Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency. Of the 173 leavers, 78 found unsubsidised employment, 21 transferred to other benefits, and 20 left for other known destinations. Many of the remaining 54 who left for unknown destinations will have found jobs without telling the Employment Service. We are on target to meet our manifesto commitment of 250,000 young people into jobs and have just published a 10 point plan to build on the success of the New Deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce a school sports strategy to coincide with the forthcoming Government sports strategy. [107156]

I am working very closely with the Minister for Sport to develop the education strand of the Government's Sports Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of children can swim 25 metres at the end of Key Stage 2; and if he will make a statement. [107159]

In November, Ofsted conducted a focused survey on swimming in the primary school and is currently analysing the data which will provide an up-to-date figure on what percentage of children can swim 25 metres at the end of Key Stage 2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the relationship between physical exercise and standards of literacy and numeracy. [107172]

No research has been commissioned on the relationship between physical exercise and standards of literacy and numeracy. Ofsted has published an evaluation of the first year of implementation of the National Literacy Strategy and is currently evaluating the first year of the National Numeracy Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if students undertaking a fourth year at law school will be eligible for an individual learning account from September 2000. [108128]

Anyone aged 19 and over can open a learning account. A package of incentives is available for people in work, or seeking to return to work, who do not benefit from the public provision provided to unemployed people and people in full-time education (e.g. women seeking to return to the labour market, younger workers with low skills or few qualifications and self-employed people). The incentives will help these people to invest in their own learning and take charge of their career and futures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment the Government have made of regional variations in the performance of the New Deal; and if he will make a statement. [109280]

The overall success of the New Deal does not mean that variations in levels of performance will not arise. This is inevitable in the short run and reflects the range in the client group and labour market conditions in some localities. We are always striving to improve performance and build on success. We have a strategy in place for continuous improvement which enables us to monitor performance against a range of measures and develop plans for improvement. By involving locally based partnerships in delivery we are ensuring that the programme design is relevant to local needs and will continue to offer unemployed people the best route into employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what reports he has received indicating that section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 has prevented teachers from dealing with incidents of bullying in schools. [109369]

Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 has never applied to schools, but it is clear that it has had a significant effect on teachers' perceptions.In research carried out in over 300 secondary schools by the Health and Education Research Unit at the Institute of Education, University of London (Playing it Safe, November 1997) some 44 per cent. of the teachers responding said that section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 had made it more difficult for them to address the needs of gay, lesbian and bisexual pupils. The report noted that

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in respect of the inclusion in the National Curriculum of citizenship studies in schools, what consultation took place, and with whom, prior to the adoption of such studies; to whom and when draft proposals were sent for comment; what specific requirement is made in respect of information and instruction concerning the European Union and consequential citizenship obligations; what material for use of (i) teachers and (ii) pupils in respect of the European Union is made available through departmental channels; and if it includes a package entitled, Euroquest. [109435]

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority consulted widely on proposals for a framework for Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education between 13 May and 23 July 1999 as part of broader proposals for the review of the National Curriculum.The proposals were sent to all schools. In addition, 4,000 copies were sent to other major organisations including central educational organisations, subject organisations, professional associations, Local Education Authorities and faith groups. In all, nearly 80,000 copies of the proposals for Citizenship and Personal, Social and Health Education and over 50,000 copies of the full consultation materials were distributed. In addition to the paper consultation, MORI held discussions with a number of focus groups of teachers, parents and governors.Questionnaires were returned by nearly 2,500 people and organisations—including over 600 schools, nearly 1,000 teachers, almost 200 parents, nearly 100 school governors, 90 Local Education Authorities, and over 20 employers. Details of the questionnaire responses and the responses of the focus groups were published in September. They showed a high degree of support for the proposals.The Citizenship programme for secondary schools—to take effect, subject to Parliamentary approval, at the start of the school year 2002—provides for pupils to be taught about: the world as a global community, and the political, economic, environmental and social implications of this, and the role of the European Union, the Commonwealth and the United Nations at Key Stage 3 and the United Kingdom's relations in Europe, including the European Union, and the relations with the Commonwealth and the United Nations at Key Stage 4.During the UK Presidency of the European Community from January to June 1998, an information and resource pack for schools, Partners in Europe, was produced and distributed by the four education departments in the UK, in response to requests from teachers to update materials that were already in use in the classroom. The pack offers case studies of how schools have incorporated the European dimension into work which meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. It was produced in conjunction with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges. The material is available from the Department's website. It is designed for use by teachers and its use is voluntary.I understand that the Euroquest booklet was funded entirely by the Representation of the European Commission in the UK, and that the content of the booklet was produced in collaboration with a number of UK educationalists and the Central Bureau for International Education and Training. One million copies were produced and approximately half have been distributed to schools on request.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he gives to local education authorities on the use on their estates in air conditioning and refrigeration systems of substances which contribute to global warming. [109332]

The Department gives advice in Building Bulletin 83, "Schools Environmental Assessment Method (SEAM)". This recommends specifying materials which are CFC and HCFC free, and do not use CFCs or HCFCs in their manufacture, for refrigerants in refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of all those unemployed in (a) rural and (b) urban areas were classified as long-term unemployed (i) at the latest date for which figures are available and (ii) 10 years previously. [109752]

In England, in December 1999, 18.4 per cent. of claimant unemployed people in rural areas and 25.1 per cent. of claimant unemployed people in urban areas had been claiming for more than a year. The figures for December 1989 are 17.8 per cent. and 26.7 per cent. respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the education authorities that (a) voluntarily adhere and (b) do not adhere to the Minimum Nutritional Standards. [109763]

Regulations to be laid before Parliament in due course, setting out compulsory nutritional standards for school lunches in England, will begin to take effect from September 2000. In the meantime, local education authorities and schools are free to set their own local specification and guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the education authorities that provide milk to school children (a) free and (b) at cost. [109762]

All education authorities decide for themselves whether or not to provide any milk for school children. Where they do so, they must, by law, provide milk free to children whose parents receive the specified benefits. Authorities must charge for all other milk they provide. We do not collect statistical information on which education authorities provide free or at cost milk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the subsidy to Remploy (a) in cash terms and (b) at December 1999 prices, in each year since 1980.[109597]

[holding answer 14 February 2000]: This table shows the Government's subsidy to Remploy, in both cash and real terms, since 1980.

£ million
Year	Cash	December 1999 prices
1980–81	42.123	101.605
1981–82	45.684	98.724
1982–83	49.100	99.127
1983–84	51.903	100.868
1984–85	56.570	103.849
1985–86	59.290	102.814
1986–87	57.144	95.859
1987–88	57.996	93.716
1988–89	62.714	95.570
1989–90	67.013	94.747
1990–91	72.167	93.026
1991–92	75.346	92.557
1992–93	83.995	100.210
1993–94	89.199	104.613
1994–95	92.081	105.169
1995–96	94.161	104.106
1996–97	94.161	101.667
1997–98	94.161	98.402
1998–99	94.161	95.89
1999–2000	95.661	95.661

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on tackling bullying in schools. [109925]

We attach a high priority to helping schools prevent and combat bullying in whatever form—be it racial, or as a result of a child's appearance, behaviour or special educational needs, or related to sexual orientation. We want all schools to treat bullying seriously and deal with it promptly and firmly whenever and wherever it occurs. Since September 1999, schools have been required by law to have an anti-bullying policy. Ofsted's Framework for Inspection requires inspecting teams to evaluate the measures taken by the school to prevent and eliminate bullying.We will be launching a further anti-bullying initiative shortly. This will comprise a public information film to raise awareness of the problem; a video for schools on tackling bullying aimed at young people, on the theme `Don't Suffer in Silence'; and a revised and updated anti-bullying pack for schools on the same theme setting out, among other things, strategies for combating bullying including racist bullying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each year from 1992 to date, the standard spending assessment increase in education allocated to Shropshire County Council; and if he will make a statement. [110129]

The data requested are given in the table. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes in local authority function over the years and are not directly comparable due to the effects of local government reorganisation.

Year	SSA total	Cash change £ million	Percentage change
1990–91	128.2	—	—
1991–92	145.5	17.3	13.5
1992–93	154.0	8.5	5.9
1993–941	134.0	—	—
1994–95	135.5	1.5	1.1
1995–96	137.1	1.6	1.2
1996–97	145.3	8.2	6.0
1997–982	146.9	1.6	1.1
1998–993	95.4	—	—
1999–2000	100.8	5.4	5.7
2000–01	105.4	4.6	4.5
1 From 1993–94 Education Spending Assessment figures are affected by the Creation of the Further Education Funding Council and the subsequent reduction in post-16 funding
2 In 1997–98 £527 million was removed from Education Standard Spending for the Nursery Voucher Scheme
3 In 1998–99 Shropshire was affected by Local Government Reorganisation

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each year the cost of the assisted places scheme in Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [110132]

The cost to the Exchequer of the assisted places scheme at the seven participating schools in the area of the present Shropshire local education authority in the current academic year 1999–2000 is estimated to be £535,600. Information relating to previous years is not readily available and, in any case, would not be directly comparable in view of the boundary changes brought about by the recent local government re-organisation. The assisted places scheme is being phased out and no new assisted places are now available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the timescale for the publication of the Social Services Inspectorate report into Kinloss School in Worcestershire. [110304]

On 3 February 2000 my Department authorised the Worcestershire County Inspectorate to release copies of the report. Copies will be sent to all local authorities that have placed children in the school and to those people, often parents of present or former pupils, who have contacted the Department or the Inspectorate about the report. I understand that the Inspectorate is finalising its distribution arrangements, and expects copies to issue around one week from now.My Department has also given the school notice of withdrawal of its approval under section 347 of the Education Act 1996. This means that the school has until June 2000 to remedy the failings identified in the report, or it will lose its approval. The school has submitted its plans for addressing these issues, and we will arrange for inspection at the appropriate time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set aside the passporting test and review his decision to reduce the education element in Government grant made available to Newcastle City Council. [110185]

It is vitally important that the increased funding we have made available reaches education. We will therefore continue to urge local authorities to passport the increase in education standard spending assessment to education budgets. My right hon. Friend will take decisions on the release of the £50 million special grant to support school budgets in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made on reforming teachers' pay. [109246]

The Green Paper "Teachers: meeting the challenge of change" (Cm 4161) published in December 1998 outlined our proposals for reform of the teaching profession. Following extensive consultation with representatives of teachers and teachers' employers on the proposals, the Department for Education and Employment submitted detailed evidence on pay reform to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) last September. This evidence contained revised proposals on the pay structure and responded to issues raised through the consultation process.The STRB's Ninth Report was published on 1 February. The report is a major endorsement for the Government's reforms, and the Government have accepted the recommendations with only minor modifications. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament. The Secretary of State has initiated consultation with key stakeholders including teacher unions and employers on the STRB's recommendations. The consultation ends on 7 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the National Union of Teachers representations on the Government's proposals on performance-related pay. [109570]

The Government's proposals for teachers' pay reform were initially outlined in the Green Paper, "Teachers: meeting the challenge of change" (Cm 4164). We have discussed our proposals extensively with all teacher unions and other key stakeholders. The NUT's evidence to the independent pay body, the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB), was considered alongside that of other statutory consultees when the STRB drew up their recommendations, which were published on 1 February 2000. Ministers and officials will continue to meet unions and other consultees as part of the consultation on the STRB recommendations. The consultation ends on 7 March.

To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions charges have been brought against managers of charity premises under section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and if he will make a statement. [109890]

The Crown Prosecution Service measures its performance and case-loads by the number of defendants, the type of proceedings and the outcome of cases. It does not keep a central record of specific charges brought by the police. That information is held on individual case files and could be recovered only by examining every case file in each CPS office. The cost of such an exercise would be prohibitive.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many staff employed by the Law Officers' Departments are currently on gardening leave. [110342]

None. I take "gardening leave" to mean paid absence from work that is not annual leave, sickness absence, suspension or any category of special leave as defined in my Departments' personnel management manuals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours flying, other than during operations, (a) the Army Air Corps and (b) the Fleet Air Arm have flown in each of the last five years. [108656]

For statistical purposes, the number of flying hours is collated by financial year (FY). Figures for the last five complete years and for the current year are as set out. The figures for the current FY are up to and including the end of October 1999.

Financial year	Total Army Air Corps hours 1	Total Fleet Air Arm hours 1
1994–95	66,035	17,958
1995–96	62,564	18,596
1996–97	62,601	16,509
1997–98	64,354	17,958
1998–99	67,465	15,835
1999–20002	37,568	11,136
1 Excluding operations
2 To October 1999

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Antonov 124–100 has the capacity to lift two main battle tanks simultaneously. [103103]

[holding answer 20 December 1999]: On the basis of information publicly available, we are not aware that the Antonov 124–100, nor any of the other aircraft under consideration to fulfil our Short Term Strategic Airlift requirement, are currently capable of carrying safely two Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks. We have not, however, sought detailed information on this point since we have no such requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence underlies his conclusion that RAF Chinook ZD 576 was travelling too low and too fast towards the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994. [108750]

In reaching their conclusions concerning the height and speed of the aircraft just prior to the accident the RAF Board of Inquiry considered data extracted from navigation equipment on the aircraft, the AAIB technical report and information and analysis provided by Boeing Helicopters and the Defence Research Agency, Bedford. Evidence from witness statements was also taken into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the problems being experienced with the new Bowman Communication System; and what assessment he has made of their impact on the effectiveness and safety of the United Kingdom's armed forces. [109037]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle), the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, on 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 468W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the reasons for delay to the original in service date of the BOWMAN digital battlefield communications system; and if he will make a statement. [109965]

[holding answer 14 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 hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report and recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. [110524]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the annual armed forces pay review will be announced; and if he will make a statement. [109050]

The 2000 Report of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I am grateful to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for the work they have put into them.In the Comprehensive Spending Review the Government made it clear that public sector pay settlements would need to be fair and affordable and support budgeted public service improvements. In making their recommendations the AFPRB have taken into account a number of considerations, including the recruitment, retention and motivation of the armed forces and have recommended an increase in basic military salary of 3.3 per cent. for all ranks, with the exception of Privates, Lance Corporals, Captains and Lieutenants who should receive 3.8 per cent. An increase of 1 per cent. in X Factor is also recommended. The X Factor which has not been reviewed for five years, is paid as an addition to basic pay and reflects the differences between conditions of service experienced by members of the armed forces over a full career and conditions in civilian life, which cannot be taken directly into account in assessing pay comparability. The graduate starting salary is set at £18,126 p.a. There are also some increases in Additional Pay (e.g. Flying Pay, Submarine Pay and Hydrographic Pay) and in Longer Separated Service Allowance/Bonus.These recommendations will fully support the armed forces strategic personnel policies, in particular in relation to recruitment and retention. The additional cost to the Defence Budget will be £260 million. This will be met within existing Departmental Expenditure Limits.The AFPRB' s recommendations are to be accepted in full, with implementation effective from 1 April 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Bills Agency for the financial year 2000–01.[110523]

Targets have been set for the Defence Bills Agency for the financial year 2000–01 in accordance with the Agency's Service Level Agreement with the Ministry of Defence. The targets build on the high standards of service achieved by the Agency since its formation in January 1996 and are as follows:

By the end of the financial year 2000–01, to reduce transaction costs by a further 7.3 per cent. for bills and a further 2.4 per cent. for invoices over the targets set for 1999–2000. This represents a further step towards achieving overall reductions in transaction costs of between 15 per cent. and 20 per cent. by March 2004 as required under the terms of the Service Level Agreement.

To produce financial and accounting information to the ISO 9001/3 quality standard and to the times set out in the Service Level Agreement.

To pay 100 per cent. of correctly-presented bills within 11 calendar days of receipt.

To raise 95 per cent. of invoices within four working days of receipt of a correctly-presented claimable document.

Within the permitted tolerances, to meet the performance targets prescribed in the Service Level Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of each of the reserves and auxiliary forces, distinguishing between Regular Reserves and Volunteer Reserves and identifying separately the cost of the (a) Territorial Army, (b) Royal Naval Reserve, (c) Royal Marine Reserve, (d) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves and (e) Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and specifying the constituent parts of each figure in the last year for which figures are available. [108907]

[holding answer 9 February 2000]: The information is not available in the format requested and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. I can, however, identify total expenditure by Service during 1998–99 as follows:

	£ million
Navy Reserve Forces Pay	6.646
Navy Bounty Payments	3.025
Army Reserve Forces Pay	94.908
Army Bounty Payments	30.780
Royal Air Force Reserve Pay	6.993
Royal Air Force Bounty Payments	0.057
Total	142.409

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement has been reached with the USA regarding funding for the development of the TRACER/FSCS system. [109858]

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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what staff requirement is planned to be met by the development of the TRACER/FSCS system. [109856]

The Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) is intended to meet the Army's requirement for a manned reconnaissance vehicle as stated in Staff Requirement (Land) 4061. The requirement forms the UK part of the UK/US collaborative project for a future reconnaissance vehicle, the US part being known as the Future Scout Cavalry System (FSCS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) refurbishment (b) rebuild and (c) new build projects are planned to modernise accommodation provided for junior ratings in each of Her Majesty's Royal Naval Shore Establishments; in what year they were first

Establishment	Type	Year approved	Initial anticipated completion	Current anticipated completion
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton	New Build	1997	March 1999	March 2000
HMS Dryad	New Build	1998	November 1999	March 2000
Royal Marines Bickley	New Build	1998	July 2001	July 2001
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose:
Phase 1	Refurbishment	11999	August 2000	September 2000
Phase 2			February 2003	February 2003
Phase 3			June 2005	June 2005
Royal Marines Chivenor	New Build	2000	June 2001	June 2001
1 Three phases

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of evaluating MESAR2 in White Sands, USA; how much of the cost will be borne by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [109801]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost so far of DERA's evaluation of MESAR2; and if he will make a statement. [109803]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money his Department has spent so far on MESAR2 and over what timescale; and if he will make a statement. [109802]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: Following is the approved programme of current and planned projects for junior ratings single living accommodation:

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of RAF Neatishead. [109558]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 January 2000, Official Report, column 382W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the letter from the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) of 27 January 2000, concerning Gulf veterans, for what reasons he has been unable to obtain adequate material from Canada on depleted uranium testing work; and what further steps he plans to take to obtain adequate material. [110071]

[holding answer 14 February 2000]: The MOD has repeatedly stated that we are keen to see the evidence from the independent tests carried out in Canada and the US that claim UK veterans were exposed to unusually high levels of DU during the Gulf conflict. We have urged all the scientists involved in testing UK veterans to share their full results with us and the scientific community. We have also repeated our request for details of the work during meetings with, and when writing to, Dr. Durakovic, Dr. Sharma and veterans' representatives. Yet in spite of our requests we have still not seen any robust scientific data justifying the claims.The MOD will continue to make requests for robust scientific evidence to support the claims and urges all those involved in these independent tests to make the positive step to provide the evidence so that we can move forward on a scientific basis. In the meantime, we have offered to test the UK veterans who were involved with these independent tests. A draft protocol, under which the testing would take place, is currently being considered by veterans' representatives. We hope that they will soon agree to co-operate in such testing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the timetable for a decision on SONAR 2087. [109390]

[holding answer 14 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on plans to alter the current status of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service; and how this will affect personnel serving within QARNNS. [110522]

Following a comprehensive review, the Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS) will be incorporated into the Royal Navy (RN) from 1 April 2000 as the Service's specialised nursing branch. QARNNS is currently a separate Service within the Naval Service.This will bring the status of QARNNS into line with that of the Army and RAF. It will also mean that QARNNS personnel commissioned or engaged into the RN from 1 April 2000 will be available for reserve service once they leave the RN. QARNNS ratings currently have no liability for reserve service.The terms and conditions of service of existing QARNNS personnel will be unaffected by this change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those previously planned meetings, and their subject, between his Department and its Austrian counterpart which have been cancelled since the formation of the new Austrian Government. [109901]

There have been no cancellations of previously planned meetings between officials of the Ministry of Defence and its Austrian counterpart since the formation of the new Austrian government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Nigeria to discuss consular relations. [108547]

I visited Nigeria from 9–12 January and raised the case of my hon. Friend's constituent, Mr. Mark Davey, with the Nigerian Foreign Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy at the next intergovernmental conference to resist any extension of qualified majority voting and new EU competences. [108548]

The Government have made it clear that they will adopt a pragmatic approach to the extension of qualified majority voting. Where it is in Britain's interests to support QMV, we shall do so. But where key national interests are at stake, we shall insist on retaining unanimity. As for competencies, The Helsinki European Council agreed that the ICG would concentrate on reforming the institutions, not giving them new tasks to perform.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for the enlargement of the European Union. [108549]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for the enlargement of the European Union. [108562]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the prospects for the enlargement of the European Union. [108568]

Today, the EU is launching accession negotiations with six applicant countries. They will join six countries already in negotiation. We want applicant countries to accede to the European Union as soon as they are able to meet the obligations of membership. But the EU must prepare for enlargement too. This is why, yesterday, the member states of the European Union convened an intergovernmental conference to make the institutional changes necessary for enlargement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of the middle east peace process. [108550]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to visit Nepal to discuss strengthening relations with the UK; and if he will make a statement. [108551]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been invited to visit Nepal and this is currently under active consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards restoring a democratic Government in Pakistan. [108552]

We continue to press General Musharraf for progress towards the restoration of democracy and in January, General Sir Charles Guthrie, Chief of the Defence Staff, took a strong message seeking a route-map to achieve this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with other European Governments about additional funds for the reconstruction of Kosovo. [108553]

The UK is in frequent contact with European partners on Kosovo reconstruction. The EU pledged 137 million euros for Kosovo reconstruction in 1999, and has agreed to provide 310 million euros this year.Therefore, we welcomed the decision of yesterday's General Affairs Council to provide urgently 35 million euros in emergency support for the budget of the UN Mission in Kosovo.Reconstruction is not just about economics. Kosovo's institutions need our help. The FCO is to give an additional £150,000 this month, via the OSCE Mission and the Council of Europe in Pristina, in particular to provide practical support to Kosovo's judiciary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Kosovska Mitrovica. [109714]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: Violence erupted last week in Mitrovica, following an attack on a UNHCR bus in which two ethnic Serbs died. Reprisals led to deaths and injuries among Serbs and Albanians in the local population and injuries to troops in the NATO-led Kosovo force (KFOR). Following action by KFOR and the leaders of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), including the imposition of a curfew, the situation appears to have been brought under control.Mitrovica is a particularly acute example of the continuing tensions between the communities in Kosovo. It underlines the importance of international efforts to promote reconciliation and to condemn and act against violence and intimidation. It also emphasises the importance of both Serbs and Albanians working with UNMIK in the new joint administrative structures. The Kosovo Albanians are already participating. We hope the Kosovo Serbs will soon join them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in (a) Kosovo, (b) Serbia, (c) Montenegro and (d) Vojvodina. [109712]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: The political and security situation in Serbia clearly is desperate. The ruling coalition continues to intensify its repression of the independent media and of the democratic political parties through administrative and judicial harassment. The recent murders of Zeljko Raznatovic ("Arkan") and Federal Defence Minister Pavle Bulatovic—just the latest in a string of assassinations of high-ranking politicians, officials and businesspeople—show that violence has become endemic in public life.Vojvodina, as part of Serbia, is suffering from the same degradation of democratic freedoms and public security.In Montenegro, the government of President Djukanovic has made real efforts to introduce democratic reforms and promote the ethnic and social cohesion of Montenegro. However, Milosevic is undermining the economy and therefore the stability of Montenegro by blocking trade and financial transactions between Montenegro and Serbia. He and his supporters are also attempting to intimidate the legitimate government of Montenegro through the formation and deployment of special military units loyal to Belgrade.In Kosovo, the security situation has improved since the arrival of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) in June 1999. The number of crimes is decreasing. However, the recent upsurge in ethnic violence in the divided city of Mitrovica underlines the fragility of the security situation. KFOR and the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) are taking measures to tackle extremist behaviour by Kosovo Albanians and Serbs and to maintain peace and security in Mitrovica.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Human Rights Watch report on civilian casualties in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [109719]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: We welcome the acknowledgement in the Human Rights Watch Report of "gross violations of international humanitarian law" by the forces of the Milosevic regime. This puts into proper perspective its comments on the consequences of NATO action. NATO intervened, when all other options had been exhausted, to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. The great lengths to which NATO went to minimise civilian casualties are in stark contrast to the carefully planned and brutally executed terror perpetrated by FRY and Serbian forces in Kosovo.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the economic impact of the Kosovo crisis on (a) Albania, (b) Bosnia-Herzegovina, (c) Bulgaria, (d) Croatia, (e) FYR Macedonia and (f) Romania. [109716]

[holding answer 11 February 2000]: The international community is committed to helping the countries of south-eastern Europe raise their level of economic prosperity, to bring them into the European mainstream. The International Monetary Fund estimate the Kosovo crisis might have reduced regional GDP by up to 2 per cent. in 1999. However, provided governments of the region push ahead with key economic reforms, the medium-term prospects are bright.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contacts he has had with the representatives of the six EU applicant countries announced at the Helsinki EU summit. [108554]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to improve international co-operation in combating the global drugs trade. [108555]

The FCO coordinates the international elements of the UK's national drugs strategy, in close cooperation with Keith Hellawell, the UK Anti-Drugs Coordinator. Our efforts are targeted, with other Government Departments, on reducing the production and trafficking of class A drugs to the UK and Europe; and on improving the effectiveness of other countries, including the EU and UN, in dealing with the global threat from drugs and associated crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of action taken against those who break the United Nations sanction against UNITA in Angola. [1085561]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of enforcement action against those who break the United Nations sanctions against UNITA in Angola. [108560]

I am extremely concerned by continuing reports of breaches of UN sanctions against UNITA. It is vital that would-be sanctions busters are forced to recognise that the international community will not tolerate their activities. The UK fully implements these sanctions and takes its enforcement responsibilities very seriously.We strongly support the efforts of Ambassador Fowler, Chair of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee and the Expert Panels that have been set up to investigate how these sanctions can be implemented more effectively. We have contributed $200,000 to fund their work. As I told the House on 18 January, I have referred to the Sanctions Committee the details of three individuals I believe to be breaching sanctions. We look forward to the forthcoming report of the Panels and their recommendations on how the sanctions can be made to bite.The UK regularly discusses better sanctions with fellow Governments on a bilateral basis, urging them to do all that they can to fully implement the measures and take prompt and effective action in response to allegations of breaches. When I visited South Africa in January, I agreed with Deputy Foreign Minister Pahad, who shares my concerns, that we would work very closely together on this issue over the next few critical months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to arms sales to other countries. [108557]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the application of his ethical criteria to decisions on arms sales. [108561]