To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received from members of the Lobby about the facilities available to them in the House. [109661]

My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Chairman of the Lobby in her capacity as Chairman of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons.

To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on progress in modernisation of the House of Commons. [109662]

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

To ask the President of the Council what assessment she has made of the experiment with sittings in Westminster Hall. [109663]

Early indications suggest that Westminster Hall is providing a useful and popular forum for debate.

To ask the President of the Council if the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons will assess the impact of sittings in Westminster Hall. [109665]

The Modernisation Committee has already undertaken to do so.

To ask the President of the Council when she will assess the experiment of sittings in Westminster Hall. [109666]

It is for the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to assess the experiment of sittings in Westminster Hall and it has undertaken to do so before the end of the session.

To ask the President of the Council if she will make an assessment of the clarity of information provided to hon. Members in written parliamentary answers. [109664]

Parliamentary answers are the responsibility of the Ministers who give them who will bear in mind the Resolution of 19 March 1997, and give accurate and truthful information to Parliament.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee has considered the matter of membership of All-Party Parliamentary Groups and of Associate Parliamentary Groups by those hereditary peers excluded from the House of Lords under the House of Lords Act 1999; and if she will make a statement. [111911]

Over the past few months, the Committee has been considering a number of matters in connection with All-Party Parliamentary and Associate Parliamentary Groups, including membership of the groups by "excluded" hereditary peers. I am now able to announce a number of measures, which I am sure the hon. Member will find of interest.With respect to those hereditary peers excluded from the House of Lords Act, the Committee has agreed that:

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what progress has been made in modernising parliamentary access to the PDVN and the Internet. [109656]

Considerable progress has been made over recent years in providing Members and their staff with networked information services in Parliament. There is an ongoing process of modernising and improving the Parliamentary Data and Video Network and Parliament's access to the Internet. That modernisation process is an operational matter falling within the remit of the Head of the Parliamentary Communications Directorate. I have therefore asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member.

To ask the President of the Council (1) what steps she has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by her Department come from a sustainable source; [110190](2) if she will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by her Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110191]

The stationery products used in my Department are purchased from suppliers who use recycled paper for everything except specialist use. My Department purchases few timber products (mainly furniture) but, when it does, the policy is that the timber concerned should have been sustainably harvested.As to the certification process provided by the Forest Stewardship Council, I refer to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) on 14 February 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provisions are made available to Departmental staff for (a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job-sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (1) child care allowances, (m) careers leave and (n) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [108840]

The Civil Service as a whole is striving for an improved balance between work and family life. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 15 February 2000, Official Report, column 519W.Provision for these matters is set out in the Terms and Conditions of Service Code, which for my Department are the same as the Terms and Conditions of Service for the National Assembly for Wales. A copy of this Code has been placed in the Library of the House.There are some exceptions. Annualised hours and term time working are not currently operated in my Department, and parental leave is not explicitly covered but falls within current special leave provision. The Code is currently being amended to take account of the provisions under the Employment Relations Act 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what childcare provision was made available in the financial year 1998–99 for use by his departmental staff; what was the cost to parents of this childcare; and how many parents used the facilities. [108857]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 15 February 2000, Official Report, column 518W.The table shows the type of childcare provision in my Department; the number of parents who used it; and the cost to parents, for 1998–99.

Type of childcare provision	Nursery	Holiday playscheme
Number of places	130	250
Cost to Welsh Office parents per day	£19.00	£8.00
Cost of private places per day	£22.00	£12.00
1All 30 places at the nursery were occupied.
2The 50 places represent those occupied by a consortium including the Welsh Office and others, for example Employment Services. The playscheme operated in both the Easter and Summer holidays during which time 33 and 17 places were occupied respectively by children of Welsh Office staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in the last five years, what proportion of women employees in (i) his Department and (ii) executive agencies under the control of his Department, (a) returned to work after childbirth, (b) returned to work after childbirth before the end of maternity leave, indicating the (1) time-range and (2) mean time, (c) returned to work after childbirth on reduced working hours, indicating the average hours worked and (d) returned to work after childbirth full-time and subsequently reduced their hours. [109233]

From July 1994 to June 1999, 89 per cent. of those staff in the Welsh Office who took maternity leave had returned to work by the end of their provision within the Department's maternity scheme. From July 1999 to date, 100 per cent. of staff who have been on maternity leave in the Wales Office have returned to workThe current provision is set out in the Leave and Attendance section of the National Assembly Terms and Conditions of Service Code, Chapter 5, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.The remaining information is not held centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his Department; and how many of them are (a) men and (b) women. [110683]

As at 1 April 1999, 55 members of the senior civil service were from ethnic minority background (1.7 per cent.).Information on ethnic origin in the Civil Service is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people.My Department has fewer than five senior civil servants in total.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [110217]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) on 14 February 2000, Official Report, column 357W. It is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by my 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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110216]

All potential suppliers are issued with "Selling to the Welsh Office—A Green Guide for Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Welsh Office". Following devolution, this guide now applies to my Department, the Wales Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens (a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110716]

My Department does not own or tend any gardens.However, my Department has a Green Guide for suppliers of goods and services, to operate a purchasing policy which gives full weight to environmental considerations in the procurement of all goods and services. The horticultural policy is to use alternatives to peat such as bark chippings, coir, composts, green manuring, leaf mould, manures and seaweed based products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when he expects to receive the full accounts of the FA (FIFA) World Cup 2006 bid for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99 from the FA; and if he will make a statement; [104167](2) if there is an upper limit on the amount of money Sport England has contributed and will contribute to the FA (FIFA) World Cup 2006 bid; [104166](3) when he expects to publish the accounts of the Government's contribution to the FA (FIFA) World Cup 2006 bid. [104168]

[holding answer 10 January 2000]: The bid to host the World Cup in 2006 is a bid by the Football Association, with the full backing of the Government and Sport England, who have allocated £3 million of Lottery funding for the bid. It is not a Lottery condition to require published accounts. However, Sport England monitors how the Lottery grant is spent.The remainder of the estimated £9 million which the bid will cost is being provided by the FA, the FA Premier League and by commercial sponsors. Reference to the bid is made in the FA' s 1998 general annual report and accounts, but any decision to publish detailed accounts for the 2006 bid is for the FA to make.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the monetary value of National Lottery awards made in (a) rural and (b) urban areas in each of the years since the National Lottery was established. [110508]

[holding answer 17 February 2000]: The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions classifies rural areas as those local authorities where there is no settlement greater than 35,000. The table shows the monetary value of National Lottery awards made to local authorities in Great Britain in rural and other areas (that is Small Towns, Large Towns, Free Standing Cities, Conurbations and London) in each of the years since the National Lottery was established. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributing bodies. The totals exclude Lottery awards not attributed by the distributing bodies to a particular local authority.

£
	Amount awarded to rural areas	Amount awarded to non-rural areas
1995	131,759,797	822,929,475
1996	272,702,182	1,352,526,177
1997	204,161,295	2,116,096,616
1998	164,005,639	1,045,100,364
1999	162,866,596	703,373,321

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the number of grants made from the National Lottery was in (a) urban areas and (b) rural areas between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999. [110642]

[holding answer 17 February 2000]: The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions classifies rural areas as those local authorities where there is no settlement greater than 35,000. The total number of awards to local authorities in rural areas in Great Britain between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999, was 11,571. The number of awards to local authorities in other areas in Great Britain, (that is Small Towns, Large Towns, Free Standing Cities, Conurbations and London) between 1 May 1997 and 31 December

£
	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01
UK Sport—World Class1 Performance Programme	21,839,545	17,129,000	218,000,000
Sport England—World Class Performance Programme	27,366,285	17,330,962	3—
Sport Scotland—Talented Athlete Programme	1,694,338	887,703	3—
Sport Scotland—Scotland Junior Groups	150,349	383,151	3—
Sports Council for Wales—Elite Cymru4	634,781	570,764	2750,000
Sports Council for Northern Ireland—Development Of Talented Individuals Programme	422,584	348,306	3—
1 UK Sport became a Lottery distributor in its own right from 1 July 1999. Before this time the Home Country Sports Councils were jointly responsible for funding World Class Performance on the basis of recommendations and advice of the UK Sports Council.
2 Provisional figure.
3 Information unavailable.
4 The figure from Elite Cymru includes funding towards hosting major events.

The following activities have received support to date under the world class performance programme which is administered by sport England and uk sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average size of grant was from the National Lottery in (a) urban areas and (b) rural areas between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999. [110643]

[holding answer 17 February 2000]: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions classifies rural areas as those local authorities where there is no settlement greater than 35,000. The average size of award to local authorities in rural areas in Great Britain between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999, was £43,059. The average size of award to local authorities in other areas in Great Britain, (that is Small Towns, Large Towns, Free Standing Cities, Conurbations and London), between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999, was £115,406. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the distributing bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the amount of (a) World Class Performance, (b) World Class Potential and (c) World Class Start funding distributed by (i) UK Sport, (ii) Sport England, (iii) Sport Scotland, (iv) the Sports Council for Wales and (v) the Northern Ireland Sports Council in (x) 1998–99 and (y) 1999–2000, and the provisional figures for 2000–01; and if he will list the sports in receipt of World Class lottery funding and how much they received from each of the above bodies. [110028]

The World Class Performance Programme is administered by Sport England and UK Sport. World Class Potential and Start Programmes are administered solely by Sport England. A number of sports have submitted applications to Sport England under the Start and Potential Programmes which have been approved or approved in principle, but to date no payments have been made. Alternative programmes for the elite level sport are in place in the Home Countries. The sums awarded to elite sport appear in the following table:

• Bobsleigh
• Boccia
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Women's Cricket
• Canoeing
• Diving
• Equestrian
• Goalball
• Gymnastics
• Ladies Golf
• Hockey
• Ice Skating
• Judo
• Karate
• Modern Pentathlon
• Netball
• Orienteering
• Rowing
• Rugby Football League
• Women's Rugby
• Wheelchair Rugby
• Skiing
• Sailing
• Speed Skating
• Squash
• Swimming
• Disability Swimming
• Paraplegic Shooting
• Disability Table Tennis
• Wheelchair Tennis
• Table Tennis
• Target Shooting
• Ten Pin Bowling
• Triathlon
• Trampolining
• Water Skiing
• Weightlifting.

The information required for the latter part of the question is not held within my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 3 February, Official Report, column 29W, on asset sales, if he will list the individual land and buildings sold by the Tate Gallery and the amount realised by each item. [111266]

The amount of £1,200,000 given in my previous answer derived from the sale of the Tate's former Gorst Road site in London. The land and the buildings were not sold individually, but as a single package. The buildings were subsequently demolished by the purchaser.

To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was first informed that Operation Horseshoe might be implemented in 1999; and by whom he was so informed. [108655]

[holding answer 10 February 2000]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the Foreign Affairs Committee on 14 April 1999, we were aware that a spring offensive against the KLA had been planned before the start of the NATO airstrikes, and we knew from previous experience that it was likely to be accompanied by ethnic cleansing. Throughout the crisis, we received information from a variety of sources, some of them sensitive. Details of a plan called Operation Horseshoe were made public in a statement by the German Defence Minister on 9 April 1999.

To ask the Prime Minister what restrictions apply to the undertaking of private business by Lord Levy while acting as his personal envoy on visits overseas. [110242]

[holding answer 15 February 2000]: Lord Levy does not conduct private business while travelling as my personal envoy. Lord Levy paid his own travel expenses. The FCO and Embassies provided practical support, the cost of which is not separately itemised.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the visits undertaken by Lord Levy as his personal envoy, indicating in each case the (a) dates, (b) destinations, (c) cost to public funds and (d) purpose of the visits. [110240]

[holding answer 15 February 2000]: Lord Levy has made the following visits as my personal envoy:

To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines there are for Parliamentary Private Secretaries on discussing Government policy in public within their own constituencies. [111310]

Guidance to Parliamentary Private Secretaries on their role and responsibilities is set out in paragraphs 44–46 of the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) when (a) his officials and (b) staff at 10 Downing Street were first informed that the matter of Transfer Technology grants was being referred to the West Midlands Police; [111628](2) when he was first informed that the matter of Transfer Technology grants was being referred to the West Midlands Police. [111626]

In accordance with normal procedure, the No. 10 Press Office was informed on Thursday 3 February after my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had made his decision.I was informed after the Secretary of State had made his announcement.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will provide the basis for his oral statement of 16 February 2000, Official Report, column 947, that the Immigration Department is close to achieving 4,000 asylum decisions a month. [111522]

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to him today by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), the Minister of State, Home Office, Official Report, column 815W.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in the Law Officers' Department; and how many of them are (a) men and (b) women. [110690]

As at 1 April 1999, 55 members of the Senior Civil Service were from ethnic minority background (1.7 per cent.).Information on ethnic origin in the Civil Service is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff, we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people.The Law Officers' Departments (The Crown Prosecution Service, Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office) have four members of the SCS declared to be of ethnic minority background as at 1 April 1999.

To ask the Solicitor-General what action has been taken by the Crown Prosecution Service to identify institutional racism in its employment of staff and in the carrying out of prosecution functions; and what action has been taken or proposed as a result. [111283]

The CPS is strongly committed to equality for all staff and has agreed a programme of action with the Commission for Racial Equality. As a result of this agreement, the CRE has suspended its decision to carry out an investigation of the CPS under the Race Relations Act 1976. As well as implementing action on training, development and selection, the CPS has commissioned Sylvia Denman CBE, a leading academic with a distinguished background in equality issues, to carry out a review of the Service.The terms of reference of the review will include investigating the processes, behaviour and attitudes present in the CPS to determine the extent to which race discrimination and institutional racism may exist in the Service nationally. Mrs. Denman will present her preliminary report towards the end of April 2000.The CPS last year set up an Equality Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive, with sub-groups on race and women. The Committee is responsible for driving through policy and action on equality in the CPS. It includes representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission and NACRO. The CPS is implementing an Immediate action plan on race, which has been agreed with the CRE. An action plan for implementation of longer term initiatives drawn up by the sub-group on race will be presented to the Director's Board at the end of February.The CPS participated in a major research project on the ethnic monitoring of young offenders, conducted by Dr. Bonny Mhlanga of the University of Hull. Dr. Mhlanga's report was published in October 1999. The research project found no evidence of unfair discrimination by the CPS in its casework decisions against defendants from ethnic minorities, indicating that decision the CPS is performing its role as an independent prosecuting authority properly and effectively.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the fast tracking project in Merseyside. [111246]

When I visited CPS Merseyside in September last year, I observed at first hand the efforts made by the CPS and other local agencies to reduce delay in the criminal justice system.The fast-tracking project at Knowsley Magistrates Court has been a great success, reducing the time from arrest to disposal in all youth cases. As a result, fast-tracking arrangements based on the pilot were implemented throughout Merseyside on 28 June 1999.In addition the CPS Area and its criminal justice partners on 1 November 1999 implemented the Narey measures to speed up justice in the magistrates courts for both youth and adult defendants. These and other changes that the criminal justice agencies are making should further reduce delay in the criminal justice system.The local inter-agency Trials Issue Group discussed the impact of Narey at its meeting on 21 January 2000. It was too early to make a proper assessment while some pre-Narey cases remain in the court system. A full evaluation of Narey will take place at the Group's next meeting in April.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the average cost of issuing a media release from her Department in 1999. [110270]

The average cost of issuing a media release by this Department in 1999 was £131.00. Media releases are distributed electronically on the Department's behalf by the Central Office of Information.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps she is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens (a) owned and (b) tended by her Department; and if she will make a statement. [110729]

The Cabinet Office does not use peat compost in its gardens.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will prepare a draft equality bill for consideration by Parliament. [111100]

A number of Bills were announced for advanced drafting in the Queen's speech last year. The Government's legislative proposals for the 4th session will be announced in the Queen's speech later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to improve postal services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [109611]

The Government are committed to the modernisation of the postal service. Scotland, like the rest of the UK will benefit from the £480 million investment in the HORIZON project to computerise all post offices by 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the effects which transferring pension payments from post offices to bank accounts will have on small post offices. [109625]

I am in contact with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer over a range of issues.This Government are committed to making a major investment in the Post Office and the maintenance of a nation-wide network of post offices. All people in receipt of benefits, including pensions, will continue to have the choice of receiving payments in cash at their local post office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister regarding higher education issues. [109613]

My right hon. Friend meets the First Minister regularly to discuss a range of issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of oil fabrication in the highlands and islands. [109615]

I am a member of Pilot, the successor body to the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force. It has set up a support group for the oil fabrication sector, involving government agencies and the industry. The group is charged with identifying the way forward, and ensuring that the skills base is maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the mechanisms used for calculating the size of the block grant. [109616]

I have regular discussions with the Chancellor about a range of matters. The arrangements in place continue to provide a fair deal for Scotland within a United Kingdom framework and I have no plans to revise the underlying principles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many enforcement cases there have been in Scotland in respect of the national minimum wage. [109618]

As at the end of January 2000, the National Minimum Wage helpline had received 293 complaints about underpayment of the National Minimum Wage in Scotland. All complaints are followed up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the state of the Scottish economy in the context of the forthcoming Budget. [109619]

I meet the Chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues about the Scottish economy.Scotland has benefited greatly from the Government's macroeconomic framework, which has achieved sound public finances while guaranteeing additional resources for priority areas such as health and education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed the Scottish economy with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [109621]

My right hon. Friend meets the Chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues about the Scottish economy.The Scottish economy continues to perform strongly. Output is expanding across all main sectors, and unemployment is low by historical and international standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion he has had with the Prime Minister about reducing the number of hon. Members sitting in the House for Scottish constituencies. [109622]

My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Prime Minister on a wide range of matters. However, the position on the number of Members sitting in this House for Scottish seats is set out in Section 86 of the Scotland Act 1998. This will be implemented by the Boundary Commission for Scotland in its next review, which is due to be submitted between December 2002 and December 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many media officers are employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [109623]

My Department does not employ any media officers. It employs five Information Officers to advise Ministers on the presentation of Government policy and to explain Government policy to the media. Some of these officers have other duties within the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ensure that Scottish companies continue to receive the full range of export promotion services. [109624]

We work very closely with the Scottish Executive to ensure that Scottish companies are aware of the full range of UK wide support available from the Government as well as the support, tailored to the specific needs of Scottish business, from Scottish Trade InternationalLast week I was in the Far East. This was part of my cabinet committee responsibilities but I was also spending time promoting Scottish companies and Scottish goods and services. Two weeks ago I led an 18 strong trade mission to Egypt organised by Scottish Trade International. Every week I am speaking to Scottish companies about how we can help them increase their exporting effort.I am very pleased that Scottish companies are continuing to increase their competitiveness in the international market place. Recent figures showed that Scottish manufactured exports had increased by 7.8 per cent. in real terms during the third quarter of 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the devolution settlement in Scotland. [109626]

The Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom Government and the devolved administrations which was published on 1 October 1999 provides for the operation of the devolution settlements to be kept under review by the Joint Ministerial Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the Scottish pig industry. [109627]

I have received a number of representations about the Scottish pig industry's difficulties. Most of the issues raised are now the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and are being pursued by the appropriate Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited shipyards on the River Clyde; and if he met both managers and trade union representatives to discuss matters relating to Her Majesty's Government's contracts for the construction of vessels. [109628]

My last visit to a shipyard on the River Clyde was on 14 January when I visited the Govan shipyard. I met both managers and trade-union representatives and we discussed a range of issues including Ministry of Defence contracts for the construction of vessels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the First Minister on co-ordination of the Government's anti-drugs strategy in Scottish schools. [109629]

My right hon. Friend discussed generally the co-ordination of the Government's anti-drugs strategy, a central component of which is education, at a meeting with the First Minister on 14 January. Both he and the First Minister have also recently had separate meetings with the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, Mr. Keith Hellawell.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of the New Deal in Scotland. [109630]

I am very pleased to say that the operation of New Deal in Scotland is proving very successful. We have reached the significant milestones of 20,000 young people now having gained jobs through the programme in Scotland, and the 10,000th employer signing up to participate in the programme.The latest published figures provide further hard evidence of the significant impact the New Deal is having in Scotland. Over 43,000 young people have benefited from the New Deal. By the end of November 1999, a total of 28,000 young people had entered jobs, work experience or training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the number of Special Advisers employed by his Department. [109620]

My Department employs three Special Advisers to advise me on the development of government policy. One of the Special Advisers is unpaid and works part-time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the future of the Air Traffic Control Centre at Prestwick. [109609]

I welcome the announcement made by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport on 14 February 2000. The agreement between National Air Traffic Services Ltd. and Lockheed Martin for the provision of air traffic control systems for the New Scottish Centre ends any uncertainty about its future. The 530 jobs at Prestwick will be secured and the construction phase for the new centre will create about 700 jobs during the three-year construction phase, which will begin next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the impact of a single European currency on the Scottish economy. [109614]

My right hon. Friend meets the Chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues about the Scottish economy.The policy on membership of the single currency was set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the House of Commons in October 1997. The determining factor underpinning any UK Government decision on membership of the single currency is whether the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous. The interests of the Scottish Economy will be an integral part of that process.

To ask the Advocate-General, pursuant to her oral answer of 25 January 2000, Official Report, column 137, if she will list the Bills introduced by the Scottish Parliament which she has considered to be (a) within and (b) outwith the legislative competence of the Parliament. [109631]

Thus far, two Bills have been passed by the Scottish Parliament and I have not considered it necessary to refer either to the Judicial Committee. They are now the Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 1999 and the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.

To ask the Advocate-General what Bills introduced by the Scottish Parliament she has considered to be (a) within and (b) outwith its legislative competence. [109635]

Under section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998, when a Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament I have the power to refer it to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for a decision on whether it is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.Thus far, two Bills have been passed by the Scottish Parliament, and I have not considered it necessary to refer either to the Judicial Committee. They are now the Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 1999 and the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.

To ask the Advocate-General what subjects have been raised with her as devolution issues in the context of applications to Scottish criminal courts. [109634]

Devolution issues raised by the defence in criminal cases have mainly focused on the right to a fair trial which is set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Some of the principal matters raised include: the admissibility of evidence; delays in trials; the right to an "independent and impartial tribunal"; prejudicial pre-trial publicity; access to a solicitor; cases under the Road Traffic Acts; and legal aid questions. Devolution issues focusing on other Convention articles have also been raised but less frequently.

To ask the Advocate-General for Scotland what plans she has to increase the staffing of her Department. [109636]

Staffing levels in the Office of the Solicitor to the Advocate-General and my Legal Secretariat are presently under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995. [111907]

A clear framework for charity accounting is important for the public's confidence in the integrity of charity. In general, the 1995 regulations have worked well. I am today publishing a consultation document about how to keep the regulations up to date. The proposed changes reflect the new exposure draft of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for accounting by charities, as well as proposals for some charities that follow other SORPs. I would welcome views by 30 April.I have arranged for copies of the consultation document to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of support will be provided under the new asylum seeker support arrangements. [111908]

Subject to assessment on a case by case basis, the weekly levels of voucher support for asylum seekers under the new arrangements is given in the table:

£
	Amount of voucher support
Person aged 18–24	28.95
Person aged 25 or over	36.54
Couple	57.37
Lone parent	36.54
Child under 16	26.60
Child 16 or 17	31.75

These amounts will be given in the form of vouchers, £10 of which will be redeemable for cash per person per week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the first annual report of progress on the implementation of the Action Plan he published in March 1999 as the Government's response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [111909]

I will publish the first annual report tomorrow. It will set out details of progress made on each of the areas covered by the recommendations of the Inquiry and will identify action still to be taken. It will show that there has been substantial progress across the criminal justice and education systems. But there is much more to be done and it is vital that all the public services covered by the Inquiry's report maintain their determination to deliver the highest standards of service to all members of society regardless of their race.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the measures police forces are taking to ensure that policies and practices formed in response to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report are being effectively implemented across all ranks. [111318]

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will publish tomorrow the first Annual Report on progress on implementation of the Action Plan he published in March 1999 in response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. This will give details of progress made within the police service to give effect to the Inquiry's recommendations. A key element in ensuring that forces turn policies into action on the ground is the new Ministerial Priority to increase trust and confidence in policing among minority ethnic communities which will provide clear measurement of forces' performance on race equality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police forces in England and Wales that are undertaking an examination of their policies and practices to identify institutional racism as recommended by the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [111317]

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will publish tomorrow the first Annual Report on progress on implementation of the Action Plan he published in March 1999 in response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. The Action Plan amounts to a comprehensive programme to tackle institutional racism and the annual report will give a detailed picture of the steps which the police service is taking to implement it.Under the "Dismantling the Barriers" Action Plan he launched in July 1999 to help forces meet the targets my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has set for the recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority officers, all forces are required to conduct full race relations/cultural audits which will include surveys across all staff to assess the perception of the treatment of ethnic minority officers and other diversity issues. The aim will be to identify all the elements of the organisational culture and their likely impact on policing a diverse society; and to assess the impact on the recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement nationally the youth justice provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which have been piloted; and if he will make a statement. [111906]

Pilots of most of the youth justice provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been operating in 10 areas since September 1998. They cover the operation of the multi-agency youth offending teams; the final warning scheme, which will replace cautioning for young offenders; and the reparation order, action plan order, child safety order and parenting order. The pilots have helped to identify good practice in delivering these measures and are being evaluated by a team from Sheffield, Hull and Swansea Universities. A copy of their most recent report, published in December, is in the Library. Building on the experience of the pilots, the Government have decided to implement the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 provisions for youth offending teams on 1 April 2000 and for the final warning scheme and four community-based orders on 1 June 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of issue 2 of the Youth Justice Board's newsletter, "Preventing Youth Offending"; and how many copies have been (a) printed and (b) distributed. [111523]

The cost to the public funds of issue 2 of the Youth Justice Board's newsletter "Preventing Youth Offending' was £10,000. 11,000 copies were printed and 10,000 have so far been distributed. One of the Board's tasks is to provide information to professions and the public about the changes being made to the youth justice system. The newsletter is one means of providing that information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about requests for additional funding for the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [111905]

On 11 January 2000, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) asked the Home Office for authority to provide funding to enable the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, in Cardiff on 20-23 March to go ahead as planned and subsequently asked for additional funding from the Home Office Vote. This international conference was being organised under the auspices of the CRE following decisions they made in 1998 but by a separate company limited by guarantee, Global Cultural Diversity Congress (GCDC) 2000 Ltd. At the time they first decided to proceed in 1998, it was made clear that the Government could not offer substantial financial support for the Conference.The Government have supported the aims of the Congress, which was a potentially important forum for serious debate about issues of race and diversity, and was widely welcomed by many with an interest in these issues both in this country and worldwide.In the light of the CRE request in January this year for Government funding, the Government thought it right to seek advice from independent consultants on the viability of the conference at this late stage, including from forensic accountants who examined the affairs of GCDC 2000 Ltd.The conclusions of the accountants' report raised serious questions about the quality of the management and financial controls in GCDC 2000 Ltd. as well as confirming that very significant additional funds, in the order of £1.5 million, would be required to enable the Congress to go ahead, not least because less than 500 tickets had been sold for a congress initially planned to attract 2,000.Given the report's findings, it would not be justifiable to use substantial public funds to support this event. Yesterday, the Directors of the company were advised of the report's findings and our decision. I understand that the Directors of GCDC 2000 Ltd. decided late yesterday to put the company into liquidation.The decision to set up GCDC 2000 Ltd. was a collective one of the Commissioners for Racial Equality, taken in September 1998. I have asked the incoming Chair of the CRE, Gurbux Singh, to consider urgently the lessons to be learned from all of this and to provide us with a report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate (a) the number of community sentences, (b) the number returned to court as a result of breach proceedings and (c) the number of breach proceedings (i) that were not proven and (ii) where the community sentence was revoked and the offender re-sentenced. [111491]

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

England and Wales: 1998
000s
	Number
Offenders given a community sentence1 for all offences	149,400
Proceedings for a breach of a community sentence1,2	28,500
of which:
Sentence given for breach2	28,100
1 Includes probation, supervision, attendance centre, community service, combination and curfew orders.
2 Statistics as to the proportion found not proven; and the proportion where the breached order is revoked and the offender resentenced are not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the size of the training intake at Hendon Police College (a) for each of the last three months and (b) in January (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [111525]

The information requested is given in the table, provided by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police:

	Intake
(a)
November 1999	94
December 1999	0
January 2000	101
(b)	83
(i) January 1997	83
(ii) January 1998	95
(iii) January 1999	147

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implications of the Government's proposals to abolish the right to elect trial by jury. [109646]

Giving the courts rather than defendants the power to decide whether either-way offences should be heard in the Crown Court would reduce delays and secure a more efficient system of justice. Our proposals would be to the benefit of the public, victims and witnesses, but would nevertheless protect the interests of the accused.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the experience of the trial without jury system in Scotland. [109649]

The main difference with the Scottish jury system is that there is no right for the accused to choose trial by jury. The decision on mode of trial is made by Crown Counsel on the recommendation of the procurator fiscal, who has a wide discretion. I am not aware that this has led to any unfairness to defendants in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 20 most common triable either way offences in the past year; and if he will make a statement. [111321]

The information is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any criminal offences related to arson are triable either-way; and if he will make a statement. [111323]

Under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, destruction or damage by fire is charged as arson and is triable either-way. If there is intent to endanger life or recklessness as to whether life would be endangered, the offence must be tried in the Crown Court.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to bring the exercise of the Royal Prerogative under parliamentary scrutiny. [109655]

No. With very few exceptions, the Royal Prerogative is exercised only on the advice of Ministers. This provides accountability to Parliament for its exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the freepost election mailing in (a) the 1997 General Election, (b) the Scottish Parliament elections, (c) the Welsh Assembly elections and (d) the Northern Ireland Assembly elections; and what estimate he has made of cost of the freepost mailing he has authorised in the Watford local authority area election. [111521]

The costs to public funds of the free election mailings were as follows:

Election	Cost (£)
1997 General Election	117,770,103.80
Scottish Parliament Elections	24,629,603.05
Welsh Assembly Elections	22,243,929.14
Northern Ireland Assembly Elections	1,083,427.95
1 At 1997 value
2 Year at 1999 value

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the situation concerning negotiations on the draft European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. [111488]

The European Union Mutual Legal Assistance Convention has been under negotiation since 1996, and is intended to enhance existing arrangements for co-operation between member states' judicial and prosecuting authorities for the purposes of criminal investigations and proceedings. The negotiations have been complicated, and, throughout, the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses have been kept fully informed of progress. Although a number of specific provisions have cleared scrutiny, the Convention itself remains subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.Work has continued to agree outstanding matters, and I understand that the opinion of the European Parliament on the draft text has now been issued, and is to be considered.At the meeting of Council on 2–3 December 1999, Ministers agreed that at the Council meeting on 27 March 2000, an attempt should be made to complete work on the Convention. My officials will remain in contact with the scrutiny committees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list incidents that have occurred and been reported at (a) Medway, (b) Rainsbrook and (c) Hassockfield secure training centres since each facility opened; on what occasions contract failures have occurred at each facility; and what financial penalties have been incurred by the operators. [110455]

The secure training centre at Medway opened on 17 April 1998, Rainsbrook opened on 1 July 1999 and Hassockfield opened on 17 September 1999.The total number of incidents which have occurred and been reported since each facility opened are 1,513 at Medway; 497 at Rainsbrook and 612 at Hassockfield. These reportable incidents cover any occurrence which disturbs the normal operation of any part of the centre and range from a trainee refusing to go to his bedroom or do his chores, to acts of concerted indiscipline.The contracts set out the performance measurements applying to specified services to be delivered by the Contractor, and the performance penalty points to be incurred for failure to deliver each of these services. If the Contractor reaches a specified level of performance penalty points, further points result in reductions in the payments made to the Contractor up to a maximum of 5 per cent. of the contract price in any year. The number of occasions on which performance points have been awarded for each contract is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated (a) total legal cost to the Government and (b) cost of administration by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, to date, for proceedings related to the immigration case of Mr. Ben James; and if he will make a statement. [111322]

The information that the hon. Member requires is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for racially aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; what percentage of these prosecutions involved defendants who were not white; and if he will make a statement. [111320]

Information available centrally indicates that 745 persons were prosecuted in magistrates courts in England and Wales for racially aggravated offences between October 1998 and June 1999. It is not possible centrally to identify those defendants that were not white.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken in the Metropolitan Police Service to ensure proper communication between uniform and CID officers in relation to serious racist crime. [111103]

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that his principal specialist organisations in the systems for the investigation of racist crime are the Racial and Violent Crime Task Force and Borough-based Community Safety Units. All are staffed by both uniform and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. In addition, a range of measures are in place throughout the Metropolitan police to ensure that all officers, both CID and uniform, involved in the investigation of racist crime work together using corporate documentation and methods.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers of each rank have received anti-racism training; and how many of these have achieved minimum effective training levels. [111105]

The Home Office manages a three year contract with a specialist consultant to deliver community and race relations training to the police, and it is expected that 1,760 officers will have been trained under the terms of this contract by the end of February. A breakdown of these officers in terms of rank is not available. This training incorporates the applicable Minimum Effective Training Level. Other anti-racism training is carried out in forces and by National Police Training, particularly for probationer constables: the total number of officers who have received such training during their careers is not recorded centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training has been provided to Victim Support volunteer visitors on providing appropriate support for ethnic minority victims of racist crime. [110282]

Victim Support is an independent national charity which receives a substantial Home Office grant each year for its work in supporting victims of, and witnesses to, crime. Current grant conditions require Victim Support to continue to review how their work affects ethnic minorities, taking into account the recommendations of the Macpherson Report.Responsibility for the operational implementation of these requirements rests with Victim Support.I understand from the Chief Executive that Victim Support issued guidance to volunteers on racist crime in 1991 and 1996. And, following the Macpherson Inquiry, specialist training for volunteers dealing with racist incidents is to be developed and the general training for all volunteers is to be updated to include training on cultural diversity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been disciplined for using racist words or behaviour; how many have been dismissed following disciplinary action for such offences; and how many such disciplinary cases have been dismissed, since 1 April 1999. [110369]

The statistics of police misconduct cases in England and Wales for the 12 months from 1 April 1999 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Rowe and Davis. [111495]

The powers of the Home Secretary to refer alleged miscarriages of justice to the Court of Appeal were replaced in 1997 by new powers vested in the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which is now responsible for the investigation of cases of alleged wrongful conviction. The Commission referred the cases of Rowe and Davis to the Court of Appeal on 7 April 1999, in the exercise of its powers under section 9 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It will be for the Court to decide in due course whether their convictions should be quashed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take following the judgment of the House of Lords in the case of Rowe and Davis. [111494]

Michael Davis and Raphael Rowe were convicted, on 26 February 1990, of murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and three counts of robbery. Their appeal against conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 29 July 1993, and an application to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal to the House of Lords was refused on 30 September 1993. However, the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred their cases to the Court of Appeal on 7 April 1999, in the exercise of its powers under section 9 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It will be for the Court to decide in due course whether their convictions should be quashed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference and timetable of his review of coroners. [111524]

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 1 February 2000, Official Report, columns 907–919, one of the actions being taken in the light of the Shipman trial is an urgent review of death certification procedures and the checks undertaken before cremation and burial. The work of this review is to be made available to the Inquiry chaired by Lord Laming of Tewin which is due to report in the autumn.The death certification review will also consider whether there should be a role for coroners in monitoring the proper procedures after death. Coroner arrangements may consequently need to be considered more widely in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000, Official Report, Column 49W, how many and which crimes Mr. Hector Harvey has pleaded guilty to that were committed since 5 August 1998 and which of these were committed (a) while in police custody and (b) whilst temporarily released from police custody; and if he will make a statement. [111648]

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that Mr. Hector Harvey was arrested on 3 August 1998 for armed robbery. He has remained in custody from that date and has committed no offences in the intervening period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000, Official Report, column 49W, (a) under what powers, (b) for what duration and (c) for what purpose Hector Harvey was given temporary release from the custody of the CIB and Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement. [111647]

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that since he was arrested on 3 August 1998 for armed robbery, Mr. Hector Harvey has not been released from police custody.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department takes to keep magistrates informed of legislative changes proposed by the Government. [109647]

Both the lay and professional branches of the magistracy are consulted by this department in relation to changes to the criminal justice system which would affect the work of the magistrates' courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he intends that the Welsh Assembly will be empowered (a) to make decisions and (b) to implement regulations in respect of the release of information by local authorities that is at variance with guidance provided to English local authorities on information disclosure. [110646]

The Freedom of Information Bill would apply to public authorities, including local authorities, in Wales in the same way as to those in England.There are no provisions under the Bill for the Welsh Assembly to make regulations or issue guidance. There are no plans at present for regulations under, or guidance relating to the Freedom of Information Bill to be varied for different parts of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile remand prisoners and young adult remand prisoners are held in doubled-up cells in (a) Feltham Young Offenders Institution and (b) other young offenders institutions in England; and what were the numbers during 1999. [110958]

The Prison Service does not collect centrally information to show the level of overcrowding separately for the remand population or for juveniles.