To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 1 March. [111213]

This morning, I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his office; and how many of them are (a) men and (b) women. [110676]

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 Cabinet Office monitors ethnicity but not at individual unit level. The Cabinet Office and Number 10, which for these purposes are taken together, have fewer than five people of ethnic minority background in the Senior Civil Service.

To ask the Prime Minister if the cost of the Countryside Reception held at No. 10 Downing street on 2 February was borne from public funds. [112069]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: Yes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he proposes to effect the transfer of the Competent Authority for listing from the London Stock Exchange to the Financial Services Authority. [112936]

Given the need for planning purposes to have a precise target date for the transfer of the Competent Authority for listing function, we have decided to make the transfer by means of Regulations made under the European Communities Act 1972. These Regulations are being laid in draft today for the approval of Parliament with the intention that the transfer should take place on 1 May. The proposed new legislative framework for the Competent Authority would then be brought into effect as soon as possible after the enactment of the Financial Services and Markets Bill.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the income from the vehicle excise duty levy in 1999. [111977]

Figures are available only on a financial year basis and are shown in table B9 of the 1999 pre-Budget Report, p.154.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has conducted of imports to the UK during the past three years of wines produced in wineries located in (a) the Golan Heights and (b) the Israeli West Bank settlement of Barkan; and what its findings have been concerning imports under preferences during that period. [111882]

From examination of entry records Customs and Excise has identified small quantities of wines from the Golan Heights and the area Barkan. Details have been passed to the European Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2000, Official Report, column 447W, concerning imports from Israeli settlements in occupied territories, whether the documents referred to in the answer declared products imported to the United Kingdom in violation of Article 38 and the provisions of the Protocol on Rules of Origin of the EC Trade Agreement with Israel to have originated in Israel. [111874]

As indicated in my answer of 14 February, the documents failed to substantiate the alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Agreement between the EC and Israel.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what post-import verification procedures Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has initiated with Israel's customs service for products imported from Israel following indications that the products in question may have been wholly obtained or significantly processed in territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including in Israeli settlements. [111883]

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has made of its ability to establish the origin of products that may have been produced in territories occupied by Israel since 1967 if Israel's customs misapply the origin rule protocol and the territorial clause in its agreements. [111884]

The European Commission is taking the lead in establishing the origin of products imported into the European Union, that may have been produced in territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The Commission has not yet provided an assessment of the likely outcome of this initiative.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has conducted and what information it has obtained concerning carpets imported to the UK under preferences from a manufacturing firm in the Israeli West Bank settlement of Barkan, or carrying the name or trademark of such a firm. [111879]

Customs and Excise has identified a number of consignments of carpets from the area Barkan which have been imported into the UK under preferences. Details have been passed to the European Commission.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2000, Official Report, column 447W, what the information was concerning products processed in Israeli settlements in occupied territories which may have been imported into the UK in violation of Article 38 and the provisions of the Protocol on Rules of Origin of the EC Trade Agreement with Israel; and if Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has identified (a) importations to the UK under preferences of dates from the Israeli exporters in question and (b) the UK importers and consignees. [111881]

It comprised details obtained by the European Commission of a range of goods together with information from another source about dates produced in Israeli settlements. Customs and Excise has identified importations into the UK under preferences of dates of Israeli origin but, as indicated in my answer of 14 February, scrutiny of the customs entry documents has failed to substantiate the alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the EC-Israel trade agreement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total revenue which the Treasury received in each of the last five years from the agricultural sector of the economy; and how much of this arose from taxation on fuel. [111789]

The estimated amount of revenue received from the agricultural sector (including the forestry and fishing sectors) for each of the last five years is:

£ million
	PAYE and NICS	Other Taxes 1	Total
1994–95	1,000	-250	750
1995–96	1,090	-315	775
1996–97	780	-245	535
1997–98	n/a	40	n/a
1998–99	n/a	-140	n/a
1 Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, Self-employed Income Tax and VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what use experience of video conferencing exists in (a) the Army and (b) the RAF; and what were the locations linked and the bandwidth used; [110851](2) if he will list the Royal Navy ships which have video conferencing facilities, indicating the bandwidth used and the locations where video conferencing has been

[holding answer 21 February 2000: VideoTeleConferencing (VTC) is used both operationally and for normal business across Defence. Because it is primarily used in a joint environment, the questions are answered together.HMS Illustrious, Invincible and Fearless are permanently fitted with VTC facilities. HMS Chatham, Campbeltown, Cumberland and Cornwall are also fitted to receive VTC, but the terminal equipment is not carried routinely unless the ship is in Flag Ship role. They typically operate at bandwidths of either 64 kilobits per second or 128 kilobits per second and use dedicated military satellite services, although some ships can also use Inmarsat if required.The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) is the main sponsor of deployed, operational VTC. VTC was first deployed on operations in 1997 in the form of a capability trial. The trial was successful and VTC is now routinely deployed on operations to provide the Chief of Joint Operations with one of his primary command tools. The PJHQ has a significant VTC capability and is able to conduct secure VTC with a wide range of UK and allied Headquarters and deployable formations. In addition, HQ Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps, for which UK is framework nation, is in the process of being equipped with VTC. Secure high quality VTC links also exist between the PJHQ and the Defence Crisis Management Centre that are used to conduct crisis planning and to provide operational updates to Defence chiefs. The bandwidth employed by operational VTC services varies between 64 kilobits per second and 384 kilobits per second. It forms part of the overall information exchange requirements package for a deployed formation which takes account of the operational requirement, whether or not the end user is in a mobile or static environment, and the available capacity in the overall communications planning scenario.Within the Royal Air Force, VTC systems exist in the main Headquarters of Strike Command and Personnel and Training Command among other locations. Additionally, a Closed Circuit Television System is used in Headquarters Strike Command to support operational briefings for senior staff. Commercially available systems are employed which typically utilise a bandwidth of between 128 kilobits per second and 384 kilobits per second, connected via Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. These allow dial-up connections to be established to other sites with similar facilities.Within the Army, VTC is being used for a variety of applications including communication between the main locations of the Adjutant General's staff in Upavon, Glasgow and London and also with in Headquarters Land and at a number of garrisons. Again these systems typically utilise a bandwidth of between 128 kilobits per second and 384 kilobits per second. Initiatives are currently being studied to extend this connectivity to provide VTC facilities in other major Army headquarters to support a variety of business activities in the future.One specific application under investigation is the use of VTC in support of Custody Hearings and Summary Appeal Courts under the control of the Courts Martial Administrative Office (CMAO) to support the processes set out in the Armed Forces Discipline Bill. On 18 February 2000, CMAO staffs completed a two week trial which included links to sites in Germany, Brunei and Canada. The purposes of this trial were: to demonstrate to the Judge Advocate General's department the proposed Custody Hearing process using VTC; to prove the principle of using VTC for Custody Hearings; to examine the possibility of taking evidence from witnesses in overseas theatres and to examine the possibility of conducting Directions Hearings by VTC. The trial report is expected to conclude that the aims of the study were achieved although some processes and procedures would need to be refined. The report will recommend that a detailed Statement of Requirement be prepared for a VTC system to be procured and installed later this year.In the event, however unlikely, that a soldier needs legal advice on a Summary Dealing matter while in an operational theatre, it will firstly be sought from other Service lawyers in theatre (RAF or RN). Should these not

	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Access denied	0	1	0	3	1
Browsing	0	1	0	0	0
Password abuse	0	0	0	1	0
Privilege abuse	0	5	2	1	1
Data stolen/disclosed	0	2	0	0	1
Files deleted/damaged	1	2	2	1	0
Fraud	0	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0	0

The following information is recorded against each hacking incident:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 February 2000, Official Report, column 648W, on Bloody Sunday, what efforts his Department is making to recover the 10 rifles which were used on Bloody Sunday and were identified as having been sold to private companies. [111712]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The Ministry of Defence/West Mercia Police investigation, which I announced on 17 February, is urgently investigating the whereabouts of the Bloody Sunday rifles that have been sold and whether it might be possible to recover them. be available then the use of telephone or VTC will be made available subject to operational priorities. If the matter was sufficiently serious for the CO to believe that detention is necessary, he will almost certainly wish the individual to be removed to a rear area where he can be appropriately dealt with.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence,pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2000, Official Report, column 372W, on computers (1) if he will list the eight different categories of misuse by which internal hacking incidents are categorised; and the number of hacking incidents by category for each of the last five years; [111112](2) what information is held on his Department's incident recording system about each internal hacking incident over the last five years. [111110]

[holding answer 22 February 2000]: My Department is a contributing Department to the Government wide Unified Incident Reporting and Alert Scheme (UNIRAS). Internal hacking incidents are categorised into the following eight types of misuse: access denied; browsing; password abuse; privilege abuse; data stolen/disclosed; files deleted/damaged; fraud; other.The number of internal hacking incidents, by category, for each of the last five years is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 729W, concerning Bagshot Park, what payment was made on surrender of the property; and what its value was at that time. [111941]

In accordance with the terms of our contractual arrangements with the Crown Estate, my Department made a payment of £1.8 million on the surrender of Bagshot Park. The value of the property is not a matter for the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with pharmaceutical companies about ensuring that developing countries have access to affordable drugs. [111509]

The issue of healthcare in developing countries and access to medicines was raised at the recent WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle, and while there I met representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and NGOs. Since Seattle I have received representatives on this issue from pharmaceutical companies and NGOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much ECGD cover was granted in respect of (a) heavily indebted poor countries, (b) lower middle income countries and (c) higher middle income countries in each of the financial years (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and (iv) 1998–99 indicating in each case the percentages for civil aerospace and defence cover. [111008]

The following table lists the information requested on the basis of the country categorisations which informed ECGD's recent evidence to the International Development Committee. For completeness, ECGD has included details for all Low Income countries (not all of which are HIPCs) where ECGD cover has been provided.

ECGD cover for HIPC, LMI UMI countries
	Total business (£Million)	Defence (%)	Civil (%)	Aero (%)
FY 1995–96
HIPC	190	0	100	0
LMI	2,874	15	82	3
UMI	1,086	47	36	17

Value of ECGD cover in respect of guarantees issued in 1998–99—top ten exporters
Company	Nature of Projects	Markets	Value of ECGD cover (£ million)
BAe Systems	Civil Aerospace	Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, E1 Salvador, Greece, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Portugal, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uzbekistan	769
BAe Systems	Defence	Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea	1,020
Marconi Communications; Marconi Electronic Systems	Radio Communications and Defence	India, Sweden, Brunei, United States, Japan	607
Mitsui Babcock	Power Station	China	264
Kvaerner	Media Production and Blast Furnace Equipment	Egypt, Republic of Korea	137
Vickers	Defence	Oman	131
ALSTOM	Power Generation Equipment	Mexico, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis	75
Rolls Royce	Aero Engines	China, United Arab Emirates	73
Bechtel	Power Generation	China	54
Dennis	Buses	Hong Kong	51
Coflexip	Offshore Pipelines	Brazil	38

Values shown in respect of Bae Systems include also amounts in respect of Rolls Royce aero engines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 10 companies in receipt of the highest level of export credit guarantees for the financial year 1998–99, indicating the amount of cover given to each company and listing the projects for which it was given. [111009]

The information requested is in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place outside the remit of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change between his Department and the Governments of developing countries relating to the design of the Clean Development Mechanism. [112170]

I have been asked to reply.Since the Fifth Conference of the Parties in Bonn in October-November 1999, there have been no discussions relating to the design of the Clean Development Mechanism between members of the UK Government and governments of developing countries. However, the intensified process in the run-up to the Sixth Conference of the Parties in November 2000 includes several opportunities for such discussions by Ministers and officials, both within and outside the formal UNFCCC process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's definition of clean development. [112171]

I have been asked to reply.In the context of the Clean Development Mechanism established by the Kyoto Protocol, there is no agreed international definition of "clean development". However, under the Kyoto Protocol, Clean Development Mechanism projects are defined as those that contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—to reduce and stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere—and assist the developing country host in achieving sustainable development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy with regard to nuclear power projects as eligible projects in the Clean Development Mechanism, currently developed under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. [112168]

I have been asked to reply.The Government believe that all projects under the Clean Development Mechanism must contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—to reduce and stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere—and assist the developing country host in achieving sustainable development. The detailed rules that will govern the Clean Development Mechanism are due to be agreed at the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November this year. In advance of that, the Government have noted the case for prior exclusions as a way to ensure environmental integrity, and also attach importance to the need for developing countries to play a key role in determining their own sustainable development needs and priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from (a) Commonwealth and (b) other Governments concerning the UK's policy on the eligibility of nuclear power projects under the rules for the Clean Development Mechanism. [112169]

I have been asked to reply.The UK Government have had recent representations from Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth Ministers regarding the potential exclusion of nuclear power projects from the Clean Development Mechanism. At the Fifth Conference of the Parties (CoP5) in November 1999, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions received representations from Indian and Chinese Ministers. Both Ministers were concerned that the UK should not support specific exclusions from the Clean Development Mechanism and that the host developing country should determine whether projects met their own sustainable development aims. At CoP5, some EU Ministers and I briefly discussed project eligibility for the Clean Development Mechanism. I understand that the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not received any representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the differences in the activities of a British Council office and a Foreign and Commonwealth Office mission abroad. [112005]

The British Council is the United Kingdom's principal agency for cultural relations abroad. Its overseas offices engage in a range of people-to-people activities in pursuit of the FCO' s cultural policy objectives. Foreign and Commonwealth Office missions overseas engage primarily in government-to-government relations across the range of the Department's objectives. The activities of British Council offices and our diplomatic missions are carefully co-ordinated to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication or overlap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the role of the UK/China Forum in creating closer links between the UK and China. [112015]

The UK-China Forum is a high-level non-Governmental organisation, whose membership is drawn from senior individuals in the worlds of politics, business and industry, the law, education, science and technology, the media and the arts. The purpose is to develop contacts at all levels between Britain and China, with the aim of building stronger links between the two countries.The first meeting of the Forum, held in London on 21 and 22 October 1999, identified a number of areas where bilateral contacts and joint activities could be strengthened. Preparations are now underway for the second meeting of the Forum, to be held in Beijing in October 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his Department's programme and that of its Agencies to implement the proposals set out in paragraph 44 of his report on the OSCE Istanbul summit relating to police activities and training. [112130]

We currently provide 10 UK police officers to the Police Monitor Group within the OSCE Mission to Croatia. Their role is to ensure the local police force continues to improve in its professionalism. In addition, we also provided 40 UK police officers to the OSCE Police Training School in Kosovo. Their role is to recruit and train a multi-ethnic Kosovo Police Service in order to help them gain the skills and equipment needed to engage effectively in police activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role Britain is playing in international efforts to bring peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the surrounding states, with particular reference to Rwanda and Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [111782]

Britain is playing an active and constructive role in international efforts to resolve the 'crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our aim now is to: help all the parties, including Rwanda and Uganda, implement the Lusaka Agreement; support the early deployment of the UN observer force to DRC as soon as conditions allow; and get the national dialogue on the future of DRC under way; and keep DRC at the top of the international agenda.We are also providing practical support: British officers are deployed in the region as part of the UN mission; and we have made contributions of £160,000 for the Joint Military Commission, and £25,000 for the National Dialogue. We are ready to do more, as the parties actively demonstrate their commitment to the Lusaka Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the numbers of child soldiers in Sudan; what assessment he has made of the number of other countries in Africa where child soldiers are being used in significant numbers; and what steps the Government are taking to alleviate this problem. [112324]

There are no reliable estimates of the number of child soldiers in Sudan. Over the past year, reports of the use of child soldiers in Africa, including internal conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Angola.We are committed to bringing to an end the use of child soldiers which is in contravention of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our approach is based on a combination of: support for international efforts in this field, in particular the work of the UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict; strengthening international standards; urging the governments concerned to tackle this abuse; and, with the Department for International Development, support for practical measures to address this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many international police officers have been deployed to Kosovska Mitrovica. [112103]

The United Nations report that on 28 February 2000 there were 541 international police officers in Kosovska Mitrovica.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police from the United Kingdom have been deployed, and how many have been pledged to be deployed, to (a) Kosovo, (b) Pristina and (c) Kosovska Mitrovica. [112104]

The United Kingdom has deployed 60 police officers to the United Nations International Police (UNIP) in Kosovo. In response to a UN request, we are increasing that contribution to 120 officers. We have also recently increased our contribution to the OSCE-run school training the future Kosovo police service from 32 to 40 officers. We are also considering deployment of additional specialists to help combat organised crime in Kosovo.The United Nations is responsible for determining where UNIP officers are deployed. Of the 60 UK officers with UNIP, 59 are based in Pristina and the surrounding area (the most densely populated region of Kosovo).A senior UK police officer has been deployed full-time to Mitrovica (as the Deputy Regional Commander) and several officers have been on short-term secondments to the Mitrovica region. 230 UK troops, from the Royal Green Jackets, were also deployed to Mitrovica between 15 and 22 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about funding for the British Council in Africa. [112327]

The grant in aid allocated by the British Council to its African directorates from 1994–95 to 1999–2000 has increased in cash terms from £13 million to £14 million (though this represents a 6 per cent. reduction in real terms). However, the overall level of activity undertaken by the Council in Africa over the same period has declined from £106 million to £59 million, as the result of a downturn in the management of development and training contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to him by the United Nations requesting troops for the Sierra Leone peacekeeping operation. [112326]

We strongly support the UN's efforts in Sierra Leone to create a climate of confidence for the implementation of the Lome Peace Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the second report of the Secretary-General, pursuant to Security Council resolution 12780 (1999) on the United Nations missions in Sierra Leone, in particular the report's assessment of the United Nations' ability to maintain a major military presence in Sierra Leone. [112325]

We agree with the Secretary-General's assessment that the establishment and maintenance of security in Sierra Leone is essential to the success of the Lome Peace Agreement. We therefore supported his recommendation that the UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, be substantially expanded to take on some of the security tasks formerly carried out by the departing Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS)' peacekeeping force, ECOMOG. We strongly backed UN Security Council Resolution 1289 of 7 February which authorised the deployment of up to 11,100 troops and observers.We also agree with the Secretary-General that the UN, already under considerable resource pressure, will not be able to maintain a major military presence in Sierra Leone for a prolonged period; and that the responsibility for the success of the peace process ultimately lies with the people and leaders of Sierra Leone.In order to help Sierra Leone to take responsibility for its own security, we are working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone to help rebuild new, democratically accountable Sierra Leone armed forces, and a new police force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the situation in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [111982]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Mr. Shaw) on 15 February 2000, Official Report, column 762.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of human rights in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [111983]

Although the Sri Lankan Government have taken some steps to improve their human rights record, we remain concerned about continuing violations and failures to prosecute violators. We are also concerned about human rights abuses committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and reports that they are still using child soldiers. We will continue to raise our concerns and stress the need for effective machinery to protect and promote human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received concerning disputes between Turkey and neighbouring states over water resources. [112097]

The governments of Syria, Iraq and the League of Arab States have registered their concern about the potential impact of the Ilisu Dam on their water supply from the Tigris river. We have also received several letters from NGOs on the same subject. Water is a sensitive issue in the region because of scarcity of supply. The Ilisu Dam is, however, a hydro-electric project, not an irrigation proposal. Continued flow of water would be needed for the dam to function.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ecological value of (a) reptiles, (b) grasshoppers, (c) beetles, (d) carved flies, (e) scorpions and (f) lizards on the Island of Sombrero. [111172]

No assessment of these matters has yet been carried out. However, information on the ecological value of the fauna and flora of Sombrero is being gathered for the review of Beal Aerospace's proposal for a commercial space rocket launch complex on the island. This review is being carried out for the Government of Anguilla by a UK Planning Inspector. It will cover material in the Environmental Assessment submitted by Beal Aerospace as well as other reports, including ones submitted by the Royal Society for the protection of Birds on invertebrates and lizards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds about the development of Sombrero Island near Anguilla. [111171]

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (and others) have made a number of representations to HMG and to the Government of Anguilla expressing concern about the Environmental Assessment submitted by Beal Aerospace in support of its proposal to develop a commercial rocket launch site on Sombrero. At the request of the Government of Anguilla we have therefore arranged for a UK Planning Inspector to review the evidence, so that decisions can be taken with the benefit of his advance on environmental aspects of the proposal.The most recent representations followed surveys of the island in November 1999 and included reports by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on Seabirds, by Fauna and Flora International on Lizards and by Dr. Michael Ivie of the University of Montana on Invertebrates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the escalators that were not working on 14 February 2000, on the London Underground; for what reasons each was not working; and what measures will be pursued to ensure that all escalators are in full working order. [110745]

[holding answer 21 February 2000]: This is an operational matter for London Transport. However, I understand that at 14 February 2000, 47 escalators out of 381 were out of service.These are as follows:

Station	Number of escalators	Reason
Old Street	1	1—
Oxford Circus	1	1—
Victoria	1	1—
Notting Hill Gate	2	1—
Warren Street	1	1—
Bethnal Green	1	1—
Kings Cross	1	1—
Holborn	2	1—
St. John's Wood	1	1—
Tottenham Court Road	1	1—
Hyde Park Corner	1	1—
Manor House	2	2—
Wood Green	1	2—
London Bridge	1	Power supply problems
Canada Water	4	Station construction work
Shepherds Bush	1	3—
Oxford Circus	1	3—
Waterloo	1	3—
Old Street	1	3—
South Wimbledon	1	3—
Clapham North	1	3—
Clapham South	1	3—
Euston	2	3—
Baker Street	3	3—
Oxford Circus	4	3—
Kings Cross	1	3—
Brixton	1	3—
Vauxhall	1	3—
Walthamstow	2	3—
Highbury	1	3—
Victoria	1	3—
Seven Sisters	1	3—
Charing Cross	1	3—
1 Planned replacement or refurbishment
2 Tracking and guidance system repairs
3 Replacement of machine drive shaft

London Underground is implementing a new programme of expenditure on escalator maintenance and repair of nearly £140 million over the years 1998–99 to 2000–01 (1998–99 £26 million, 1999–2000 £44.8 million, 2000–01 £66.1 million).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the percentage contribution from central Government funds towards local authority expenditure in England in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and if he will give the estimated percentage in 2000–01. [111617]

The information is as follows.

Government funds as a percentage of Englich local authority revenue expenditure1
Year	Central government funds2 (percentage)	Non-domestic rates3 (Percentage)
1997–984	50.4	25.5
1998–994	50.3	24.9
1999–20005	48.1	25.3
1 Local authority expenditure is defined as "revenue expenditure to compare with TSS" which is expenditure to be met from Revenue Support Grant, Specific and Special Grants in Aggeregate External Finance, SSA Reduction Grant, Police Grant. Central Support Protection Grant (1999–2001), Non-domestic rates, council tax and appropriations from reserves.
2 Central Government Funds Comprise Revenue Support Grant. Police Grant and Central Support Protection Grant (1999–00 to 2000–01).
3 This represents the distributable amount from the non-domestic rates pool and City Offset.
4 Outturn
5 Budget

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on the handling of radioactive waste from nuclear power stations in developing countries; and what account he has taken of the environmental and health impact of radioactive waste in formulating his position on the eligibility of nuclear power projects for inclusion in the Clean Development Mechanism. [112075]

The Government have made no generic assessment of the impacts of radioactive waste in the context of the suitability of nuclear power projects for inclusion in the Clean Development Mechanism. Although international rules for the Clean Development Mechanism have yet to be agreed, the Government have noted the case for prior exclusions of certain project types, including nuclear power, as a way to ensure environmental integrity. The Government also attach importance to the need for developing countries to play a key role in determining their own sustainable development needs and priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on the design of the Clean Development Mechanism being developed under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, with particular reference to the inclusion of nuclear power and large hydro projects in the Mechanism. [112074]

This Government believe that all projects under the Clean Development Mechanism must contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—to reduce and stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere—and assist the developing country host in achieving sustainable development. The design of the Clean Development Mechanism, including the eligibility of certain project types, will not be agreed until the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2000. In advance of that, the Government have noted the case for prior exclusions of certain project types as a way to ensure environmental integrity, and also attach importance to the need for developing countries to play a key role in determining their own sustainable development needs and priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects the Government to sign up to the OECD agreement on The Global Biodiversity Information Facility; [111991](2) what commitments the Government have made to implement the terms of the agreement on The Global Biodiversity Information Facility. [111992]

We recognise that there is a need for global biodiversity data to be collected and managed, and therefore used to underpin the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The National Biodiversity Network, to which the Government have announced a £250,000 contribution, aim to do this for the UK. We recognise too that there is already much work going on globally producing many results and outputs. However, because there is no set protocol of compilation or standardisation of such work, its full potential, particularly when coupled with modern information technology, is not being realised.The OECD has usefully identified this gap through its Mega Science Forum and has carried out some preliminary work in suggesting ways for promoting a mechanism to meet these needs.Plans for the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) are still being drafted and will not be ready for adoption and signature until the end of the year. We have, however, demonstrated our interest by playing a full part in the discussions so far and shall continue to do so. Our aim is to secure a GBIF which will meet its objectives cost effectively, and through collaboration with all information providers and collectors, all interested countries, and other arrangements and institutions including those associated with the Convention on Biological Diversity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the effect of introducing buses with a maximum width of 2.55 m on existing bus services, with particular reference to the impact of such a change on the number of bus routes that would have to be discontinued. [112408]

Following an extensive consultation, the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 were amended in 1995 (SI 1995 No. 3051) to allow vehicles to operate at a maximum width of 2.55 m. No problems were raised at the time of the consultation in respect of this increase. The dimension is a maximum allowance and, therefore, it is permissible to operate buses at less than 2.55 m on routes that require narrower vehicles to be used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the addition of methyl tertiary butyl ether to petrol; and if he will make a statement. [111892]

The Government remain neutral on the use of MTBE in petrol. It can provide worthwhile improvements in air quality through the reduction of vehicle pollutants, e.g. carbon monoxide by 25 per cent. and hydrocarbons by 15 per cent. On the other hand, not all petrol sold in the United Kingdom contains MTBE. The average concentration of MTBE in UK petrol is about 1 per cent., well below that permitted under EU law.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum concentration of methyl tertiary butyl ether allowed in petrol. [111893]

Directive 98/70/EC stipulates that member states may not prevent, restrict or discourage production, marketing and free movement of blended petrol that contains 15 per cent. or less MTBE by volume. This requirement has been implemented in UK law by the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) Regulations 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations where methyl tertiary butyl ether has been found in groundwater supplies in excess of maximum safe levels in the past three years. [111894]

Environment Agency monitoring of groundwater has not encountered any concentrations of MTBE which the Agency considers excessive. The Agency is currently undertaking a research project on the incidence of MTBE in England and Wales, the results of which will be available this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in developing the Government's road safety strategy; and if he will make a statement. [112908]

Today, we have published our road safety strategy, "Tomorrow's roads—safer for everyone". This sets stretching new targets to reduce the number of casualties on our roads, particularly child deaths and injuries. By 2010 we want to see a 40 per cent. overall reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured and a 50 per cent. reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured, compared with the average for 1994–98. We also want to see a 10 per cent. reduction in the rate of slight injuries, measured per 100 million vehicle kilometres.Measures to achieve these objectives include:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise motorcycle licensing rules following the safer motorcycling consultation exercise undertaken by the Driving Standards Agency last year. [112909]

The document, "Tomorrow's roads—safer for everyone", which is published today, sets out the broad context for how we propose to deliver road safety improvements for motorcyclists. A detailed report of the decisions taken in response to the consultation exercise has also been issued today, and I shall place copies in the Library of the House.We are removing unnecessary restrictions while improving training and testing for learner riders. We shall abolish the rule that means learner riders lose their provisional licence after two years, and we shall improve the training they receive. New licences will be valid until age 70 years, providing the rider holds a current training certificate. New car drivers will have basic safety training before riding a moped.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the External Financing Limit for the British Waterways Board. [112973]

The 1999–2000 External Financing Limit for the British Waterways Board will be increased by £340,000 from £58,690,000 to £59,030,000. This will enable them to replace a life expired pumping facility at Gloucester Docks. It will be funded by an increase in grant in aid to the Board arising from savings elsewhere on Class III, Vote 3.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tickets for the Millennium dome have been sold from outlets based in Wales to date; and what percentage they represent of overall sales to date. [110849]

[holding answer 21 February 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 85W. This represents around 1.16 per cent. of the total sales to 6 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he has revised his estimate that the Millennium dome will attract 12 million visitors this year. [112050]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company continues to aim for 12 million visitors for the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to introduce a statutory right of reply in respect of factual inaccuracies in the media. [109996]

The Government have no plans to introduce a statutory right of reply in respect of factual inaccuracies in the media. We believe that current self-regulatory arrangements on the media are working satisfactorily.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what is the budget for his Tourism Summit; [112086](2) what is the catering budget for the Tourism Summit. [112085]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The budget for the Summit is £1,000. This includes the cost of catering, which will be provided by the in-house catering service at the Globe Theatre. We have chosen the most economical of the lunch options available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the agenda for the Tourism Summit. [112079]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: There are four main parts to the agenda. Ministers collectively will review the progress made in implementing Tomorrow's Tourism, and consider what ought to be done over the next year. There will be a progress report on the work of the better Regulation Task Force in this area, and a discussion of its implications. Progress in improving accommodation quality following the launch of the harmonised gradings will be discussed, and Ministers will receive the report of the Tourism Consumer Working Group and decide on their response to it. As promised in the original strategy document, we will then publish a report setting out our conclusions on progress to date and detailed recommendations for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on transport arrangements for the dome celebrations on new year's eve 1999. [105980]

Over 10,000 guests were invited to the dome opening celebration. Some of those arriving via Stratford suffered lengthy delays, although everyone arrived in time for the opening show. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and the Metropolitan police have apologised for the delays and NMEC has offered free dome tickets to all those who used Stratford.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for taking forward work on the modernisation of public services. [112802]

Like all members of this Government, I am committed to delivering efficient and responsive modern public services that provide excellence for the many, and not just the few. My Department has published a booklet today on what it has done and is planning to do to take forward the Government's long-term programme of reform to modernise the public service. These plans, which will evolve over the coming months, will lead to changes in the way MAFF does its business. Copies of this booklet, "MAFF's Part in Modernising Government", are being placed in the Library of the House.Modernising Government gives MAFF an opportunity to deliver better services to our many customers. We will make the most of this opportunity.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many times bad weather was forecast for planned sailings of ships carrying live sheep for export from Dover Port to the continent in 1999; how many times his inspectors discussed the weather with the master of vessels carrying live sheep; how many such sailings were undertaken when winds were force 7 or higher or when the state of the sea was rough; and how many such sailings were postponed due to bad weather. [111373]

Ministry staff track forecasts of weather and sea conditions on all occasions when there are plans to take live food animals out of Dover by sea. The trigger for the Department's inspection staff at Dover to initiate discussions with the master of the vessel is a clear forecast, when the master imminently intends to sail with animals, that force 7 winds and/or rough sea conditions are likely to prevail. Inspection staff discuss the conditions with the master of the vessel to ensure that the master has exercised his judgment as to whether animals are likely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering as a result of weather and/or sea conditions likely to be encountered during the voyage (as required by article 4(2) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997). The 1999 discussions were initiated with the master on 24 occasions. Thirteen sailings commenced in force 6–7 winds and/or rough sea conditions and nine in calmer conditions. Two sailings were postponed.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many notices were served by his staff under Article 18 of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 at Dover Port in respect of live sheep destined for export; how many such sheep were removed at his inspectors' instructions from livestock vehicles at Dover Port and for what reasons; and how many documentary queries were made by his inspectors at Dover Port in respect of consignments of live sheep destined for export in 1999; [111371](2) how many

Seventy-eight (78) notices were served by MAFF staff during 1999 at Dover Port on consignments of slaughter/further fattening sheep. 257 sheep were removed. 160 of these were removed to improve stocking densities; 82 were removed because they were unfit; 15 dead animals were removed. There were 19 documentary queries.Separate figures for animals declared unfit for travel by Local Veterinary Inspectors are available only from 31 May 1999 when changes to pre-export inspection arrangements were introduced. Between then and 31 December 1999 12,558 sheep and 188 pigs were rejected as unfit to travel.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has taken a decision in the case of Senator Pinochet. [110636]

I expect to make a decision in the case of Senator Pinochet at 8.00 am tomorrow. I will give full reasons for my decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was told by the Waterhouse Tribunal of the urgent need to instruct police authorities to search for those persons named as being unsuitable to work with children; and if he will make a statement. [111370]

The Waterhouse Tribunal made no such proposal. The desirability of tracing those concerned was recognised by the Government on publication of the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will suspend the use of CS spray on people known to be in mental distress until research into the effects of CS on people using neuroleptic drugs has been carried out. [111803]

Police officers need some means of protection against attacks, even when committed by people who are mentally disturbed, and the safety of CS spray to all concerned must be compared with that of alternatives, such as physical restraint or use of batons, which themselves involve an element of risk. Nor is it always clear when an attacker is suffering from a mental disorder which might require medication. The Guidance on the use of CS spray in such circumstances are set out in paragraphs 6.5, 8.4 and 8.5 of the guidance published by the Association of Chief Police Officers on this subject, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the Police Service Radio Communications Project; and if he will make a statement. [112636]

On 13 January, I laid before Parliament a Departmental minute notifying a non-statutory liability arising from the issue by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) of a letter of instruction to proceed to British Telecom plc. This letter authorised them to invest in the project infrastructure, pending satisfactory conclusions of the final contract negotiations. I can now confirm that yesterday evening PITO signed a contract with British Telecom plc for the provision of the Public Safety Radio Communications Service (PSRCS) to all police forces in England, Wales and Scotland. I will be announcing shortly further details on the scope and timetable of the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards exist concerning the welfare of racing greyhounds (a) during their working lives at (i) registered tracks and (ii) independent tracks and (b) after they retire; and if he will make a statement. [112391]

Provisions safeguarding the welfare of all domestic and captive animals in this country, including greyhounds whether on course or in retirement, are included in the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an independent public inquiry into the collapse of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [112464]

I have aske d the incoming Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Gurbux Singh, to consider urgently the lessons to be learned from the collapse of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress and to produce a report. I hope to indicate the time scale for the report shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the report of the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality into the collapse of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress to be completed; and if he will place the report in the Library when it is available. [112463]

I have asked the incoming Chairman, Gurbux Singh, to undertake the review as a matter of urgency. The terms of reference and timetable for the review will be published shortly and the key findings of the review will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take in respect of the civil servants and members of the Commission for Racial Equality who are directors of Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd.; and what role his Department and the Commission for Racial Equality had in their appointment. [112462]

My Department was not involved in the appointment of its Directors and no Home Office officials are Directors of the company.The role of the Commission will be examined in the context of the review which I have asked the incoming Chairman, Gurbux Singh, to conduct.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 22 February 2000, Official Report, column 863W, to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney), if he will place the accountants' report on Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. in the Library. [112465]

There are no plans to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministers and officials in his Department were responsible for supervising the organisation of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress by Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd.; what was the nature of that supervision; and if he will make a statement. [112461]

The Commission for Racial Equality decided to stage the Cultural Diversity Congress and took a collective decision to set up Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. to organise the event.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the change in the total number of police officers in the Metropolitan Police Service over the next three financial years; and if he will make a statement. [112394]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the revenue budget for 2000–01 should be sufficient to enable him to maintain police officer strength at around 25,600. He also aims to maintain front-line policing strengths for the following two years, subject to sufficient funding.From 3 July 2000 budgets for the Metropolitan Police Authority will be a matter for the Greater London Authority, subject to my reserve powers to set a minimum budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that there should be more police officers in the Metropolitan Police Service at the end of this Parliament than at the start; and if he will make a statement. [112458]

Under the Police and Magistrates Courts Act 1994, it is for the Commissioner to determine the actual number of police officers in the Metropolitan Police Service at any one time. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary set out his policy as regards the number of police officers in all forces in England and Wales in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 9 February 2000, Official Report, columns 172–74W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to his answer of 14 February 2000, Official Report, columns 419–20W, and his letter to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and the Weald of 18 February 2000, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his instruction to admit Mike Tyson under paragraph 1(3) of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 with the Immigration Rules. [112401]

My instruction under Paragraph 1(3) of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 to admit Mr. Tyson was entirely compatible with the Immigration Rules, including paragraph 320(18). Whereas under that paragraph refusal of entry should normally follow in the case of someone with a criminal conviction of the sort prescribed in the absence of strong compassionate reasons, the paragraph leaves a residual discretion, confirmed by the courts, to depart from that normal course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his considerations of the claims for political asylum made by some passengers on the aeroplane recently hijacked to Stansted airport. [112937]

Of the total 170 people on the aircraft, 73 returned voluntarily to Afghanistan on 14 February. Four members of the flight crew are due to return with the aircraft when necessary clearances have been given. Two passengers have also asked to return to Afghanistan. Arrangements are being made for them to do so. 14 individuals are the subject of criminal charges in relation to the hijacking. This leaves 44 passengers who have made a claim for asylum under the 1951 Geneva Convention together with some 33 dependants.I have postponed a decision in six claims made by the relatives of those charged because I have been advised that the effect of considering their claims could prejudice the trials of the hijackers. I have postponed a decision in two cases in which I am expecting further information from the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and a further six cases in which further inquiries need to be made.I have personally considered each of the remaining claims, including the representations made by the legal advisers representing each applicant. I have also taken into account advice I have received from Counsel and the Home Office Afghanistan country assessment. I have now reached my decisions. I have decided to grant refugee status in two cases, because I am satisfied that their applications disclose a well-grounded fear of persecution on a ground set out in the 1951 Convention. In both cases, as it happens, the applicant's case for asylum arose before they had boarded the flight, and it was a matter of chance for them that it was hijacked. Indefinite leave to enter will be granted to the wife of one of these applicants as his dependant, although she had claimed asylum in her own right. The claimants in these cases have five children who will also be given indefinite leave to enter. I have rejected the claims in the remaining 27 cases on the grounds that I am not satisfied that they have a well-founded fear of persecution by reason of their race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group or political opinion.In considering each of these claims, I have taken proper account of the United Kingdom's obligations under the 1951 Convention. I have taken account of all necessary legal requirements. These requirements are such that it would have been improper in the cases I have considered for me to take into account at that stage other factors, such as the need to deter future hijackers, and I have not done so. However, in determining the future status of those whose claims I have rejected, I have a different duty, to take into account all relevant information including public interest points in deterring future hijackings.In these cases, I have decided that the public interest in deterring future hijacks for the purposes of claiming asylum is a very strong one and, therefore, I have decided that they should not be given permission to stay in this country. Accordingly, I have given instructions that they should not be granted Exceptional Leave to Enter, which would give them this permission. We are ready to make arrangements for them to return to Afghanistan voluntarily. Given the current situation in Afghanistan, it is not proposed immediately to set directions for their enforced removal to Afghanistan. Instead, we are continuing to explore the possibility of removing these individuals to other countries. In the meantime they will be offered bail conditions to be set by a Chief Immigration Officer involving a recognisance, restrictions on their address, and conditions for regular reporting to the Immigration Service. Arrangements for accommodation will be made centrally and the cost will not be borne by local authorities. For the time being we will continue to detain those on whom no decision has been made.The events surrounding this terrorist act of hijacking have shown serious weaknesses in the way in which international conventions relating to refugees, terrorism and human rights operate. We shall be raising our concerns with like-minded countries and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's support for education initiatives in Asia. [111178]

The Government are working to strengthen the international effort to meet the International Development target of achieving universal primary education by 2015 and gender equality in primary and secondary schooling by 2005. To meet targets we must make greater progress in Asia where 50 million children are still out of school. The UK has major projects working to improve state systems in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal and we are working hard to try to ensure that the UN led Conference in Dakar on 26–27 April drives forward progress in meeting the 2015 target across the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations she intends to carry out prior to the publication of the White Paper on Globalisation. [111179]

We will consult widely as part of the preparation of the White Paper on Globalisation and Development. We will provide an outline of the White Paper and establish a website containing the outline. We will invite submissions widely from individuals and organisations in the UK and from developing countries and international organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the response of her Department to the World bank development report 2000–01 consultation draft, "Attacking Poverty", with particular reference to population issues. [111180]

I welcome the draft World Development Report and I welcome the fact that for the first time the World bank has put it out for wide consultation on the internet before publication in September. My Department has fed in detailed research to the report team, including a major study of the views of the poor across the world. We alongside others have suggested that the contribution of demographic change to economic growth should receive greater attention within the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on health services in Kosovo. [111181]

Medical services in Kosovo suffer from 10 years of neglect and poor maintenance, the dismissal of Albanian Kosovars from health administration and from the aftermath of the conflict. Our immediate priority is to ensure that access to urgent medical assistance is widely available. The UK is taking the lead in essential services at Pristina University Hospital under a neutral international management team, and is supporting primary health care provision for some 800,000 people. We are working closely with Joint Administration and key donors to develop longer-term sustainable health programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress in reforming the EU' s development work. [111182]

I welcome the commitment of the new European Commission to major improvement of the European Union's development programmes. Most of the damaging splits in responsibility within the Commission have been removed, a development policy statement will be tabled this month, and the structure of the European Development Fund was significantly improved during the negotiations on the next Lomé convention.The UK advocated all these changes in the strategy we published over a year ago. But the impact of these measures has not yet been felt on the ground or reflected in the allocation of EC development spending. We will continue to press for much greater effectiveness and efficiency in EC programmes so that the EU plays a more effective role in meeting the international poverty eradication targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what monitoring her Department will carry out of the uses to which funds which are released as a result of debt cancellation are put. [111183]

The revision to the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative agreed last year requires countries to develop national poverty reduction strategies. Resources arising from debt relief will be spent within this framework. I place great importance on civil society and the international community being able to monitor the implementation and outcomes of these strategies, and I recognise that increased international support will be required to ensure that this takes place. We are devoting additional resources to improve the statistics essential for monitoring progress in HIPC countries, as part of the new Partnership for Statistics for Development in 21st Century initiative, launched in November 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received relating to UK aid to Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. [111184]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what non-financial assistance she is giving to Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. [111191]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the future of the aid programme to Zimbabwe. [111200]

Appalling economic management has brought Zimbabwe to a crisis. The International Financial Institutions are urging the Government to take action to improve economic management and focus on the reduction of poverty. We have also made it clear that there is a strong case for land reform and that we would provide support for a programme that was fully transparent and focused on helping poor farmers.Some 70 per cent. of Zimbabwean households fall below the poverty line. Cutting aid would hurt the people who have suffered most through economic mismanagement. We will continue to work with progressive forces in Zimbabwe, where we judge our aid can be effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received on the reduction of third-world debt. [111185]

I have discussed debt relief, and the contribution it can make to poverty reduction, on a number of occasions recently ranging from a meeting with the Ugandan High Commissioner to children from Rhyl school. On 21 December, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I hosted a seminar for representatives of the UK faiths and non-governmental organisations to discuss these issues. I continue to receive many letters on debt from members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the contribution made by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to international development. [111186]

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, alongside other UK institutions, is a valued partner in our work to improve the health of the poorest and our efforts to attain the international development targets.The school has responded to international needs for applied research and training in Malaria, Child Health, Reproductive Health, Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), TB and HIV/AIDs, as well as Health Sector Development.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress being made towards eliminating gender inequalities in basic education. [111187]

In the 10 years since the first Education for All conference in Jomtien considerable progress has been made in spreading support for the education of girls in developing countries. Countries themselves are increasingly convinced of the need to include girls and progress is being made. The research evidence is clear that educating girls leads to major development gains as the girls grow up in smaller families, improved child survival and enhanced household income. We are committed to mobilising increased international commitment to the international development targets of universal primary education by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary schooling by 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what humanitarian assistance Her Majesty's Government plans for Sierra Leone during 2000. [111188]

Our Programme in Sierra Leone is directed mainly at supporting the peace process and assisting with the preparations for elections in 2001.We are continuing to support a number of international and local non-government and civil society organisations which are working in the country on food security, basic health care, basic education and water and sanitation projects. During the last 18 months we have committed over £5 million towards these humanitarian assistance activities.The deployment of the expanded United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone force and continuing progress with the disarmament and demobilisation process will improve the prospects for access to areas which have until now been behind the rebel lines. DFID will continue to support effective co-ordination of humanitarian assistance and will be ready to respond to sensible, well-targeted proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of her Department in promoting security sector reform. [111189]

Our policy on security sector reform in developing countries is set out in our policy statement on "Poverty and the Security Sector" which was launched in March 1999.In many countries bloated, ill-disciplined security sector forces, absorbing disproportionate resources, abuse their power and sometimes lead to coups and conflict which hold back development and cause the growth of poverty. We are focused primarily on providing assistance to strengthen the democratic accountability and transparency of the security sector and where appropriate to facilitate the transition to peace. We are also working to improve objective assessment of threat and security services of appropriate size and that are properly trained.We are currently working in this way with the FCO and MOD in Sierra Leone. We have funded a number of projects involving both UK and Commonwealth officials who are working very closely with the Government of Sierra Leone on a wide range of governance and security sector reform measures. Positive steps are also being made in Nigeria, where the three Departments are supporting the Government of Nigeria in its efforts to reform the security sector.A copy of DFID's policy statement on Poverty and the Security Sector, along with the two papers and speeches from the February symposium have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries have agreed to adopt poverty relief or education programmes to qualify for debt relief and further aid. [111190]

The revision to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative requires the 41 countries to develop and implement national poverty reduction strategies to qualify for debt relief. Other counties who access the most concessional resources of the IMF and World Bank will also need to produce these strategies, which will then form the basis for IMF and Bank lending operations. These strategies will be centred on achieving the international development targets, including the provision of universal primary education. The development of these strategies is now underway across the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the impact of multilateral debt relief on development projects funded by her Department. [111196]

The revision to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative requires countries to produce national poverty reduction strategies to qualify for their debt relief. These strategies will set out policies and priority actions for governments, and provide a framework for all donor assistance. Where they are credible, the international community should support them wholeheartedly. I welcome the decision of the World bank and the IMF to tie their assistance to these strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she will reply to the second report from the International Development Committee, Session 1999–2000 (HC 67) on "The Future of Sanctions"; and if she will make a statement. [111192]

I welcome the Committee's report and commend its proposals. We will be considering the conclusions and recommendations carefully and we will produce a detailed response in due course. The Department for International Development (DFID) is already taking action on some of the recommendations. There will be a joint FCO/DFID mission, probably in the last week of March, to the UN to explore how the UN Secretariat can be assisted in offering better advice to the Security Council on the design and implementation of sanctions, and what role the UK may play in this.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to the Government of Pakistan to help to set up and maintain ophthalmic services in rural areas. [111193]

We are not currently giving any such assistance to help set up and maintain ophthalmic services in rural areas of Pakistan. Such services have benefited indirectly in the past from our contributions to Pakistan's Social Action Programme which aims to improve basic social services including health. Since last October's military coup, our development assistance to the Pakistan Government has been frozen. We have advised the new administration that if they make clear commitment to action on poverty reduction—requiring better economic management, action against corruption and an early transition to democracy, we will reinstate our support.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received about her Department's policies on the development of the agricultural sector in Africa. [111194]

Officials maintain regular contact with developing country governments, civil society and the private sector on the development of the agricultural sector in Africa. We seek to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor and reduce poverty.We have recently commissioned an independent evaluation to assess the impact of our sustainable agriculture strategy. The study will be completed later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's response to the recent floods in Mozambique. [111195]

Since my statement to the House on 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 21, the situation in Mozambique has continued to deteriorate and is likely to get worse.The UN is providing a senior administrator who will arrive today to improve co-ordination. The UK has provided a further five helicopters, 76 boats and 39 life rafts with a team of expert volunteers. We stand ready to do more.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the United Nations conference on education to be held in Senegal in April. [111197]

The World Education Forum in Dakar from 26–28 April will assess progress achieved in the 10 years since the World Conference on Education for All in Jomtien. This International Consultative Forum has been convened by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World bank. I will attend the Forum.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the recent UNCTAD conference in Bangkok. [111198]

The UNCTAD X Conference was devoted to the theme of globalisation and how developing countries can best take advantage of it. Its concluding Declaration emphasised the importance of the multilateral trading system and of building the capacity of developing countries to participate in it fully. The Conference also agreed a Plan Of Action, which sets out the priorities for UNCTAD' s work for the next four years. This will increase the complementarities between the work of UNCTAD and that of the WTO, strengthening its ability to contribute to efforts to build developing countries' capacity to manage their integration into the global economy.My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade spoke in the interactive debate on 13 February. I attended the conference on 16 February and spoke in the interactive debate on trade and development. My statement (a copy of which is in the Library of the House) stressed the importance to developing countries of attracting investment, of maintaining the momentum of the multilateral trade system and of starting a new round of trade negotiations in which the developing countries can advance their interests. My bilateral conversations with the heads of multilateral agencies and developing countries' trade ministers were supportive of the priorities outlined in my speech.Both the UNCTAD Secretary General and his staff, and the Thai authorities are to be congratulated for preparing and organising this constructive and forward-looking conference.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to support Fair Trade Fortnight. [111199]

My Department takes every opportunity to promote fair trade products and support ethical trading in mainstream business. We support the efforts of the Fair Trade Foundation, Comic Relief, the Co-Operative Bank and others, to inform consumers of how they assist poor producers in the developing world by purchasing fair trade purchases. Tomorrow I will be attending the launch of Fair Trade Fortnight, at St. Martin in the Fields in London, where I will sign the Fair Trade Pledge promising to buy a different Fair Trade product every month. I would urge members to follow suit and help ensure that farmers in the developing world are being paid a fair wage, without exploitation or damage to their environment, that their families have access to education, and that they are able to invest in improving basic health and well-being.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the work her Department is doing to promote poor people's access to water in developing countries. [111201]