To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to improve recruitment to the cadet branch of HM armed forces. [105144]

Recruitment to the cadets is undertaken through the local and national initiatives of each individual cadet force. The three Services provide funding and advice to these national youth organisations, with the help of the Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations.Army funds support Army Cadet Force recruitment, including the recent "Attitude" marketing campaign. Phase 2 of this successful national campaign to recruit cadets and adult instructors will start later this year.RAF funding and advice supports local recruiting initiatives by the Air Training Corps. Advice and support from the Services and MOD is available where required to units of the Combined Cadet Forces. Although the Sea Cadet Corps is an independent charitable body, the Royal Navy provides support and advice in the context of recruitment.In addition, we fully expect that the additional £3 million we have made available over a four-year period following the Strategic Defence Review, for a range of manpower, training equipment, and infrastructure enhancements for all cadet forces, will further encourage cadet recruitment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [110727]

In line with the MOD's Departmental Plan on the Greening Government Initiative, my Department is looking at ways to ensure that any use of peat in the maintenance of its grounds is substituted by organic waste. This reflects the advice within the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Greening Operations Guide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to transfer the Defence Catering Agency to York. [109444]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 February 2000, Official Report, column 33W, to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names, dates and locations of the nuclear weapons exercises being organised by his Department during 2000. [112366]

The following nuclear weapon accident response exercises are planned to be held during 2000:

Date	Name	Location
May 2000	Exercise BOWLINE	Coulport
June 2000	RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1	Wiltshire
July 2000	RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1	Oxfordshire
July 2000	Exercise SENATOR	North of England
September 2000	RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1	South Glamorgan
September 2000	UK/US Exercise	Norfolk
October 2000	RAF Station NAR team Standardisation1	Suffolk
November 2000	RAF nuclear weapon convoy Standardisation	To be decided
1 RAF Station Nuclear Accident Response (NAR) teams provide immediate response forces for the air transportation of nuclear weapons

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer of 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 63W, on the European Peacekeeping Force, what is his policy on the level of capabilities the European Peacekeeping Corps should attain, in terms of (a) operational deployment range and (b) optimal UK commitment. [112387]

As explained in my answer of 24 January, there is no intention of creating a "European Peacekeeping Corps". At the Helsinki European Council EU states committed themselves to being able, by 2003, to deploy rapidly and sustain up to 50,000–60,000 troops capable of the full range of Petersberg tasks.The operational range of these forces and the question of national contributions are being discussed as part of the follow-up work to Helsinki under the Portuguese Presidency. No decisions have yet been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been carried out since 1 January 1995 on the value for money provided by defence attachés and advisers at British embassies; and on what dates each of them was concluded. [112368]

The MOD in conjunction with the FCO carried out a detailed and comprehensive review of attaché and adviser placement and their roles as part of the follow up work to the Strategic Defence Review. This review, which was approved by the Defence Council on 20 September 1999, determined where British Defence attachés and advisers should be accredited to best serve British Defence interests abroad. The Official Committee for Service Attachés and Advisers (OCSAA) subsequently scrutinised each post in every Defence Section prior to approving, on 20 October 1999, the implementation plan which will bring into effect the changes agreed in the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the nuclear weapon accident exercise, Dimming Sun, will be held, and where. [112365]

It is planned to hold the UK/US joint nuclear weapon accident response exercise Dimming Sun in Norfolk in June 2003. The precise date and location have not yet been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what has been the outcome of the investigation by the officer in command into the appearance in photographs of members of the Royal Irish Regiment in uniform with banners of the Orange Order; [112686](2) if members of the Royal Irish Regiment have been disciplined as a result of their appearance in photographs in uniform with banners of the Orange Order. [112685]

The circumstances surrounding the publication of a photograph of the Royal Irish Regiment in the Andersonstown News on 15 January 2000 are currently under investigation by the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police. The investigation is in its final stages and a report is expected later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer of 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 67W, on the Royal Irish Regiment, when the Royal Military Police will complete its investigation; and if he will publish its conclusions. [111945]

The investigation by the Special Investigations Branch of the Royal Military Police is in its final stages and a report is expected later this month. I will write to my hon. Friend in the light of the outcome and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose and at what cost he has purchased a microwave communications link between Shrewton telephone exchange and Salisbury Plain training area. [112546]

This microwave telephone link will allow greater access to the public telephone system for troops wishing to make welfare calls from the training facility at Copehill Down. The cost to the Ministry of Defence was £6,674.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the naval and other vessels that were within one hour's sailing distance from the site of the Solway Harvester disaster on 11 January; what was the precise location of HMS Vigilant at this time; what was the cause of damage to the radar system of HMS Vigilant and what was the time taken for repairs carried out before docking at Faslane, while in harbour, and elsewhere; and if he will place a copy of the submarine's log for the period from 8 to 15 January in the Library. [111949]

No Royal Navy ships or submarines were within one hour's sailing distance from the site of the Solway Harvester disaster on 11 January. At the time the mayday was raised, the nearest vessel was the RFA Bayleaf, which was some 30 miles west of the Solway Harvester's position. HMS Vigilant was in the Atlantic Ocean conducting training in deep water. I am withholding her precise location under exemption 1 (Defence Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. HMS Vigilant returned to Faslane on 14 January for repairs to a defective seal on her radar mast, sailing again on 16 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the private security companies employed (a) currently and (b) in the past three years by his Department; for what purpose they have been employed; at what cost; and at which locations. [112547]

The following private security companies are currently employed by the Ministry of Defence:

• Burns International Security Services (UK) Ltd.
• Chilport (UK) Ltd.
• Chubb Guarding Services
• Dardan Security Ltd.
• Initial Security Ltd.
• Medway Ports
• RCO Support Services
• Reliance Security Services Ltd.
• Securicor Guarding Ltd.
• Securi-Guard Ltd.
• Serco
• Solo Security Services
• Thorn Security.

Other private security companies employed by the Ministry of Defence in past three years (who are no longer employed) are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he received requests for help in disaster relief in Mozambique; what his response was; and what personnel and equipment have been provided. [112693]

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) was approached by the Department for International Development (DfID) on Saturday 26 February as to the availability of British military equipment in and around Mozambique. We advised them that there were no military assets in the region. Since then we have been examining, in conjunction with DfID, options for the deployment of MOD personnel and equipment from beyond the immediate area. An MOD team was sent to the region on 29 February to carry out reconnaissance and planning work.As a result, on Wednesday 1 March we jointly announced a decision to provide four Puma helicopters and around 100 aircrew and support personnel to assist in the immediate rescue operation. We are continuing to work closely with DfID to determine what further help we can provide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the First Minister on issuing guidance to (a) councillors, (b) council leaders and (c) elected mayors on future levels of remuneration. [104847]

[holding answer 18 January 2000]: My right hon. Friend has discussions on issues affecting Wales with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on a regular basis. The Secretary of State has had no discussions with the First Secretary on issuing guidance to councils on future levels of remuneration or allowances. The setting of members' allowances is a matter for individual councils.Under the present draft of the Local Government Bill, the National Assembly will have the power to make regulations to require councils in Wales to establish an independent panel to review councillors' allowances and pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research he has initiated into child poverty in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [107419]

I have not initiated any research into child poverty in Wales. However, the Government are committed to tackling poverty and social exclusion in the UK. The Government's Poverty Strategy Report "Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion" launched in September 1999 set out a concerted cross-Government drive to highlight the underlying cases of poverty and social exclusion.The National Assembly for Wales has set up a Social Exclusion Unit to look at poverty issues and will promote effective joint working to combat family poverty and social exclusion in Wales.In addition, the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty has agreed to future joint working between the UK Government and the devolved administrations to tackle poverty across the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has made to the Lord Chancellor concerning the future of magistrates courts in rural areas and small townships in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [107422]

I have made no such representations to the Lord Chancellor.The Government consider that magistrates courts are best managed locally by magistrates courts committees under the provision of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts in Wales, whether rural or urban, are for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine, in consultation with the paying authority or authorisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for (a) each local authority in Wales and (b) Wales as a whole the amount of revenue that will be raised from the uniform business rate in (1) 1990–2000 and (2) 2000–01. [112306]

Estimated figures for the amount of revenue that will be raised from the uniform business rate in 1999–2000 are as follows:

	£000
Isle of Anglesey	7,517
Gwynedd	29,616
Conwy	17,027
Denbighshire	14,135
Flintshire	29,315
Wrexham	23,850
Powys	16,504
Ceredigion	8,144
Pembrokeshire	20,032
Carmarthenshire	22,331
Swansea	40,712
Neath Port Talbot	26,524
Bridgend	25,450
The Vale of Glamorgan	16,934
Rhondda Cynon Taff	31,849
Merthyr Tydfil	8,505
Caerphilly	20,099
Blaenau Gwent	9,055
Torfaen	13,864
Monmouthshire	12,587
Newport	38,186
Cardiff	90,481
Wales	522,717

Since July 1999 business rates in Wales have been the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington

Indicative projection of 15 Year investment expenditure
£million 1999–2000 prices
	Stations	Lifts and escalators	Trains	Track	Civil infrastructure	Communications	Management systems	Signalling	Total
Bakerloo	100	50	90	60	40	10	20	20	390
Central, Waterloo and City	220	90	100	160	100	30	10	70	780
Victoria	220	30	250	90	40	10	10	250	900
Northern1	320	70	—	180	40	10	20	310	950
Jubilee2	80	50	—	40	60	20	20	10	280
Piccadilly	220	50	500	180	50	20	20	150	1,190
Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith and city	330	20	590	210	170	40	10	330	1,700
District	210	20	250	130	100	30	10	220	970
East London3	50	—	—	10	130	—	10	—	200
1 Northern Line train investment costs are contracted for under a separate PFI scheme and are excluded from these figures.
2 Excludes operating and maintenance costs for the Jubilee Line Extension project.
3 Excludes costs from potential project for extending East London Line.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out

The briefing note PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) published in December 1999 assumed that under the Public Private Partnership for London Underground the private sector infrastructure companies will bring efficiency improvements of 20 per cent. The PwC note, which has been placed in the House Library, sets out the basis for assuming this level of efficiency savings, which is in line with the experience of other industries where the financing and management of infrastructure programmes has been transferred to the private sector.Since the PwC briefing note was published, Arthur Andersen and the London School of Economics have completed a report for the Treasury Taskforce called "Value for Money Drivers in the Private Finance Initiative". This shows the PFIs of all types are, on average, delivering efficiency savings of 17 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 521W, covering investment in London Underground, if he will list the specific projects envisaged, indicating the estimated cost of each. [111591]

Under the terms of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) for London Underground, infrastructure companies will be required to implement a combination of specific projects and performance enhancements specified in output terms. The PPP will not, therefore, in general specify particular amounts of money to be spent, nor particular works to be carried out. It will be for bidders to decide what they have to do to meet the performance specification for each infrastructure company.However, when the PPP competition was launched in June 1999 London Underground published a briefing document containing estimates of how much they then believed it would cost over the first 15 years to implement the performance regime under development for the PPP. This was broken down as follows:the definition of a near miss between aircraft; how many such incidents have taken place at Heathrow in the past three years; and how many of those incidents occurred within three miles of Wargrave in Berkshire. [111259]

The definition of a near miss (or Airprox) applied by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is

a situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or controller, the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speed have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved was or may have been compromised.

In the last three years (1997–99) there were four reported Airproxes in the London Heathrow (LHR) Zone, an area 24 nautical miles (nm) East-West by 16 nm North-South, centred on Heathrow. Wargrave does not lie in the LHR Zone but in the same period there were two reported Airproxes within a circle radius 3 nm centred on the town.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money has been spent to date by his Department and by bodies funded by his Department in connection with the National Changeover Plan; on what headings this money has been spent; and how much his Department plans to spend on implementing the plan over the next 12 months. [112145]

[holding answer 29 February 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 29 February 2000, Official Report, column 233W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, the total amount NATS has (a) borrowed from and (b) repaid to the Civil Aviation Authority and HM Treasury and (c) the total amount of capital investment made by NATS; [112393](2) what profits NATS has made in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [112392]

[holding answer 1 March 2000]: NATS was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Civil Aviation Authority on 1 April 1996—figures are not available for NATS as a separate entity before that time. The relevant figures for NATS for financial years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 are as follows:

£ million
	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Profits after interest and tax	13.7	14.7	30.9
Borrowed from CAA	0	2.1	12.0
Repaid to CAA	31.3	28.2	67.9
Capital Investment	56.5	42.7	35.7

Profits in 1998–99 were up due to higher than expected levels of traffic, and a reduction in NATS" operating costs. Borrowing repayments increased in order to allow NATS to carry increased funds forward to 1999–2000, to prepare for the higher levels of capital expenditure on the New Scottish Centre expected in that year. Profits in 1998–99 were up due to higher than expected levels of traffic, and a reduction in NATS' operating costs. Borrowing repayments increased in order to allow NATS to carry increased funds forward to 1999–2000, to prepare for the higher levels of capital expenditure on the New Scottish Centre expected in that year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the new public bodies established by his Department since May 1997. [112661]

The annual Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies" provides information on public bodies. The 1997 edition lists those bodies in existence prior to May 1997, and the 1998 and 1999 editions list bodies in existence in subsequent years. Copies of "Public Bodies" have been placed in the Library of the House. They are also available on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet—office.gov.uk/quange).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the staff and funding of the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch; and if he will make a statement. [111824]

The staffing and funding requirements of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch are kept under constant review.Three additional staff were recruited in 1999—one accident investigator and two administrative staff. A further accident investigator has been recruited this year and is expected to be in post within the next few months. Another investigator may be recruited later in the year for one year to assist with Lord Justice Clarke's inquiries into the Marchioness disaster.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost to public funds is of the leaflet "Your questions answered about electing a Mayor and Assembly for London"; how many copies of the leaflet (a) have been and (b) will be printed; how the leaflet will be distributed; and at what cost to public funds. [112490]

Six million copies of the leaflet have been printed. They are available in nine languages, including English, as well as in braille, large print and on audio cassette. Just over three million leaflets are being distributed to households in London. Two million are being distributed to customers involved in transactions with Post Office Counters in London. The rest are being distributed through local authorities, voluntary bodies and in response to requests for information through a telephone help line and a website. The total cost of printing, translating and distributing the leaflets through the Post Office's commercial direct mail service is estimated to be £475,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to Melton Borough Council under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of costs incurred following flooding in the area on 25 December 1998 and 16 January 1999. [113149]

I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in this case given the exceptional circumstances. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant has generally been paid to authorities at a rate of 85 per cent. of their eligible expenditure above a threshold. However, a Bellwin scheme was activated for Melton as a result of the 1998 Easter floods. Since Melton have already spent over their threshold for 1998–99 in dealing with that emergency, it seems reasonable that they should not have to do so in dealing with further incidents in the same financial year. I therefore propose to waive the threshold.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is an exemption order for the fleet of new Class 175 trains to be introduced into service by First North Western Trains Ltd. in respect of any of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [1132841

As my predecessor explained in her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999, Official Report, column 167W, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train and tram operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.We have received an application from First North Western Trains Ltd. relating to the new Class 175 trains they wish to introduce into service. The exemptions, have been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. An exemption Order relating to the exemption of these trams has been laid in Parliament today. Copies are available from the Library.The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trams or trains. Indeed, we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

To ask the Solicitor-General in how many instances in the past three years decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions have been subject to judicial review; what the outcome was in each instance; and in what percentage of reviews the original decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been upheld. [111947]

The information requested is not collated centrally. The table shows the information for the last three years (i.e. 1997–99) which has been collated from various sources and is the best available information at present. Percentages may not give an accurate picture as such small numbers are involved but, where leave for judicial review was granted, the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions was fully upheld in 56 per cent. of the cases and partly upheld in 6 per cent. of cases.

Year	Number of DPP's decisions subject to judicial review	Outcome
1997	6	3 applications dismissed
		2 applications allowed
		1 application withdrawn
1998	2	2 applications allowed
1999	8	1 application allowed
		6 applications dismissed
		1 application dismissed in part

To ask the Solicitor-General in how many instances in the past three years decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions have been subject to judicial review; what the outcome was in each instance; and in what percentage of reviews the original decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been upheld. [111943]

During the years 1997, 1998 and 1999, four applications have been made for judicial review of decisions of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland in connection with his functions under the Prosecutions of Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. In one case, the application for review was dismissed after a full hearing. In two cases, the application was withdrawn following upon correspondence between the parties. In one case, leave to apply has been granted pending a full hearing. The percentage of reviews where the original decision of the Director has been upheld by the Divisional Court in the three years considered is 100 per cent.A decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland not to prosecute a case was successfully challenged by judicial review in 1996. Although the court gave an oral judgment in December 1996 quashing the Director's decision, a written judgment was not handed down until February 1998.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement concerning the Crown Prosecution Service as prosecuting authority and the case of Senator Pinochet. [106948]

The Crown Prosecution Service as prosecuting authority for England and Wales has advised the Metropolitan Police Service that the material provided by the Kingdom of Spain for the purposes of the extradition proceedings would not be admissible in a criminal prosecution in England and Wales and could not be put into admissible form without a full police investigation. On the material presently available to the CPS, therefore, there is no realistic prospect in this jurisdiction of convicting Senator Pinochet of any criminal offence.The Crown Prosecution Service has also advised the Metropolitan Police Service that, in view of the independent medical report on Senator Pinochet commissioned by the Home Secretary and taking into account representations made to the Home Secretary concerning the reports, no court in England and Wales would allow a trial of Senator Pinochet to take place, whatever the evidence.The CPS advised the police further that the allegations contained in the Swiss, both French and both Belgian requests did not disclose offences which could be tried here since the conduct alleged in each of the requests occurred before the relevant legislation came into force.I was consulted about this matter by the DPP and agree with these conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding the adequacy of the consultation period for statutory trade union recognition. [111530]

I have received no representations on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to provide a network of support for those businesses which trade on the internet. [111553]

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further measures he intends to take to assist small businesses to take advantage of e-commerce. [111556]

We have established a network of 100 support centres throughout the UK under the Information Society Initiative (ISI) at which businesses can get impartial, jargon-free advice and support. In England, these Centres will be fully integrated into the new Small Business Service.We have also worked with the digital content sector—which includes many key service and content providers for e-commerce based businesses—to agree with them an Action Plan for Growth. This was published on 29 February and copies are available in the Library of the House. We are now working in partnership with the newly formed Digital Content Forum to take forward the Plan's proposals.Beyond this, work is under way to develop a new, industry led mentoring scheme for internet based start-ups, building on recommendations in the Performance and Innovation Unit's report e-commerce@its.best.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the use of surpluses from the mineworkers pension funds. [111554]

Surpluses in the coal pension schemes (The Mineworkers' Pension Scheme and the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme) are split 50/50 between the membership of the schemes and the Government in our role as guarantor to the schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making on encouraging businesses to adopt family-friendly employment policies. [111557]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will shortly be announcing details of the Government's campaign to promote good practice that both benefits the business and enables employees to balance work and the rest of their lives better. It will be delivered in partnership with leading employers and others.The campaign will build on the framework of rights to maternity leave, parental leave and emergency time off which came into force last December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy that the purchasing power of the national minimum wage including the 10p increase recently announced is maintained in future. [111559]

The Government have always made clear that there should be no automatic mechanism for making changes to the national minimum wage rate.We have asked the independent Low Pay Commission to continue monitoring the minimum wage and to examine the case for an increase.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate how many 21-year-olds would be entitled to the full minimum wage if they were treated as adults rather than young people; what estimate he has made of the impact of such a change (a) nationwide and (b) in the constituency of Hereford; and if he will make a statement. [112430]

The total number of 21-year-olds entitled to the national minimum wage is, according to Autumn 1999 Labour Force Survey figures, around 440,000. Of these fewer than 20,000 would benefit from being entitled to the full national minimum wage rate rather than the rate for young people, according to the Low Pay Commission's estimate, which covers Great Britain. There are no figures available for individual constituencies.I also refer the hon. Member to the Government's detailed response to the Low Pay Commission's report, placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament on 22 February 2000, which explains the Government's position on 21-year-old workers and the national minimum wage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure safety at nuclear installations. [111560]

The primary responsibility for ensuring safety at nuclear licensed sites falls to the licensee. Safety is independently monitored and regulated by the Health and Safety Executive's Installations Inspectorate.Both for licensees and for Ministers, safety at nuclear installations is the top priority. In particular, in their capacity as shareholder of BNFL and sponsor of UKAEA, Ministers make it clear they expect licensees to respond in a constructive and timely way to any regulator concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assist the development of a centre for high technology electronics firms in South Devon; and if he will make a statement. [111561]

Although I am not aware of a proposal for such a development, my Department, through the Government Office for the South West, stands ready to advise on assistance that may be available, for example, through the Enterprise Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Government's consultation on its proposals to extend the rights of part-time workers. [111565]

The consultation on part-time work began on 17 January and ended on 27 February. We will now be looking closely at the responses before taking the next steps in implementation of the Directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet chairmen of the regional development agencies to discuss their role in encouraging higher levels of investment in design and innovation. [111566]

The Secretary of State met Regional Development Agency Chairmen on 13 December 1999. He has no immediate plans for further meetings. However, I meet with them regularly to discuss a broad range of economic development issues, including both investment and innovation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he takes of the interests of consumers in forming his Department's policies. [111567]

Our White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" set out how we would bring the interests of consumers to the heart of government. We recognise that well-informed, empowered consumers are good for business. They help promote innovation and stimulate better value. Our policies reflect this important role of consumers in a modern economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to extend the availability of venture capital for technology-based companies. [111568]

The Government have created a £180 million Enterprise Fund to address the difficulties growth businesses face in accessing appropriate finance. This Fund will complement existing market provision, using public resources to partner private sector funds to address acknowledged gaps in the market.An integral part of the Enterprise Fund is the UK High Technology Fund. The Fund will raise some £105 million from the private sector alongside some £20 million of Government money to invest in the United Kingdom's early stage high technology businesses.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 10 November last year that Westport Private Equity Ltd. had been appointed to manage the UK High Technology Fund.The Fund Manager has already secured over £50 million of private sector investment alongside the Government's investment of £20 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the future of the sub-post office network in Britain. [111569]

The Government are fully committed to a nationwide network of post offices, and are contributing nearly £500 million towards the cost of equipping the network with a modern, automated, online IT platform. This system, which will be installed at nearly 40,000 counter positions in some 18,000 post offices throughout the country, will enable the Post Office to improve its services to existing clients and to take advantage of new business opportunities in the marketplace. Under the provisions of the Post Office Reform Bill, the Postal Services Commission, assisted by the Post Office Users National Council will monitor developments in the network of post offices against published access criteria. In addition, the Performance and Innovation Unit in the Cabinet Office is carrying out a study to identify the contribution made by post offices to the vitality of local communities, and to consider how the network can best contribute to the Government's objectives for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding the conduct of competition policy. [111550]

My right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State and I receive a number of representations covering a variety of competition policy matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with representation of business and commerce on the cost of replacing the pound with the single European currency. [111552]

I have regular meetings with business representatives to discuss a range of issues including the single currency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on business competitiveness of labour market reforms introduced since May 1997. [111558]

The Government's labour market policies help people into work and provide additional flexibility and security for those in work. These policies are good for individuals, good for business and good for the economy as a whole. Employment is at its highest ever level. Unemployment is at its lowest level for 20 years. Decent minimum employment standards promote employee commitment, reduce absenteeism and staff turnover and increase incentives for individuals and employers to invest in training and lifelong learning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist the textile sector. [111562]

The DTI is currently funding around 30 projects to encourage the growth and competitiveness of the UK textiles and clothing industry. These projects cover research into product innovation and development, design, education and training, benchmarking and the development of supply chain partnerships.On a national level, my Department has been actively involved in an industry led-group, the Textile and Clothing Strategy Group (TCSG), which has been established in direct response to concerns from the industry about its future. A draft report containing several recommendations aimed at helping safeguard the future of the sector has recently been produced by the Group and is currently out for consultation among the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the Government's response to the recent consultation exercise upon the future for renewable energy. [101071]

[holding answer 2 December 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 1 February 2000, Official Report, column 536–37W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential for increased British exports under the Clean Development Mechanism of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. [112067]

The UK Government fully support the aims of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): to help achieve sustainable development and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We wish to see the CDM operate in a way that fully encourages business involvement to help achieve these goals.It is too early usefully to quantify the effect of CDM activity on UK exports, since the rules for its operation will not be agreed until the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Sixth Conference of the Parties in November 2000.However, we are already promoting business awareness of the CDM through, for example, our work with the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (ACBE) and a joint DTI-DETR website and named contact points. Furthermore, British Trade International are appointing an Export Promoter for Energy and the Environment, who will work closely with the Power Sector Working Group and with two existing renewable energy Export Promoters, to raise awareness of, and developing, export opportunities arising from the Kyoto provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he or officials of his Department have received from representatives of the British or foreign nuclear industry concerning the eligibility of nuclear power projects under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. [112068]

My Department has received representations from a number of organisations, including representatives of the British nuclear industry, about the eligibility of nuclear power projects for the Clean Development Mechanism and has noted their concerns. Neither I, nor my officials, have received any representations from representatives of foreign nuclear industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes were made in the draft map of authorities designated for Objective 2 status, including internal ward changes, prior to publication of the final map; and how such changes were made. [111920]

The Government made some small changes in England and some in Scotland to the UK Objective 2 proposals which were submitted to the Commission on 8 October. The changes set out below were made following discussions with the European Commission, in order to meet the requirements of the Structural Fund Regulation on statistical data and size of each proposed area. The changes were made with the agreement of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions for England, and of the Scottish Executive for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if ECGD support has been (a) discussed, (b) requested and (c) granted for any projects of the South East Anatolia Development Project in Turkey other than the Ilisu Dam. [112329]

ECGD support has not been granted for any project in the South East Anatolia Development Project, including Ilisu.There are no current applications for projects in the South East Anatolia Development Project other than Ilisu and the wastewater treatment plant at Diyarbakir.An informal preliminary inquiry was received in 1999 regarding a possible application for a subcontract on the Cizre project; no application has been received.Because applications/records of discussions which do not result in a guarantee are kept for only a limited time after the exporter has advised that they may be closed, it is not possible to state definitively that no discussions were held, or requests for cover received, in the early years of the South East Anatolia Development Project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been spent by his Department to date in connection with the National Changeover Plan; on what headings this money has been spent; and how much his Department plans to spend on implementing the plan over the next 12 months; and what steps his Department has taken to encourage businesses to make preparations for the introduction of the euro. [112149]

[holding answer 29 February 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer which the Economic Secretary gave to him on 29 February 2000, Official Report, column 233W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what export credit support is (a) currently allocated and (b) under consideration, in respect of arms export decisions. [112411]

As at the end of January 2000, guarantees in respect of defence-related exports accounted for £3,875 million of ECGD's amounts at risk, representing 22.3 per cent. of ECGD's total amounts at risk.Information relating to business under consideration is commercial in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on (a) his Department's policy in respect of the House of Lords decision in the case of Carmichael and another v. National Power and (b) zero hours contracts. [112675]

The House of Lords decided the case of "Carmichael and another v. National Power" in the light of its own particular facts. Whether a particular contract between a worker and a work provider is one of service or for services, or some other type, remains a common law question of mixed fact and law to be assessed on a case by case basis.The Government consider that zero hours contracts can contribute to the flexibility necessary for a modern labour market, provided there are mutual benefits for employers and employees. The National Minimum Wage and the Working Time Regulations have significantly reduced the scope for abuse of zero hours contracts, as will the regulations implementing the Part Time Work Directive when they come into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. [111539]

The Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme is a very successful scheme which, since its introduction in 1981, has guaranteed over 70,000 loans valued at around £2.5 billion.It is now one of the Component parts of the new Enterprise Fund and continues to play an important role in the Government's support for small businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what matters he discussed relating to domestic and international shipbuilding markets at his last meeting with representatives of management and trade unions in the United Kingdom shipbuilding industry. [111542]

On 13 October 1998, I attended the most recent meeting of the Shipbuilding Forum which comprises representatives of management and trade unionists in the shipbuilding industry, its suppliers and customers, as well as key Government Departments. At the Forum, I discussed a wide range of topics including the domestic and international ship market, UK competitiveness, productivity and employment, improvements the Department had made to the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund and the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme and individual prospective orders. I also received reports on the projects which my Department is supporting to enhance the competitiveness of the industry.Since that formal meeting, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had other meetings with industry representatives&management and unions&as well as interested hon. Members. Again, discussion has included the wide range of topics I have just outlined.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 28 February; and if he will make a statement. [111885]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer attended the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers.The Council agreed to publish the Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation) Report of 23 November.The UK and Danish Convergence programmes and the Stability programmes of Italy, Germany, Belgium and Spain were agreed. The UK Convergence programme was commended. The Council thought it appropriate that the programme stresses the securing of macro-economic stability supported by a sound budgetary position and continued structural reform. The Council noted that the monetary framework of inflation targeting has been an important condition for securing low inflation expectations. The Council further noted that the UK convergence programme was fully in line with the Broad Economic Guidelines.Discussion on the Broad Economic Guidelines and the Lisbon European Council showed general agreement on the need to push ahead with structural reforms, particularly in the labour market. The Chancellor's proposal to include timetables and benchmarking in Lisbon conclusions received wide support.The Commission presented their report on the Functioning of Product and Capital Markets (the Cardiff Process). The Presidency concluded that this report was an important contribution to the Lisbon European Council.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the impact on tax revenue of giving bio-diesel produced through recycling waste edible oils parity with fossil-based low petroleum gas; and if he will make a statement. [112452]

[holding answer 1 March 2000]: A reduction of duty on bio-diesel produced through recycling waste edible oils, from the current diesel duty rate to the rate applicable to road fuel gas, would cost £35 million in a full year if 90,000,000 litres were to be produced. This is the maximum estimated UK production capacity, and does not take account of any possible imports. There is little information available to support the case for a duty reduction to the same level as road fuel gas.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each year since 1978 the number of women who have exercised their right for the married women's option in national insurance. [112162]

The numbers of women in Great Britain who paid class 1 National Insurance Contributions at the reduced rate for each year since 1978–89 are given in Table 11 of "Contributions and Qualifying Years for Retirement Pension 1995/96—Volume 2", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in work have been with their present employer for (a) three, (b) four, (c) five and (d) six or more years. [112153]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (i) number and (ii) proportion of people in work who were below the (a) lower earnings limit and (b) the tax threshold for each of the last 30 years. [112154]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers and proportions for full-time men and women workers who earned below two-thirds of average earnings for each of the last 30 years. [112157]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the proportions of income from work, social security and dividends, which make up total income; and if he will list the equivalent data for (a) 10, (b) 20 and (c) 30 years previously. [112161]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies), of 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 743W, on murder statistics, if the entry in the table for 1996 includes the murders committed at Dunblane. [112165]

Yes. The entry for 1996 includes the 17 victims who were murdered at Dunblane.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [109236]

The Civil Service as a whole is striving for an improved balance between work and family life. I understand that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office has provided my hon. Friend with some information in respect of the family friendly policies being developed as part of the Civil Service Reform programme. My own Department follows the arrangements of the former Scottish Office. Wherever possible, we try to accommodate the wishes of those who take or return from maternity leave. This includes arrangements for alternative work patterns. However, I am afraid that detailed information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Prime Minister which Minister has responsibility for policy on (a) drug misuse and schools and (b) drug misuse and young people. [112382]

A number of Government Departments have interests and policy responsibilities for drug misuse and young people, principally the Home Office, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment. Work across Government is co-ordinated by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, advised by the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator.

To ask the Prime Minister on what dates he has visited the United States since 25 April 1999; and on which of these occasions he met President Clinton. [112334]

I have not visited the United States since April 1999.

To ask the Prime Minister on what dates since 3 September 1998 President Clinton has visited Britain to meet him. [112333]

President Clinton has not visited the United Kingdom since September 1998.

To ask the Prime Minister what additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and if he will make a statement. [113147]

I have asked the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) to undertake a further project looking at effective leadership in delivering public services.The project will look across the public sector and at international and private sector organisations. It will consider the needs of public sector leadership in the future; carry out an audit of the extent to which current activity aimed at developing leaders can be expected to meet those needs; make recommendations on the action needed across the public sector to get good leaders into place and enable them to operate effectively; and identify practical ways of increasing the diversity of public sector leadership.My right hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards is the Sponsor Minister.The PIU aim to complete the project work in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will answer the questions on Millennium Dome attendance and ministerial responsibility tabled by the right hon. Member for Birkenhead for answer on 17 January. [108039]

[holding answer 1 February 2000]: I refer my right hon. Friend to the replies I gave on 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 800W, and 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 84W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what requirement there was that all foods sold meet the standards required of domestic producers in the contracts with the operators of catering outlets that operate in and around the Millennium Dome at Greenwich. [110506]

[holding answer 17 February 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 February 2000, Official Report, column 237W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many families in Alyn and Deeside will benefit from the introduction of free television licences for households with a member aged 75 years or over. [111293]

This information is not available. 1991 Census information is out of date and no household survey has a sample size sufficient to make reliable estimates of qualifying households at a constituency or local authority level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will publish the list of invitees to the Tourism Summit; [112080](2) which Ministers will be attending the Tourism Summit; [112087](3) how many invitations to the Tourism Summit have been issued; and how many

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: All Members of the EA Cabinet Committee and the Foreign Secretary were invited to nominate a Minister to attend the Summit. Ministers from the Scottish and Welsh devolved Administrations and from the Northern Ireland Assembly were also invited. Further invitations were also issued to Lord Haskins and Teresa Graham, Chairman and Deputy Chair of the Better Regulation Task Force, to David Quarmby, the Chairman of the British Tourist Authority; Alan Britten, Chairman of the English Tourism Council; Sir Ron Watson, Chairman of the Tourism Executive at the Local Government Association and Bob Cotton, the Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association.The following Ministers accepted invitations to the Summit which I chaired: Patricia Hewitt MP, DTI; Beverley Hughes MP, DETR; Tessa Jowell MP, DfEE; Mike O'Brien MP, Home Office; Patricia Scotland, FCO; Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary, HM Treasury; Joyce Quin MP, MAFF; and Alasdair Morrison MSP.Lord Haskins, Teresa Graham, David Quarmby, Alan Britten, Sir Ron Watson, and Bob Cotton also attended.A number of officials were also present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total cost of providing and administering free television licences for over 75-year-olds, for each of the first five years of the scheme. [112164]

Estimates of £117 million in 2000–01 and £283 million in 2001–02 formed part of the pre-Budget Report. Updated estimates are being prepared and will be incorporated in the Department of Social Security's Departmental Report which is due for publication following the Budget. These are likely to be higher than the earlier estimates as a result of the final structure of the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many families in Wirral, South will benefit from the introduction of free television licences for households with a member aged 75 years or over. [110906]

This information is not available. 1991 Census information is out of date and no household survey has a sample size sufficient to make reliable estimates of qualifying households at a constituency or local authority level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to reform the industrial injuries scheme in respect of self-employed workers; and if he will make a statement. [111589](2) what recent

We continue to see a case for reforming the industrial injuries scheme to reflect better the needs of today's labour market and to improve incentives for prevention of work-related accidents and diseases, and incentives for rehabilitation back into work. Initial discussions with key stakeholders last year have confirmed our belief that there is scope for reform. However, much work remains to be done to decide the best way forward. Against the background of the current major programme of reform to other parts of the Social Security system, the work cannot be completed quickly.The basis of the current scheme is that Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is payable to employed earners who suffer a loss of faculty through an industrial accident or disease, and that those who undertake self-employment do so knowing that provision against industrial injury is their own responsibility.We have not conducted further consultation, nor received recent representations, about reform of the industrial injuries scheme with respect to self-employed workers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a code of practice for use by the Child Support Agency of deduction from earnings orders for the enforcement of payment of child support arrears. [111778]

Deduction from earnings orders are an effective way of ensuring payment of child support where a non-resident parent chooses to pay in this way, or where other methods have failed.Guidance for Child Support Agency staff on the use of such orders is contained in volume 9 of the Child Support Guide, a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the (i) numbers and (ii) percentages of single parents on (a) Income Support, (b) Income Support and the remainder of a Family Credit/Working Families Tax Credit award, (c) Income Support and Housing Benefit, (d) Working Families Tax Credit and Housing Benefit, (e) Housing Benefit and (f) other benefits. [112167]

The information is in the table.

Single parents receiving various benefits, Great Britain at a point in time 1
	Number of claimants	Percentage of single parents 2
Benefit
Income Support	1,042,000	65.1
Income Support and Family Credit/Working Families Tax Credit	14,000	0.9
Income Support and Housing Benefit	826,000	51.6
Working Families Tax Credit and Housing Benefit3	151,000	9.4
Housing Benefit	1,016,000	63.5
Other benefits
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	14,000	0.9
Widow's Benefit	47,000	2.9
Family Credit	405,000	25.3
Disability Working Allowance	2,511	0.2
1 Numbers are given at a point in time. For all benefits except Widow's Benefit and Housing Benefit information is given at August 1999. Housing Benefit and benefit combinations with Housing Benefit are given at May 1998 (latest figures available), and Widow's Benefit is given at March 1999.
2 Percentage of lone parents is based on the caseload, as a proportion of official best estimates of the lone parent population for 1996 (provisional).
3 Housing Benefit with Working Families Tax Credit information is not yet available as the Housing Benefit data predates the introduction of WFTC. Figures represent Housing Benefit with Family Credit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the average number of children in single parent families claiming income support/ supplementary benefit for each of the last 30 years. [112158]

The information is in the table.

Average number of children in supplementary benefit/income support lone parent families, 1969–99
Year	Average number of children
1969	1.95
1970	1.93
1971	1.97
1972	1.92
1973	n/a
1974	1.94
1975	1.90
1976	1.89
1977	1.85
1978	1.80
1979	1.76
1980	1.73
1981	1.68
1982	1.69
1983	1.66
1984	1.65
1985	n/a
1986	1.64
1987	1.65
1988	1.68
1989	1.65
1990	1.68
1991	1.68
1992	1.69
1993	1.70
1994	1.72
1995	1.73
1996	1.74
1997	1.76
1998	1.77
1999 May	1.78
1999 November (latest)	1.79

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of single parents were drawing income support or supplementary benefit in each of the last 30 years. [112166]

The information is in the table.

Percentage of lone parents receiving Supplementary Benefit/Income Support (IS), 1971–99
Year	Percentage of IS lone parents receiving benefit
1971	37
1972	n/a
1973	n/a
1974	n/a
1975	n/a
1976	40
1977	n/a
1978	39
1979	36
1980	36
1981	41
1982	45
1983	48
1984	52
1985	n/a
1986	57
1987	60
1988	64
1989	65
1990	64
1991	67
1992	70
1993	70
1994	69
1995	68
1996	66
1997	63
1998	60
1999	58
19991	58
1 November (latest)

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the percentages of (a) pensioners, (b) households with children and (c) households without children who (i) are currently in the lowest income decile and (ii) were in that decile for 10, 20 and 30 years previously. [112160]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Percentage of individuals in each family type in the bottom decile
	Including the self-employed		Excluding the self-employed
	BHC	AHC	BHC	AHC
1979
Pensioners	22	19	23	21
Families with children	9	10	9	9
Families without children	5	6	5	6
1988–89
Pensioners	14	8	15	9
Families with children	11	12	11	12
Families without children	7	8	7	9
1997–98
Pensioners	11	6	12	6
Families with children	12	12	11	12
Families without children	8	10	7	9