To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many child pedestrians were (a) killed and (b) injured by motor vehicles in the City of Leeds in each year since 1990. [112045]

The information requested is shown in the table.

Child pedestrian casualties in accidents involving motor vehicles, City of Leeds: 1990–1998
Year	Killed	Injured	All
1990	5	354	359
1991	4	298	302
1992	1	335	336
1993	1	293	294
1994	2	306	308
1995	0	282	282
1996	2	307	309
1997	5	283	288
1998	2	273	275

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if local planning authorities are required to give areas of outstanding natural beauty an equal level of protection to national parks. [112466]

[holding answer 2 March 2000]: The then Countryside Commission presented its advice to Government on the future care of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in 1998. This included recommendations on planning policy guidance regarding AONBs. We announced our response on National Parks on 29 September 1999 and we will announce our proposals for a package of measures for AONBs when we have finalised our detailed consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in respect of the application of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment etc.) Regulations to staff affected by the termination by water companies of Sewerage Agency arrangements; and what response he will make. [113344]

The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment etc.) Regulations 1999 are intended to provide private sector employers, bidding for Local Authority contracts under Best Value, with an option of access to the Local Government Pension Scheme so that transferring employees can retain their membership of that scheme while they are engaged delivering outsourced local authority services. I have so far received some 24 representations about the future pension status of employees in local authorities who work on the delivery of privatised water company services through agency agreements established under the terms of the relevant Water Acts. The scale of these agreements, and the alternative pension arrangements available to those employed under them, are being established with the co-operation of the United Kingdom Steering Committee on local government pensions. In the light of that exercise, I will consider carefully the appropriate next steps.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the signalling system involved in the Ladbroke Grove rail accident was designed and engineered on the assumption that all trains using the system would be equipped with automatic train protection. [112550]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: The Health and Safety Executive has informed me that it was not designed and engineered on this assumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 13W, on peat compost, if he will list the locations of the gardens of his Department including executive agencies and Government offices for the regions. [113347]

The Department does not keep central records of the locations of gardens on our estate. The information requested is however being obtained from each of our property centres and will be forwarded to my hon. Friend later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the proposed increases in charges by the Environment Agency; and if he will make a statement. [113289]

The Environment Agency received 42 responses to its recent consultation exercise on its charging proposals for 2000–01. The Agency's consultation papers stated that it would forward copies of these responses to the DETR. These have now been received and the Agency's proposals are being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the rating of plant and machinery in combined heat and power schemes; and if he will make a statement. [113426]

Last year we published draft regulations which determine which items of plant and machinery are assessed for business rates. The regulations reflect the recommendations of the second Wood Committee. In particular, generating plant and machinery belonging to the power industry will benefit from a "tools of the trade" exemption although such items which are in the nature of a building or structure will continue to be rateable.We have now decided that plant and machinery used to generate electricity (such as turbines and engines) in all Good Quality Combined Heat and Power (CHP) schemes, including those used in wider industry, should benefit from this exemption.De-rating such plant and machinery in CHP installations will ensure that those items are treated equally across all sectors. It also illustrates our continued support for the increased take up of CHP technology which can bring considerable environmental and economic benefits.We will introduce the exemption from 1 April 2001 when the CHP Quality Assurance programme for assessing the quality of all types of CHP will be fully operational. The programme will determine the eligibility of CHP schemes for a range of benefits including exemption from the Climate Change Levy. The rating exemption for CHP plant and machinery will require a change in secondary legislation which we will publish in draft later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recent RAC survey on the relative costs to families of using their car and using public transport; and if he will make a statement. [113118]

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport was pleased to have provided the foreword to the RAC Report on Motoring 2000 which offered a useful insight into what motorists think are the relative costs of car and public transport. As the report showed there was considerable uncertainty among motorists about the full cost of their travel by car, and of the real costs of public transport. A more accurate picture of actual costs for households is given in table 1.15 "Household expenditure on transport: UK 1987–1997 in Transport statistics in Great Britain; 1999 Edition". We are currently undertaking research to probe what impact costs, both actual and perceived, have on people's travel decisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when work will begin on the (a) A2/A282 Dartford Improvement, (b) A2 Bean to Tolgate widening, (c) Tolgate to Cobham widening and (d) M60, junctions 5 to 8 widening. [113104]

The A2 Bean to Tolgate Widening, A2 Tolgate to Cobham Widening and A2/A282 Dartford Improvement schemes have yet to complete their statutory procedures. The start of works dates will therefore depend on the satisfactory completion of these procedures.We currently plan to award the construction contract for the M60 Junction 5 to 8 Widening in 2003–04. The precise timing of the start of work will be a matter for the contractor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlay the decision not to include (a) the widening of the M25 between junctions 12 and 15, (b) the Al(M) Wetherby to Walshford road scheme, (c) the A46 Newark to Lincoln improvement and (d) the A63 Selby bypass in the list of road schemes planned to start in 2001–02. [113100]

Owing to the time needed to complete the necessary contract procedures, construction of the M25 Junctions 12 and 15 Widening scheme could not take place any earlier than 2002–03.The A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford road scheme is to be constructed as part of a Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract. The amount of work needed to prepare the contract documents and undertake the subsequent procurement process means that the contract cannot be awarded before 2002–03.The contracts for the A46 Newark to Lincoln Improvement scheme and the A63 Selby Bypass are programmed to be awarded in the financial year 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what impact the road schemes announced in the recent local transport settlement will have on the Government's objective of reducing traffic growth; and if he will make a statement. [113098]

In order to tackle congestion and pollution, the Government want to see a reduction in road traffic growth, and an absolute reduction in road traffic where its damage is greatest. The schemes will, on their own, have a very small impact on total traffic growth. However, the local bypasses will help relieve communities of inappropriate traffic and all of the schemes form part of wider local strategies to improve choice and provide better alternatives to the car, thereby reducing traffic growth.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the start dates and completion dates of the 37 schemes on the Government's list of targeted trunk road and motorway improvements. [113117]

Of the 37 schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements, 26 have completed their statutory procedures. I have listed the financial years in which we currently plan to award construction contracts for these schemes.Because Design and Build contracts will be used, the precise timing of the start of works will be a matter for the contractor. The construction periods will depend on individual contracts.The start dates for the other 11 schemes will depend on the outcome of the remaining statutory procedures.

	Scheme
2000–01
A1	Willowburn-Debwick
A6	Great Glen Bypass
A27	Polegate Bypass
A41	Aston Clinton Bypass
A43	Silverstone Bypass
A43	Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Impovement
A1033	Hedon Road, Hull Improvement
A6	Clapham Bypass
A11	Roudham Health to Attleborough
A43	M40-B4031 Improvement
A66	Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass
A500	Bassford/Hough/Shavington Bypass
A650	Bingley Relief Road
2001–02
A5	Nessclife Bypass
A6	Rothwell-Desborough Bypass
A6	Rushden and Hingham Ferrers Bypass
A10	Wadesmill-Colliers End Bypass
A21	Lamberhurst Bypass
A23	Coulsdon Relief Road
A46	Newark-Lincoln Improvement
A63	Selby Bypass
A120	Stansted-Braintree
2002–03
M25	J 12–15 Widening
2003–04
M60	J 5–8 Widening

We propose to take forward A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor and A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford under Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contracts, which we currently expect to award in 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when work will begin on the (a) A249 Iwade-Queenborough Improvement, (b) A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford road scheme, (c) A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor road scheme, (d) M25, junction 12 to junction 15 widening, (e) A23 Coulsdon relief road scheme and (f) A21 Lamberhurst bypass. [113105]

The A249 Iwade-Queenborough went to Public Inquiry last September and the start of works date will depend on the outcome of the statutory procedures.We propose to take forward A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford and the A1(M) Ferrybridge to Hook Moor schemes under Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contracts which we currently expect to award in 2002–03.We currently plan to award construction contracts for both the A23 Coulsdon Inner Relief Road and A21 Lamberhurst Bypass in 2001–02. The precise timing of the start of works will depend on the Contractor.The M25 J12–15 Widening scheme is due to start in 2002–03. The precise date will depend on the outcome of the necessary procurement processes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlay the decision not to include (a) the M60, junctions 5 to 8 widening and (b) the A1 Ferrybridge to Hook Moor road scheme in the list of road schemes planned to start in 2001–02. [113099]

Construction of the M60 Junction 5–8 widening could not be finished in time to avoid affecting the transport arrangements for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. It was therefore agreed that the start construction would be delayed until the Games had finished. Construction will start in 2003–04.The A1 Ferrybridge to Hook Moor road scheme is to be constructed as part of a Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract. The amount of work needed to prepare the contract documents and undertake the subsequent procurement process means that the contract cannot be awarded before 2002–03.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations his Department carried out before the approval of the trunk road schemes planned to start in 2000–01. [113101]

Shortly after elected the Government undertook a year-long strategic review of the roads programme in fulfillment of our manifesto promise. This review, unlike previous roads reviews, included extensive consultation at regional and national level. Around 14,000 responses were received to the consultation document. The results of the Review were announced on 31 July 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the report of the study of road problems (a) in the Hull area, (b) in South East Manchester, (c) in the Tyneside area, (d) around Hastings, (e) around the London orbital motorway, (f) at Deeside Park Junction and (g) between Southampton and Folkestone is to be published; and if he will make a statement; [113102](2) when the reports of the study of road problems on the

We expect final reports for the studies currently under way to be published as follows:

Areas
Access to Hastings Multi-Modal Study	Summer 2000
A1 Bramham to Barton Study	By Autumn 2000
A3 Hindhead Study	End 2000
London Orbital Multi-Modal Study	Autumn 2001
Deeside Park Junctions Study	Spring 2001
Tyneside Area Multi-Modal Study	Spring 2001
South East Manchester Multi-Modal Study	Spring 2001
South and West Yorkshire Motorway Box	Autumn 2001
Multi-Modal Study	Autumn 2001

Both the Hull Multi-Modal Study and Southampton to Folkestone Multi-Modal Study are in the second tranche of our study programme. Preparatory work on these studies will begin later this year. We anticipate that it will take some 12 to 15 months to complete the Hull study and between 18 and 24 months to complete the Southampton to Folkestone Study.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the (a) trunk roads that are carried by a bridge, or which pass through a tunnel, of at least 600 m in length and (b) the dates on which such bridges and tunnels are set to be renewed. [113114]

In England there are 33 bridges and three tunnels with a length greater than 600 m, carrying 21 different trunk roads. This figure excludes trunk roads transferring to the Greater London Authority in July 2000 as these will be de-trunked.All these structures have long residual lives and there are no plans for their renewal in the foreseeable future. There is an ongoing programme of works to ensure all structures remain safe and serviceable.The Secretary of State has made it clear that, in the context of the Transport Bill, he does not have any plans to charge on existing structures that are not already tolled.I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member with a list and place a copy in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the location of polling stations for early voting for the GLA and London mayoral elections. [113112]

We are providing for one early voting polling station for each London borough with less than 150,000 voters, and for two stations in every other borough. The exact locations of the polling stations is a matter for the boroughs themselves. They will be listed in an Order which I intend to lay before the House shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the persons to whom media briefings were given by Government press spokesmen on the subject of rail safety on Monday 21 February, prior to the Deputy Prime Minister's statement on Tuesday 22 February. [113110]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the value of new rail rolling stock that is waiting for safety approval; and if he will make a statement. [113113]

The value of rolling stock currently awaiting safety case approval is in the order of £150 million. I expect the industry to re-double their efforts to achieve safety approval and deliver these trains into service at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations in relation to specific planning applications in the last 24 months his Department has received from Mr. Alan Donnelly prior to his resignation as a Member of the European Parliament. [113122]

The Department has on record one representation from Alan Donnelly during this period. This was received in April 1999 and concerned a possible change of land use for the Vaux Brewery site in Sunderland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the cost of the Head of the Rough Sleepers Unit and her department in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [113124]

The administration budget for the Rough Sleepers Unit in 1999–2000 is £1.013 million and in 2000–01 £1.297 million. This excludes accommodation and other support costs which are apportioned centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what objectives and targets have been set for the head of the Rough Sleepers Unit. [113123]

The key objective of the Head of the RSU is to deliver the Government's target to reduce rough sleeping to as near zero as possible and by at least two thirds by 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require planning permission for a window to be inserted in an existing house wall which faces a window in a separate house and is less than 20 metres away; and if he will make a statement. [113183]

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for a range of minor works of development to dwellinghouses, including the insertion of windows. In granting permitted development rights, we have to strike a balance between giving freedoms to individual householders to improve their homes, and protecting the amenity of neighbouring properties. We are not aware of any significant problems in the exercise of permitted development rights relating to windows and therefore have no plans to change these at the present time. We will, however, continue to monitor any representations received on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote a strategic approach to planning for renewable energy development; and if he will make a statement. [113479]

A positive, strategic approach to planning for renewable energy is essential to help to deliver the Government's targets and goals for renewable energy and climate change, which are central to achieving sustainable development, while continuing to protect the landscape. This was underlined in "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21^st Century: Conclusions in Response to the Public Consultation", published by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe, on 1 February 2000.In order to promote this strategic approach from the regional level downwards, the Government Offices for the Regions are initiating work to prepare regional assessments and targets for renewable energy provision based upon—and, where necessary, updating—existing resource studies. On 9 February 2000, DETR published "Guidance on Preparing Regional Sustainable Development Frameworks". The guidance indicated that the Government hope that the frameworks will draw upon this work and elaborate a regional approach to renewable energy, including regional targets which flow from the assessments of each region's capacity to generate electricity from a range of different sources. The Government would like to see frameworks in place in all regions by the end of 2000.The frameworks will work alongside Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) and Regional Development Agencies' Economic Strategies in promoting sustainable development. Thus we envisage RPG taking forward in land-use terms a region's strategy for delivering renewable energy targets by defining broad locations for renewable energy development and setting criteria to help local authorities select suitable sites in their plans. We would encourage regional planning bodies to set targets in RPG, where sensible to do so, for the structure plan and unitary development plan areas within the region consistent with the regional targets provided by the regional sustainable development frameworks. Advice on this will be set out in the final version of the revised "Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) note 11: Regional Planning". This will be published shortly.Together with the national planning policy guidance in "PPG 22: Renewable Energy", RPG—as taken forward through structure plans and Part I unitary development plans—will provide a strategic framework for policies and proposals for renewable energy development in local plans, including the identification in those plans of suitable sites. This, in turn, will feed through to decisions on individual planning applications.More positive planning at regional and local levels will contribute to greater public familiarity with, and acceptance of, prospective renewable energy developments. It remains important, however, for operators to prepare the ground with local authorities, environmental organisations and local people before formal planning applications are submitted and to develop proposals in consultation with them.

To ask the Solicitor-General if, following the recent decision by the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the M25 murder case, he will take steps to expedite the appeal procedure for similar cases. [112628]

This case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. It will be for the Court of Appeal to decide whether in due course the convictions are to be quashed. I have no power to expedite such hearings, nor am I aware of any other similar cases awaiting a hearing in the domestic courts.

To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria the Director of the Serious Fraud Office is required to follow in exercising his discretion not to institute criminal proceedings in return for the person concerned giving evidence for the prosecution; what administrative procedures must be carried out before the exercise of his discretion, in particular if he is required to carry out inquiries into the antecedents of such a person; how many times the Director has exercised his discretion since 1995; if the prohibition against convicted criminals being able financially to benefit by their crimes extends to such a person; and if he will make a statement. [112407]

In deciding whether to prosecute, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office applies the evidential and public interest tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Because fraud cases present particular problems of complexity it is sometimes necessary for investigators to have the assistance of one of the participants in a fraud in order to break it. Usually such a participant is on the periphery of the wrongdoing. In such cases the Director will consider all the information available at the time (including any information as to the financial or other benefits received as a result of the participation in the fraud) and may consult the Law Officers for advice. The Director will always consult the Law Officers before granting a formal written immunity from prosecution. [If the offence does not relate to serious or complex fraud the Director will seek the assistance of the Director of Public Prosecutions.] The number of times the Director has exercised his or her discretion since 1995 cannot be ascertained without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Social Security regarding the administrative costs stakeholder pensions to small business with more than five employees. [111807]

Official from the DTI were involved in the consultation on stakeholder pensions and continue to be involved in the communications working group. In addition, a consultative panel which included employer representatives, was formed to discuss all issues relating to the scheme, including compliance costs. Concerns over burdens on business contributed to the decision to introduce an exemption for small business with less than five employees. However, we are aware that there will be administrative responsibilities for those businesses with five employees or more, and officials form the newly formed Small Business Service (SBS) are in discussion with their DSS counterparts to consider what can be done to minimise the requirements of the administrative process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of Balfour Beatty's suitability as an applicant for ECGD support in relation to the Ilisu Dam Project. [112416]

Balfour Beatty's application for support in respect of Ilisu is being considered by ECGD. ECGD is satisfied that they have the financial and technical competence to carry out their role in the Ilisu project, and have no reason to regard them as ineligible for ECGD support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account will be taken of past and present disputes between Turkey and neighbouring states over water resources in making the decision about ECGD support for the Ilisu Dam. [112787]

As my hon. Friend will know, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has raised the issue of downstream flow as one of the four areas of concern we have about the Ilisu project. We are continuing to monitor developments on all four issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of Balfour Beatty's membership of the Lesotho Highlands Project Contractors' consortium. [112415]

Allegations of corruption have been made against the Lesotho Highlands Project Contractors' consortium, of which Balfour Beatty was a member, and are the subject of court proceedings in South Africa. Balfour Beatty have said that there is no truth in the allegations.It will be for the Courts to decide, and their verdict is expected later this year. Meanwhile, the members of the consortium must enjoy the presumption of innocence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received a copy of the report prepared by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. for Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd.; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [112567]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry If he will make a statement in respect of the supply of MOX fuel by BNFL to Germany. [112032]

[holding answer 1 March 2000]: I understand that BNFL has reviewed all the records for quality assurance checks carried out on MOX fuel supplied to its German customer, Preussen Electra. In the case of the record for one of the pellet lots concerned, BNFL found that in 1996 a set of data collected from a secondary manual sample check of pellet diameter measurements, which had already been confirmed as acceptable, was inadvertently deleted from a computer. The lost data were replaced with data collected from the same check carried out on a previous pellet lot. BNFL considers that all other secondary pellet diameter checks for MOX produced for its German customer have been properly carried out and recorded. The MOX supplied by BNFL has been operating satisfactorily in the reactor in Germany since 1997. The HSE states in its report that it is satisfied that the fuel manufactured in the MOX Demonstration Facility will be safe in use. This view is based on the robustness of the fuel manufacturing process and the totality of the checks made on the key parameters. However, BNFL's customer has decided to shut the unit down and replace the fuel assemblies concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total of payments made to date to NACODS South Wales area as reimbursement of costs incurred in the compensation claims for (a) chest disease and (b) vibration white finger. [112481]

The Government make no payments direct to NACODS South Wales area.Under the arrangements agreed between the DTI and the Claimants' Solicitor's Groups for chest diseases and vibration white finger, the Government pay any costs or reasonable disbursements falling due direct to the solicitors. Any arrangement whereby Unions recover sums from the solicitors is strictly a matter for the parties concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the compensation that will be paid out over the next three years to miners and miners' widows in respect of (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK. [112961]

Over the next three years we currently estimate that compensation will be paid as follows:

(a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema

(i) £53 million in Scotland

(ii) £699 million in the UK (including Scotland)

(b) Vibration white finger

(i) £47 million in Scotland

(ii) £760 million in the UK (including Scotland).

These estimates are subject to considerable change. Firmer figures will become available only once significant numbers of claimants for both diseases have been through the full assessment procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to publicise the opportunities for British firms to take part in the regeneration of (a) Kosovo and (b) other Balkan states. [112960]

On the initiative of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, British Trade International set up the joint Government/private sector Kosovo Taskforce to co-ordinate and promote the UK's response to the reconstruction opportunities in the province. The Taskforce has done much to publicise the opportunities for British companies to play a part in the regeneration of Kosovo. Indeed, arising out of the Taskforce's activities, a consortium of British companies, with financial support from British Trade International, was awarded the concession to manage Kosovo's power sector over the seven months from last October; this is helping ensure that the people of Kosovo get through the harsh winter. Through help from the Taskforce, another British consortium was awarded the contract for the first phase of the upgrading of Pristina airport.During my visit to Kosovo last October, it was clear that the good will arising out of both contracts should help UK companies compete for other business, not only in these two sectors but also in other areas of activity. This will be particularly important as Kosovo moves into the next phase of recovery, with strategic infrastructure projects, designed to help secure its longer term future, being put out to competitive tender by the international agencies. I am confident that I will see UK companies making even more progress when I again visit Kosovo in June. British Trade International has posted an official to the British Office in Pristina on a short-term basis to draw the attention of appropriate companies to opportunities in Kosovo and to assist those seeking to capitalise on them; resources have been secured for the next financial year to fund this post for the longer term.To keep the business community abreast of commercial developments in Kosovo, British Trade International has set up a website: its address is www.brittrade.com/kosovo/. This includes information on the activities of the Taskforce and the international funding agencies—including information on projects they are funding. Kosovo has been an early and demanding test of British Trade International; it has been widely praised by the private sector for all its initiatives there.Many companies regard Kosovo as the springboard for entry to the wider South East Europe region (the Balkans) which presents significantly more business opportunities; these are highlighted on the Kosovo website. Through promotional events such as seminars, support for trade fairs and missions, British Trade International continues to draw the attention of UK companies to commercial opportunities generally in all the markets of the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of working women in England and Wales who have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage. [112916]

It is estimated that some 1.5 million workers in England and Wales became entitled to higher pay as a direct result of the introduction of the national minimum wage in April 1999. The Low Pay Commission report estimates that around two-thirds of the beneficiaries are women.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the unrecovered loans issued by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (a) between 1979 and April 1997 and (b) since May 1997 which are attributable to defence related contracts, including details of (i) equipment, (ii) country and (iii) financial amount. [112959]

The information readily available is as follows:

(a) the value of claims paid by ECGD in respect of defence-related contracts under guarantees issued between the mid 1980's and April 1997 and which remain outstanding for recovery as at 29 February 2000 is as follows:

£ million
Country	Value of claims outstanding
Algeria	98
Egypt	46
Indonesia	169
Jordan	253
Kenya	16

The equipment supplied under these contracts includes aircraft, artillery, naval vessels, vehicles, communications and ancillary equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number and location of crown and sub-post offices in the Easington constituency and the amount of Benefit Agency work carried out by each post office as a percentage of its business. [112805]

I understand from the Post Office that in October 1999 there were 23 post offices, all sub-post offices, within the Easington parliamentary constituency. Of these, 19 derive 40 per cent. or more of their work load from the Benefits Agency. It is not Post Office policy to identify individual offices by the volumes and nature of business transacted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in meeting the requirements of the European Commission for the securing of public sector funding for the Objective 1 programme for Merseyside. [112940]

It is for the Merseyside partnership to satisfy the European Commission's requirements for approval of the Single Programming Document for the Merseyside Objective 1 programme. However, my Department, other Government Departments and the Government Office for the North West are assisting the Merseyside partnership in negotiations with the Commission and in other ways, notably identifying match funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to co-ordinate Government activities relating to the Objective 1 programme for Merseyside and those of other Objective 1 areas. [112941]

Responsibility for the Merseyside Objective 1 rests primarily with the Merseyside partnership. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions leads for the Government on regional policy in England. My Department is in contact with the three English Objective 1 areas and is assisting in negotiations with the European Commission as well as co-ordinating the response of all the Government Departments concerned with central government match funding for the English Objective 1 programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of flowers imported into the UK from non-EU sources in each year since 1990. [113028]

The information is given in the table.

UK Imports of bulbs, tubers, etc; and cut flowers from non-EU countries
£000
Year	Bulbs, tubers etc	Cut flowers and buds	Total
1990	184	40,849	41,033
1991	205	49,372	49,576
1992	217	54,784	55,001
1993	217	57,864	58,081
1994	325	63,089	63,414
1995	213	68,105	68,317
1996	349	72,271	72,620
1997	489	71,057	71,545
1998	439	64,825	65,265
1999	342	66,699	67,040

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will implement measures to deal with the activities of 21st Century Faxes Ltd. [113038]

It is not the practice of my Department to discuss the affairs of individual companies. If the hon. Member has information he considers should be drawn to my attention, I would be happy to receive this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 50W, on international price comparisons, which national Sunday newspapers were not represented at the briefing session on 11 February. [113021]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: Representatives of all the national Sunday newspapers were invited to attend. Our records show that representatives of the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People did not attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what inquiries (a) he and (b) Oftel have started into the major faults in computers which disrupted 0845 telephone number access, NHS Direct Services and other services in the week beginning 21 February; and what action is to be taken to ensure that the telecommunications infrastructure is not disrupted again. [113178]

The regulation of telecommunications operators is the responsibility of Oftel. Oftel has asked BT for a full report of this network failure and for details of the measures BT will put in place to minimise the risk of this kind of failure happening again. Oftel takes network reliability very seriously and it will scrutinise carefully BT's report. When BT has completed its investigations Oftel will discuss the incident with BT and examine whether any further action will be required to ensure that the risks of further disruption are minimised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total work force in his Department is registered as disabled; and what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people in his Department. [102041]

At 1 January 2000 no staff from the Scotland Office had self declared a disability in terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. (The procedure under which people could formerly be registered disabled ceased on 2 December 1999).Recruitment advertisements and associated information will make it clear that my Department is an equal opportunity employer and will carry the Employment Services Disability symbol, highlighting its commitment to people with disabilities and a positive approach to staff who have a disability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total work force in his Department is of ethnic minority origin; and what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of people from the ethnic minorities in his Department. [102729]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his Department; and how many of them are (a) men and (b) women. [110677]

Information on the ethnic origin of civil servants is collected using a voluntary, confidential questionnaire. To protect the privacy of individual staff, data relating to fewer than five people are not disclosed in equal opportunities monitoring. Information is therefore not available for my Department for the total percentage of the work force who are from an ethnic minority background.Action is being taken across the civil service to address the under-representation of ethnic minorities. As part of that, my Department will seek ways to encourage more applications from ethnic minority communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have left the New Deal for young people for jobs lasting less than 13 weeks but have been included in the number leaving for sustained employment as a result of not having returned to jobseeker's allowance. [105699]

[holding answer 18 January 2000]: We define sustained jobs as those where the employee is working for at least 13 weeks and does not return to claim jobseeker's allowance (JSA) in that time. If they do return to JSA we drop them from the sustained jobs figure. Using this definition, under the New Deal for young people, 126,190 have found sustained employment. We are not at present able to measure how many, if any, will have left these jobs within 13 weeks and chosen not to claim JSA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have had their benefits stopped for failing properly to take up a New Deal option, at each benefit office within the Yeovil constituency and at the Taunton office; and if he will make a statement. [110797]

Between 1 April 1999 and 30 September 1999 (the latest date for which data are available), 540 young people started on New Deal and at any one time there were just over 700 young people participating in New Deal in the Employment Service's Somerset Unit of Delivery. During this six month period, eight sanctions were imposed for failing to attend a New Deal option in Somerset. This figure cannot be disaggregated to constituency level. The Somerset Unit of Delivery includes the jobcentres in Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Chard, Frome, Minehead, Street, Wellington and Wells.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many education maintenance allowances have been awarded in each region to date. [111664]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 2 March 2000, Official Report, columns 393–94W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the 12 pilot schemes for education maintenance allowances. [113121]

We are encouraged by the success so far in the overall take up of EMAs, which are being piloted in 15 local education authority areas. EMAs have the potential to make a real difference to the life chances of young people and are an innovative way of helping those with financial difficulties to stay in education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to expand the clubhouse movement as a way of assisting people with disabilities on the New Deal. [111413]

The Government fully support the aim of the Clubhouse movement which engages members and staff together in order to get people with mental health problems back into open paid employment. We are currently considering how the New Deal for Disabled People can best develop and will consider as part of that what role the Clubhouse movement could play.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many secondary age pupils are without a school place in each year group in each London borough; what assistance his Department provides to find places for these children; and if he will make a statement. [111984]

This information is not collected centrally by my Department. Section 14 of the Education Act 1996 places a duty on individual LEAs to ensure that there are sufficient school places for all children of compulsory school age in their area. Each LEA must produce annually a School Organisation Plan, which is a 5 year rolling plan, setting out how they propose to remedy any excess or insufficiency of school places and to make provision for children with special educational needs. Plans are approved at local level by the School Organisation Committee for the area or, if they cannot agree, by an independent Adjudicator. All but two London boroughs have had the Plans they published in 1999 approved by their local School Organisation Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has (a) completed and (b) is undertaking on the social, economic and fiscal costs and benefits of the New Deal. [111170]

[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service have a comprehensive programme of research and evaluation underway to measure the impact of all aspects of New Deal. All the evaluation studies are carried out by independent external research organisations and all are published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state the number and percentage of participants in the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in (a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales who have entered unsubsidised sustained employment through the New Deal; and if he will list the areas in Scotland where a smaller percentage of participants than the (i) Great Britain average and (ii) the Scottish average figures have entered unsubsidised sustained employment through the New Deal; and if he will list the number and percentage of those entering unsubsidised sustained employment in each of those areas of Scotland. [111280]

[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The information requested is set out in the tables. Many other young people will have found work without telling the Employment Service.

Percentage of New Deal starts gaining sustained unsubsidised employment
	Percentage
Scotland	28
Wales	30
GB	29

Scottish Units of delivery with a smaller percentage than the GB average
	Sustained unsubsidised jobs	As a percentage of New Deal starts
Ayrshire	1,147	27
Dumfries and Galloway	323	27
Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian	986	28
Fife	977	28
Glasgow	1,922	23
Grampian	471	28
Renfrewshire	768	28
Caithness and Sutherland	71	27
Orkney	18	26
Shetland	14	23

	18–24 New Deal		25+ New Deal
	Male	Female	Male	Female
Numbers starting New Deal
Greenock and Inverclyde constituency	432	180	247	45
Renfrewshire Unit of Delivery	2,118	650	1,328	191
Scotland	33,430	11,370	18,050	3,070
Numbers entering unsubsidised employment
Greenock and Inverclyde constituency	170	73	25	7
Renfrewshire Unit of Delivery	842	360	137	24
Scotland	14,230	4,080	1,860	318

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) of 25 January 2000, Official Report, column 151W, if he will tabulate the annual cost component element of his package for access funds and hardship loans. [112124]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: Of the £68 million which the package will cost in a full year, £10 million is identified for bursaries for disadvantaged young students, administered through Access Funds. The package did not contain any cost component for Hardship Loans. Furthermore, in 2000–01 we are making available £17 million for bursaries for mature students and £57 million for a Hardship Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the (a) adequacy and (b) sufficiency of further education funding in the East Midlands. [112116]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) males aged under 25 years, (b) females aged under 25 years, (c) males aged over 25 and, (d) females aged over 25, in (i) Inverclyde, (ii) Renfrewshire and (iii) Scotland as a whole have participated in the New Deal; of these how many entered full-time employment afterwards; and if he will make a statement. [111501]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The figures shown in the table relate to the period ending December 1999.

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: Analysis undertaken by the FEFC as part of its monitoring of potential risks to adequacy and sufficiency of provision indicates that there are seven, out of a total of 33 colleges funded by the FEFC within the East Midlands, assessed as category C. That classification implies that a college is financially weak or may become dependent on the goodwill of others. The Council has instigated strategies in regard to these institutions. Where there is any risk to adequacy and sufficiency the Council will be taking a proactive role in working with those colleges needing support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the change in the number of full-time equivalent students in further education sector colleges funded by the Further Education Funding Council since 1997. [112360]

The Further Education Funding Council estimate that full-time equivalent student numbers were 1 per cent. lower in 1998–99 than in 1997–98, reflecting the clampdown on the unacceptable aspects of franchising which grew up under the previous Administration. The FEFC will be consulting on measures to support recruitment in line with our plans, which provide for an increase of 700,000 students in FE by 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements are in place to monitor the political neutrality of Jean Monnet projects. [112337]

The Jean Monnet project awards funds to support European courses in the Higher Education Sector. The project is run by the European Commission in consultation with university authorities. Member States authorities have no involvement in the programme, which is administered by the Commission's Directorate-General Education and Culture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children are receiving free school meals in the Greater London area. [112619]

In January 1999, the latest date for which information is available, there were 225,566 pupils taking a free school meal in maintained schools in the Greater London area. This figure represents 22 per cent. of day pupils educated in these schools.Information on free school meals is published annually in the Statistical Volume 'Statistics of Education Schools in England', copies of which are available from the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the 50 local education authorities with the highest percentage of pupils that are entitled to free school meals ranked in descending order of percentage. [113200]

The information requested is shown in the table.

Number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools 1 by local education authority area 2 in England January 1999
	Number of pupils known to be eligible for a free school meal	Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for a free school meal3
Tower Hamlets	21,857	59.2
Hackney	12,140	46.3
Islington	10,871	45.4
Knowsley	13,443	44.8
Manchester	31,045	44.5
Southwark	14,940	43.5
Lambeth	11,872	42.5
Westminster	7,127	39.6
Haringey	13,104	39.5
Newham	18,890	39.1
Liverpool	31,560	38.7
Kensington and Chelsea	4,065	38.7
City of London	83	38.4
Hamersmith and Fulham	6,484	38.4
Greenwich	13,633	37.3
Camden	8,155	35.6
City of Nottingham	15,189	35.4
Lewisham	12,282	35.2
Birmingham	60,800	33.7
Wandsworth	9,115	32.2

Number and percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools 1 by local education authority area 2 in England January 1999
	Number of pupils known to be eligible for a free school meal	Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for a free school meal3
Newcastle upon Tyne	13,019	32.2
Middlesbrough	8,281	32.1
Salford	11,142	30.3
Waltham Forest	10,643	29.8
South Tyneside	7,836	29.6
Sunderland	14,716	29.3
Wirral	15,921	28.8
Halton	6,133	27.8
Stoke	10,865	27.6
Blackburn and Darwen	7,200	27.6
Brent	10,293	27.6
City of Kingston-upon-Hull	12,060	27.5
Rochdale	10,072	27.1
Redcar and Cleveland	7,044	26.6
Hartlepool	4,571	26.6
St. Helens	8,031	26.5
Bradford	23,555	26.4
Ealing	11,184	26.1
Blackpool	5,272	26.0
Barking and Dagenham	7,358	25.3
Barmsley	8,739	24.7
Sheffield	18,415	24.2
City of Bristol	12,664	24.1
Hounslow	8,612	24.1
Luton	7,637	23.9
Leicester City	11,680	23.7
Gateshead	7,219	23.6
Oldham	9,878	23.5
Sandwell	12,264	23.2
Sefton	10,864	22.4
1 Includes maintained and non maintained special schools.
2 The table includes the 50 local education authorities with the highest percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals.
3 The Number of pupils known to be eligible for free schools meals expressed as a percentage of the number of day pupils in school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children (a) were entitled to free school meals and (b) claimed free school meals in each of the past 10 years. [113206]

The available information is shown in the table:

Number of pupils who take or are known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England: 1991–99 Position as at January
	Number of pupils who take a free school meal	Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals
1999	1,088,194	1,416,709
1998	1,130,476	1,465,213
1997	1,189,415	1,536,300
1996	1,260,426	1,570,561
1995	1,234,837	1,540,505
19941	1,217,126	1,505,875
1993	1,137,895	1,425,141
1992	999,011	2—
1991	818,930	2—
1 From 1994, figures exclude sixth form colleges which ceased to be classified as schools
2 Not available

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in establishing summer activity camps; when and where the first ones will be held; how many young people will be taking part; what is the expected cost; and if he will make a statement. [112641]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 18 January 2000, Official Report, column 389.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on planned use of the Community Action Programme to combat discrimination 2000–2006 in (a) the armed forces, (b) schools, (c) the police force, (d) the NHS and (e) the social security system; what media campaigns are planned; and what the target audience is for planned publications. [112508]

The Community Action Programme to combat discrimination has been put forward by the European Commission as part of the package of proposals under Article 13 of the EC Treaty. The proposals are currently in negotiation in the Working Group of the Social Affairs Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many secondary school teachers in the subjects of (a) mathematics, (b) science, (c) languages and (d) technology left the teaching profession in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and how many secondary school teachers entered the profession in the same period. [112982]

Figures showing the number of secondary school teachers in the subjects of (a) mathematics, (b) science, (c) languages and (d) technology leaving the teaching profession in each of the last 10 years are not held centrally.The numbers' of those entering maintained secondary schools who were teaching for the first time, are as follows:

Year to March	Number of teachers
19982	10,380
19972	9,660
19962	9,320
19952	9,490
19942	8,920
1993	7,990
1992	7,290
1991	7,160
1990	7,260
1989	6,840
1 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10
1 Excluding sixth form colleges from 1994 onwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure sixth form colleges get the same level of financial support as secondary schools implementing the new A level curriculum. [112823]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: We have taken steps to ensure that both colleges in the FE sector and schools with sixth forms have the resources they need to introduce the revised post-16 qualifications from September this year. At the Government's request, the Further Education Funding Council has revised its funding system so as to offer colleges a clear incentive to provide students with broader programmes of study than the traditional norm. In addition, £35 million was added to the overall education standard spending settlement for 2000–01 to reflect the potential costs to local education authorities nationally of implementing the reforms in the schools they maintain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the 50 local education authorities with the highest number of exclusions expressed as a percentage of their school population for the last year for which figures are available. [113277]

The information is shown in the table.Information on permanent exclusions for the academic year 1998–99 is currently being collected and national estimates are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in May.

Number and percentage of permanent exclusions in maintained primary, secondary and special schools 1 by local education authority area 2 England 1997–98
	Number of permanent exclusions	Percentage of the school population3
Kensington and Chelsea	38	0.37
Doncaster	197	0.37
Westminster	63	0.36
Hammersmith and Fulham	52	0.33
Reading4	54	0.31
Derby	112	0.30
City of Bristol	151	0.30
Southwark	96	0.29
South Tyneside	74	0.28
Manchester	198	0.28
Wandsworth	76	0.27
City of Nottingham4	116	0.27
Richmond-upon-Thames	54	0.27
Telford and Wrekin4	69	0.27
Brent	97	0.26
Salford	93	0.26
Stoke	101	0.26
Waltham Forest	89	0.26
Newcastle upon Tyne	102	0.25
Liverpool	206	0.25
Blackburn and Darwen4	62	0.24
Bracknell Forest4	38	0.24
Coventry	122	0.24
Sandwell	125	0.24
Lambeth	62	0.23
Lewisham	77	0.23
Croydon	108	0.23
Portsmouth	59	0.23
Thurrock4	48	0.22
Camden	50	0.22
Leicester City	109	0.22

Number and percentage of permanent exclusions in maintained primary, secondary, and special schools 1 by local education authority area 2 England 1997–98
	Number of permanent exclusions	Percentage of the school population3
Birmingham	390	0.22
Southampton	67	0.22
Slough4	40	0.22
Bromley	93	0.21
Harrow	60	0.21
Windsor and Maidenhead4	38	0.20
Medway4	90	0.20
Hounslow	71	0.20
Blackpool4	40	0.20
Hartlepool	34	0.20
Bath and NE Somerset	50	0.20
Islington	47	0.20
Ealing	82	0.19
Havering	70	0.19
Leeds	225	0.19
Tameside	73	0.19
Enfield	87	0.19
Bexley	72	0.19
Darlington	29	0.19
1 Includes maintained and non maintained special schools
2 The table includes the 50 local education authorities with the highest percentage of permanent exclusions
3 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of full and part-time pupils of all ages in primary, secondary and special schools, excluding dually registered pupils in special schools in January 1998
4 From April 1998

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total of accumulated TEC surpluses to date. [113212]

Based on the 1998–99 consolidated annual statutory audited accounts of 72 English TECs, the total of accumulated TEC post-tax surpluses/deficits was a deficit £12.7 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 31 January concerning political material in schools. [113310]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply issued today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what was the total expenditure in each of the last three years for treating and controlling rat infestations in the Palace of Westminster. [113068]

The Palace of Westminster does not have a significant problem of infestation by rats, and most of the vermin supposedly identified as rats have, in fact, tuned out to be mice. However, the total expenditure on pest control for the Palace of Westminster for the last three years has been follows:

	£
1996–97	15,881
1997–98	15,185
1998–99	16,405

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of he will propose an amendment of the law to allow local authorities in Nothern Ireland to redeem outstanding long term loans; and if he will make a statement. [112655]

Redemption terms were published in the Belfast Gazette on 13 Junuary 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date instructions were last issued at HMP Maghaberry, governing the receipt by prisoners of printed materials dealing with political subjects; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [111942]

[holding answer 2 March 2000]: There are no specific instructions in existence regarding the receipt by prisoners of printed materials dealing with political subjects at Maghaberry Prison. The admission of all printed material to HMP Maghaberry is governed by Rule 67 of the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995. HMP Maghaberry is a fully integrated prison with no segregation on grounds of political, religious or paramilitary affiliation. As a result, the Governor may use his discretion, under Prison Rule 67, to refuse admission to printed material dealing with political subjects if he believes it could prejudice the security, or control, of the prison by raising tensions between such affiliates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to restore dialogue between the parties to the Good Friday Agreement. [113360]

Following my decision on 11 February to suspend the operation of the institutions, I have had several meetings with the political parties in Northern Ireland and with the Irish Government. I will have a further series of meetings during the course of this week to determine how the necessary cross community confidence can be rebuilt to enable the institutions to be restored as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will recommend a minimum level of infertility treatments per 100,000 of population in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [113189]

I have no plans to recommend a minimum level of treatment for infertility. In line with Health Authorities in Great Britain, it is a matter for the Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland to determine the priority to be given to infertility services in their areas. Such decisions are taken in the light of local needs, available resources and clinical effectiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people there are on the Central Services Agencies Register. [112798]

The number of General Medical Practitioners on the Central Services Agency's Register was 1,061 at 1 February 2000, the latest date for which figures are available.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the new public bodies established by his Department since May 1997. [112672]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the statement that rural areas received a higher share of National Lottery awards than urban areas on page six of the report by the Cabinet Office, entitled "Sharing the Nation's Prosperity," refers to (a) the share of the number of individual lottery awards or (b) the monetary value of the awards. [110507]

[holding answer 17 February 2000]: The statement that rural areas received a higher share of National Lottery awards than urban areas is based on the number of awards per capita.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to create a single regulator for the communications industry. [112616]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 3 February their intention to publish a White Paper later this year setting out the Government's proposals for the reform of communications legislation. It is to early to say at this stage what the White Paper will propose concerning the regulatory structures for the communications industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy on the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. [113163]

The Government believe that the Parthenon sculptures should remain at the British Museum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list by constituency the number of pensioner households which (a) will and (b) will not be eligible for the free television licence in November. [113018]