To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions, and on what dates in the past three years, each regional board of the Police Federation has held special meetings. [108489]

The following table shows the number of special meetings held by each region of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland in the last three years.

Region	Dates
No. 1	15 October 1999
No. 2	None
No. 3	9 February 1999; 13 May 1999; 24 May 1999; 4 November 1999; 7 March 2000
No. 4	None
No. 5	9 September 1999; 22 September 1999; 17 November 1999; 20 January 2000
No. 6	None
No. 7	28 January 1999; 2 March 1999

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the new public bodies established by his Department since May 1997. [112668]

The annual Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies" provides information on a range of public bodies including those in Northern Ireland. The 1997 edition lists those public bodies in existence prior to May 1997. The 1998 and 1999 editions lists 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 Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the process by which the titles of the new departments and the Information Service of the Northern Ireland Executive were decided. [112788]

The titles of the Northern Ireland Departments are set in statute in the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. The Order was made following a statement issued by the First Minister (Designate) and Deputy First Minister (Designate) on 18 December 1998 on structures (including Departmental titles) and functions across the then proposed new Departments. The statement was considered and ratified by the shadow Northern Ireland Assembly in January 1999 and the Departments (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 specifies the Departmental titles agreed at that time.In relation to the Information Service this was an interim short title designed to distinguish the Information Service of the Executive from that of the Northern Ireland Office. The title would have been subject to consideration by the Executive Committee in the context of proposals for corporate identity and for a communications strategy which were in preparation at the time of suspension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current position on the investigation into the murder of Rosemary Nelson. [113637]

A dedicated team, selected and led by Deputy Chief Constable Colin Port, continues to work tirelessly to track down and bring before the courts those responsible for this cowardly murder. This team, which consists of representatives from 25 policing agencies, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, has in excess of 60 personnel, 60 per cent. of whom are from outside the RUC. To date they have interviewed more than 5,000 individuals, taken 1,500 statements and established 5,000 lines of investigation in their efforts to catch the killers. My "right" hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who has kept in touch with DCC Port, today took the opportunity to meet his team at one of their bases in Lurgan and to hear at first hand about the progress to date in this investigation. The Government are convinced that Mr. Port continues to lead a credible and effective investigation and welcome all the support and co-operation that can be given to the team in its work to solve this appalling crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the terms and scope of the review to be carried out under Section 2 of the Northern Ireland Act 2000. [113454]

Following my decision on 11 February to suspend the operation of the institutions, both Governments will be consulting the political parties in Northern Ireland this week. These consultations are expected to continue during and after St. Patrick's Day following which the two Prime Ministers will review progress. They will focus on how best confidence can be rebuilt to enable the institutions to be restored so that the full implementation of the Agreement can be achieved.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has initiated since the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit Policy Action Team 3 report on Enterprise and Social Exclusion (A National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal) to improve access to finance for social enterprises; and if he will make a statement. [113452]

Since the publication of the PAT3 report, the Government have announced the creation of the Phoenix Fund, a £30 million programme to promote better access to business support and finance in deprived communities. This will include an enterprise development fund, help for community finance initiatives, and a network of 1000 volunteer business mentors. The Government have also announced that HM Treasury will have an observer role on the Social Investment Taskforce, established by the UK Social Investment Forum. This Task Force will look at the next steps in devising a strategic framework for social investment, including investment in social enterprises.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate his Department has made of the loss of taxation revenue from excise duty and VAT from hauliers purchasing fuel on mainland Europe; [112910](2) what recent studies his Department has made of the number of hauliers purchasing fuel from mainland Europe and the Republic of Ireland; and what were the conclusions of the studies. [112911]

HM Customs and Excise has responsibility for excise revenue. There are no current studies or estimates for the numbers of hauliers purchasing fuel from mainland Europe and the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the legislative basis is for the Inland Revenue taxing pensions on the amount entitled to rather than the amount received in one year. [112920]

The legislation governing the basis of assessment of pensions under Schedule E is in Section 41 of the Finance Act 1989.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of additional revenue which will be made available to the National Health Service in 2000–01 as a result of hypothecation of increased levels of tobacco duty. [112786]

Projections of tobacco revenue will be published at the time of the Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the (a) aims, (b) objectives and (c) work programme of the Social Investment Taskforce; and if he will make a statement. [113055]

The Social Investment Taskforce is an initiative led by the UK Social Investment Forum. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Social Investment Taskforce to report to him in the autumn with proposals for a new strategic framework for the development of social investment in the UK. The Taskforce will:

examine the case for social investment in regeneration and community economic development;

identify barriers to the further development of social investment; and

propose models for the future development of social investment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those third countries and dependent or associated territories which the EC Commission intends to consult, pursuant to ECOFIN's report to the European Council on Reinforced Tax Policy Cooperation. [113071]

As the report makes clear, it is for member states to pursue discussions with their dependent or associated territories in co-operation with the Commission. The Presidency and the Commission would deliberate with third countries. The geographic coverage of these further discussions and deliberations is for future consideration.

To ask the Solicitor-General what training is being provided for Government lawyers to ensure that legislation is prepared to comply with human "right"s. [113453]

The main responsibility for training rests with individual Departments which are best placed to identify the legal skills and knowledge required by their lawyers and the most economic and effective way of meeting those needs.Training on the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) has been provided, and is continuing to be provided, to all Government lawyers. This has taken the form of Civil Service/GLS wide Conferences (open to both lawyers and administrators) at which outside speakers including Judges and Counsel have spoken; two intensive one-day courses provided last year by the Civil Service College, in conjunction with the GLS, and to be run again this year; and internal training programmes run by individual Departments (but often open to lawyers from other Departments) where speakers have included both specialist Counsel and Government lawyers with ECHR/HRA expertise. In addition, many Government lawyers have attended the external training courses/seminars run, for example, by leading human "right"s sets of barristers' Chambers. The introductory course for all lawyers new to the GLS also includes a session on human "right"s.Such training has meant that Government lawyers are fully equipped, not only to ensure that all new legislation complies with the European Convention on Human Rights, but also to advise their Departments on all human "right"s issues when they arise in the decision making process or in the context of litigation.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter dated 12 January which was sent to him by the Chairman of the Royal Society of St. George. [112482]

My Office has no record of having received this letter.

To ask the Prime Minister if the five point plan for the National Health Service announced on 29 February will apply to Wales. [112912]

The responsibility for health issues in Wales has been devolved to the National Assembly for Wales and it is for it to decide whether or not to adopt the five point plan.

To ask the Prime Minister when he was informed of the cancellation of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress and the collapse of Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd, and by whom; and if he will make a statement. [112719]

[holding answer 2 March 2000]: My Office was informed that my "right" hon. Friend the Home Secretary had decided that it would not be justifiable to use substantial public funds to support the Global Cultural Diversity Congress on 21 February 2000.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to attend the World Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal; and if he will make a statement. [113087]

The United Kingdom delegation to the conference has yet to be decided.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with (a) President Clinton and (b) the Federal German Chancellor the resignation of (i) Hans von Sponeck and (ii) Jutta Burghardt from their UN assignments in Baghdad. [113359]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: No.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries outside the UK which operate a visitor's bond scheme. [113138]

We do not have comprehensive information, but we understand that broadly comparable schemes exist in Canada, Germany and the United States of America.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason injury awards made to police officers in lieu of earnings remain payable after retirement age. [112556]

An injury award is payable as a form of compensation where a police officer becomes permanently disabled for police duty as the result of an injury received in the execution of their duty.The award compensates an officer for the reduction in their earning capacity. In the wider context, it is considered that earning capacity should be related to a person's main source of livelihood. Therefore, where a police officer has reached retirement age their injury pension will continue to be paid where their opportunity to obtain a larger pension has also been reduced by the injury.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the police personnel procedure regulations in respect of the provision to allow those suffering from long-term sickness to have their employment terminated. [112557]

There is no provision within Police Regulations for the termination of employment solely on the ground of long-term sickness.The Police Pensions Regulations provide for compulsory retirement on the ground of permanent disablement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the applicability to current conditions of the police pension regulations; what plans he has to update these; and if he will make a statement. [112562]

I am currently considering what changes are required to the police pensions regulations, following the current major review of all aspects of police pension arrangements. I hope to publish specific proposals in spring this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people (a) in total and (b) from ethnic minorities (i) applied and (ii) were recruited to the police in each year since 1995. [113466]

The table sets out the information requested for 1995 to 1998. Figures for 1999 are not yet available.The figure for the total of appointments on probation for 1996 differs from that mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 11 November 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to encourage local authorities to use the options of (a) restriction of species range and (b) restriction of numbers under the Pet Animals Act 1951; and if he will make a statement. [112561]

The Government keep under review legislation on animals, but have not announced any plans to change it. Existing legislation bears on the range of species and number of animals which can be sold in pet shops.Pet shops are licensed by local authorities under the Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended in 1983), and subject to licence conditions to safeguard the health and welfare of the animals in their charge. In considering whether to grant a licence to run a pet shop, a local authority will need to satisfy itself that the welfare of the animals will not be compromised. The species and numbers of animals will have a direct bearing on the overall welfare conditions.In addition, certain endangered animals imported for the pet trade are also protected under European Wildlife Regulations, which implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Some exotic pets can be lawfully sold to people only subject to stringent licence controls imposed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, and there are statutory restrictions on trade in United Kingdom wildlife species. It is also an offence under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 to cause unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2000, Official Report, columns 257–58W, on animal experiments, how many of the pigs used were transgenic; and if he will make a statement; [112633](2) pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2000,

None of the primates were killed by order of the Home Office Inspectorate under the provisions of Section 18(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 on the ground that they were undergoing excessive suffering. All of the decisions to treat or euthanase the animals were made by the relevant named veterinary surgeon.My previous answer explained that the majority of the primates were euthanased once they began to show clinical or biochemical evidence of terminal organ failure or when their clinical condition began to give cause for concern. The aim of this procedure is to prevent unnecessary suffering to the animals.Twenty-nine wild-caught primates were used in xenotransplanation research in 1996; 16 in 1997; three in 1998 and none in 1999.I am unable to provide answers to the hon. Gentleman's remaining questions as to do so would involve the release of commercially sensitive information on experimental design and production strategy, which is precluded by section 24 of the 1986 Act.As I stated in my previous answer, we understand that the company concerned has already briefed the hon. Gentleman on its xenotransplanation programme and it has indicated that it would be happy to update the hon. Gentleman and other parliamentary colleagues on the most recent position.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to table 11 of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in GB for 1998, relating to procedures carried out on dogs to satisfy legislative requirements, if he will identify the legislative requirements, indicating the number of licences awarded in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999 to allow procedures to be carried out and the number of procedures carried out under each licence; and if he will make a statement. [112563]

The Government recognise the particular concern about the use of dogs in scientific procedures. Under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, animals may be used only where there are no alternatives and where the benefits of the programme outweigh any suffering caused to the animals concerned. In addition, certain species (including dogs) can be used only where animals of no other species are suitable. Special conditions, tailored to each project, control and minimise any pain or suffering caused.Examples of specific legislative requirements relevant to Table 11 (Scientific procedures (toxicology) by species of animal, type of legislation and toxicological purpose) are provided in the Introductory Notes to the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals (Great Britain 1998). They are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers have been involved in the protection of Senator Pinochet since October 1998; [113513](2) how much has been spent from public funds on protecting Senator Pinochet since October 1998

The information requested cannot be provided for security reasons. The number of officers deployed to protect Senator Pinochet by the Surrey police and the Metropolitan police are operational issues for the appropriate chief officer of police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the costs to public funds of Government participation in legal activity relating to General Pinochet (a) to date and (b) in total; and if he will break this information down by the principal heads of expenditure. [113529]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Lord Bassam, on 2 March 2000, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA87.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's policy regarding freepost mailings at local government elections; and if he will make a statement. [112457]

[holding answer 1 March 2000]: Under current legislation, there is no provision for freepost mailing at local government elections because of the considerable financial burden which would have to be borne by local authorities, and the lack of evidence that such schemes would contribute to improved democracy at local level.We are now seeking two changes to this position. First, in view of the exceptional size of the electorate, we intend to provide special arrangements for the first election of the Mayor of London to allow the compilation of a single booklet of election addresses for mayoral candidates to a standard format. This will be distributed to all London electors at taxpayers' expense. For future elections, we propose that there should be an Order making power to allow the Greater London Authority to organise and pay for mailings (or other ways of informing the public about candidates). Any such scheme would be developed in consultation with the proposed Electoral Commission.Secondly, we are providing the opportunity for local authorities to pilot, at their own expense, a freepost mailing scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were living in the Greater London area on 1 February. [113085]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries have occurred in Harmondsworth Detention Centre in the last 12 months. [113007]

Between the period 1 March 1999 and 29 February 2000, there was one death at the Harmondsworth Detention Centre. This occurred on 24 January when a 49-year-old Lithuanian national was found hanged. A date for the Coroner's inquest is awaited.During this same period, there were a total of 10 incidents involving injuries to detainees. These included six incidents where detainees sustained injury by self harm, and one incident involving detainees fighting which led to a detainee being injured. On three occasions, an accident in the Centre resulted in injury to a detainee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review of health and safety procedures in Harmondsworth Detention Centre has been undertaken following the recent death of an asylum seeker in the centre. [113006]

Following this tragic incident, immediate steps were taken to further reduce the number of possible ligatures points within the Harmondsworth Detention Centre. An investigation into the death of the detainee has been completed and a copy of the report has been sent to the Coroner. The Immigration Service is examining in detail all those recommendations that refer to health and safety procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of an on-call Samaritan service to detainees in Harmondsworth Detention Centre. [113004]

Within the Harmondsworth Detention Centre there are notices, translated into a number of languages, detailing the services of the Samaritans. Information on contacting them is also provided in a brochure given to each detainee upon arrival at the Centre. Any detainee unable to make a telephone call to them is advised to speak to a member of staff who will allow the use of an official telephone for such calls.A representative of the Samaritans visits the Centre once a month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are provided to staff at Harmondsworth Detention Centre about monitoring detainees with suicidal tendencies. [113003]

All detainees who are considered to be at risk of committing suicide are interviewed by staff on their arrival at the Centre to identify their immediate needs. A Suicide Prevention Committee, chaired by the Centre Manager, monitors potential suicide risks and considers what steps can be taken to minimise the risk of such an event.Within the Centre, those detainees who are considered to be at high risk of suicide are placed on a constant watch and may be confined to a small area where their behaviour can be closely monitored. Where the risk of suicide is lower the detainee is monitored every 15 minutes. It is recognised that the Harmondsworth Detention Centre is not a suitable location for those detainees displaying serious suicidal tendencies and arrangements are made to transfer such detainees to more suitable locations.Suicide awareness training has been provided by a member of the Samaritans who is also the Chairman of the Harmondsworth Visiting Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department has taken in response to the annual report of the Harmondsworth Detention Centre's Visiting Committee in relation to the care of asylum seekers with depression and suicidal tendencies. [113005]

The Immigration Service commissioned an assessment to enable a better understanding of the health needs of immigration detainees to be achieved. This was completed by Dr. Geraint Thomas, the medical practitioner at Tinsley House, and incorporated a general overview of the medical requirements, mental health and morbidity of male and female detainees and families. This was completed in April 1999 and distributed to medical health staff at Harmondsworth. The provision of nursing services at Harmondsworth Detention Centre was also extended to 12 hours each day.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to implement the provisions contained in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to make ticket touting an offence at all major sporting events. [112958]

This matter is kept under close review and representatives of other sports are periodically consulted. Section 166 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 currently makes it an offence for an unauthorised person to sell, or offer or expose for sale, a ticket for a designated football match. The law applies to football because the risk of disorder associated with that sport is increased if ground segregation is undermined by the sale of unauthorised tickets. There is no evidence to suggest that other sports are currently experiencing significant crowd safety and security problems as a result of ticket touting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if all police divisions in the UK have in place a computer system to exchange information with each division on paedophiles. [112915]

The Police National Computer (PNC) is the premier national information system available to police officers in all United Kingdom forces, and will increasingly become available to other Criminal Justice agencies. Data on all sex offenders are held on the PNC which is accessible to police officers in all forces.In addition, the Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders cautioned or convicted of certain sexual offences, including certain sexual offences against children, to notify the local police of their name, address and any changes, as well as their date of birth within 14 days of caution/conviction or change of address.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers in each police force in England have opted out of the Police Pension Scheme. [112962]

The Police Pension Scheme is administered locally by individual police authorities. The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the "right" hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) of 27 January 2000, Official Report, column 249W, if he will list, for each category of offence, the specific offences for which those prisoners released to date under the Home Detention Curfew scheme were convicted; what was the (a) average and (b) maximum sentence (i) received and (ii) served for each offence; and if he will make a statement. [112739]

[holding answer 2 March 2000]: A further breakdown of the original offences committed by prisoners released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme in 1999 is shown in the table. The data are taken from the Prison Service's inmate information system based on the data recorded by each prison. The maximum sentence for each type of offence, and maximum time served, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by manually sifting the details of some 15,000 prisoners who were placed on Home Detention Curfew in 1999.In operating the Home Detention Curfew scheme the Prison Service has an overriding duty to protect the public. No prisoner can be placed on Home Detention Curfew without first passing a risk assessment. Where there is a likelihood of offending while on curfew, or of breaching the curfew, or where the risk to the public is unacceptable, Home Detention Curfew is refused. The effectiveness of the risk assessment is demonstrated by the fact that overall the scheme has an impressive success rate of 95 per cent. of curfewees completing their period of curfew licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of interceptions of communications on non-public telecommunications networks in 1998 and 1999 by (a) law enforcement agencies and (b) others. [111134]

The statutory framework regulating interception of communications sent by post or by means of public telecommunication systems in the United Kingdom is provided by the Interception of Communications Act 1985. This Act does not extend to non-public telecommunications networks. The Government are legislating, through the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill, to extend the law to regulate this kind of interception.Because current law does not require a warrant to be signed by the Secretary of State in order for interception to be carried out on non-public telecommunications networks, figures for such interceptions are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the cost of extending the entitlement to unpaid parental leave to staff in his Department in respect of their children born before 15 December 1999. [113136]

It is not known how many civil servants in the Department for Education and Employment have children born before 15 December 1999, nor how many would take parental leave if they became entitled to it. Information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) requests for re-marks, (b) requests for re-marks with reports and (c) appeals against decisions were lodged with the AQA in respect of the 1999 GCE 'A' level computing examination. [112035]

I understand from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority that the information requested is as follows:

	Number
Requests for re-marks	188
Requests for re-marks with reports	85
Appeals against decision	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will authorise the age of transfer proposals in relation to the two form entry year four at Bishop Gilpin Primary School due to go ahead in September 2000. [R] [111618]

[holding answer 22 February 2000]: My "right" hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to make a decision on the age of transfer proposals across Merton Local Education Authority by April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will reply to the Question from the hon. Member for Putney tabled on 17 February relating to Bishop Gilpin School. [113449]

I refer my hon. Friend to the above reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make available to candidates the marked scripts of 'A' level and GCSE examinations. [112034]

My "right" hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 30 November 1999 that measures would ensure access to all GCE 'A' level and some GCSE marked examination scripts in 2000 and all GCSE scripts from 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many permanent school exclusions there were in each year since 1990 (a) in total and (b) of pupils of ethnic minority origin. [113497]

The number of permanent exclusions from maintained schools (except Special Schools) submitting returns under the voluntary National Exclusions Reporting System which covered the period from April 1990 to April 1992 was 2,910 in year one and 3,833 in year two.The first set of complete data systematically collected by the Department on permanent exclusions by ethnic minority from maintained schools in England related to the school year 1995–96. The latest available data relate to the school year 1997–98. These figures, which are not directly comparable with those derived from the National Exclusions Reporting System, are 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.

Numbers of permanent exclusions, including pupils of ethnic minority origin in schools1 in England 1995–96–1997–98
	Number of permanent exclusions2	Number of ethnic minority permanent exclusions
1997–98	12,298	1,995
1996–97	12,668	2,113
1995–96	12,476	2,196
1 Includes Maintained Primary, Secondary, Special and Non-maintained Special Schools.
2 Includes some pupils who were unclassified according to ethnic group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of his Department's electricity is generated from renewable sources; and what target his Department has for meeting its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010. [113052]

My Department has secured 10 per cent. of its supply of electricity from renewable sources, from October last year. This meets the aim set for achievement by the year 2010. We will continue to monitor developments in renewable energy provision to improve on this wherever possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will extend the Computers for Teachers Programme to teachers in sixth form colleges. [112822]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: Schools have a legal obligation to teach IT, both as a curriculum subject in its own "right", and across all other subjects. The burden of this teaching role falls largely upon the classroom teacher. In order to provide teachers with the skills to discharge this responsibility, the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT Training programme was developed specifically for teachers in schools, and it aims to give serving teachers the opportunity to raise their pedagogical capability to that now required of newly qualified teachers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he was informed of the cancellation of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress and the collapse of Global Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd., and by whom; and if he will make a statement. [112797]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: The decision to notify interested parties of the cancellation of the Congress and the collapse of Global Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. were matters for the company. They informed my Department on 23 February 2000 that the Congress had been cancelled.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the (a) cost in the current financial year of providing free school meals and (b) additional annual cost of extending the scheme to include (i) children in full-time education whose families are in receipt of working families tax credit and (ii) all children in full-time education. [112946]

The Department does not collect information on the cost of providing free school meals. We estimate that (a) the cost of providing free school meals in England in the current financial year is over £300 million; and that (b) the additional annual cost of (i) extending free school meals to children in full-time education whose families are in receipt of working families tax credit would be over £400 million; and (ii) extending free school meals to all children would be almost £2 billion.We have no current plans to extend eligibility for free school meals, which would require primary legislation, but we are working closely with the Child Poverty Action Group on ways of increasing take-up by entitled pupils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils at (a) primary and (b) secondary schools are currently meeting the Government's target that they participate in more than two hours a week of physical education. [112957]

Ofsted collects information about the percentage of taught time for each subject when inspecting schools. The number of school hours spent on physical education varies from school to school. Evidence from Ofsted inspections during 1998 of the average number of hours per week primary and secondary schools currently spend teaching National Curriculum PE is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made towards the provision of computers on loan as outlined in his speech of 28 October 1999 to the United Kingdom Internet Summit. [112642]

The Government are making £15 million available for a pilot scheme—`Computers Within Reach'—to enable those who cannot afford new computers to acquire reconditioned computers for use in the home on a loaned or owned basis for the purpose of improving their employment prospects, for lifelong learning, or for their children's homework. The pilot scheme will run from May, and evaluation findings of the initiative will be made available in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the new public bodies established by his Department since May 1997. [112662]

The annual Cabinet Office publication `Public Bodies' provides information on a range of public bodies. The 1997 edition lists those 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 Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's policy respecting the maintenance of political neutrality in discussing the future of the EU in schools. [112341]

Pupils in England are taught about Europe and the European Union at secondary school. From the start of the school year 2000 they will be taught about the history of Britain in its European and wider context within National Curriculum History and from 2002 they will be taught about the world as a global community, the role of the European Union and the UK's relations in Europe, including the European Union in National Curriculum Citizenship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what proportion of (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) colleges of further education have procedures in place to record racist incidents; [111291](2) what was the total number of racist incidents recorded during the period 15 April 1999 to 31 December 1999 in England in

[holding answer 22 February 2000]: Our "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support" guidance in July 1999 states that all schools' behaviour policies must make clear that racial harassment will not be tolerated, and say how staff and pupils should deal with it. Schools should record all racial incidents and parents and Governors should be informed of such incidents and the action taken to deal with them. Governing bodies should inform LEAs annually of the pattern and frequency of any incidents. Colleges of Further Education have policies in place to deal with complaints, and procedures to investigate incidents. Information on the total number of racist incidents recorded in schools and colleges in England during the period 15 April 1999 to 31 December 1999 is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many calls have been made to the New Deal Hotline in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK; how many were from (i) clients and (ii) employers; and how many were (1) positive comments and (2) complaints. [111137]

In the period October 1998 (when records started) to January 2000; a total of 1,652 calls were made to the New Deal Hotline of which 376 came from Scotland. We do not disaggregate the source of calls by category of caller and only the complaints are identified separately from all other calls. In the UK, 344 of the calls made were classed as complaints of which 62 came from Scotland. The Employment Service follows up every complaint to a conclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of New Deal participants who have undertaken an option have moved into the employment option; to what extent Government targets in exercise of the employment option have been achieved; and if he will make a statement. [109283]

Since the start of New Deal 7.9 per cent. of young people leaving Gateway have moved onto the employment option. Although this is less than the original planning assumption, a further 35.5 per cent. have gone directly into unsubsidised jobs. Together these figures demonstrate how New Deal significantly improves the changes of many young people finding work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of people had access to Government-funded child care (a) in rural areas and (b) in urban areas, (i) in the most recent year for which figures are available and (ii) five years ago. [111976]

We are unable to provide the information in the format requested, but can provide data on the overall number of new child care places created through government funding. In 1998–99 some 66,000 new child care places were funded through the Out of School Childcare Initiative, the Further Education Funding Council and DfEE grants to Early Years Development Partnerships. This compares with 22,286 new child care places created by the Out of School Childcare Initiative in 1994–95.Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) are responsible for ensuring full coverage of both urban and rural areas within their areas of remit. EYDCPs have been set up in every local authority area of England. DfEE's planning guidance to Partnerships requires them to pay particular attention to the development and maintenance of provision in rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy on the proposed Commission directive on equal treatment, as set out in COM (1999) 566, with particular reference to (a) gender mainstreaming, (b) minimum entitlement to redress, (c) burden of proof, (d) indirect discrimination, (e) definition of harassment and (f) positive discrimination. [112350]

The Government welcome the European Commission's proposal for a directive covering discrimination on the grounds of race (COM (1999) 566) as an important contribution to combating racial discrimination throughout member states and accession countries. The proposal raises a number of issues including those mentioned by the hon. Member in his question and we will be considering the full implications of these during the course of negotiations. Negotiations are still at an early stage within the Working Group of the Social Affairs Council and adoption will require unanimous agreement by the member states.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the review of MAFF grant in aid on fisheries work undertaken by the Environment Agency and other fisheries protection work. [113343]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 27 October 1999, Official Report, column 922W.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a definition of the developed environment exists allowing flood defence committees to ensure that the risk of flooding is minimised. [111584]

The Government's policy is to

reduce the risk to people and the developed and natural environment from flooding and erosion.

The phrase "developed and natural environment" is intended to embrace all of the country's assets. No firm definition of the term "developed environment" exists for the purposes of flood and coastal defence but we generally regard it as land on which development has taken place, for example buildings and roads, as compared with the natural environment which would generally be undeveloped land.

Proportional mortality ratios by occupation, men aged 20–64, England and Wales, 1982–87 and 1991–96 PMRs which are significantly high1
Occupation2	PMR	Confidence interval Lower/Upper	Number of suicides
1982–87
Veterinarians	349	(203–559)	17
Farmers, horticulturists, farm managers	202	(180–226)	311
Librarians, Information officers	226	(140–345)	21
Pharmacists	214	(140–313)	26
Medical practitioners	175	(138–218)	78
Dental practitioners	192	(117–296)	20
Deck, engine-room hands, bargemen, lightermen, boatmen	144	(117–176)	95
Teachers (not elsewhere classified)	132	(116–150)	233
Gardeners, groundsmen	134	(116–154)	197
Hotel porters	171	(113–249)	27
Other domestic and school helpers	175	(111–262)	23
Forestry workers	173	(107–264)	21
Shop salesmen and assistants	123	(106–141)	196
Driving instructors (not HGV)	152	(106–213)	34
Chemical scientists	153	(105–215)	33
Sales representatives	116	(101–134)	203
Farm workers	120	(101–141)	142
1991–96
Dental practitioners	249	(161–367)	25
Veterinarians	324	(148–615)	9
Farmers, horticulturists, farm managers	144	(124–166)	190
Sales representatives—property and services	151	(122–184)	97
Medical practitioners	147	(115–185)	71
Garage proprietors	155	(112–208)	43
Pharmacists	171	(111–252)	25
Other motor drivers	124	(108–141)	221
Painters and decorators, french polishers	119	(108–132)	389
Publicans	128	(107–152)	129
Builders	119	(106–132)	332
Cleaners, window cleaners, road sweepers	122	(105–139)	204
Shop salesmen and assistants	118	(105–133)	296
Carpenters and joiners	115	(103–127)	384
Gardeners, groundsmen	117	(102–133)	234
1 95 per cent. confidence interval does not include 100
2 Occupations listed in descending order of lower confidence interval

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been spent to date by his Department and by bodies funded by his Department

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many suicides amongst farmers have been recorded in each of the past five years. [110528]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 7 February 2000, Official Report, column 77W.In addition, the hon. Member may be interested in the information given in the table: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. [112139]

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

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the European Commission on further action against discrimination in the awarding of fishing quotas, with reference to OJ C354/67, vol 42, 7.12.99; and if he will make a statement. [112648]

As OJ 354/67 states on 14 January 1998 the United Kingdom received a reasoned opinion in respect of the procedures adopted in the UK for allocating quotas. We have responded to that opinion. No further representations have been received from the Commission.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the new public bodies established by his Department since May 1997. [112658]

The following public bodies have been established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since May 1997:Bodies listed in the Cabinet Office publication 'Public Bodies 1999'.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the (a) starting date, (b) finishing date and (c) the duration of this year's drift net salmon fishing season for the sea area from the River Tyne to the River Tweed. [113177]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: Under current byelaws the drift net salmon fishing season in the sea area from the River Tyne to the River Tweed will for this year, (a) start on 1 June; (b) finish on 31 August and (c) be for a period of 92 days.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tree felling licences have been granted by the Forestry Commission to the RSPB in each of the last five years; and how many trees have been felled as a result. [113115]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: The number of licences issued to the RSPB in each of the last five years and the number of trees licensed for felling are given in the table. The Forestry Commission does not keep records of the number of trees actually felled after licences have been issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the countries to which plutonium MOX fuel made at Sellafield's MDF Plant has been exported and the dates of export; and in which cases and on what dates the recipient countries have requested the return of a fuel pin or rod on grounds of safety or inadequate quality control. [112351]

I understand from BNFL that MOX fuel was exported from Sellafield to Germany in October 1996. Similar transports to Switzerland were undertaken in November 1995 and August 1997. As regards requests for any fuel to be returned to the UK, the position in respect of Switzerland was set out in my Answer to my hon. Friend of 25 January 2000, Official Report, columns 194–95W. As regards Japan, the shipment departed Europe in July 1999. Earlier this year the Ministry of International Trade and Industry asked that fuel delivered by BNFL to Kansai Electric's Takahama reactor should be returned to the UK. The Japanese and UK Governments are to discuss this further, along with other options for the fuel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received regarding the falsification and manipulation of fuel quality control data in respect of BNFL MOX fuel supplied to Switzerland; and if he will make a statement. [106711]

[pursuant to her reply, 14 February 2000, c. 366W]: My Answer referred to certain BNFL fuel pellets supplied to Switzerland in February 1997. This was incorrect. The pellets were in fact manufactured at that time and supplied in August 1997. The rest of the Answer remains correct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on the decision by the European Parliament to amend the proposed Directive on End of Life Vehicles to require car manufacturers to pay for the recycling of used cars when they reach the end of their lives; [113541](2) what representations he has made to the European Parliament regarding their decision to amend the proposed Directive on End of Life Vehicles to require car manufacturers to pay for the recycling of used cars. [113542]

In its Second Reading on this Directive, the European Parliament has put forward a number of amendments, none of which have the effect described by the hon. Member. The Commission's proposal of December 1997 required manufacturers to pay for the recycling of used cars. Following pressure from the UK and some other member states, the Council Common Position provides member states with greater flexibility, simply requiring them to ensure that producers make at least a significant contribution to the costs of free take-back of end of life vehicles. The European Parliament has not proposed a change to this wording, although it has proposed a change to the dates from which it will apply, and the vehicles to which it will apply. Conciliation between the Council and Parliament now seems likely. On this particular issue, the UK will aim to secure flexibility for member states in deciding how best to organise free take-back and recycling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the findings of the Competition Commission's inquiry into the supply of new cars. [113362]

I will publish the Competition Commission report on the supply of new cars as quickly as is consistent with my legal obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning alternative developments to the Ilisu Dam to provide energy for Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [112829]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: My "right" hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have received a great deal of correspondence regarding the Ilisu project, and this correspondence has included many assertions that various alternatives to the project should be considered.I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge) on 3 March 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has initiated since the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit Policy Action Team 3 report on Enterprise and Social Exclusion (A National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal) to improve support for, and to promote, the social enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement. [113451]

Since the publication of the Policy Action Team's report on Enterprise and Social Exclusion, my Department has taken a number of steps to improve the support for start-ups and existing small businesses, including social enterprises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the contribution of tidal barrages to meeting the Government's 10 per cent. target for renewable energy; and if he will make a statement. [113135]

Under the Government's policy on renewables the choice of technology to meet future targets will be left largely to the industry. The assessment undertaken for the Government's consultation document on renewables "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21 Century—Supporting Analysis" did not lead us to expect a significant contribution from tidal barrages in meeting current targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to encourage the promotion of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement. [113056]

The Government published their new policy on renewables in February in their report "New and Renewable Energy, Prospects for the 21 Century: Conclusions in response to the Public Consultation". The Government will promote renewables in a number of ways. For example:

we have recently announced our intention to take powers in the Utilities Bill to place an Obligation on licensed suppliers of electricity to provide a specified proportion of electricity from renewable energy sources. This will provide a very substantial boost to the provision of renewable energy.

we have exempted electricity and heat from renewable sources from the Climate Change Levy, giving industry a financial incentive to use more renewable energy.

we are developing a regional approach to renewable energy planning and targets to facilitate renewables developments while continuing to protect the countryside.

we are developing a growing supporting programme of research, development, demonstration and dissemination in renewables which is expected to include a marketing campaign to raise public awareness of renewable energy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 50W, on Austria, what is the intended effect of the agreed bilateral measures to which he referred. [113022]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: The effect of the agreed bilateral measures is that there will be no bilateral ministerial visits to or from Austria. Along with our other EU partners, the UK will not support Austrian candidates for positions at international organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the dates on which end-user certification of exports were granted in 1998 and the scope of the certificates to countries involved in the

Objective	Total (£000)	Administration costs(£000)	Percentage
Promote enterprise, innovation and increased productivity	795,886	168,642	21
Make the most of the UK's science, engineering and technology	1,332,486	29,403	2
Create strong and competitive markets	2,231,674	32,637	1
Develop a fair and effective legal and regulatory framework	366,173	149,136	41
Total	4,726,219	379,818	8

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: As part of the process of assessing all applications for a licence to export arms or other goods on the Military List (Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994), including the goods referred to, exporters are required to supply information on the intended end-use and appropriate undertakings by the end-user concerned. Moreover, end-use certificates are not "granted" as part of the export licensing process. There is no process of "certification" as such but additional assurances are sought if this is considered necessary.All such applications are of course considered against the criteria announced by my "right" hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many beneficiaries were drawing pensions from the mineworkers pension schemes BC SSS and the MPS in (a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c)1996, (d) 1997, (e) 1998 and (f) 1999. [112986]

These are matters for the Trustees of the coal pension schemes. I have asked them to write to you direct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the funding schemes administered by his Department, indicating the total funds of each scheme and the administration costs of each scheme as a percentage of the total funds. [112496]

[holding answer 2 March 2000]: A detailed breakdown of the Department's activities is given in the annual Expenditure Plans Reports Trade and Industry: "The Government's Expenditure Plans (Cm 3905, Cm 3605, Cm 4211), published by the Stationery Office Limited". Information relating administration costs to programme expenditure is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, using information drawn from the 1998–99 Shadow Resource Accounts for the Department, the total cost of departmental objectives and the percentage that relates to administration costs are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decisions have been taken on the applications that were pending in November 1999 for the export of RDX in its raw form to Oman, Spain, Turkey and the USA. [112938]

Licences were issued in respect of the applications covering the export of RDX in its raw form to Spain and the United States of America on 9 December 1999 and 23 December 1999 respectively. A decision has not yet been taken on the other applications concerned.All applications for licences to export arms and other goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List, are assessed against the criteria announced by my "right" hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the relevant local trading standards offices concerning the activities of the Kensington Mortgage Company. [112783]

I have had no such discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will order an inquiry into the lending practices of the Kensington Mortgage Company; [112782](2) if he will make it his policy to investigate the activities of non-status lenders in the mortgage lending sector. [112781]

Most non-status lenders hold consumer credit licences issued by the Director General of Fair Trading. The Director monitors the continuing fitness of licence holders. He also monitors lenders' and brokers' compliance with his guidelines on non-status lending.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the Council of Mortgage Lenders concerning the (a) commissions, (b) penalties and (c) other charges made by the Kensington Mortgage Company. [112779]