To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if grammar schools are eligible for sports college status. [114474]

I can confirm that the specialist schools programme is open to applications from all types of maintained secondary schools—whether or not their admissions arrangements are selective. Schools which are designated Sports, Arts, Language or Technology Colleges are expected to work closely with a "family of schools" to spread the benefits to pupils beyond their own school boundaries and to the wider community.

Allocations to Worcester Education Authority 1997–98 to 1999–2000 (Hereford and Worcester in 1997–98)1
£
Initiative	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
(a) Reduction of infant class sizes:
(i) revenue	n/a	—	548,000
(ii) capital	n/a	—	1,156,000
(b) National Grid for Learning (Standards Fund)	n/a	1,125,048	900,000
(c) Literacy Programmes (Standards Fund)	—	545,785	631,862
(d) Numeracy Programmes (Standards Fund)	—	4,950	594,700
(e) Books for Schools	359,500	271,100	542,200
(f) Truancy (Standards Fund)	72,900	58,100	224,940
(g) School Security (Standards Fund)	303,000	229,936	247,714
(h) School Effectiveness (Standards Fund)	1,948,200	1,649,787	2,646,633
(i) Excellence in Cities (Standards Fund)	n/a	n/a	n/a
(j) New Deal for Schools	733,000	1,637,302	2,390,990
(k) Voluntary Aided Schools Capital	711,000	975,000	1,137,000
(l) Energy Efficiency	n/a	135,000	n/a
(m) Music Programmes	n/a	n/a	1,051,596
(n) Year 6 Booster Classes	n/a	120,337	434,653
(o) Education Standard Spending Assessment2	230,777,000	187,840,000	198,180,000
1 Worcester was part of Hereford and Worcester LEA prior to 1 April 1998
2 In 1997–98 £527 million was removed from Education Standard Spending at national level for the Nursery Voucher Scheme

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the (a) percentage and (b) actual changes in the national education budget for each of the past 10 years. [113194]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: Details of the percentage and actual changes in UK education expenditure in real terms for 1994–95 to 2001–02 are given in the table. The figures are taken from table 1.4 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1999–2000 (Cm 4201). Comparable figures for earlier years could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding was awarded to Worcestershire local education authority in each year from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 in respect of (a) reduction in infant class sizes, broken down by (i) revenue and (ii) capital, (b) the National Grid for Learning, (c) literacy programmes, (d) numeracy programmes, (e) books for schools, (f) truancy initiatives, (g) schools security, (h) standards fund school effectiveness grant, (i) excellence in cities, (j) New Deal for schools, (k) voluntary-aided schools capital grant, (l) energy efficiency, (m) music programmes, (n) year 6 booster classes and (o) Education SSA. [113914]

The figures requested are shown in the table. For Standards Fund grants, the figures include both the Government's and the local education authority's contributions where appropriate. The figures shown for Education Standard Spending Assessment also include provision for the Authority's contribution to the Standards Fund. For 1997–98, figures are given for Hereford and Worcester.As a proportion of GDP, education spending is forecast to increase from 4.7 per cent. in 1996–97 to some 4.9 per cent. in 2001–02.

1997–98 prices
Year	Education spending (£ billion)	Percentage change	Actual change (£ billion)
1994–95	37.8	3.3	1.2
1995–96	37.6	-0.3	-0.1
1996–97	37.1	-1.5	-0.6
1997–98	37.4	0.9	0.3
1998–99	37.4	0.0	0.0
1999–2000	39.3	5.1	1.9
2000–01	41.6	5.9	2.3
2001–02	43.5	4.6	1.9

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the percentage increase in revenue spending on education by Her Majesty's Government in each of the past 10 years. [113886]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Details of changes in UK education spending since 1994–95 were provided in the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Mr. Ruane). Information on the revenue elements of these figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the Utilities Bill on electricity supply and distribution and renewable energy in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [113610]

This Government are determined to put the interests of consumers first, both north and south of the border. The Utilities Bill contains provisions aimed at facilitating further competition in the electricity and gas markets, and thus are expected to lead to price reductions for consumers. This includes a bar on supply and distribution licences being held by the same legal person. It also allows for the continuation of arrangements ensuring that remote areas of Scotland do not suffer from discriminatory pricing.The Bill contains a provision for a separate renewables obligation in Scotland which will contribute towards the Government's target of renewable energy providing 10 per cent. of UK electricity supplies by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet Ministers in the Scottish Executive to discuss steps to investigate the reasons for the difference between the average weekly wages of women and men in Glasgow. [113214]

I meet Scottish Executive Ministers, including the First Minister, on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of issues with them, including action to reduce inequalities such as the gender pay gap. The UK Government are tackling the gender pay gap across Great Britain through a range of measures such as encouraging less gender stereotyping and considering ways of interesting more women in careers in information and communication technology. Other measures to help people, predominantly women, combine work and other responsibilities include the campaign on work/life balance, New Deals for Lone Parents and Partners, the Working Families Tax Credit and childcare tax credit and fairness at work measures such as parental leave, improved maternity leave and rights for part-time workers.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will publish the papers he has concerning the request made to the Attorney-General for permission to pursue a private prosecution of General Pinochet for the death of William Beausire and Father Michael Woodward. [113942]

Applications for Law Officer consent to prosecute Senator Pinochet were received from three firms of solicitors. The offences alleged which required Law Officer consent concerned torture contrary to section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and hostage taking contrary to the Taking of Hostages Act 1982. The allegations against Senator Pinochet concerned a number of different victims.My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberavon (Sir J. Morris) considered applications from the first two firms of solicitors when he was Attorney-General. The last application was considered by myself. The applications were taken seriously and given careful consideration. We received counsel's advice on them. Having done so consent was refused in respect of each application.It would not be appropriate for me to publish material that others have submitted in support of their applications for Law Officer consent. That is for the solicitors. The reason why consent was declined was explained to the solicitors at the time and outlined in my statement to the House on 2 March 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the (a) projects carried out since 1997 and (b) work in progress under part or full funding by her Department by the Carter Center, Atlanta, United States of America. [112748]

My Department has provided the following funding to the Carter Center.

£2 million over four years (1996–97 to 1999–2000) for a Guinea worm eradication project covering a variety of countries in the West Africa region.

£230,014 towards the cost of Carter Center monitoring of Mozambique 1999 General Elections. This ongoing project will conclude with Carter Center's final election assessment visit to Mozambique.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter from Mr. Jeremy Davenport of her Department to the British Council dated 4 December 1994 concerning the outcome of the Polish-British Enterprise Project. [113738]

A copy of the letter is being placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evaluation her Department made of the leadership of Dr. Brian Burrows on the Polish-British Enterprise Project between 13 and 18 November 1994. [113737]

The first monitoring visit to the project took place from 13–18 November 1994. A number of recommendations concerning project strategy and direction were made in the report which followed and some problems within the project at that time were also highlighted. A copy of the report was provided to Dr. Burrows.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the level of financial support given by her Department to projects in India in each year since 1992 and 1993. [113652]

The table lists spending by my Department on projects in India for each year since 1992–93:

£000
Financial year	Spending on projects
1992–93	74,719
1993–94	79,231
1994–95	83,795
1995–96	99,774
1996–97	92,393
1997–98	80,896
1998–99	92,275

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to protect personnel in training and operational areas exposed to discharged depleted uranium ammunition. [112839]

[holding answer 7 March 2000]: We do not use depleted uranium during routine training. It is used during trials and has been used in operations. Detailed safety instructions are distributed to all Arms and Services Training Establishments and to all units serving in operational theatres where there may be a risk of exposure to discharged depleted uranium ammunition. MOD trial sites are subject to a comprehensive programme of monitoring, the results of which are published annually.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rounds of depleted uranium shells were fired by coalition forces during the Gulf War; how many were fired by UK tanks; how many UK tanks carried depleted uranium shells; and if he will make a statement. [113956]

The US Department of Defense has assessed that over 860,000 DU-based ammunition rounds, of varying calibre, were used by US Forces during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict. The MOD's current assessment is that UK tanks fired fewer than 100 DU rounds against Iraqi military forces during hostilities, although additional rounds were fired during earlier work-up training in Saudi Arabia. DU munitions were available in-theatre for the British Main Battle Tanks deployed in combat. These totalled 176 with a further 45 as in-theatre War Reserve.DU-based tank ammunition was brought into service by the Ministry of Defence because of its unique capability as a kinetic penetrator against the most modern types of Main Battle Tank armour. No satisfactory alternative material currently exists to achieve the levels of penetration required to defeat modern tanks. Although research is being conducted into alternative materials, none have so far demonstrated significant potential. There are, therefore, no plans to remove DU-based ammunition from service. Indeed, if the safety of British troops in any conflict required such a capability against modern Main Battle Tank armour, DU-based ammunition would be deployed and used.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of strategic nuclear material have been declared surplus to military requirements in the last 10 years; when, and in what form, the material was transferred to civilian facilities and in which locations; on what date the material was notified to Euratom and IAEA safeguards authorities as non-military; when the first visits were paid by inspection teams from each body respectively to verify the notification; and what costs have been incurred to date in the transfer of status of the nuclear material. [113285]

Details of the defence nuclear materials which are now deemed to be surplus to our requirements are given in paragraph 26 of Supporting Essay 5 of the Strategic Defence Review (Cm 3999), copies of which are in the Library of the House.During July and August 1998, the following material was brought into safeguards:Approximately 4.1 tonnes of plutonium stored at the BNFL Sellafield facility; Approximately 9,000 tonnes of depleted natural and low enriched uranium at the BNFL Capenhurst, Chapelcross, Sellafield and Springfields facilities and UKAEA Harwell.Steps are being taken to move 0.3 tonnes of weapon grade plutonium (in the form of oxide) stored at AWE Aldermaston to Sellafield when it too will be formally reported to Euratom and brought into safeguards. To date, some 73 kilograms of this material have been transferred; the remainder will be moved as soon as is practicable.In addition to the material referred to above, there have been a number of occasions over the last 10 years where material has been brought into safeguards—notably in 1996 when the Calder Hall reactors and the fuel associated with them came into safeguards. The Department for Trade and Industry are responsible for safeguards issues. However, they have advised that the detailed information requested on the large numbers of these other transfers into safeguards and also inspections by the international safeguards authorities is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what benefits the equipping of the CM010 optronic masts to the Astute Class nuclear attack submarines will provide; what is the cost of the contract for them; and if he will make a statement. [113912]

The optronics masts to be fitted to the three Astute Class submarines currently on order supersede the conventional optical periscopes fitted to earlier RN submarines. The optronics masts offer significant benefits over conventional periscopes. These include improved hull integrity (strength) as the optronics mast no longer needs to penetrate the hull of the submarine; and greater operational flexibility such as improved target analysis, improved effectiveness in different sea states/weather conditions, improved night vision and the ability to distribute and display images on other systems within the submarine. The optronics masts also offer lower through life costs as they require a lower level of technical expertise and maintenance facilities to support them.The optronics masts are being procured from Pilkington Optronics Ltd. The contract for the masts was placed by the Ministry's Prime Contractor for the Astute Class submarines (BAE SYSTEMS) following competition. The terms and conditions of the sub-contract, including the price, are "commercial—in confidence" and I am, therefore, withholding this information under exemption 13 of the Government's Code on Open Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the long-term effects of smoke inhalation from burning oil wells incurred during and immediately following the Gulf War; and if he will make a statement. [113911]

The Ministry of Defence has examined the possibility that pollution caused by oil well fires during the Gulf conflict could be responsible for the ill-health now being experienced by some UK Gulf veterans. No evidence has so far emerged to suggest that this is the case. In March 1991, when UK Forces were stationed in Kuwait, consideration was given to the health risks from oil well fires. Information supplied by Shell UK stated that Kuwaiti crude oil had a high (2.5 per cent.) sulphur content. Combustion products were said to contain carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates which were not carcinogens.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 638W, and his oral answers of 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 1219 and 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 10, concerning future use of MOD property, what the relationship is between the confidentiality requested by developers and the requirement to provide information to local and national elected representatives. [114417]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: There is no relationship between the confidentiality requested by developers and the requirement to provide information to local and national elected representatives.It is my Department's policy to inform all purchasers of surplus Ministry of Defence property that the final sale price will be made known to any party who requests that information. A purchaser can, however, refuse consent to the sale price being made public on the grounds of commercial confidentiality and in these instances exemption 7 of the Code on Access to Government Information is invoked.Discussions on the future use of MOD property take place with local authorities at a much earlier stage and I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 24 January 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what child care provision was made available in the financial year 1998–99 for use by (i) his departmental staff and (ii) employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department; what was the cost to parents of this child care; and how many parents used the facilities. [108833]

The Civil Service, as a whole, is striving for an improved balance between work and family life. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 February 2000, Official Report, columns 518–19W, which provides further details about the importance of family life policies to the Civil Service Reform programme.During 1998–99, there were a total of 15 workplace nurseries available to my Departmental staff, with a further two in operation for staff employed in executive agencies. These facilities, together with a number of places purchased in off-site private nurseries, provided some 700 full-time places for children of civilian and, occasionally, Service personnel working in Ministry of Defence establishments. The monthly cost to parents of a full-time place ranged from approximately £242 to £411 (depending on the location and level of departmental subsidy) for Departmental staff, and from approximately £320 to £340 for staff employed in executive agencies, giving an average monthly cost of £308. In addition, my Department subsidises a number of places in holiday play schemes for children of school age. Information about the number of personnel who used these facilities during 1998–99 is not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in the last five years, what proportion of women employees in (i) his Department and (ii) executive agencies under the control of his Department, (a) returned to work after childbirth, (b) returned to work after childbirth before the end of maternity leave, indicating the (1) time-range and (2) mean time, (c) returned to work after childbirth on reduced working hours, indicating the average hours worked and (d) returned to work after childbirth full-time and subsequently reduced their hours. [109237]

The Civil Service, as a whole, is striving for an improved balance between work and family life. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 February 2000, Official Report, column 519W, which provides further details about the importance of family life policies to the Civil Service Reform programme.In respect of my Department, I regret that information on maternity leave and working patterns following maternity leave is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been (a) killed and (b) injured in Kosovo as a result of unexploded ordnance in the form of bomblets within cluster bombs used by UK forces in Kosovo since the cessation of the campaign there. [112362]

It is not always possible to identify accurately which nation's munitions have been the cause of casualties arising from incidents involving cluster bomblets. Nor is the precise type of munition always identifiable.The most recent figures provided by NATO assess that cluster bomblets have killed 22 civilians in Kosovo with a further 27 injured. Additionally, a further three military personnel have been killed, with four injured.KFOR has now cleared more than 8,870 unexploded bomblets from Kosovo. All unexploded ordnance sites in the UK-led sector of Kosovo have now been marked, and 90 per cent. of unexploded cluster bomb munitions cleared.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of precision guided weapons are in service with the Royal Air Force. [113746]

There are currently nine guided weapons in service with the RAF: Sidewinder, ALARM, Skyflash, Harpoon, Rapier, Stingray, AMRAAM, PAVEWAY II and PAVEWAY III. All these weapons are capable of being guided precisely to their target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many striker helmet-mounted sighting systems his Department plans to acquire; at what cost; if they will be used in the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [113910]

Forty-six helmet mounted sighting systems have been procured for Royal Air Force Jaguar GR3A aircraft at a cost of some £3.5 million. There are currently no plans to install the system on Royal Navy aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the outcome of the meeting of the Equipment Approval Committee on 21 February regarding Air Foyle's plan to use two Antonov AN-24–100 airliners for short-term strategic airlift requirements; and if he will make a statement. [113953]

The Ministry of Defence Equipment Approvals Committee's consideration of the short-term strategic airlift project constitutes advice to Ministers and I am therefore withholding details under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take account of (a) the likely effect of the number of aircraft ordered on the overall share of business for British companies generated by the A400M aircraft and (b) the risk that United Kingdom firms might be excluded from future European collaborative ventures when reaching a decision between the A400M and the C17 aircraft. [113907]

In reaching conclusions on our future air transport requirements, we will take into account a range of factors, including the industrial and international factors you mention, while at the same time seeking value for money for the taxpayer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the threat posed by anti-personnel mines to members of British armed forces deployed in relief efforts in Mozambique. [114369]

My Department has made an assessment of the mine threat to our forces supporting relief operations in Mozambique based on information from a variety of sources, including the UN and Non-Government Organisations dealing with the mine threat left over from the civil war. Based on such information, we have taken a series of steps to make all our forces in Mozambique aware of the hazards, and to advise them on appropriate precautionary measures to minimise the risks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the amount of training ammunition expended by the (a) Army infantry, (b) Royal Artillery and (c) Navy, expressed as a percentage, in each of the last five years, taking 1995 as 100 per cent. [114254]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in the current year's Defence Housing Executive upgrade programme (a) what percentage of contractors underbid significantly, (b) if he will list the contractors who (i) underbid and (ii) were subsequently dismissed and (c) by what percentage retendered prices were higher than the original bids. [113751]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Defence Housing Executive is not aware of any contractors who have significantly underbid for contracts in the current year's upgrade programme. There have, however, been instances of such problems relating to sub-contractors for response repair work in some locations. I am obtaining data on these and will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the reduction in this year's Defence Housing Executive budget for upgrades will be restored in the next financial year. [113753]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Budget allocations for the coming financial year have yet to be decided, but it is the intention to achieve or better the target date for completion of the upgrade programme by the end of 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the review of the Defence Housing Executive prepared jointly by his Department and the Treasury. [113755]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: A joint Treasury/MOD review of Service housing has recently completed and the report is in the final course of drafting. My Ministerial colleagues in the Treasury and I have not yet had an opportunity to consider its recommendations. There are no plans to publish what is an internal document. However, I would expect the outcome of the review to be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what price will be charged to service families for the Defence Housing Executive's contract cleaning scheme on vacating property; where it will be trialled; when it will be available universally; and if he will make a statement. [113757]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The charges for cleaning Families' Quarters on vacation have yet to be determined and are likely to vary according to location and property size. The trial will be run in all areas where the Defence Housing Executive has managerial responsibility; that is to say, throughout the UK mainland. The trial, which will run from autumn 2000 for 12 months, is designed to identify and iron out any procedural difficulties in order that a cost effective long term contract can be put in place on its completion. Use of the scheme by occupants will be entirely optional. They may, if they choose, continue as now to make their own arrangements for cleaning on moving out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the return rate for the defence housing executive's customer satisfaction slips; and if he will make a statement. [113752]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Between June and November 1999 (the latest available figures) the Defence Housing Executive (DHE) had a 15.7 per cent. response rate from customers in Families' Quarters who had requested repairs to their properties. Of these, 91.2 per cent. indicated that they were satisfied with the repairs made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters in each grade are available to the Defence Housing Executive; how many service families are entitled to quarters in each grade; and if he will make a statement. [113758]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The breakdown of family quarters by type is as follows:

	Number
Officers:
I	73
II	370
III	1,986
IV	3,962
V	5,629
Other ranks
D	3,842
C	28,807
B	17,034
A	0

All married personnel in the Armed Forces are entitled to a quarter near their place of duty and the allocation of quarters is based partly on rank and partly on family size. Entitlement to a type of quarter changes whenever either of those variables alters. It is therefore not possible to break down the figures to indicate how many Service families are entitled to quarters in each grade.When seeking to identify demand for future housing stock levels, current demand (which is a reflection of family requirements) is used as an indicator. DHE would not, for example, seek to retain or replace quarters of a type for which current demand was low.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards service families left living in service quarters after divorce or separation from the serviceman or woman to whom those quarters had been allocated. [114207]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: In the event of marital breakdown, the Marital Category of the Service person changes from married to single. At this point, unless the Service person has custodial responsibilities for a child, they are no longer entitled to occupy a family quarter and are consequently required to move into single living accommodation. The estranged family is also required to vacate the family quarter but is given a 93 day notice period in which to do so. The Service person continues to be liable to pay the entitled rate of accommodation charges for the duration of the notice period.DHE issues a Notice to Vacate at the beginning of the 93 day period and advises the estranged spouse to contact the local authority to inquire about housing. If the estranged spouse remains in the family quarter after the 93 day notice has expired, they become liable to pay Damages for Trespass. This charge is calculated on the basis of prevailing market rents in that particular area. At the 93 day point, DHE will review the particular circumstances and decide whether to apply for a Possession Order.If the quarter is required for another, entitled, Service family or if the local authority will not consider the estranged family for local authority housing unless they can demonstrate impending homelessness, the DHE will seek a Possession Order.DHE officials liaise with local authority staff on such cases and it is usually possible for local authorities and DHE to agree a mutually convenient move out date for the family.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the review of married quarters estates produced by Professor Ian Cole of Sheffield University. [113754]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Copies of Professor Cole's study on the Ministry of Defence Mixed Estates were placed in the Library of the House in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many quarters at (a) RAF Halton and (b) RAF High Wycombe are the subject of repossession proceedings; how many of those cases involve households with dependent children; and if he will make a statement. [114206]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: There are no extant possession orders—nor are any being sought at RAF High Wycombe. At RAF Halton, there are four extant possession orders and a further ten are being sought. Thirteen of these 14 cases involve dependent children. Evictions from Service Family Quarters are very rare. Issue of a possession order is often, however, a pre-requirement by local authorities to accept responsibility for re-housing families. DHE officials are in regular contact with the local authorities and the Station Welfare representatives to help rehouse these families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to callout members of the reserve forces to support United Nations operations in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. [114880]

A call-out order has been made under section 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to permit members of the reserve forces to be called out for service with the UN monitoring and observer forces in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only a small number are expected to be called out, as and when suitable posts arise, and all will be volunteers for this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the European Staff Requirement on strategic airlift. [113934]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The European Staff Requirement for the Future Large Aircraft (now A400M) includes the specific requirements of all seven countries involved in the programme and has security and commercial sensitivities attached to some of the information it contains. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long the London Underground escalators to the Victoria Line from Kings Cross railway station will be out of commission. [113077]

These are operational matters for London Underground. They have informed me that in addition to temporary repairs, agreed with HMRI, to bring some of the recently discovered defective escalators back into service quickly, they will start a full programme of work to repair or replace the defective escalators in late May, once redesigned shafts have been manufactured. The programme will be completed in the autumn. Kings Cross is high on London Underground's priorities along with Oxford Circus and Walthamstow Central.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total number of deaths from asbestos-related diseases in the UK for each of the last five years for which figures are available broken down by (a) region and (b) occupation. [113328]

The figures available are set out in the tables. These detail the deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis in Great Britain between 1993 and 1997 by region and by occupational group. Occupational information is only available for people aged under 75 at the time of death and has only been recorded in the Health and Safety Executive's register of asbestosis deaths since 1995. No information is available for asbestos-related lung cancer because it cannot be medically distinguished from lung cancer from other causes.A more detailed breakdown of the figures on mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain by occupation and by geographical distribution, published by the Health and Safety Executive, will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Table 1: Mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain by region
	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
North	114	112	119	118	145
Yorkshire and Humberside	91	120	120	130	106
North West	111	128	127	121	152
West Midlands	74	82	84	85	99
East Midlands	70	58	79	76	71
South West	103	93	96	116	105
East Anglia	39	38	50	57	50
South East excluding Greater London	228	297	298	291	282
Greater London	140	134	138	137	154
Wales	51	51	53	50	53
Scotland	122	128	150	123	113
Overseas	—	—	3	—	—
Great Britain	1,143	1,241	1,317	1,304	1,330

Table 3: Mesothelioma deaths aged under 75 in Great Britain by occupational order group
	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Professional and related supporting management; senior national and local government managers	27	20	27	26	23
Professional and related in education, welfare and health	24	27	32	21	25
Literary, artistic and sports	5	—	5	6	2
Professional and related in science, engineering, technology and similar fields	39	42	48	44	50
Managerial	75	64	82	70	80
Clerical and related	44	60	57	52	44
Selling	18	19	17	14	18
Security and protective services	8	25	15	16	20
Catering, cleaning, hairdressing and other personal service	31	34	34	31	39
Farming, fishing and related	5	8	8	4	5
Materials processing; making and repairing (excluding metal and electrical)	79	99	94	110	75
Processing, making, repairing and related (metal and electrical)	259	244	261	260	272
Painting, repetitive assembling, product inspecting, packaging and related	43	37	41	42	32
Construction, mining and related not identified elsewhere	46	81	79	74	90
Transport operating, materials moving and storing and related	58	70	68	65	77
Miscellaneous	37	46	49	46	41
Occupation not stated on death certificate	59	61	55	52	47
All occupations	857	937	972	933	940

Table 4: Asbestosis deaths (excluding those also mentioning mesothelioma) aged under 75 in Great Britain by occupational order group
	1995	1996	1997
Professional and related supporting management; senior national and local government managers	1	—	—
Professional and related in education, welfare and health	1	1	—
Literary, artistic and sports	1	—	1
Professional and related in science, engineering, technology and similar fields	—	1	1
Managerial	2	2	6
Clerical and related	1	2	2
Selling	—	—	2
Security and protective services	3	4	2
Catering, cleaning, hairdressing and other personal service	3	9	3
Farming, fishing and related	—	—	3
Materials processing; making and repairing (excluding metal and electrical)	12	5	10
Processing, making, repairing and related (metal and electrical)	32	46	47
Painting, repetitive assembling, product inspecting, packaging and related	1	4	6
Construction, mining and related not identified elsewhere	23	23	17
Transport operating, materials moving and storing and related	9	6	4
Miscellaneous	6	12	5
Occupation not stated on death certificate	6	3	2
All occupations	101	118	111

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many dumped motor vehicles there were in the Greater London area in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [113605]

Table 2: Asbestosis deaths (excluding those also mentioning mesothelioma) in Great Britain by region
	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
North	35	41	29	36	33
Yorkshire and Humberside	17	21	17	9	14
North West	32	28	30	46	32
West Midlands	6	6	8	5	8
East Midlands	4	8	7	3	5
South West	21	16	16	16	23
East Anglia	1	2	1	3	3
South East excluding Greater London	15	14	12	22	21
Greater London	23	21	18	38	25
Wales	4	4	6	12	8
Scotland	14	12	22	5	16
Overseas	1	1	—	1	1
Great Britain	173	174	166	196	189

The removal of abandoned vehicles in the Greater London area is the responsibility of local authorities under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and the Department holds no central records of the number of vehicles identified as abandoned and subsequently removed and disposed of.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring his Department carries out on emissions from open-topped tourist buses in town and city centres. [113639]

The Government do not specifically monitor emissions from open-topped tourist buses. These vehicles only account for a very small proportion of bus journeys, even in towns and cities with a large tourism industry.The Government, nevertheless, want to encourage more clean, low emission vehicles for public and private bus services in towns and cities. We have introduced fiscal measures to encourage cleaner vehicles and fuels, including a VED concession for buses with very low particulate emissions and a fuel duty differential for ultra low sulphur diesel.All buses and coaches are already subject to a black smoke emission test, as part of the annual roadworthiness test, and the Vehicle Inspectorate has powers to conduct roadside emission testing of these vehicles. The Government are also currently considering whether local authorities should have similar powers following trials by seven local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the cost of extending the 50 per cent. concessionary fare scheme to 100 per cent., using the same basis as outlined in the national concessionary fares scheme cost assessment (annexe B), in the consultation document, "Implementation of Statutory Minimum Concessionary Fares Commitment". [113582]

[holding answer 8 March 2000]: The estimated extra cost, in respect of people of pensionable age, and assuming a minimum charge of £5 for a bus pass, is in the order of £300 million per year for local authorities in England and Wales. This reflects the fact that relatively few local authorities already operate concessionary fare schemes which provide travel at less than half fare.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps his Department is taking to encourage nautical education; [113546](2) what recent representations he has received regarding the GCSE course and examination in nautical studies; [113548](3) what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the GCSE in nautical studies. [113577]

[holding answer 8 March 2000]: The Government attach great importance to encouraging young people to consider a career at sea. DETR provides training support grants through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme, proposes to attach a minimum training obligation to the shipping tonnage tax, and strongly supports the educational role played by the Merchant Navy Training Board as the National Training Organisation.Following representation on behalf of the Hull Trinity House School and the London Nautical School, we are consulting colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment on how best to support nautical education, including GCSE Nautical Studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people within his Department are working full-time on (a) cycling and (b) walking; and what the figures were in each of the last five years. [113913]

A total 11 staff in my Department are employed wholly or almost wholly on matters concerned with cycling and/or walking. All are full-time. This is the same number as a year ago. Figures for earlier years are not available on a comparable basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the length of hedgerows which have been destroyed during each of the last three years. [114138]

This information is not held centrally. However, a survey of hedgerow stock is being undertaken as part of Countryside Survey 2000 and the results are due to be published around the end of this year. This will provide estimates of the length of hedgerow that has been lost from the countryside since previous surveys in 1990 and 1993, and a baseline for monitoring future changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department's south-east and east of England Regional Air Services Study will include an assessment of the northern runway option at Gatwick. [114344]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: As the then Minister for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), announced on 11 March 1999, Official Report, columns 360–61W, the study will examine a wide range of options, including both terminal and runway capacity. The study has started from the position that nothing is ruled in or ruled out. Options will be appraised through a process of successive sifts. Following completion of the study there will be a public consultation on the options arising from it. Until then, it would be premature to comment on the status of any option.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the safety aspects relating to potentially dangerous loads of the accident on the M3 near Basingstoke on 7 March. [114371]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The police and HSE are currently investigating this serious incident which occurred near Junction 7 on the M3 on 7 March and involved a lorry carrying butane gas cylinders. I will consider any general implications for amendments to safety regulation once that investigation has been reported.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will give details of his replacement for the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund; [114415](2) what additional money will be available for the replacement of the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund next year. [114414]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Estates Renewal Challenge Fund facilitated the transfer of negative value council housing stock to registered social landlords. Where its housing strategy includes such a transfer, a local authority may now consider funding it through its main housing investment programme and, as my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning announced on 7 December 1999, over £2 billion has been allocated for local authority housing investment in 2000–01. The New Deal for Communities programme, the Single Regeneration Budget and the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme may also be used to fund negative value transfers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his estimate of the acreage of brownfield sites available for housing development in (a) London and (b) the South East Region; [114385](2) what register there is of brownfield sites available for housing development in

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: Information on previously developed sites in England, which may be available for redevelopment has been collected in Phase I of the National Land Use Database. Summary provisional estimates published last May in the DETR/GSS Information Bulletin 500 show the area for each Government Office Region of vacant, derelict and other previously developed land and the amounts which either had planning permission or were judged suitable for housing. The extract table shows the provisional results for the Government Office Regions for South East and London. Final estimates will be published shortly. The estimates are a 'snapshot' for 1998, based on the sites reported by local authorities at the time and may only be a partial appraisal. They take no account of future supply of previously developed land. Urban capacity studies, as required by Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (issued 7 March), will provide local authorities with a further means of identifying the full scope for reuse of land and buildings for housing.

All previously developed land that is unused or may be available for redevelopment 1 by planned use, suitability for housing and Government Office Region: England 1998
Hectares/numbers
	Government Office Region
	London	South East
Planning allocation or permission 2:
Housing	660	1,870
Mixed use	920	1,740
Other	680	2,890
None	570	3,240
All previously developed land that is unused or may be available for redevelopment:	2,820	9,740
of which-Suitable for housing 3
Total area	1,720	81,650
Number of dwellings4	5,460	119,820
1 Comprises previously developed vacant and derelict land, vacant buildings (excluding single dwellings except where they could be developed into 10 or more dwellings); land or buildings currently in use, which are allocated in the local plan for any developed use, have planning permission for housing or with known potential for redevelopment
2 Land that has planning permission or is allocated in a local plan for the use indicated (includes some allocations in draft plans)
3 Based on sites judged by the local authorities to be suitable for residential development immediately, within 5 years, or suitable with planning or development constraints
4 Based on existing planning permissions or estimated capacity based on current density assumptions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the ill health retirement guidelines for ME sufferers who are members of the Local government Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [114380]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: There are no medical guidelines on ill-health retirement for Local Government Pension Scheme members suffering from ME published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Decisions on whether or not to retire an employee on medical grounds are for individual local authority employers to take within their available powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if each station on the new Jubilee tube line is fully accessible to disabled people; [114353](2) what facilities exist at Westminster tube station for access without assistance to trains by wheelchair users. [114354]

London Transport's Unit for Disabled Passengers provides a comprehensive advice and information service for disabled travellers including a guide book entitled "Access to the Underground".I can confirm that step free access has been provided from the street to Jubilee Line trains at all of the stations between Westminster and Stratford inclusive on the Extended Jubilee Line. (In addition, lift access has been provided to the East London Line at Canada Water, the Northern Line at London Bridge and the District and Circle Lines at Westminster as part of the Jubilee Line Extension project).Mobility impaired passengers can travel unassisted at Canada Water, Canary Wharf and North Greenwich stations. At Stratford, West Ham and Bermondsey and Southwark stations lifts can at present only be used by passengers accompanied by staff. Unfortunately the lifts at London Bridge and Waterloo are not yet in service and some at Westminster station are temporarily unserviceable. Detailed plans are in hand to bring these lifts into service.On Westminster station specifically, once all lifts are back in service, wheelchair users will be able to access trains on the Jubilee line unaided. (Assistance will continue to be available to wheelchair users travelling on the District and Circle Line at Westminster station since there is no level access between train and platform on this line).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evaluation he has made of the use of video conferencing by his Department to help reduce journeys by car for business purposes; and if he will make a statement on the contribution of video conferencing to reducing car journeys. [114579]

My Department's travel plans promote the use of video conferencing as one of the means to reduce car journeys. DETR(C) has set a target to increase the use of video conferencing by 10 per cent. a year. Use of video conferencing will be included in future annual reports on greening DETR.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish a report on voluntary and community transport. [114483]

A major review of voluntary and community transport, commissioned by my Department, was completed last summer and a report of the main findings was published in July and widely disseminated to voluntary transport groups and to local authorities, inviting their comments.A list of action points has now been identified which affects both central and local Government and the voluntary and community transport sector itself. These points are being addressed.In parallel the Department is running a series of seminars around the country in conjunction with the Community Transport Association and with local authorities to highlight key issues arising from the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has decided the date, time and venue for the proposed rail summit in May; and if he will make a statement. [114482]

It is now confirmed that the next National Rail Summit will be held at the QEII centre in London on the 25 May this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he will take to ensure sufficient availability of paper for the central production of the Greater London Mayoral Elections Booklet; and if he will make a statement. [114484]

No measures are needed. I am pleased to say that all the necessary paper has been ordered at the request of the Greater London Returning Officer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 134W, on EU structural funds, if he will state in both sterling and euros the amounts allocated to (a) Scotland, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Wales and (d) England, the totals in each area of the matching funds required, and (i) the amounts so far agreed and (ii) yet to be found by Her Majesty's Government and other sources. [113728]

The table gives the 1999 EU structural fund allocations for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England for Objective 1, 2 and 5b. Objectives 3, 4, 5a and the Community Initiatives totalling £296 million, 448 million euros, are managed on a UK basis and cannot be attributed by region. The 1999 match funding figures do not include the UK managed funds or the amount yet to be found which is still to be calculated.

1999 Structural Funds
million
	£	Euros
Allocations
Scotland	190	286
Wales	75	113
Northern Ireland	446	672
England	741	1,118
Match funding
Scotland	243	366
Wales	111	167
Northern Ireland	159	240
England	820	1,237

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what liaison has taken place between his Department and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, since July 1999, in respect of assessing progress made by BNFL in meeting the enhanced safety targets he established in his statement on the proposed PPP for BNFL. [114083]

While NII has no formal role in assessing BNFL's performance against the targets announced last July by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my officials are in regular contact with HSE, of which NII is a part, on BNFL's safety performance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the conclusions of the consultation on the document, "A Fairer Measure"; and if he will make a statement. [113963]

The response to the DTI consultation paper on up-dating and simplifying the regulation of goods sold by weight or measure has generally been favourable. I hope to make a statement in the near future about the detailed legislative changes that the Government intend to propose.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for further research into international price comparisons. [114077]

The international price comparisons survey published on 13 February 2000 was the first time the Government have tried to compare UK prices with those in America and other European countries. My officials shall be discussing with the Office of Fair Trading, retail groups, and consumer groups the lessons that can be learned and how we develop this research in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations his Department had with consumer organisations on the range of products to be included in the AC Nielsen survey into international price comparisons. [114076]

There were no consultations with consumer organisations on the range of products to be included in the international price comparisons survey. This was determined in close consultation with the contractor to ensure it reflected current consumer expenditure patterns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response the Government have made to the Dresdner Kleinwort Benson report into international supermarket prices. [114081]

Many organisations regularly produce international comparisons of supermarket prices. While taking an interest in these, the Government do not respond on an individual basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he took of the potential for conflict of interest in deciding on an organisation to carry out a survey into international price comparisons. [114078]

AC Nielsen were chosen to carry out the survey into international price comparisons following a competitive bidding process in full accordance with EC procurement legislation. In choosing them the Department took full account of the fact that they, like all market research companies, work for businesses that produce branded goods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response the Government have made to the report by Employment Conditions Abroad on the cost of living within European Union member states. [114080]

Many organisations regularly produce reports on price levels and the cost of living in different countries. While taking interest in these, the Government do not respond to them on an individual basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 21 September, 20 October, 17 November, 14 December, 11 January and 8 February relating to Mr. James Gardiner, a constituent. [113929]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: My Department has no record of any such correspondence being received from the hon. Lady. If she sends me copies of her letters I will ensure that the matter is dealt with promptly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which UK manufacturers are exempt from the requirement to provide end-user documentation in applying for export licences; and if he will make a statement; [114360](2) under what circumstances UK manufacturers are not required to provide end-user documentation in applying for export licences; and if he will make a statement. [114361]

In almost all circumstances, applications for a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) must be supported by appropriate end-user documentation. Where the intended consignee is a Government body, and the application is not for a licence to export chemicals listed in Schedule 2 or 3 to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to a state which has not ratified the CWC, a copy of the official Government purchase order or a copy of the relevant part of the Government contract covering the order is normally sufficient.An Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) is specific to an individual exporter and covers multiple shipments of specified goods to specified destinations and/or, in some cases, specified consignees. The exporter must obtain from each consignee an appropriate end-user undertaking for each export before the export takes place, or not later than one month after the date of exportation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who was the intended recipient in (a) the Republic of Korea and (b) Singapore the military explosives or additives for which standard individual export licences were issued between 1 January 1999 and 21 January 2000; and if he will list the named exporter in each case. [114359]

The first of these licences was issued to Lancaster Synthesis Ltd. for the export of di-isopropylamine, N,N-diemethylhydrazine, triethyl phosphite and phosphorus pentachloride to Daejung Chemicals and Metals Ltd. in the Republic of Korea. The second of these licences was issued to Merck Ltd. for the export of zirconium powder to Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.The two licensees concerned were consulted and did not object to the disclosure of this information, which I am disclosing in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all arms sales to Pakistan, for which export licences have been applied for in the past year, together with the level of ECGD support provided and the costs to the British High Commissioner of promoting such sales. [113825]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 January 1999 and 3 March 2000,69 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and 18 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Pakistan of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings (and OIELs may also cover a range of countries). Where this is so, the licence is included in the table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

Individual licences issued between 1 January 1999 and 3 March 2000 covering the export to Pakistan of goods on the Military List
Rating	Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating	Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating
ML1	1	0
ML2	1	0
ML3	1	0
ML4	4	1
ML5	3	1
ML6	5	1
ML9	8	5
ML10	11	4
ML11	7	5
ML13	0	1
ML15	1	0
ML18	1	1
ML22	2	2
PL5017	5	1
PL5033	0	1
End use	13	0

This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists when working in areas of conflict.This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the advice of the Director General of the Office of Fair Trading on the proposed acquisition by NTL of Cable and Wireless when he publishes the report of the Competition Commission on this case. [114576]

In line with current practice, I do not intend to publish the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading on the proposed acquisition by NTL Incorporated of the cable business of Cable and Wireless Communications plc. However the Office of Fair Trading are looking at ways of publishing, in the future, the Director General's advice on whether to refer key mergers to the Competition Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the number of sub-post offices which closed in the United Kingdom in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [114165]

I understand from the Post Office that the number of sub-post office closures in their 1999–2000 financial year is not yet available. In the 1998–99 financial year, 232 sub-post offices closed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expenses have been incurred to date arising from compensation claims against the RUC in the last 10 years. [113436]

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113985]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: The information requested is as follows:Breakdown of media press release distribution

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the bodies which he intends to designate as public authorities under section 75(3)(a) and (3)(d) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998; which Departments, corporations or bodies listed in Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 will not be so designated; and when he intends to make the final list public. [113560]

Ward/school/centre	Number of funded reception places1	Number of funded voluntary/private pre-school places	Number of statutory nursery places	Total number of funded pre-school places	Number of P1 children
Abbey Park
St. Patrick's Primary School	7	—	—	7	66
College Farm Nursery	—	—	52	52	—
Downs
Christian Brothers' Primary School	13	—	—	13	44
St. Malachy's Primary School	—	—	—	—	30
Naiscoil Ard Macha	—	8	—	8	—
Dara Playgroup	—	18	—	18	—
Scotwell House	—	9	—	9	—
Callanbridge
Mount St. Catherine's Primary School	11	—	—	11	30
O'Fiaich Playgroup	—	8	—	8	—
Early Bird Monnesson Playgroup	—	8	—	8	—
The Mall
Drelimcourt Infants' Primary School	4	—	—	4	11
Grove Nursery School	—	—	51	51	—

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 defines over one hundred public bodies to which the section 75 obligations already apply. However, the Secretary of State may designate additional bodies under section 75(3)(a) and (d) of the Act, including those listed in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, to which the obligation should apply. The Parliamentary Commissioner Act lists a large number of public authorities, many of which have little or no influence in Northern Ireland.I have met the Equality Commission to discuss the contents of the proposed designation order. At our meeting, the Equality Commission suggested a considerable number of other bodies for inclusion in the order. We plan to consult those bodies suggested to us by the Equality Commission which carry out functions relating to Northern Ireland as part of our consideration of whether they should be designated.We intend to lay an order before Parliament as soon as possible which will list a number of bodies in respect of which our consultation is complete. In due course we hope a more comprehensive designation order will be drafted, for making later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of (a) applicants and (b) admissions into the Armstrong Primary School in Armagh City in September 1999; what provision there is for a pre-school class at this school; at which locations in Armagh City he has approved pre-school provision; if there is an application by the Armstrong Primary School for approval of a pre-school facility; and if he will make a statement. [113685]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The total number of applicants and the total number of admissions to the Armstrong Primary School, Armagh in September 1999 was 37. This includes 22 applications for reception during the current school year as they reach their fourth birthdays. Funded pre-school education provisions exists or has been approved through the 1999–2000 Pre-School Education Development Plan for the Southern Education and Library Board area in the following settings in Armagh City.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of the main obstacles to the growth of the organic farming sector. [113827]

As part of the Review of the Organic Farming Scheme we are commissioning a study to ascertain farmers' views on organic farming and to identify the nature and extent of the main barriers to conversion.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000, Official Report, column 723W, on tree felling licences, if he will place a copy of the licence referred to in the Library. [114430]

I have arranged for a copy of the tree felling licence for Avon Heath Country Park to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000, Official Report, column 723W, on tree felling

Year ending 31 March	Location	Number of trees licensed for felling	Size of area (hectares)	Expiry date
1996	Lakenheath Fen, Suffolk	390	3.7	March 1988
1997	Nil	—	—	—
1998	Stowborough Nature Reserve, Dorset	200	0.6	April 2000
1998	Grange Heath, Dorset	800	8.0	September 1999
1998	Sandy Warren, Bedfordshire	2,680	2.6	February 2000
1998	Aldringham Walks, Suffolk	180	5.0	October 1999
1999	Avon Heath Country Park, Dorset	86,000	77.9	January 2004
1999	Sandy Warren, Bedfordshire	15	0.1	March 2001
2000	Grange Heath, Dorset	210	0.5	January 2004

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the preliminary guidance drawn up by the Forestry licences, if he will identify in respect of each of the breaches the owner or organisation responsible and the nature of the breaches alleged. [114386]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: In the last five years, three owners were successfully prosecuted for breaches of tree felling licences. One owner had felled unapproved trees within the approved area; his conviction is now spent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. The other two owners, Mr. L. B. Holliday and Mr. C. A. P. Duncombe, had both felled trees outside the approved area.In the other breaches investigated by the Forestry Commission over the last five years the owners were not successfully prosecuted so it would not be appropriate to give their names. In each case they had either felled trees outside the approved area or felled unapproved trees within the approved area.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000, Official Report, columns 581–82W, on tree felling licences, what was the size and location of each area covered by the licences; and how long each licence is to remain in force. [114213]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The size, location and expiry dates of tree felling licences granted to the RSPB in each of the last five years are given in the table.Commission as to how its staff when considering felling licences should respond to potential conflict arising from the EU requirement to restore heathland habitats in Dorset and the need to retain trees as a habitat for woodland birds and as an amenity landscape feature. [114322]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Forestry Commission's guidance to staff on this issue is given on pages 13, 14 and 29 of the Forestry Commission's publication "Lowland Heaths and Forestry", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The Commission is currently drafting more detailed guidance for its staff, and I have asked the Commission to send the hon. Member a copy of the first draft.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on how the Government intend to encourage farmers (a) to protect and maintain hedgerows and (b) to increase the number and area of field buffer strips; and if he will make a statement. [114173]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Ministry operates a range of schemes to encourage environmentally friendly farming. The Countryside Stewardship (CSS) Scheme and the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Scheme both provide for the planting, laying and coppicing of hedgerows. 10,000 km of hedgerows are currently managed under these schemes.The CSS and some of the 22 ESAs also offer incentives to create field buffer strips. The Ministry is the lead partner in the Habitat Action Plans for cereal field margins and ancient species-rich hedgerows. The announcement by the Minister on 7 December that the funding of agrienvironment schemes will be doubled over the next seven years will allow for more hedgerows and field margins to be managed under these schemes.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Committee will publish its report. [114437]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) on 9 March 2000, Official Report, column 800W.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 11 November and 16 December 1999 and 20 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. J. Smith. [114580]

A reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton was sent on 13 March 2000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter of 10 January from the hon. Member for Hexham about the restrictions imposed by his Department on organo-phosphate dips. [114543]

My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman replied to the letter from the hon. Member for Hexham on 28 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to give pensioners and benefit recipients concessions for the purchase of TV Patientline cards in NHS hospitals. [103556]

There are televisions in most day rooms and ward bays which are provided free of charge by National Health Service trusts. Some trusts have reached agreement with the manufacturers of Patientline to offer an improved service to those patients who wish to use it. The installation and pricing policy will be a matter for agreement between the company and the NHS trust.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102099]

Total expenditure on external consultants and advisers, by the Department of Health's agencies and non-departmental public bodies (including Special Health Authorities¹), from May 1997 to 31 September 1999 is as follows:

	£ million
Agencies	3.08
NDPBs	4.38
1 Except the National Blood Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis he calculated the number of biomedical staff who will benefit from a 26 per cent. pay increase from April 1999. [112445]

[holding answer 1 March 2000]: I regret that my answer of 31 January 2000, Official Report, column 453W in relation to the number of trainee Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers to benefit from a 26 per cent. pay offer from 1 April 1999 was incorrect.Trainee MLSOs will receive increases ranging between 6.6 per cent. for those on spine points 6, 7, 8 and 9 to 26 per cent. for those on spine point 1. The figures broken down are as follows, rounded to the nearest 100:

Spine point	Numbers of staff	per cent. increase
01	100	26
02	50	22
03	100	18
04	100	14
05	100	10.25
06	550	6.6
07		6.6
08		6.6
09		6.6

Spine points 01 to 06 are effectively abolished under the terms of this offer, which establishes a new 4-point spine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many medical laboratory science officers left the NHS in each of the past 10 years; [113192](2) how many people qualified as medical laboratory science officers, and how many of them went into direct employment in the NHS, in each of the last 10 years. [113199]