To ask the Prime Minister what further progress the Government have made in their welfare reform programme; and if he will make a statement. [115348]

Welfare reform is central to this government's agenda of modernisation, and to our goals of tackling poverty and social exclusion. Today I am announcing plans for the next stage of welfare reform which will radically change the way the Government provides support for people of working age. The aim is to accelerate the move from a welfare system that primarily provide passive support to one that provides active support to help people become more independent, based on work for those who can and security for those who cannot.During 2001 a brand new, modern agency will be established with a clear focus on work. This will draw together the Employment Service and the parts of the Benefits Agency which support people of working age. It will deliver a single, integrated service to benefit claimants of working age and to employers. The agency will continue and develop the partnership approach to working with local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors which the Government have adopted in implementing their welfare to work policies.Already the New Deal has helped around 260,000 people back into work. The national minimum wage and tax credits are helping work pay. And the ONE pilots are showing how, working together, the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service can provide a radically improved service to clients and employers alike. The new agency will have a new culture, and will be firmly focused on helping people to become independent. It will help further to embed a culture of rights and responsibilities within the welfare system. Personal advisers will steer clients towards work or training, help them claim the benefits they need, and provide additional support tailored to their needs. Help will be directed to those that need it, while fraud will be squeezed out of the system.The agency will provide a proactive and responsive service to employers—helping people to find jobs and helping employers to fill their vacancies with the right people.The agency will also help and support working age people who are out of the labour market for whatever reason. A single agency will provide a better and more responsive benefits service to all people of working age, tailored to individual needs and asking the question "what can we do to help you become independent".

To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been given to civil servants on the conduct of Government business during the forthcoming elections to the Greater London Authority and to local councils on 4 May. [115349]

The Government have issued guidance to civil servants on the principles which they should observe in relation to the conduct of Government business in the period before the forthcoming elections.The guidance stresses that civil servants should conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code and is based on the need to maintain political impartiality of the Civil Service and the need to ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes.The guidance will come into force on 13 April.Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Libraries of the House, and are also available from the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the annual number of convicted offenders who would receive a shorter custodial sentence than at present if the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill became law; how many offenders convicted of each type of offence would receive shorter sentences; what estimate he has made of the average reduction in the length of sentence (a) received and (b) served; and if he will make a statement. [112532]

[holding answer 2 March 2000]: It is estimated that 5,400 convicted offenders would receive shorter custodial sentences because their cases would be dealt with in the magistrates courts. This covers all categories of either-way offences. It is also assumed that the average reduction in the length of sentence (a) received would be 4.6 months and (b) served would be 2.3 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to the Metropolitan police of the presence of Senator Augusto Pinochet in Surrey for 17 months; what discussions he has had with the Chief Constable of Surrey relating to such costs incurred by his force; and what payments have been made by his Department to each force in reimbursement of those costs. [113559]

The information as regards the estimated cost to the Metropolitan police of the presence of Senator Augusto Pinochet in the United Kingdom cannot be provided for security reasons.In relation to the costs incurred by Surrey Constabulary, the Chief Constable asked for additional financial assistance in January. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary approved a special payment in the financial years 1998–99 of £200,000 for Surrey police. There was no commitment to provide any further assistance.No special payment was provided to the Metropolitan police for their involvement with the policing of Senator Pinochet.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal with beggars and squeegee merchants on the streets of Croydon. [114259]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that there have been a number of operations during the past year in the Croydon area to address these problems and that his officers will continue to respond appropriately to any complaints.The Commissioner has also advised me that he proposes next month to launch a drive to reduce street crime. Under the new initiative, specialist task forces will be introduced to assist boroughs with particular problems. Aggressive begging, which is intimidatory and often uses force, will be part of the focus of this initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what response he has had to his letter to local authorities and chief constables asking for comment on the operation of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 with respect to (a) child curfews and (b) anti-social behaviour orders; [114532](2) how many child curfews have been agreed using powers given by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; [114531]

No applications have been received from local authorities to establish child curfew schemes under section 14 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote on 15 October 1999 to local authority chief executives and chief officers of police about the provisions in the 1998 Act to tackle problems caused by unruly and anti-social behaviour.Responses have been received from a number of local authorities and police forces and from professional and staff associations. They are being studied with a view in the operation of the Crime and Disorder Act provisions. An action group has also been established, involving local authority representatives and others, to consider issues relating to the use of anti-social behaviour orders. Regional seminars arranged by the group are currently being held and provide an opportunity to share good practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on re-offending of the kerb crawlers re-education programme in West Yorkshire; [114563](2) if he will introduce a nationwide kerb crawlers re-education programme. [114562]

The Home Office have not been involved in the Kerb Crawlers Rehabilitation Programme in West Yorkshire. We have, however, received a copy of the evaluation of the programme carried out by West Yorkshire Police.We hope to discuss the programme with interested parties to see what lessons can be learned but we have no current plans to introduce such a programme nationwide.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action has been taken against staff at Harmondsworth Detention Centre as a result of incidents involving injuries to detainees over the period 1 March 1999 and 29 February 2000. [114432]

No disciplinary action has been taken against staff at Harmondsworth Detention Centre between 1 March 1999 and 29 February 2000, as a result of any incidents involving injuries to detainees.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the staffing structure of the Harmondsworth Detention Centre, including the ratio of staff on duty to detainees. [114433]

The staffing structure and ratio of staff to detainees employed by the contractor at Harmondsworth is commercially sensitive information and it would not be appropriate to publish it.The contractor was appointed after a competitive tendering exercise and one of the factors taken into account during the evaluation was the proposal for staff coverage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria, including those related to population, for a town to be eligible to receive city status; and if he will make a statement. [114711]

City status is an honour conferred by the Sovereign by Letters Patent. Population size is among the matters taken into account in submitting advice to Her Majesty, there are no specific eligibility criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how long the journey time was on each occasion wild-caught baboons were imported into the UK in (a) 1998 and (b) 1999; and if he will make a statement; [114106](2) if he will make it his policy to end the importation of wild-caught baboons for research; and if he will make a statement; [114107](3) when approval was last given for baboons to be imported into the UK; and if he will make a statement; [114104](4) when an inspector from his Department last visited Mr. Richard Mann's wildlife trading premises near Nairobi, Kenya; and if he will make a statement; [114108](5) how many wild-caught baboons from Kenya have been imported into the UK for research during

[holding answer 14 March]: All but a small number of primates used in scientific procedures in the United Kingdom are captive-bred and not taken from the wild. Under measures introduced in 1996, authority to use wild-caught primates will be given only if the applicant can establish exceptional and specific justification. Such cases are very rare. We must also be satisfied that the applicant has made (and continues to make) appropriate efforts to find suitable captive-bred primates. All applications to use wild-caught primates are referred to the Animal Procedures Committee for its advice.The last authorisation was given in 1998 for up to 40 wild-caught baboons to be imported into the United Kingdom for use in scientific research into aspects of xenotransplantation. The first part of this consignment—28 animals—arrived from Kenya in May 1999. No more have been imported since then and none were imported in 1998.The work with these baboons is to improve transplant procedures. Xenotransplantation includes the transplantation of organs such as hearts and kidneys between different animal species and from animals into humans. Organ transplantation is a hugely successful medical procedure—one that has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people across the world. The critical shortage of human donor organs has led scientists to investigate xenotransplantation as an alternative potential source of organs. This is policy on which the Department of Health leads. Baboons are used in heart xenotransplantation procedures because of the need to use primates of suitable body weight to sustain the size of the heart. They are extremely difficult to breed in captivity. Captive-bred animals are therefore available on the world market only in very limited numbers, and United Kingdom researchers have been unable to become "preferred clients" of the captive-bred sources.The total journey time for the May 1999 consignment was 34 hours from placing the animals in transport crates at the supplier's premises in Kenya to their receipt at the designated establishment in the United Kingdom. All of the animals arrived in good condition.The Inspectorate last visited Richard Mann's premises in Kenya in November 1995. This visit revealed that standards were not satisfactory and the Secretary of State was advised that approval of this establishment would be withheld unless and until substantial improvements were made to the accommodation and care offered to wild-caught baboons destined for supply to the United Kingdom.By February 1997 documentary evidence confirmed that the necessary improvements had been made and the establishments "approved status" was restored. Animals destined for the United Kingdom are group-housed in large, modern outdoor enclosures. The Home Office is aware that the "sub-standard" areas remain in use for animals for supply to non-United Kingdom customers. We cannot regulate premises in Kenya used to accommodate animals that will never be shipped to the United Kingdom. Confirmation has been obtained that all animals destined for shipment to the United Kingdom have been held in the improved accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation by the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man of the Edwards report on Financial Regulation in the Crown Dependencies. [115188]

Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have produced reports setting out the steps that they have taken and are continuing to take to give effect to the conclusions of the Edwards Report. I have today placed copies of the Islands' reports in the Library.I am encouraged by the positive and constructive way in which the authorities in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have responded to the challenge of the Edwards Report. Although the Report placed them in the top division of offshore centres, the authorities in all three jurisdictions have been implementing programmes of further improvement in their systems of financial regulation which had begun even before the publication of the Report in November 1998. These programmes are still being taken forward; the islands recognise that the process of improving financial regulation must be a continuing one that works for the benefits of their economies and will strengthen the integrity of offshore financial centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals against refusal to grant asylum are waiting to be heard; and how many of them were lodged in the last six months and in each preceding six month period. [114682]

At the end of February 2000, a total of 5,615 asylum appeals were outstanding at the Immigration Appellate Authority. This figure includes 3,580 Adjudicator appeals, 310 applications for leave to appeal to the Tribunal and 1,725 appeals to the Tribunal.Information on the number of appeals against asylum decisions on a quarterly basis, in 1998 and 1997, is given in Table 8.1 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, 1998", a copy of which is available in the Library. Information covering earlier years can be found in previous editions of the Statistical Bulletin.It is planned that quarterly figures for the calendar year 1999 will be included in the next Asylum Bulletin which is due to be published in June of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the criteria for detention of asylum seekers at Oakington Reception Centre. [115345]

Oakington Reception Centre will strengthen our ability to deal quickly with asylum applications, many of which prove to be unfounded. In addition to the existing detention criteria, applicants will be detained at Oakington where it appears that their application can be decided quickly, including those which may be certified as manifestly unfounded. Oakington will consider applications from adults and families with children, for whom separate accommodation is being provided, but not from unaccompanied minors. Detention will initially be for a period of about seven days to enable applicants to be interviewed and an initial decision to be made. Legal advice will be available on site.If the claim cannot be decided in that period, the applicant will be granted temporary admission or, if necessary in line with existing criteria, moved to another place of detention. If the claim is refused, a decision about further detention will similarly be made in accordance with existing criteria. Thus, detention in this latter category of cases will normally be to effect removal or where it has become apparent that the person will fail to keep in contact with the Immigration Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support arrangements exist for asylum seekers to submit material in support of their claim for asylum. [115346]

The White paper 'Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum' published in July 1998, standardised the period allowed for asylum seekers to submit further material after a substantive interview at five days. We have decided that some adjustment to this policy is needed to deliver faster asylum decisions, while at the same time ensuring that asylum seekers have a proper opportunity to establish their claim.In the case of applications considered at Oakington Reception Centre, we are arranging for the Refugee Legal Centre and Immigration Advisory Service to provide legal advice on-site. It has been agreed with those organisations that the consideration process should operate so that such advice may be provided both before and after the substantive interview. Other than in very exceptional circumstances, the substantive interview will take place on the third day at the centre and so there will normally be two more days after the interview in which to submit additional representations. The five day period for submission of supporting material will in these cases therefore commence as soon as the asylum application has been made, rather than from the date of the substantive interview.We have also decided that the five day period for submission of further supporting evidence will not apply to asylum claims where no substantive interview is conducted at the time the claim is made. In those cases, applicants are issued a Statement of Evidence form which they are required to submit to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate within 14 days. We think this gives applicants a reasonable period to set out their claim, and time to seek legal representation if they wish. Where an application is not granted on the basis of the evidence in the Statement of Evidence form, applicants are interviewed and in these cases a decision will be made immediately after this substantive interview.The five day standard period for applicants to submit further material after substantive interview, as set out in the White Paper, will continue to apply in all other cases.Discretion will be exercised to permit an extension of the applicable period for the making of post interview representations where exceptional circumstances require—for example, where possible torture victims are identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the policy of considering applications for permission to work by asylum seekers who have been in the UK for six months or more; and if he will make a statement. [114566]

As we announced in the information document "Asylum Seekers Support", which we published in March last year, we intend to end, with effect from 3 April 2000, that element of the employment concession whereby asylum seekers who are appealing against the refusal of asylum are, on application, granted permission to work. However, we have no plans at present to withdraw the remainder of the employment concession whereby asylum seekers who have not received a first determination of their case within six months are, on application, given permission to work. We will, however, be keeping this under review, particularly with regard to whether, in the light of progress in processing all asylum claims within an average of six months, such a concession can continue to be justified.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Prison Service areas are to be reorganised so as to improve alignment of criminal justice boundaries. [115347]

The response to a consultation document issued in December 1999 was overwhelmingly supportive of Prison Service proposals to continue its predominantly geographic structure but to re-align its boundaries so that they match those of police areas and planned probation areas, the English regions and Wales. From April 2000, 12 area managers will manage establishments grouped by police areas within the boundaries of the nine English regions. Three regions—the South-East, the North-West and the East Midlands—will have two area managers each. There will be a further, thirteenth, manager for Wales. Two functional managers will continue to manage the higher security estate and the women's estate.These arrangements will improve alignment of criminal justice boundaries around the nine Government Offices for the Regions and Wales and provide the Prison Service with a platform for further joint working regionally and locally with other agencies. The move to a criminal justice focus on the 42 police areas is accelerating. The Crown Prosecution Service is organised on that basis already. Crown Courts Circuits are being organised on the basis of groups of police areas, and 42 criminal justice strategy committees and trial issues groups are being established this year. Forty-two magistrates courts' committees and probation areas are planned from April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers and constables there were in the Chelmsford Division of the Essex Constabulary (a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) at the latest available date; and what reports he has received from the Chief Constable about the number of (i) officers and (ii) constables there will be in that division in the next three years. [114784]

The information requested has been provided by the Chief Constable of Essex and is set out in the table. I have not received any reports on the Chief Constable's future plans for the policing of Chelmsford. Ministers have no direct control over police numbers. Under legislation passed by the previous Government in 1994 it is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in their force within the resources that are available. It will also be for the Chief Constable to consider how he wishes to deploy the 103 police recruits that have been allocated to the Essex police under the Crime Fighting Fund over the next three years.

Chelmsford Division
Year	Total number of officers	Constables
1 May 1997	207.5	162.5
1 March 2000	195.5	153

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton will receive a reply to his letter of 27 January regarding Mrs. Janet Kirkwood, a constituent. [114970]

I apologise to the hon. Member for the fact that he has not yet received a reply to his letter of 27 January. I shall write shortly with a substantive response to the queries his constituent has raised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich relating to Mr. Gugaueshau and the loss of passports by the Passport Office. [115031]

I replied to my hon. Friend on 16 March. I am sorry for the delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of current legislation relating to official secrets with the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement. [114975]

Reviewing legislation in the light of the Convention is a continuous process. I am aware that the issue of the compatibility of section 1(1) of the Official Secrets Act 1989 with the European Convention on Human Rights has recently been before the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords in the case of Blake v. Attorney-General and judgment is awaited.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of Dr. Geraint Thomas into the health needs of immigration detainees. [114450]

I have no objection in principle to the publication of this report. However, we will need to consult with Dr. Thomas. I will provide a substantive reply after we have consulted with him.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women officers of the Metropolitan police were under suspension from duty for alleged misconduct on 1 February. [114993]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that 98 men and four women officers were under suspension from duty on 1 February 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost, including salary, was of the suspension of each Metropolitan police officer suspended in the past 10 years, the period of each officer's suspension, and the date of determination of each case, indicating in each case the results of suspension broken down into (a) reinstatement, (b) retirement, (c) dismissal and (d) successful criminal prosecution. [114952]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long (a) Detective Inspector John Redgrave and (b) Detective Constable Charman of the Metropolitan police have been suspended from duty and for what reasons; when he expects their futures to be determined; and if he will make a statement. [114969]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that Detective Inspector Redgrave was suspended on 6 February 1997 and Detective Constable Charman on 4 February 1997. The inquiries into the allegations that led to their suspension are ongoing and it would not be appropriate for him to comment further at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's representations made at the recent conference in Sweden on drug trafficking in Kosovo. [114927]

My Department has not been invited to participate in any recent conferences in Sweden to discuss drug trafficking in Kosovo and has not made any representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements exist to ensure that the allocation of papers for consideration by Treasury Counsel, which have been received consequent upon a complaint having been investigated in relation to the conduct of police officers, is handled by counsel removed from any relationship either with earlier related cases, or those with police officers who are the subject of complaint; and if he will make a statement. [114966]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me the Metropolitan Police Solicitors Department forward papers to Treasury Counsel for advice. It is for the individual appointed to undertake the case to declare whether he or she would be professionally disqualified from dealing with the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the results of the Metropolitan police inquiries relating to the referral by the Police Complaints Authority of the complaint by Mr. Keith Green was passed to Treasury Counsel; and if he will make a statement; [114965](2) for what reason on 16 December 1997 Mr. Keith Green was taken from the hospital wing of Brixton Prison for interview by two police officers; for what reasons

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that detailed information about Mr. Green's case is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action has been taken in relation to the joint CIB/Kent Police investigation; and if he will make a statement. [114960]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no disciplinary action has been taken in relation to this investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints made over the last five years by (a) serving police officers, (b) retired police officers and (c) other members of the public against the conduct of (i) CIB and (ii) the Serious Crime Squad have been investigated by (1) current and (2) former officers of CIB or the Serious Crime Squad; and if he will make a statement. [114963]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what details of arms shipments to, and via, West Africa were revealed by Operation Nightshade; and if he will make a statement. [114957]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no such details were revealed as a result of Operation Nightshade.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken to prevent retired police officers publishing criticism of the conduct and stewardship into the investigation of the murder of Rachel Nickell in 1992; and under what powers such action was taken. [114958]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no such action has been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the investigation into the complaint made by former Detective Keith Pedder will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [114955]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the inquiry is expected to be completed by May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if manuscripts and other documents belongings to former Detective Keith Pedder have been returned to him following their seizure by the Metropolitan police; and if he will make a statement. [114956]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the documentation forms part of any ongoing investigation and that it would not be appropriate for him to comment further at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates in 1993 and 1994 Roger Crooks was interviewed by the Anti-Terrorist Squad. [114953]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that officers of S013, known as the Anti-Terrorist Branch, interviewed Roger Crooks on 24 June 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what purpose in 1993 and 1994 Metropolitan police officers serving under the direction of Detective Inspector John Redgrave met Mr. Geoffrey Brennan to discuss arms sales and shipments; at which of these discussions Mr. Roger Crooks and other representatives of the prospective vendor and importer were present; and if he will make a statement. [114959]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he is unaware of any such meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Metropolitan police received from the Police Complaints Authority its referral of the complaint of Mr. Keith Green; for what reason it was passed for investigation to an officer due to retire; when the results of the Metropolitan Police Complaints Department inquiries into this matter were completed; what were the reasons for the length of time for the inquiries' completion; and if he will make a statement. [114964]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the Police Complaints Authority authorises the appointment of investigating officers for individual cases, based on their ability to conduct the inquiry. Detailed information about Mr. Green's case is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason (a) on 9 December 1997 Mr. Keith Green was offered accommodation in a safe house, (b) this offer was made in the absence of a solicitor, (c) no tape recording of the interview was made and (d) no caution was given; and if he will make a statement. [114961]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that no such offer was made. The purpose of the interview on 9 December was to obtain intelligence and not evidence and, therefore, did not have to be carried out in accordance with Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the Police Complaints Authority passed the complaint of Mr. Keith Green of 16 February 1999, against CIB to the Metropolitan Police Complaints Department for investigation; and if he will make a statement. [114962]

The appropriate authority for the investigation of a complaint in relation to the Metropolitan police is the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. As a matter of course, the Police Complaints Authority passes any such complaint that it receives to the Commissioner. It is for the Commissioner to decide the manner in which the complaint is to be investigated. I am advised that in this instance, the then Commissioner directed that the complaint be investigated by an independent officer attached to a Metropolitan police area different from that where the respondents were based.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of Operation Cornwall. [114954]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that Operation Cornwall is ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers have been prosecuted (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully for noncompliance with minimum wage legislation over the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [113144]

[holding answer 8 March 2000]: There have been no criminal prosecutions under Section 31 of the National Minimum Wage Act 1999 since it came into force 11 months ago.This is because the Act also contains a number of provisions empowering enforcement offices to take civil action against non-paying employers and the enforcement body will always use these in the first instance. However, there will be criminal prosecutions where the enforcement body considers them necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to revise the present level of the accommodation offset within the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [114974]

I have no plans to change the level of the accommodation offset. The Low Pay Commission has recommended that it should be retained at its present rate and the level considered again when the national minimum wage is next reviewed. The Government have accepted this recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to attract inward investment into the former South Humberside area. [113903]

Promotion of Inward Investment in the regions is undertaken by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) which were established by this Government in April 1999. My Department funds Yorkshire Forward (the Yorkshire and Humber's RDA) Inward Investment activities to the tune of £1.4 million. The Government and Yorkshire Forward are keen to attract Inward Investment to the former South Humberside area. Yorkshire Forward is actively developing a Sub-Regional Action Plan for the Humber area in conjunction with national and regional partners including the Government Office and DTI's Invest In Britain Bureau. The action plan is scheduled for completion in June 2000.One of Yorkshire Forward's key objectives is to attract and retain more investment. An important feature of the Humber Sub-Regional Action Plan will be the development of a Humber Trade Zone. This should help exploit the significant advantages of the estuary's deep water ports and provide the foundation for attracting new industry. In addition, the Humber Chemical Forum, with an active DTI contribution, is playing an increasingly important role in helping the development of the chemical industry along the South Bank.Yorkshire Forward statistics indicate that, since May 1997, there have been 11 Inward Investment projects in the former South Humberside area. These projects are expected to lead to the creation/safeguarding of around 1,000 jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the reliability of statistics on gross domestic product per capita in respect of West Cumbria. [114074]

Statisticians from my Department are in regular contact with the Office for National Statistics on a range of outputs, including regional GDP. Methodology is regularly reviewed to ensure the best possible estimates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for West Cumbria of the current review of assisted area status levels of regional assistance. [114073]

During the review process, the Commission notified the Government that Cumbria was one of 19 areas that have unemployment below and GDP above the EU average. The regional aid guidelines stipulate that, if approved for Assisted Area status, such areas may not benefit from aid to enterprises of more than 10 per cent. eligible costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions are taking place between the Government and the European Commission on the eligibility of areas of the United Kingdom for regional selective assistance; and if he will make a statement. [114072]

My officials have met officials from the Commission on a number of occasions to discuss the proposals which we submitted for new Assisted Areas. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has held discussions with Commissioner Monti. In all of our discussions, we have sought to obtain early approval of our proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement about the establishment of the Review of the Engineering Council by the Hawley Group; [114130](2) what representations he has received from outside bodies concerning the Hawley Group Review of the Engineering Council; [114129](3) what representations he has received from other Government departments following the first report of the Hawley Group; [114127](4) what criteria he used in deciding which representative bodies of the engineering industry were included in the Working Group of the Hawley Group; [114125](5) what representations he has received from other Government departments on the establishment of the Hawley Group; [114128](6) if he will list the representative bodies of the engineering industry included in the Hawley Group. [114126]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: I refer to the written answer I gave on 21 December 1999, Official Report, columns 463–66W. The first stage of the review was completed at the end of January with the publication of the Hawley Group Stage I Report. My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury and the Minister with responsibility for lifelong learning, my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North (Mr. Wicks) have welcomed the report and congratulated Dr. Hawley on the progress of the review. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.The proposition for the review was endorsed at a meeting in November between Lord Sainsbury and a wide range of senior representatives of the engineering community. Although some of those present expressed a wish to see more industrial representation in the membership of the Group, the large majority supported Lord Sainsbury' s view that for the Group to be effective there should be a minimum number of members. It was also recognised that Dr. Hawley's experience as a leading industrialist would be highly valuable in leading the Group.My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury has received a small number of representations from individuals and bodies on various issues relating to the review and some of those who have responded to Dr. Hawley have copied their replies to him. He has also had discussions with his counterpart in DfEE. Other Government Departments have contributed to the review process at official level. I understand also that following the extensive first stage consultation exercise Dr. Hawley has received nearly 100 detailed responses from a range of individuals and organisations. These are providing helpful contributions towards the Group's continuing work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the role of social enterprises in overcoming social exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [114635]

The Government recognise the important contribution role that social enterprises have to play in the nation's economy, including helping to overcome problems of social exclusion. They can be effective at developing services which the private and public sectors may be unable or unwilling to provide. Social enterprises can also be valuable in engaging local communities in economic activities that they would otherwise not have undertaken. Some estimates put the number of people employed in the not for profit sector nationally as high as 2.6 million.The Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team's (PAT 3) Report "Enterprise and Social Exclusion" which was published on 2 November 1999, included recommendations on the role of social enterprises in encouraging enterprise in disadvantaged groups and communities. The Small Business Service (SBS) is taking forward the Report's recommendations about support for social enterprises and about enhancing the potential of these businesses.The SBS' s Social Inclusion Unit is working with the British Bankers Association and Social Enterprise London to produce guidance about the sector for banks as well as Business Links and other support organisations. The Unit will also be participating in a study visit to Spain in April to examine approaches to supporting social enterprises in that country.On 10 November 1999 I announced the establishment of a national Phoenix Fund, with a budget of £30 million over three years. The Phoenix Fund will support entrepreneurship in deprived areas and respond to issues raised in the PAT 3 Report. It will be open to social enterprises as well as other businesses. The Phoenix Fund will provide funding for:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much money has been paid in the current financial year to the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; and to what use it has been put; [114391](2) how much money his Department has paid to the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; and to what use the funds have been put. [114388]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Business Volunteer Mentoring Association initiative is being piloted by the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies, supported by this Department. The aim is to attract 1,000 volunteers, drawn from all sections of the business community to provide mentoring support to pre and early start-up businesses.For this financial year, the NFEA and local partnerships have been paid £100K to cover their costs in setting up and developing the initiative on the ground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a Communications Bill covering telecommunications; and what the nature and timetable of the consultation process will be, following the revision of the Utilities Bill. [114473]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and I propose to publish a White Paper later this year setting out the Government's proposals for reform of the framework of communications legislation. This will include proposals for changing both the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Acts as a basis for legislation when parliamentary time allows. We expect to consult on proposed changes both before and after publication of the White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) leave and (b) payment entitlements employers are required to give male and female employees after they have adopted a child. [114841]

The Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999 confer a right for employees who adopt a child on or after 15 December 1999 to take parental leave from work to care for the child. The right applies to any employee who has completed one year's qualifying service with his or her employer; the amount of leave provided for is thirteen weeks' leave for each parent. This has to be taken over the first five years after the child is placed with the parents for adoption.Employees can take the leave in accordance with arrangements agreed with the employer through a workforce or collective agreement. If there is no agreement in place, the fallback scheme provided for in the Regulations applies. That provides for an employee to take up to four weeks' leave in a year. This leave can be taken at the time of the placement provided the notice provisions are followed.The leave is unpaid. We will be encouraging employers to build on the minimum standard as part of the Government's commitment to help employees achieve a better balance between their work and the rest of their lives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the KONVER programme. [114781]

The KONVER Programme II Initiative is aimed to accelerate the diversification of economic activity in areas heavily dependent on the defence industry. It was operated from 1994–99 and was preceded by the KONVER I initiative which operated during 1993. The programme will not be renewed and there have been no recent ministerial discussions concerning it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the membership of the Postal Services Commission. [115479]

Mr. Graham Corbett is being appointed as the Chairman of the Postal Services Commission (PSC). He will start work on 1 April when the PSC takes up its functions and duties under the Postal Services Regulations 1999. It is anticipated that he will be appointed as Chairman of the statutory body of the same name that is expected to be created following the passing of the Postal Services Bill currently before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of the Museums and Galleries Commission's Conservation Register. [114467]

[holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) will be replaced by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) on 3 April 2000. Options for the future of functions currently carried out by the MGC were presented in a consultation document issued by MLAC in January this year.In that document, MLAC suggests that the maintenance of the MGC Conservation Register should not be carried out by MLAC. The MGC is currently exploring the options for a future alternative home for the Conservation Register where its potential as a public information resource and as an endorsement of high quality conservation practice can be further realised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of (a) the film company Alchymie and (b) the finance company Flashpoint; and if he will make a statement. [114973]

I met directors of Flashpoint in May 1999 and attended the launch of Alchymie in October 1999.As Secretary of State for the Department with responsibility for film policy, I frequently have meetings with representatives of the film industry and attend industry events. Given that our policy, as set out in the 1998 report of the Film Policy Review Group, is to encourage the growth of a self-sustaining, commercial film sector, I welcome efforts by the industry to establish new initiatives, such as Alchymie, which combine the production and commercial exploitation of British films. The success of such initiatives, however, depends not on any Government involvement, but on their commercial performance in a competitive and volatile market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the British Activity Holiday Association regarding the impact of the level of accommodation offset within the National Minimum Wage Regulations. [114972]

We received a copy of the British Activity Holiday Association (BAHA) comments in late 1998 on the accommodation offset during consultation on the then draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. These comments were also copied to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Number of staff and their category	Reason for terminations	Period of notice	Total cost
11 aged 60+ who are being compulsorily retired	Museum reorganisation	6 to 9 months	48,529
9 aged between 50 and 60 who are taking early retirement but on a compulsory basis	Museum reorganisation	6 months	1190,470
22 persons under 50 who are taking compulsory early severance	Museum reorganisation	6 months	1,035,510
3 others	Performance or health grounds	2—no notice	Nil
		1—13 weeks
1 Additionally these staff will be paid an annual compensation cost until they reach age 60. The total cost in the current year is £89,838. Over the next few years this annual sum will reduce as people reach age 60. The overall present value of this payment, at current money values, is estimated to be £555,343. There will also be other one-off costs estimated at £253,989 relating to pension preservation and the bringing forward of lump sums.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress he has made in promoting nautical archaeology. [114930]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently engaged in providing additional wreck marker buoys and interpretative signs at a number of sites designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.In 2000–01 we will continue to support, through the Heritage Grant Fund administered by English Heritage, two nautical archaeological projects: the activities of the Hampshire and Wight Trust and the Nautical Archaeological Society's course programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2000, Official Report, column 736W, on film funding, how much National Lottery funding was recouped in each case where repayments have been made. [114976]

The publication of information on amounts of National Lottery funding recouped from individual films could damage the prospects of films which had not been fully exploited in all territories and media. The information could also make it possible to deduce the terms of the contract between the Lottery distributor and the other backers of the film, which are confidential.The total amount recouped by date by the Arts Council of England is £5,974,018.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his reply of 3 March 2000, column 432W, how many British Museum staff have been dismissed over the past 12 months; at what cost; and with what period of notice, in each case. [112380]

I regret that the figures in my original answer were incorrect. The correct figures are in the table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what kind of protection has been afforded to the members of the Parades Commission since its establishment; and what has been the cost of providing protection to members of the Commission over the past 12 months. [113831]

It is the long standing policy both of this Government and previous Governments that we do not discuss the security measures provided to individuals or groups. The cost of installing and maintaining security measures for members of the Parades Commission over the period in question was £74,004.96.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to amend the Northern Ireland Departments' Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–2000. [115343]

The Northern Ireland Departments' Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–2000 has been increased by £94,327,000 from £4,856,247,000 to £4,950,574,000. The increase is the net effect of:

• the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £98,341,000;
• net transfers to other Government Departments of £18,134,000 as detailed;
• an increase in the provision for Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances of £8,500,000;
• increases resulting from additions to "The Giving Age" and Health of £4,293,000;
• an increase in Housing Loan Charges of £1,147,000; and
• an increase in the Capital Modernisation Fund of £180,000.

There is also a decrease in the provision for Welfare to Work of £31,144,000.The net transfers to other Government Departments are made up as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key targets are set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1999–2000; what forward plans have been prepared by the Agency; and what arrangements have been made for the publication of this year's plans. [115344]

The following key targets are set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response she has made to Oxfam's campaign for universal primary education; and if she will make a statement. [114190]

I welcome the focus that Oxfam—and The Guardian "Read the World" campaign—have placed on raising awareness of the plight of the 125 million children who are not in school. Educational opportunity for all, especially at the primary level, is both a fundamental human right and a precondition for progress in development and the reduction of poverty. Our White Paper on International Development, published in 1997, committed us to seek to mobilise the international community to meet the international development targets which include universal primary education by 2015 and gender equity in primary and secondary education by 2005. In our bilateral programmes substantial resources are allocated to education for the achievement of these targets.

To ask the Solicitor-General what recent discussions he has had regarding McKenzie Friends with other Government Departments. [113402]

As hon. Members may know, a McKenzie Friend is someone who attends a court hearing with a litigant in person. The friend can assist that litigant in person in conducting their case but is not formally representing them and is not entitled to address the court on their behalf. The use of McKenzie Friends is part of the operation of the Court Service and therefore primarily the concern of the Lord Chancellor's Department. I personally have not had any recent discussions with other Government Departments on this subject.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the progress of joint working by the CPS, police and courts to reduce the average time taken between suspects being charged to being convicted or found not guilty. [113407]

The CPS is continuing to work closely with the police and courts to improve performance. Measures include: advance disclosure in every early hearing case; a reduction in the number of adjournments after first hearings; more lawyer time spent on preparing for trials through the deployment of designated caseworkers to deal with straightforward guilty pleas; a reduction in duplication and delay by co-locating CPS lawyers in police criminal justice file preparation units.

To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of lawyers in the Government Legal Service are women. [113400]

The proportion of women lawyers in the Government Legal Service is around 49 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the Naval Recruiting and Training agency for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111760]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Naval Recruiting and Training Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the sale of Serle's House, Winchester; [113961](2) what plans he has to protect the Garden of Remembrance at Serle's House, Winchester, in the event of the sale of Serle's House; [113901](3) if he will review his plans for the sale of Serle's House, Winchester to take account of its use as a dedicated garden of remembrance; [114169](4) if he will offer the purchase of Serle's House, Winchester to Hampshire County Council at a price below the market level in order to protect the museum and garden; and if he will make a statement. [114191]

The decision to sell Serle's House was taken following a review which examined a number of sites upon which MOD has Museums and Regimental Headquarters in Winchester. It was concluded that all the Museums and Regimental Headquarters should be co-located in the Upper Barracks. The MOD is well aware of Serle's House status as a Grade II listed property and of its associated memorial garden and will consider disposal options that best preserve its future. Defence Estates, who are responsible for managing this disposal, are consulting with the Trustees of the Regimental Museum over the level of access required and intend to impose a restrictive covenant on the purchaser which would ensure the retention and upkeep of the memorial garden and continued access to it.Serle's House has already attracted interest from a number of potential purchasers including Hampshire County Council. In taking forward its disposal, Defence Estates will expose the property to the open market, while seeking to ensure that the historic building and its memorial garden are protected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to protect reservists in the armed forces from dismissal by their civilian employers; and if he will make a statement. [114916]

Reservists are afforded protection under the terms of the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985, which is sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry. This Act makes dismissal between notification of call-out and actual mobilisation a criminal offence. After demobilisation, the Act requires the employer to reinstate the reservist on application, or to offer him or her the most favourable alternative work available. The Act provides for a Reinstatement Committee to consider applications for reinstatement which are rejected by employers, and to make orders for reinstatement or the payment of compensation, or both. Over 5,000 reservists have been called out for service since NATO operations commenced in the former Yugoslavia. We are aware of only one application to a Reinstatement Committee in that time. It is our policy to seek the employer's agreement before any reservist is mobilised.The National Employers' Liaison Committee (NELC) works hard to win and retain the support of employers for the Reserve Forces. NELC can also act in an advisory capacity where difficulties related to Reserve liability arise in the employer/employee relationship. Over 6,000 companies, employing around 70 per cent. of the nation's workforce, have now affirmed their support. These companies have recognised that they get a good deal from employing reservists. Reserve service teaches skills that can be used in the civilian workplace, such as teamwork, leadership, and the ability to take sound decisions quickly.The Reserve Forces Act 1996 and subsequent legislation introduced new safeguards for employers. The Act enables employers to apply for their employees to be exempted from call-out or for that call-out to be deferred. The Reserve Forces (Call-out and Recall) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/309), enable employers to claim financial assistance to cover the costs associated with the loss of a member of staff who is mobilised for reserve service, and for any necessary retraining for that individual on his or her return to the workplace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for (a) the suspension and (b) the termination of live firing exercises for the Royal Navy; for what reasons he has made these plans; what plans his Department has to review live firing exercises for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [114545]

There are no plans to suspend or terminate live firing exercises for the Royal Navy, although the balance between simulation and live firing is kept under review to ensure an appropriate and cost-effective mix.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of Major-General (Retired) Spacie's report "Welfare in the Army" in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [114914]

Major-General (Retired) Spacie was commissioned to examine the area of Welfare provision across the Army and to help formulate a conceptual framework for that provision. This work will inform the Army's personnel management policies. There are currently no plans to publish the report externally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) those targets of the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation for 1998–99 which (i) were and (ii) were not achieved, giving the factors affecting the outcome in each case and (b) action taken by the agency to improve target achievement performance in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111762]

Pursuant to the reply I gave on 8 March 2000, Official Report, column 708W, the Naval Repair Aircraft Organisation (NARO) was subsumed by the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) with effect from 1 April 1999. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of DARA to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the actual total contribution from central funds to the cost of local authority expenditure in Wales in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and what his estimate is of the contribution in 2000–01; [111616](2) what is the percentage contribution of central Government funding towards local authority expenditure in Wales in

The contribution from central Government towards the funding of local authority expenditure (county/county borough councils and police authorities) for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is as shown. Figures for 2000–01 will be available from the National Assembly for Wales from 1 April 2000.

	Central Government support (£ million)1	Percentage of local authority expenditure2
1997–98	3,078	85.8
1998–99	3,176	84.7
1999–2000	3,276	84.2
1 Central Government support includes revenue support grant, share of non-domestic rates, council tax reduction scheme grant and specific grants
2 Local authority expenditure is the total revenue expenditure excluding interest receipts (and includes specific grants)

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent meetings the Government have held with representatives of the US Government on the subject of genetically modified technology. [113390]

The Government have met representatives of the US Government on a number of occasions in order to discuss genetically modified technology as well as other issues. This forms part of the Government's ongoing dialogue with the US Government. The UK's commitment to a science-based approach to biotechnology which protects public health and the environment is made clear in all such discussions.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Government will respond to the Public Accounts Committee report entitled "Improving the Delivery of Government: IT Projects"; and if she will make a statement. [115507]

The Government's formal response to the report was laid before the House today, as Command Paper 4656.Earlier this year we announced a range of recommendations to drive up performance with major IT projects. The recommendations are already tackling many of the issues raised in the report.These recommendations were set out in detail in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) of 21 February 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of costs of the construction of the new GCHQ building and contents at Cheltenham are being met from non-UK Government sources. [114110]

[holding answer 14 March 2000]: The cost of GCHQ's new accommodation falls to the UK Government. However, the provision of the new building will be met under a private finance initiative which means that the finance for the construction costs will be raised by the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Kashmir. [114702]

We are deeply concerned by the situation in Kashmir, including violent clashes across the line of control and denial of human rights, and we regularly raise this with the Indian and Pakistani authorities. In January the Foreign Secretary raised Kashmir with his Indian counterpart during talks in London. We have also condemned in the strongest terms externally sponsored terrorism. We hope that India and Pakistan will return to bilateral dialogue to find a solution to this and the other issues that divide them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the evidence of HC 541-i, 3 November 1999 to the Defence and other Committees, what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom's European Union partners about an arms embargo on Pakistan. [114730]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 36W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the main families in Kosovo dealing in heroin; [114923](2) how many persons have been apprehended in Kosovo for trafficking in heroin since police from NATO countries arrived; [114925]

We have no information about the number of persons apprehended in Kosovo for trafficking in heroin since police from NATO countries arrived. The UN have asked us to help set up a Criminal Intelligence Unit in Kosovo to provide information which can be used by law enforcement agencies to attack organised criminal activity, including drug trafficking.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, announced on 15 March that the UK would contribute 20 police and Customs officers to this Central Intelligence Unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many international policemen were promised by NATO countries for service in Kosovo; and how many have arrived. [114924]

As of 1 March, figures provided by the United Nations Secretariat show that NATO member states have pledged 1,617 civilian police officers (49 per cent. of the total number pledged) to the United Nations International Police force in Kosovo. Of these, 1,184 have been deployed (50 per cent. of the total number deployed).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons NATO expelled the 4 Unit of the Narcotics Squad of the Serb Army from Kosovo. [114922]

In accordance with the Military Technical Agreement between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) all FRY forces were required to withdraw from Kosovo to locations in Serbia outside Kosovo.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions since 1993 his (a) Department's officials, (b) Ministry of Defence personnel and (c) Ministers met Mr. Roger Crooks to discuss (i) the security situation in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (ii) the political situation in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (iii) the supplying of arms in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (iv) the supplying of military assistance and advisers in Sierra Leone and West Africa, (v) logistical support in Sierra Leone and West Africa; and if he will make a statement. [114968]

Mr. Crooks, a US citizen with interests in Sierra Leone, has been known to various members of the High Commission for some time. He assisted in the evacuation of UK, US and other foreign nationals in 1997. He is refurbishing one of the main hotels in Freetown, to be used as the Headquarters of UNAMSIL. FCO and MOD personnel have had occasional contacts with him over the last few years. Discussions have focused on the general situation in Sierra Leone, not arms or military matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers will be attending the World Education Forum in Dakar. [114915]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 563W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 14 January 2000, Official Report, column 221W, on British Overseas Territories, what plans his Department has to introduce an order in council to ensure that the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands change their existing legislation on homosexual acts. [114774]

In keeping with the new relationship based on partnership, Britain preferred that the Overseas Territories should enact the necessary human right reforms themselves. The relevant territories were forewarned that progress would be reviewed by the end of the year and if necessary the changes, including the de-criminalisation of homosexual acts by consenting adults in private, would be imposed by Orders in Council. The deadline having passed we are reviewing the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what presentations he has made to British companies involved in the extraction of oil in Sudan in connection with the recommendations made in the document, "Human Security in Sudan: The report of a Canadian Assessment Mission". [114780]

We shall continue to offer full and frank advice to British companies which inquire about the oil industry in the Sudan. We have of course studied the Canadian report and take it into account in framing our advice to British companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the use of revenues received by the Government of Sudan from the exploration of oil and development projects. [114783]

We have pressed for oil revenues to be used for development projects and for transparency in the oil account. The Government of Sudan have made a public assurance that this will happen.Exports of oil began only in August 1999 and they do not yet have reports on expenditure. We will remain focused on this issue as reports become available and we shall look to the Government of Sudan to honour the assurances they have made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 2000, Official Report, column 738W, on Sudan, what discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart concerning the recommendations made in the study, "Human Security in Sudan: The report of a Canadian Assessment Mission"; and if he will make a statement. [114773]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had the opportunity to meet his Canadian counterpart since the beginning of February. We have however studied the report that I referred to in my previous answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the European tour of Raul Reyes, the senior Colombian FARC commander. [114777]

In February, the Colombian Government's High Commissioner for Peace, Victor G. Ricardo, together with Raul Reyes, the FARC's leading spokesperson, visited some European capitals (none in the UK) to seek support for the peace process. The aim of the trip was also to study the economic models in a variety of countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning violence in the Ituri region of north-eastern Congo. [114776]

We are concerned at recent reports of massacres. We condemn all such incidents and have called on all parties to exercise restraint. During my meeting with President Museveni on 22 February I noted that Ugandan forces currently control the area and urged him to do all he could to stop such events. Along with our EU partners we also raised this issue with the Ugandan Government. With our UN partners we have called for an international investigation into all such events with a view to bringing all those responsible to justice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals for reform of the United Nations, Her Majesty's Government will be putting forward at the Millennium Assembly and Summit in September this year. [114779]

The Government, along with our EU partners, are pressing for a high-level discussion on strengthening the United Nations at the Millennium Summit. At the Millennium Assembly, we will work for further modernisation of the UN along the lines of the Secretary-General's 1997 "Track II" package of reform recommendations in order to make the UN more efficient and effective and better able to meet the needs of all its members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Latvian authorities regarding the prosecution for war crimes of a Latvian citizen who had fought against the Nazis. [114938]

We are aware of the case of Vassily Kononov, which is currently the subject of an appeal at the Supreme Court of Latvia. The matter is still sub judice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Latvian authorities regarding the non-prosecution of Nazi war criminals. [114939]

We take our international obligation to bring to account those responsible for war crimes very seriously and have been in the forefront of international efforts to achieve restitution for victims of Nazi persecution. While the UK has no jurisdiction in the case, we have been assisting the Latvian authorities with their inquiries into Konrad Kalejs. A team of three Metropolitan police officers attended a meeting in Riga on 16–17 January to discuss this case with officers from Australia, Canada and the United States. Latvian police officials have been invited to London to examine material on war crimes in Latvia held by the Metropolitan police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated cost of his visit to Brazil; and how many staff will travel with him. [115019]

I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the visit of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is in Brazil at the request of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to build on the close relationship between the UK and Brazil established during President Cardoso's state visit to the UK in December 1997, and to expand trade and investment links with the UK's largest trading partner in Latin America.My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is visiting Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro and will meet with President Cardoso, Vice President Maciel, Foreign Minister Lampreia and other Ministers, businessmen and business organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose of his visit to Brazil; and if he will publish his itinerary. [115018]

I understand the hon. Member is referring to the visit of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is in Brazil at the request of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to build on the close relationship between the UK and Brazil established during President Cardoso's state visit to the UK in December 1997, and to expand trade and investment links with the UK's largest trading partner in Latin America.My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is visiting Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro and I will meet with President Cardoso, Vice President Maciel, Foreign Minister Lampreia and other Ministers, businessmen and business organisations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [112792]

[holding answer 3 March 2000]: The Treasury became aware of the cancellation of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress on 21 February.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the role of micro-credit in assisting the growth of enterprise in deprived communities; and if he will make a statement. [114636]

The role of micro-credit was considered at length by the Policy Action Team 3 in their report, "Enterprise and Social Exclusion". People in deprived communities often find it difficult to find capital to start or grow businesses, for several reasons:

they are themselves capital poor, and lack collateral to support small firm lending;

a more fragile local economy increases the risk to lenders of business failure;

the high unit cost of making small firm loans makes them less profitable to lenders; and

accessibility to lenders, where banks can appear to be unapproachable.

While UK commercial banks are the major formal suppliers of external finance, new intermediaries such as Community Finance Initiatives (CFIs) can play a valuable role by acting as additional sources of credit in the community, including micro-credit facilities. The launch of the £30 million Phoenix Fund, which will be implemented in 2000–01, will include a challenge fund to help resource CFIs and provide loan guarantees to help co-finance commercial lending to CFIs.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been created in the hospitality industry by the New Deal; and if he will indicate the methods by which he calculated this figure. [111118]

I have been asked to reply.The New Deal is not a job-creation programme; rather it is designed to help unemployed people improve their skills and compete effectively for vacancies.The latest figures to the end of December 1999 show that this policy is working; nationally, 185,250 young people have found jobs under the New Deal. We do not hold detailed figures for the jobs taken in the hospitality sector. However, the Employment Service is working closely with 15 companies who are members of the British Hospitality Association to address ways of enhancing the sector's image to increase the number of New Deal participants. This work includes development of a sector specific gateway that will tap into the many vacancies that will arise this year. In the last year there were some 385,000 vacancies notified in this sector.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the amount of heroin which was sent via Kosovo in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [114929](2) how much heroin sourced from Kosovo has been surrendered at UK ports by HM Customs and Excise in the past 12 months; [114926](3) what is his estimate of the percentage of heroin sold in the

There is no evidence that any heroin detected in the United Kingdom in the last 12 months has originated from, or transited through, any area of the former Yugoslavia.HM Customs and Excise hold no data on heroin seizures in the EU either sourced from or transiting through Kosovo or any area of the former Yugoslavia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state the percentage of participants in the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in (a) Great Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales who have left the gateway to unsubsidised employment; and if he will list the areas in Scotland where a smaller percentage then the (i) Great Britain and (ii) Scottish average figures have entered unsubsidised employment at the gateway stage, including the number and percentage for each of these areas. [111279]

[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The information requested is shown in the tables.

New Deal (18 to 24-year-olds) gaining unsubsidised employment from the Gateway
	Percentage
Scotland	20
Wales	22
GB	22

Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants (New Deal 25+) entering unsubsidized employment from the Gateway stage, than the GB average
	Unsubsidised jobs from the Gateway	As a percentage of New Deal starts
Tayside	797	19
Ayrshire	841	19
Dumfries and Galloway	214	18
Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian	744	21
Fife	700	20
Glasgow	1,376	16
Renfrewshire	595	21
Caithness and Sutherland	49	19
Western Isles	36	17

Scottish units of delivery with a smaller percentage of participants (New Deal 25+) entering unsubsidised employment from the Gateway stage, than the Scotland average
	Unsubsidised jobs from the Gateway	As a percentage of New Deal starts
Tayside	797	19
Ayrshire	841	19
Dumfries and Galloway	214	18
Glasgow	1,376	16
Caithness and Sutherland	49	19
Western Isles	36	17

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish his proposed guidelines on the teaching of sex and relationship education in schools. [112914]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is today issuing for consultation new draft sex and relationship education (SRE) guidance. The text of the guidance will today be placed on the Department's website. Copies will also be placed in the Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 391W, on peat compost, what percentage of the compost used in his Department's estate gardens is peat; when use of peat compost will be phased out on his Department's estates; and if he will make a statement. [114142]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: Peat compost is no longer purchased by my Department, or used in the Department's estate gardens. A small amount

Allocations to North Tyneside 1997–98 to 1999–2000
£
Initiative	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
(a) Reduction of infant class sizes:
(i) revenue	1—	—	192,000
(ii) capital	1—	352,000	241,000
(b) National grid for learning (Standards Fund)	1—	563,533	669,000
(c) Literacy programmes (Standards Fund)	20,900	276,073	347,283
(d) Numeracy programmes (Standards Fund)	1—	9,845	247,910
(e) Books for schools	87,500	94,781	189,562
(f) Truancy (Standards Fund)	288,400	350,607	634,440
(g) School security (Standards Fund)	85,600	85,842	87,173
(h) School effectiveness (Standards Fund)	550,700	615,917	935,253
(i) Excellence in cities (Standards Fund)	1—	1—	1—
(j) New Deal for Schools	406,000	613,000	1,363,628
(k) Voluntary Aided Schools Capital	348,000	87,000	109,000
(l) Energy efficiency	1—	—	1—
(m) Music programmes	1—	1—	78,289
(n) Year 6 booster classes	1—	50,140	170,539
(o) Education standard spending assessment2	67,840,000	74,460,000	77,620,000
1 Not applicable
2 In 1997–98 £527 million was removed from Education Standard Spending at national level for the Nursery Voucher Scheme.